Affairs at Harper' s Ferry.
The correspondent of the Alexandria Gazette writes (May 13) as follows: ‘ Last night more troops arrived, with munitions of war. They are from the Southwestern portion of Virginia. They are a fine looking set of men, stout and well made. An idea seems to be getting possession of the Virginians that the bayonet will be their most effective weapon in a contest. Several companies have, consequently, commenced drilling in the bayonet exercise. The force stationed at the Point of Rocks has been strengthened, and a battery erected there similar in character to the famous Comming's battery at Charleston. More troops have also been sent to Shepherdstown, and a battery erected there. The heights in the neighborhood are now all occupied, the bridges well defended, and scouting parties are traversing the country in every direction from which a hostile force may possibly come. One thousand Minnie muskets arrived last evening from North Carolina. Mary landers are constantly coming in, unarmed. Yesterday about forty of the members of the Maryland Legislature visited this place. The special object of this visit is not precisely known. Many supposed that they came here to protest against the seizure of the Maryland heights by the Virginia troops, but the political complexion of the delegation forbids such an inference. It may be worthy of notice that Ross Winans accompanied the delegation.--He believes that there will be no war of any consequence. A gentleman just from Chambersburg, Pa., says that the military force stationed there is somewhat in a state of disorganization; that the citizens are leaving the place from fear of the soldiers; and that picket guards are posted in every direction, to prevent a nocturnal surprise, of which they are painfully apprehensive. Last night 55 more beeves were seized.--There is now waiting the command of the Quartermaster here, 150,000 bushels of grain, all in Jefferson county, and as much more can be obtained from the same county, if necessary. Thus, you see that Jefferson county can carry on a small war herself — for 300,000 bushels of grain will support for some time an army of 10,000 men. ’ The correspondent of the Baltimore American furnishes the following description of the Virginia camp at Harper' s Ferry: ‘ No visitor to Harper's Ferry can well fail to have his attention challenged by the appearance of the Kentucky Regiment, not less by the greater frequency with which its uniform is seen over any other than by the striking appearance of the stalwart and keen-eyed men composing it. Better material for good soldiers, it would seem at a glance, could not be desired. The men were generally above the ordinary height, stoutly framed, and wore upon their countenances an expression of ready intelligence and of resolution which conveyed a promise of deeds of heroism whenever the hour of action shall come. The majority of them, as I learned from one of its intelligent members, are from the counties of Western Kentucky, a considerable portion of the remainder hailing from Louisville. Their expertness with the rifle is a subject of remark in the camp, and was publicly illustrated one day last week, when at a target firing parade of the regiment five out of every six shots fired hit the mark within a circumference of thirty-six inches.--They number about six hundred, are uniformed in blue woolen hunting shirts and trousers, with slouched hats, and are commanded by Col. Bianton V. Duncan, a wealthy gentleman of Kentucky, who served in the regiment of that State with distinction during the Mexican war. Col. Duncan raised, equipped and transported his regiment to Virginia entirely at his own expense. The Kentuckians are armed with Minnie rifles. They are specially detailed to guard the strongly fortified Maryland Heights, the key to the whole position. They know it to be a post of danger, and express an eager desire for the fight, which they believe is soon to occur. The number of soldiers in Harper's Ferry is but small compared with the expectations of those visiting the place. The effect is due to the care with which the forces there have been distributed through the town, the camp upon the hills at Bolivar, and upon the surrounding heights. From a well informed source I learn that the number of soldiers in and about the town is estimated in camp at 7, 000, a considerable portion of whom were not armed until last week. This number is daily increasing by additions from Virginia, and from distant parts of the Confederacy. A company of Tennesseans arrived last week, a company from Arkansas are on the road, and a Louisiana regiment was daily expected to arrive. The Baltimoreans and Marylanders, of whom there are a large number — exceeding two hundred and fifty, I was told, in camp — are to be formed into one distinct Maryland Regiment. The two companies of Captains Wellmore and Mullin, which passed through Frederick from Baltimore last week, have been supplied with arms and stationed at Point of Rocks. Another squad of sixteen Baltimoreans passed through Frederick Saturday night on their way to Harper' s Ferry, and we encountered on the road yesterday, within five or six miles of the same place, a squad of six stout recruits for the Virginia service from Baltimore county. They were furnished with some money by our party, and reached their destination about noon. The conduct of the Baltimoreans during their march through this section has been much commended. They appear to have abstained from every act which should excite prejudice against them. ’ Montgomery county is represented in the camp by a large number of her young men, and Charles and Prince George' s counties ditto. The variety of uniforms to be met with at Harper' s Ferry is almost endless, embracing more styles than the ‘"Regulation"’ book has recorded for a half century, and presenting nearly every shade of colors. It is evident, however, that the pompons ideas of old tie-wig Europe, that a soldier should be literally ‘"dressed to death,"’ have been effectually exploded, and that a more utilitarian and comprehensive view of the requirement of the soldier now prevails. This is observable in the increasing popularity of the simple flannel shirt worn a la Garibaldi, and for the loose hunting shirt. A very large portion of the Virginia troops at Harper' s Ferry are uniformed with the former, while not a few sturdy farmers may be seen with no other dress than their home-manufactured homespun or Kentucky jean. Of them it may be truly said:‘ #x34;They mustered in their simple dress
For wrongs to seek a stern redress;
To right those wrong, come well, come woe,
To perish, or o'ercome the foe"
’
Here, as at the Gosport Navy-Yard, the amount of property destroyed by the Federal Government has been but slight in comparison with the extent of the works, or with those left untouched. Indeed, so slight has been the destruction at Harper' s Ferry, that the visitor is at first unable to detect the evidence of it.
