The Daily Dispatch: June 3, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The war movements.
a passenger train fired into by a picket Guard on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad--Narrow escape of several passengers — the New York Seventh Regiment--Affairs at Fort McHenry--guns spiked, &c.

The Western express train, which left Piedmont East, at 7,20 P. M., on Wednesday evening, in charge of Conductor Bryson, was fired into between 1 and 2 o'clock yesterday morning, at a point about one mile west of the Relay House, by a detachment of the troops stationed there, who, it is alleged, acted on the presumption that the train was carrying an attacking party of Confederate troops, such a rumor having been circulated. On the contrary, however, the train contained a number of New York and Philadelphia through passengers, including several ladies.

It is usual when a train is called to a halt to wave a light in front of the train as a signal. The conductor and passengers assert that no such light was displayed, and the place not being the regular stopping point, the train came on, of course. Immediately, about ten or eleven muskets were fired — some say at the engineer, Mr. Lewis, but nearly all the balls fired took effect in the two first passenger cars, five leaving their mark. One ball struck near the head of a lady, Mrs, Murdock, of New York, taking out a large piece of the woodwork of the car; a second passed in close proximity to the hand of a gentleman, a hotel keeper at Harper's Ferry, carrying away several slats of the window; while a third ball entered the water-closet, perforating four partitions.

The train, previous to the firing, had been delayed several hours beyond its regular time, caused by the interruptions at Harper's Ferry. Point of Rocks, and elsewhere, where the railroad track is destroyed, and its approach at an unusual boat no doubt gave color to the report that a special train with a Confederate force was approaching.

The train was promptly stopped on being fired into, but was suffered to come on to Baltimore, arriving about daylight. The passengers exhibited several splinters from the cars track, and detailed their escape with much feeling.

Col. Jones, the commander of the post at the Relay House, in view of the circumstances of the case, ordered an investigation.

The master of transportation of the road, Mr. Smith, in conformity with the desire of Col. Jones, proceeded to the Relay Camp at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, taking with him as witnesses in the case all the employees on the team. A partial examination took place. It was proven that the picket acted indiscreetly and without orders, and the testimony exonerated the officers of the train from any charge of rashness. After the shots were fired and the train stopped, the soldiers entered the cars and acted rather unbecomingly. There were over twenty ladies on the train who were greatly frightened. One of the soldiers remarked, when expostulated with, that ‘"Baltimore deserved a shot anyhow,"’ or words to that effect. The examination will be continued.

In view of the serious nature of the case, and animated by a wish not to expose passengers in their care to the risk of personal harm, the company had determined to abandon the road for the present, but in consideration of the prompt action of Col. Jones in ordering an investigation, the day trains only will be run to the West, and the regular morning train will leave daily as usual, thus avoiding night travel.

Yesterday afternoon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company received notification at 1 P. M. to prepare trains for the transportation of two regiments of troops to Washington, but it was 6 o'clock before the trains were needed. The regiments were the 12th, of Onondaga, N. Y., Col. E. L. Walrath, and the 13th, of Rochester, N. Y. Col. Quimby, averaging 800 men each, fully armed and equipped, and accompanied by band and drum corps. The regiments embarked at Williamsport, Pa., at 8 A. M. yesterday morning, on two trains of passenger and freight cars, and were brought to the Bolton depot in this city, under the personal supervision of James C. Clarke, the Superintendent of the Northern Central Road. The first train, bearing the 12th regiment, reached the Bolton depot at 5:30 P. M., and the second, with the 13th aboard, at 6 P. M. About a half-dozen cars contained the stud of horses belonging to the officers, and the baggage, besides 30,000 pounds of ammunition.

The Twelfth Regiment disembarked first, and moved out Biddle street to Entaw, and down that thoroughfare to the front of the Camden Station Hall and the depot, followed at the distance of several squares by the Thirteenth Regiment over the same route.

The two trains bearing the regiments left the Camden Station at a quarter to 8 o'clock. The usual crowd of spectators assembled at both depots — the one to witness the arrival, and the other the departure of the troops. Some faint cheers were received, and sped them on their way, but the spectators, for the most part, were content to quietly watch the progress of things without demonstration.

The through train from New York via Philadelphia, brought to the Camden Station yesterday afternoon detachments of the Second and Ninth Regiments of New York, and a few members of the 7th Regiment, all en route for Washington to join their respective regiments. The members of the 2d were not aware of the action of their corps until informed by persons in this city. The members of the 7th were those who were off on furlough. They left for the Capital in the 3.40 P. M. train.

The accounts of the intentions and movements of the Seventh New York Regiment have been so conflicting that it is with some satisfaction that we are enabled to state definitely their future movements. From a military gentleman — a member of the regiment, who left Washington last night — we learn that the regiment will certainly leave Washington this afternoon for New York, and will more than probably come by way of Baltimore.

Major-Morris, in command at Fort McHenry, was in the city yesterday.

From a visitor at the fort yesterday, we learn that the two large columbiads sent down from the Pittsburg foundry, and intended for Fort McHenry, were spiked while left standing on the gondolas at North street over night. ‘"Rattail"’ files were used for the purpose by the parties engaged in the act, and the job is so complete that it is thought the guns will have to be sent back for the purpose of rebooting the touch-holes. Workmen were employed yesterday in endeavoring to extract the obstructions by boring, but met with poor success.

The work of improving the defences within the fort is still going on. The magazine is being fortified by sand bags. An artesian well is being sunk in the fort ground, which is intended to supply the garrison with pure water in case of a siege.

John Merryman, Esq., is still at the fort.--His counsel and friends are freely admitted with a pass.

The mail train from the West due at 3 ½ P. M. yesterday afternoon had not arrived at 10 last night. It was supposed that other bridges had probably been destroyed, but no definite intelligence could be learned, as the wires were not working.

By well-confirmed reports from Pennsylvania, we learn that in addition to Frederick, Williamsport and Hagerstown, Hancock and Cumberland, Md., were both about to be occupied by Federal troops. It would appear evident that the Federal Government is determined, as part of its military plans, to take entire possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as Wheeling, Parkersburg, Grafton, and their intermediate points are already possessed by troops.

This movement, with the occupation of the points just cited, will leave only the small territory between Martinsburg and the Point of Rocks (between 30 or 40 miles,) in possession of the Confederate troops. It is supposed that the Federal armies are accompanied by corps of sappers and miners, with bodies of laborers to repair destroyed bridges, railroad tracks and telegraph lines, to be used by the Government.

We hear that Gen. Scott, immediately on learning that the Maryland Insane Asylum at Catonsville, had been occupied by Federal troops, without authority, ordered their withdrawal. It is supposed they will leave today.

An advance guard of sixty United States troops were at Hallafield, above Ellicott's Mills, yesterday morning.

The picket guard, five miles below Annapolis Junction, was fired into by some unknown parties Wednesday night. No one was hurt.