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April 30, 1861; Daily Times (Leavenworth, KS)

Companies E and F, Capts. Steele and Sully, arrived at the Fort, yesterday, from Kearney. There are about 170 men in the two companies, and Col. Miles is the commanding officer.
The volunteers from this city, stationed at the Fort, will now probably be relieved from duty there.

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America
by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

April 30, 1861

• Legislature of New Jersey convened in extra session; the Governor recommended the appropriation of $2,000,000 for war purposes.
• Virginia State Convention passed an ordinance establishing the navy of Virginia and authorizing the banks to issue one and two dollar notes.

April 30, 1861; Richmond Enquirer

We are indebted to the Norfolk Day Book for many of the following facts in regard to Fortress Monroe:
Fortress Monroe is a strongly fortified garrison situated on that point of land formed by the extreme western bank of the Chesapeake, that the extreme eastern bank of Hampton Roads, and at the junction of the two waters. It was discovered during the war of 1813-14, that Chesapeake Bay was the key to all the waters of Virginia and Maryland, and all who are at all familiar with the history of the country, will remember that British vessels came into Hampton Roads and not only took the town of Hampton, but Read more

April 30, 1861; The New York Herald

The following graphic and detailed account of the trip of the Seventh regiment is contained in a letter from a member of the regiment to a friend in this city:-
WASHINGTON, April 26, 1861.
FRIEND LEFERTSON—I suppose you will want to know how we got here. I could write a history about our journey. Having left New York on Friday morning, it may seem strange to you that it takes, or took us, six days to come here. We had a fine time all along the New Jersey route; at every station crowds were drawn up to receive us by the booming of cannon, the goodbye of the old folks, little remembrances, such as rosettes, cards with red, white and blue ribbon attached, and all sorts of little things. We had a very pleasant trip all through to Philadelphia—we were there stopped. It was our intention to proceed directly to Washington by rail; but the railroad company would not take us through. We heard of the attack made upon the Massachusetts and Philadelphia troops, and saw Read more

April 30, 1861; The New York Herald

There is a good deal of uncertainty and some anxiety about the mode in which the families of the soldiers of the militia and volunteer companies are to be sustained out of the volunteer funds, during the absence of the men. Money has been, and no doubt will be liberally contributed for this purpose; but some plan should be promulgated by which such of the wives and children of the absent soldiers as may need support, can be regularly supplied with funds. It may be that but a few of our gallant volunteers leave their families wholly unprovided for; but it would be a great consolation to those who have to do so to know that the dear ones they leave behind them will be taken care of, and their wants supplied with absolute certainty and as little inconvenience as possible.
Would it not be well to organize a General Distributing Committee for this purpose, with branch offices located in different districts of the city? The Colonel of every regiment might leave a copy of his roll with this committee before his departure and the families of such soldiers as may need support could thus obtain a regular weekly or monthly allowance upon application at the pay office of their district. Or, in cases where funds have been raised for particular regiments, the same plan might be carried out. But we think it is important that before any more troops leave the city some specific mode of distributing the funds for the maintenance of the families of the volunteers should be decided upon and publicly announced.

April 30, 1861; The New York Herald

Not the smallest pretext is made, by the people of Maryland and Virginia, that those States are out of the confederacy. The Cotton State secessionists, have gone through certain forms of a declaration of independence, and systematically revolted against the federal government; but such has not been the case in the border States. What language, then, is strong enough to characterized the treason of executive States officers, like Governors Letcher and Hicks, who have, hitherto, professed to be Union men, but who, at the very moment when their loyalty would have been of service to the country, unblushingly make common cause with the enemy. The declarations and acts of Governors Magoffin, of Kentucky, Ellis, of North Carolina, Jackson, of Missouri, and Harris, of Tennessee, have been as unpardonably rebellious and improper, as those of their colleagues in Virginia and Maryland; but the former have always been blatant, savage, fire eating secessionists, without a particle of hypocritical respect for the laws, and nothing was to have been expected of them than that they would Read more

April 30, 1861;  The New York Herald

The course of the administration at the present time appears to be of a vigorous and energetic character. Troops are being rapidly concentrated in the vicinity of Washington in such force as may change the original designs of the Southern leaders upon the federal capital. There can be no doubt, from the fact that all the southern troops actually in motion are observed in every quarter to be advancing toward the North, and from the fact that large bodies of men are quartered in Richmond, Harper’s Ferry and other points on the Southern border, that the intention of the secessionists was to make an attempt upon Washington, and, as preliminary measures, to seize the Navy Yard at Norfolk, the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Fortress Monroe, which commands the entrance to the Chesapeake, and Portsmouth, which faces the Norfolk (Gosport) Navy Yard. If they had accomplished all these manoeuvres and succeeded in making Baltimore the basis of operations against the federal capital, Washington would have been completely surrounded by hostile troops and cut off from all commutations with the North.
But the rebels were foiled in this attempt. They were too slow for the prompt action of General Scott, and the capital is now secure with its garrison of 18,000 and the hordes of troops which are organized all over the North, ready to pour into it at the word of command. There are probably not less than a quarter of a million of men in the different Northern States enrolled at present, of whom about 68,000 are qualified for active service in the field. It is not overestimating the number to say that 15,000 troops, from all points of the North, are at this moment ready to march for Washington, independent of the men already there, and those guarding the railroad from Annapolis. That the government is resolved to carry on the war vigorously, and to the bitter end, is evident from the fact that it has just decided to receive out of the 75,000 volunteers called for, 40,000 men to serve for three years, 25,000 for five years, and 13,000 out of the regular army to serve for five years, besides enrolling 18,000 sailors for the navy. An additional call has been made upon Pennsylvania for twenty regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, all of which have already been tendered to the Governor for the service of the United States government. Intelligence received from Harrisburg last night intimates that a prompt movement is about to be made from Pennsylvania at once which may result in the occupation of Baltimore by federal troops within forty eight hours. It is certain that troops are being Read more

April 30, 1861; <em>The New York Herald</em>

History rarely if ever presented such a sublime manifestation of patriotic devotion and military ardor as is displayed in the Northern States at this day. With one common impulse all classes of the people, without regard to political opinion, creed, or nativity, are responding to the country’s call, and falling into the ranks of the volunteers.
In great cities like New York of course military enthusiasm concentrates and intensifies; but it is by no means confined to large communities. Every little town and village all over the North has its band of heroes, going forth to battle for the government and the flag of the republic. From one little village in Ohio the other day, with a total population of sixteen hundred, four hundred soldiers turned out. This must have been nearly half the male adult population of the place; and no doubt like instances are occurring every day in other quarters.
In every possible way devotion to the government in this eventful crisis is manifesting itself. Merchants who were not esteemed very liberal with their means are retaining the situation of their clerks who have volunteered, and are paying their salaries to their families, besides contributing thousands to the general fund. Clerks who cannot leave the city are doing double duty for those who <!–more–>are gone; ladies are contributing their quota of service in preparing necessaries for the sick and wounded, and in some cases, as in Philadelphia, are volunteering their assistance to the clothing stores to hasten the completion of uniforms for the troops. And yet, with all this ardor at the North, there does not exist the least wish to subjugate the South. Our Southern brethren are in a state of insurrection against the government and the flag which have protected the whole country, and made it the mighty and prosperous nation it is. The people at the North are determined to bring back the insurrectionists to their senses and their allegiance to the flag of our common country, and it is for this purpose that one voice is ringing throughout the whole Northern States, proclaiming that the national capital must be protected, the constitution and laws obeyed, and peace be restored to the land. In view of this state of the case, it remains for the South now, to decide what her fate is to be the momentous issue before us.

April 30, 1861; The Charleston Mercury

The telegraph advises us that LINCOLN is chartering and arming any quantity of steam craft. So much the more urgent necessity for our getting privateers afloat. Any quantity of steam craft can be chartered in Europe, and armed and manned as privateers, those chartering giving insurance. Fifty steam privateers could be fitted out in Great Britain in two or three months, and a portion of them much sooner.

April 30, 1861; The Charleston Mercury

MONTGOMERY, April 26, 1861.
The blockade of the ports of the Confederate States, proclaimed by President LINCOLN in his late Proclamation, will certainly be followed by a recommendation, by the President of the Confederate States to the Congress to meet Monday next, to acknowledge the existence of the war against the Confederate States, and to enter upon it accordingly. As it might be feared, this war is regularly blundered into. The vacillating counsels of Virginia has produced it. Whereas, had she acted promptly with the Confederate States, she would have prevented it. If you will remember, until the proposal to secede from the Union was rejected in the Convention of Virginia by a vote of two-thirds, the Washington Government was very hesitating and conciliating. The communications to the Commissioners of the Confederate States were of the most peaceful character. But as soon as that vote took place there was an immediate change of policy. They thought Virginia, and with her the Border States, were safe for the cause of the North. Military preparations immediately commenced; and it was determined to assail the seven Confederate States, and reduce them to subjection. Hence reinforcements were sent to Charleston. They never expected the Border States to leave them, much less to turn round their fiercest enemies. If they could they would now retract, but they cannot. Neither the war feeling raised in the North or South will permit it; and thus a mistake as to the feelings and position of Virginia and the other frontier States produces this war. Virginia, however, is nobly atoning for her error. She has moved with great decision in her measures to protect her soil; and having adopted the Permanent Constitution of the Confederate States, she will be represented next week in the Southern Congress. Tennessee and North Carolina will also, in all probability, be represented; and thus, the States which will have, in all probability, the chief brunt of the war to bear, will be parties to its declaration. Kentucky and Missouri are badly armed, and will linger awhile; but the appearance of troops at Cairo will soon awake up the spirit of that martial people. The effort to subdue the fifteen Slave States of the South will, of course, fail; and it will accomplish that most desirable of all results—the formation of a Slaveholding Confederacy. War, it is to be hoped, will raise such an antagonism between the Slave States and the Free States as to end this peril.

April 30, 1861; The Charleston Mercury

LATEST by TELEGRAPH.
MONTGOMERY, April 29. Congress met at noon today.
President DAVIS’ Message was read, announcing the ratification of the Permanent Constitution by all of the Confederate States, and that it only remained that an election be held for the designation of officers to administer it. He says the declaration of war has been laid against this Confederacy by ABRAHAM LINCOLN, which rendered it necessary for the defence of the country.
The President then reviews at length the relations heretofore existing between the states, and events which have resulted in the present warfare. Referring to the result of the mission of the Commissioners to Washington, he says the crooked paths of diplomacy can scarcely furnish an example so wanting in courtesy, in candor, and in directness, as was the course of the United States’ Government towards our Commissioners.
The President incidentally refers to the prudent caution observed by the fleet off Charleston during the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and pays a high compliment to the Read more

April 30, 1861; The Charleston Mercury

From our Special Correspondent.
RICHMOND, VA., April 26.
I have just returned from a visit to the camp of Co. GREGG’S regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. Upon their arrival in the city they were first assigned quarters in a large and commodious though unfinished building, intended to be used as an alms house. Today, however, they marched over to the old State Fair grounds, and having taken possession of the whole enclosure, the area of which may be roughly estimated at ten acres square, they are now busy pitching their tents and otherwise making themselves comfortable. The grounds they occupy are excellently well suited for the purposes of encampment. A close high fence on every side, with but a single gateway, secures that privacy from intrusion which is so desirable. The enclosed space consists of a field of clover, now freshened by the breath Read more

April 30, 1861; The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, April 27, 1861.
I observed that THE MERCURY of Thursday, received this morning, contains no letter, and only one of the dispatches sent you. A letter has been written from this point to THE MERCURY every day this week, and why they have not been received passes my comprehension, for the Charleston papers reach here regularly, and as yet Old ABE has been kind enough not to carry out the war programme of the New York Times, which contemplates the capture of Richmond if not sooner.
Mr. RIORDAN, of your office, with whom I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday, tells me that the Richmond mails are exceedingly irregular of late, and, like myself, is at a loss to account for the fact. Mr. R. goes with the Carolina troops wherever Read more

April 30, 1861; Staunton Spectator

BANKING OFFICE OF A. NICHOLAS & CO.,
No. 70 Wall Street,
NEW YORK, 15th April, ‘61.
Col. J. M. McCUE,–Mt. Solon,–Dear Sir:–It is a long time since I had the pleasure of writing you of your health. I have been frequently informed by my friend Sibert who has been kind enough to advise me occasinally respecting Mt. Solon and yourself. We have in this city become highly excited by the news that Fort Sumter was fired into and taken by the troops of the Cotton States. The President’s message, calling first for 75,000 troops and then increasing the demand to 175,000, has produced a profound and deep impression that we are about entering into an awful performance, the end of which no man can tell. The only hope now is, that Va. will stand firm by the Union and hold all the border States to the same line of policy–if she does, our misguided South Carolina friends can soon be brought to reason–if she does not, but goes to swell the triumphal car of secession, God knows the end. The universal sentiment here is, that if the Border States do go out, then the war must exterminate the cause which has created this contention. When I heard that South Carolina fired coolly and deliberately and wantonly upon our flag, I cried like a child, that our brothers should fire into us. If the men that did the deed could have seen the eyes that were dimmed, and the stout frames of strong men that shook when the news was received here, they would have wished that the earth had swallowed them up. The newspapers and office seekers have done their best to set the sections against each other. May God forgive them I can’t!–My Dear Sir, will Virginia secede? What is your opinion? Pray let me hear from you soon.
Yours, A. NICHOLAS. Read more

April 30, 1861; Daily Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

Mr. Lowe, the efficient publisher, and talented sub-editor of the Gazette, left our office and has gone to the wars with the Shreveport Grays. Mr. Lucius Gage, an excellent printer, joined the Caddo Rifles and has deserted us also. As much as we regret the loss of such worthy men, still we are proud of the fact that the Gazette office has shown such a patriotic spirit.—Caddo Gazette.

We venture the assertion that there is scarcely an organized company in the State that has not two or three printers in it. Three hands out of this office have gone with the Pelican Rifles; another goes with the Delta Rifles of West Baton Rouge. There are two other members of the craft in the latter company. One of them, Mr. John McGrath, was in Nicaraugua [sic] with Walker, and was in all Walker’s engagements, including the siege of Rivas.

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 30th.-Gen. Kearney has been brought here, having been taken on his way to Washington from Missouri. He manifested surprise at his captivity, and says that he is no enemy; being, I believe, Southern born. I learn it is the purpose of the governor to release him. And this may be a blunder. I fear about as much from ill-timed Southern magnanimity as from Northern malignity.

The Pawnee “scare” turned out just as I thought it would. She merely turned her nose up the river, and then put about and steamed away again. It may do good, however, if it stimulates the authorities to due preparation against future assaults from that quarter.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

TUESDAY 30

Prest Lincoln was at the Pat office today to see the troops in their quarters. Gov Seward was with him. Julia presented a fine Boquet of flowers to Gov Sprague at his quarters in the Pat office. The office is a greater novelty now than ever before but the soldiers are very orderly and inteligent. There is not much work done now by the examrs. There is so much confusion. Troops continue to arrive in the City by the thousands every day. Regiments are constantly on parade. Wrote to Bro C R today.

by John Beauchamp Jones

I wrote to my agent on the Eastern Shore to send me the last year’s rent due on the farm. But I learn that the cruisers in the bay are intercepting the communications, and I fear remittances will be impracticable. I hope my family are ready by this to leave Burlington. Women and children have not yet been interfered with. What if they should be compelled to abandon our property there? Mrs. Semple had her plate seized at New York.

At fifty-one, I can hardly follow the pursuit of arms; but I will write and preserve a DIARY of the revolution. I never held or sought office in my life; but now President Tyler and Gov. Wise say I will find employment at Montgomery. The latter will prepare a letter to President Davis, and the former says he will draw up a paper in my behalf, and take it through the Convention himself for signatures. I shall be sufficiently credentialed, at all events — provided old partisan considerations are banished from the new confederacy. To make my DIARY full and complete as possible, is now my business. And,

“When the hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won,”

if the South wins it, I shall be content to retire to my farm, provided it falls on the Southern side of the line, and enjoy sweet repose “under my own vine and fig-tree.”

by Horatio Nelson Taft

MONDAY 29

This has been a pleasant day and quite an exciting one on account of the movements of the Military. The bal. of the RI Regt came today and the whole were reviewed by the Prest, Genl Scott, and the Cabinet officers. Myself and wife, Julia and Willie, were in the East Room. The boys were with the two Lincoln boys riding until the review was nearly over. Self & Julia were introduced to Gov Sprague, Col Burnside, and other officers of the RI Regt by Surgeon Genl Wheaton at the Pat office. Came home about dark from Willards, some weary.

by John Beauchamp Jones

Saw Judge Scarburg, who has resigned his seat in the Court of Claims at Washington. I believe he brought his family, and abandoned his furniture, etc. Also Dr. Garnett, who left most of his effects in the hands of the enemy. He was a marked man, being the son-in-law of Gov. Wise.

Many clerks are passing through the city on their way to Montgomery, where they are sure to find employment. Lucky men, some of them! They have eaten Lincoln bread for more than a month, and most of them would have been turned out of offce if there had been no secession. And I observe among them some who have left their wives behind to take care of their homes.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1861.

Rainy all the forepart of the day. Attended church with wife and the boys. Went and returned in the rain. Mr [Haws?] of Lyons [Iowa?] returned with us and dined with us. Chas also dined with us. Did not go out again till evening. Went down to Willards with Willie for a walk. The Band of the 7th Regt were performing at Willards Hall the National airs. More soldiers came today. We feel entirely safe from attack now from without. Famine may attack us within. Beef 20 cts. pr pound now and all provisions much advanced in price.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SATURDAY 27

Another fine day, rather warm. Troops from the North are pouring fast now. There is now here about eighteen thousand men under arms. All the Public Buildings are swarming like Beehives with soldiers, in fact the City is like a great camp, and not half are here yet. Got letter from Frank dated Fort Kearney. Went down to the Ave after dinner, saw two thousand troops pass, who got in today. Pres Lincolns two boys were here today to see mine. Juliet was at the Pres. Got fine Boquet from the garden.

by John Beauchamp Jones

We have had a terrible alarm. The tocsin was sounded in the public square, and thousands have been running hither and thither to know its meaning. Dispatches have been posted about the city, purporting to have been received by the governor, with the startling information that the U. S. war steamer Pawnee is coming up the James River for the purpose of shelling the city!

All the soldiery, numbering some thousands, are marching down to Rocketts, and forming in line of battle on the heights commanding the approaches. The howitzers are there, frowning defiance; and two long French bronze guns are slowly passing through Main Street in the same direction. One of them has just broken down, and lies abandoned in front of the Post-Office. Even civilians, by hundreds, are hurrying with shot-guns and pistols to the scene of action, and field officers are galloping through the streets. Although much apprehension is apparent on many faces, it is but just to say that the population generally are resolved to make a determined defense. There is no fear of personal danger; it is only the destruction of property that is dreaded. But, in my opinion, the Pawnee is about as likely to attempt the navigation of the River Styx, as to run up this river within shelling distance of the city.

I walked down to the lower bridge, without even taking a pocket-pistol, and saw the troops drawn up in line of battle awaiting the enemy. Toward evening the howitzers engaged in some unprofitable practice, shelling the trees on the opposite side.

It was a false alarm, if not something worse. I fear it is an invention of the enemy to divert us from the generally conceived policy of attacking Washington, and rousing up Maryland in the rear of Lincoln.

Met with, and was introduced to, Gov. Letcher, in the evening, at the Enquirer office. IHe was revising one of his many proclamations; and is now undoubtedly as zealous an advocate of secession as any man. He said he would be ready to fight in three or four days; and that he would soon have arrangements completed to blockade the Potomac by means of formidable batteries.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

FRIDAY 26

This has been a fine day and one of much excitement in the City. I was at the Pat office as usual when I heard Martial Music and immediately the Rhode Island Regiment with Gov Sprague at their head marched in at the East Wing and up into the large Hall as their quarters. About 2000 have arrived today, and a large number are expected tomorrow. Was at “Willards” tonight, a great crowd. Saw the first trophy of the war — a Secession flag taken over at Arlington in V.a. without any opposition. It is now near 11 o’clock.

by John Beauchamp Jones

April 25th — Ex-President Tyler and Vice-President Stephens are negotiating a treaty which is to ally Virginia to the Confederate States.

April 26th — To-day I recognize Northern merchants and Jews in the streets, busy in collecting the debts due them. The Convention has thrown some impediments in the way; but I hear on every hand that Southern merchants, in the absence of legal obligations, recognize the demands of honor, and are sending money North, even if it be used against us. This will not last long.

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