Cincinnati (OH) Daily Press, "By Telegraph - Probable Stampede of Slaves through Virginia," May 31, 1861

                                                            BY TELEGRAPH.

                                                     Subjugation of the Rebels.

The Cabinet Discussing the Question, “What is to be Done with the Rebel Captives?”— Probable Stampede of Negroes through Virginia— Harper’s Ferry to be Speedily Evacuated by the Secession Troops— General McClellan Marching on that Point with Fifteen Thousand Men – A  Missouri Regiment Ordered to Fortress Monroe— Large Arrival of Troops at Grafton, Va. – Eighty Thousand Government Troops to Rendezvous at Cairo from on Immediate Move on Memphis, Tenn.— The Administration Putting Forth all its Vigor— Lieutenant Stemmer Declares Fort Pickens Capable of Resisting any Attack— Major- General Fremont Assignment to the Command of the Western Division of the Army – All the Texas Ports Blockaded.

            NEW YORK, May 30.— The Times’s Washington correspondents speculates as follows: Government is becoming embarrassed with the question of how the prisoners captured in the conflict now going on shall be disposed of. Scouts are daily picking up men proved to be disunionists. Already those taken exceed one hundred. The rebels are capturing Union men, thinking that when they have a sufficient number they will be able to secure the release of the thirty six rebels captured at Alexandria.

            If the Government rates these men as rebels taken in arms against the Government, they should be hung. If the system of exchanges be adopted, there is in the act a recognition of the rebels as belligerent according to all laws of nations. The Cabinet have discussed this point several time without coming to any results.

            The Government has ascertained there are no rebels at Fairfax Court- house.

            There were troops at the point, but they have fallen back on the main body at Manasas Gap.

They have literally eaten up everything to be obtained at Fairfax Court- house, and were driven back for fear of starvation.

            The rebels take whatever they can find from the families of friends and foes, and pay liberally, but in the scrip of Virginia.

            The determination of Judge Taney to report to the President the result of his endeavors to break down the Federal Government is a discreet way of getting out of trouble.

            It appears, by advices from Fortress Monroe, that there is likely to be a stampede of negroes through Virginia.