Providence (RI) Evening Press, "Washington Special Dispatches - A Slave Stampede," May 16, 1862

                  WASHINGTON SPECIAL DESPATCHES.

                               A SLAVE STAMPEDE.

                      OUTRAGES IN WEST VIRGINIA.

                     TWO TOWNS BURNT BY GUERILLAS.

                                       WASHINGTON, May 16.

   The Tribune states that Marylanders say that a few days ago 1000 slaves, as if by a preconcerted movement, left their happy homes in Prince George's county, Md., and came to the District of Columbia, where they still are. 

    A despatch from Fredericksburg says a large foundry which was used by the rebels for casting shot, shell and rifled cannon, was on Wednesday taken possession of by an officer of McDowell's staff. Yankee mechanics were immediately set at work and are producing the best specimens of their workmanship. 

   The Herald states that the Hon. Jacob Blair of Western Virginia, received this morning the following starting communication from his constituents:

             QUAKERSBURG, May 10. 

    Great state of excitement here! The town of Burning Springs, West County, was burnt yesterday afternoon by the Morcassier Rangers, also Palestine. Everything in the former place has been destroyed. This town is full of fugitives. It is not known who are killed, though many are missing. Nor is it known what became of the small military force in that region. 

   The number of Morcassier's men is not known, though some fix it at 600. The town of Elizabeth is deserted, and by this time probably burned. Some consider this place in imminent danger. They have but one company of soldiers here. The citizens would turn out to a considerable extent if they only had arms.