1 May 1861 Alexandria Gazette Public Sale of Valuable Real Estate called Red Hill Under authority of a decree of the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, Va., rendered at the June term, 1860, in the suit of Carter, against Look and others, the undersigned, Commissioners therein named, will, on Tuesday, the 7th day of May, 1861, at 3 o’clock, P. M., at the front door of the court house , in Alexandria, offer at public auction, that portion of the valuable TRACT OF LAND called “RED HILL.” containing by recent survey 960 ACRES. This land lies partly in the county of Fairfax and partly in the county of Prince William. The portions situated in the respective counties will be sold separately. The independent line of the Manassas Gap Railroad passes by or through the land, and it is near a contemplated depot. The land is considered the very best and most productive in that region of the country, and is of the red clay soil, there held in such high estimation, and is well adapted to the production of all kinds of grain and grasses. There is an abundance of wood on the land, and it is proverbially healthy. The BUILDINGS are comfortable. Terms of Sale: Ten per cent of the purchases money to be paid in cash, on the day of sale as a deposit to be forfeited on the failure of the purchaser, to complete his purchase, the residue of the purchase money to be paid in three equal installments, in 6,12,and 18 months from the day of sale, with interest from the day of sale, to be secured by the bonds of the purchaser, and the title to be retained until the purchase money is fully paid, the land to be resold at the risk of the purchaser, upon his default at any time to pay the cash deposit or the deferred installments. Possession at once given. Francis L. Smith Matthew Harrison Commissioners of Sale 2 May 1861 Alexandria Gazette Public Sale of Real Estate near Manassas Junction By virtue of a deed of trust, executed by Joseph W. Roseberry and wife, on the 16th day of August, 1851, and of record in the Clerk’s Office of Prince William County Court, in Liber No. 21, page 348, the undersigned therein named as Trustee, and for the purposes of said trust, will, ON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF MAY, 1861, (that being the first day of the Circuit Court of Prince William,) at the front door of the Court House of said county, proceed to sell at public auction, for cash, to the highest bidder, TWO TRACTS OF LAND. The first containing THREE HUNDRED and FIFTY-ONE ACRES, TWO RODS, and TWO POLES 9 May 1861 Alexandria Gazette Two Prince William Farms For Sale The subscriber has TWO SMALL FARMS in the county of Prince William, which he will sell on accommodating terms; one adjoining the lands of A. Howison, six miles from Bristoe’s Station, and the other, one and a half miles above said station, the road running through it, and both with a great sufficiency of WOOD, TIMBER and WATER. BUILDINGS good and comfortable, and well fenced. The first named farm has 800 ACRES, the other 400. Not more than one third of the purchase money will be demanded, and the balance in one, two and three years, or longer if required. Persons wishing to leave the District of Columbia, as well as others, would do well to give me a call, at Effingham, Prince William County, Va. Charles G. Howison Prince William County, Va. 10 May 1861 Alexandria Gazette Thoroughfare Station Horses For Sale Three young mares suitable for farming purposes. They are of fine size, work well and are gentle for further particulars, address R. C. G. Thoroughfare Station, Manassas Gap Railroad 1 8 June 1861 – New York Times News of the Day The relative position of the belligerent force across the Potomac has not changed materially within the last twenty-four hours, though the impression prevails everywhere that a serious collision cannot much longer be delayed. The Federal entrenchments beyond Arlington House, opposite Georgetown, are being rapidly strengthened – thirty six cannon having already been mounted on the embankment. Our troops there look for an attack from the direction of Manassas Junction at any moment. The Federal and Rebel pickets are also gradually approaching each other on the Fairfax road. 9 June 1861 – New York Times Probability of a Battle at Manassas Junction No Movement to be Made on Manassas Junction There are indications, this afternoon of a movement of troops. Several camps have moved to the other side. The First Rhode Island Regiment are under marching orders, probably destined to Chambersburgh. They will be replaced by the Second Regiment from Rhode Island, which is ready to come, and which is sworn in for three years. I differ with your cotemporaries about the probabilities of a fight on the Alexandria line, at or near Manassas Junction. This line is strong enough to keep the rebels in check at the Junction, while Gen. Patterson, from Pennsylvania, and the column from Ohio, are pushing in and through the rebels at Harper’s Ferry. In this way they are to be cut in pieces in detachments, and so annihilated. If they retreat from Harper’s Ferry back upon Manassas Junction, they will not there have force enough to attack our entrenched camps in front of Washington, and they cannot wait at the Junction without being threatened by the Ohio and Pennsylvania columns, following up the retreating forces from Harper’s Ferry. For the reasons above stated, I do not think the rebels will be attacked from this direction. Look at the map, and see if this is not likely to be the end. Bear in mind that all statements representing seventeen thousand rebels at Manassas and fifteen thousand at the Ferry are sheer fabrications. 9 June 1861 – New York Times News of the Day Although troops are moving almost daily across the river from Washington into Virginia – several camps having been changed to the other side yesterday – it is believed that the probabilities of an engagement at Manassas Gap Junction are diminishing, although the rebel forces there evidently expect to be attacked by the Federal troops, and are continually strengthening their position. That they will attack our line of entrenchments is now regarded as extremely improbable, as they cannot hope to bring against it any force which would insure success. This line, therefore, is sufficient to hold them in check while Gen. Patterson’s command from Chambersburgh and the column of troops from Ohio are driving the rebels from Harper’s Ferry. Even should the latter retreat upon Manassas Junction the combined forces of the rebels could hardly venture an attack upon our entrenchments, as they would in that event be threatened by the Pennsylvania and Ohio troops following in pursuit. 10 June 1861 – New York Times June 1861 – New Orleans True Delta The Rebels in Virginia A letter from Richmond Virginia to the New Orleans True Delta says: “You have doubtless noted how the present aspect of the seat of war on the Virginia border has been produced. I am persuaded that within the six weeks past the strategy of the Confederate Government has undergone a charge – or at least that it has been caused to take on the appearance of change. I am satisfied that it was originally designed to make a dash upon Washington. Lincoln and Gen. Scott thought so. The Secessionists of unhappy Maryland hoped so. But this policy, for several reasons, which it were better perhaps at present not to dwell on, was abandoned, or appeared to be abandoned. The Confederate Government would leave to the enemy the choice of inilating by invasion the actual conflict in the field. It would respect his territory if he would respect ours. In the language of President Davis, it asked for nothing but to be let alone. Laissez aller, laissez faire – this was the appeal it made to word and in act to the North before an audience of the civilized world. The appeal was spurned. Our forbearance was constructed was construed into fear. The enemy determined that since we hesitated to strike, he would not. You have seen at Sewall’s Point, at Hampton, at Newport News, at Alexandria, at 2 Arlington Heights, how he has exercised the option that was given to him. He has attacked and invaded our territory at every exposed position. At Newport News; by that means hopes to command Suffolk; and commanding Suffolk, could intercept direct railroad communication between Richmond and Norfolk, and, if possessed of a considerable force, would threaten in no light degree both the last named cities. But all eyes are turned at present towards Manassas Junction. The enemy, as the telegraph informed you last night, has massed some 20,000 or 25,000 troops at and about Alexandria, and their numbers at last accounts were increasing by constant arrivals by land and river. It is apprehended that they mean to attack us at Manassas Junction, where we had yesterday about 10,000 increased perhaps to 15,000 men under Gen. Bonham, which were being rapidly reinforced from this, city. Civil and military men here differ, however, as to the designs of the enemy in that direction. Some regard the demonstration at Alexandria as a feint to make important movements elsewhere – perhaps upon Norfolk, or Yorktown, or Aquia Creek, or Harper’s Ferry, or some other point. But Gen. Lee, who is by no means a man to jump hastily to conclusions, appears to put a literal construction upon it.