Quite an excitement was occasioned, about dark this afternoon, by the sudden movement of All the troops of all arms stationed in the immediate vicinity of the city towards the several bridges across the Potomac. The streets and hotels were immediately filled with a variety of wild and absurd rumors. The infantry columns filled the streets and avenues, the artillery and cavalry shook the earth with their heavy tramp, activity was everywhere, and although wondering at the sudden summons, all pressed eagerly on to action. Upon reaching the river side, the commander of each regiment was interrogated by an officer of the staff of General Wadsworth, commanding the division, as to the condition of his regiment, and was informed that he had been called out by order of the Secretary of War, to ascertain with what promptness the troops here could be put in motion, prepared for action. The precision and promptness of the response to this call were particularly gratifying. It manifested the readiness of the whole division upon any emergency.
The Van Alen cavalry, under command of Colonel Mix, was especially complimented. Within fifteen minutes after the receipt of the order it was in line, completely equipped, and, with its forage train with three days’ forage, reported soon afterwards at the Long Bridge. Some of the infantry regiments responded with astonishing celerity. The whole drill was exceedingly gratifying to the officers of the division and satisfactory to the military authorities.
The New York Herald, New York, NY