When an electric current flows through a long conductor, each free electron moves from one end of the other end. When an electric field is applied to a conductor (a wire) the free electrons of the conductor are subject to an electric force which will cause the electrons to move. Given that the electrons are negatively charged they will move counter-wise the field.. Each end of the wire is attached to one pole or end of a battery (or generator of electricity) then the electrons will move form the end joined to the negative pole toward the end attached to positive pole.
