May 1, 1861; The New York Herald A crisis is approaching in the military movements progressing at the seat of war. Troops have not been concentrating there for so many days without a definite object, and it is manifest now what the purpose of government is. Baltimore is to be completely filled with troops, and [...]

Charleston Mercury May 1, 1861 The annual recurrence of this day, usually devoted to the festivities of those in the early season of life, finds our young men in the tented field and our maidens more thoughtful for the future. The May Pole is not raised, the festoons of flowers, with odors sweet, are not [...]

Warning The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. May 1, 1861; Memphis Daily Appeal (Tennessee) The Montgomery papers announce the fact that two negroes there had subscribed liberally to the Confederate loan–$200 each. The [...]

Charleston Mercury May 1, 1861 RICHMOND, April 29, 1861. Of the arrest of General HARNEY, at Harper’s Ferry, on Friday last, you have already been informed by telegram. He reached this city yesterday in charge of a military escort, and was conducted to the Governor, and by him promptly released. His treatment while here by [...]

May 1, 1861 Robert E. Lee orders Stonewall Jackson to remove the weapons and equipment from the arsenal at Harpers Ferry A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 The legislature of North Carolina passes a State Convention Bill. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

April 30, 1861 The New York Herald 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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Note: This particular news article—a document written in 1861—includes terms and topics that may be offensive to many today.   No attempt will be made to censor or edit 19th-century material to today’s standards. April 30, 1861; The New York Herald The following graphic and detailed account of the trip of the Seventh regiment is [...]

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.

April 30, 1861 New York Yacht Club offers its vessels to the Federal government A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 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 [...]

Charleston Mercury April 29, 1861 The general appearance of this now well known and famous island has been greatly changed since the 13th April. The batteries bearing on Sumter have been removed, and many other arrangements warranted by our possession of Fort Sumter, have been completed. The 17th Regiment, Col. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, will return to [...]

New York Herald April 28, 1861 ANNAPOLIS, April 27—6 P.M. About twelve thousand troops in all have arrived at Annapolis. Three thousand from New York are expected tonight. I learn from good authority that no more troops will be ordered without complete preparation for service. The continued mild weather only saves great suffering. One thousand [...]

Charleston Mercury April 29, 1861 MAJOR ROBT. ANDERSON has made it a point at every stopping place at the North, to complain of our treatment in firing on Sumter after the Barracks were enveloped in flames. Did anybody prevent him pulling down his dirty stripes? And why is it that he has not told Northern [...]

New York Herald April 28, 1861 Everything appears to go on favorably at the seat of war. The Northern troops in Washington are in good health and spirits. The Fifth regiment of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts regiments attended divine service yesterday in the Hall of Representatives, the bands supplying the sacred music on the occasion. The [...]