The War.
It is almost impossible to keep a full record of the war movements and rumors. There seems to be a general beat to arms North and South. The Border Slave States are at last fully aroused, and it is no longer a matter of doubt that, come what may, the South will stand as a unit for the maintenance of her rights and independence.
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA
The Old Dominion is all ablaze with excitement and indignation at the impending invasion. We give the news in detached paragraphs as it reaches us:
THREE VESSELS SEIZED AT CITY POINT.
A brave little band of fifteen men from Petersburg, headed by Col. Brockett, and a company of twenty men from Richmond, commanded by Capt. Albert Aiken, of Henrico county, conceived the daring exploit of proceeding to City Point, and capturing the vessels stationed there that might hail from the North, and accordingly faithfully executed and carried out their concerted plan and of action on Thursday. The first seizure made was that of the fine ship Argo, Capt. Owen, from Bath, now fifteen days at the Point, waiting for a cargo of tobacco. She is a first class ship of 1078 tons, and is capable, with a little alteration and strengthening, of doing valuable service. She was securely fastened to her moorings, and Major Maclin, with a sufficient force, was left in command.
Immediately after the seizure of the Argo, the company proceeded to a revenue cutter, now in the service of the United States government, and took possession of her. She also is capable of doing much service, and when called into action, will prove undoubtedly, that she was a prize worth taking. About three o’clock, the splendid steamship Jamestown, Captain Skinner, hove in sight, with her flags floating gaily in the breeze. At length, when she had been securely fastened, and while she was discharging her Petersburg freight, new hands appeared upon her deck, and in as quick a time as it takes us to relate it, the strength of chains bound her yet more effectually, and now beyond all hazard, she was safely fixed. Col. Brockett then informed Capt. Skinner that he would be relieved of his command, as the Jamestown now belonged to the State of Virginia.
SEIZURE OF THE RICHMOND CUSTOM HOUSE.
The Custom House was seized, on Thursday forenoon by the Verina Troop, and is held in durance by that corps. The descent upon the institution was altogether unexpected, and its officers were, of course, taken as completely by surprise as it is possible to imagine. The intelligence spread with telegraphic rapidity through the city, and an immense assemblage was present in time to witness the displacement of the sign on the north front, and the hoisting of the flag of Virginia upon the south, or Main street front. The sign alluded to bore the words, ‘United States Court;’ and when it was hurled to the pavement, it was seized upon by the crowd and smashed into, amidst the wildest applause. The entire building was by this time surrounded with people, all wearing an expression of the utmost delight, and worked up to a state of feeling which seemed to say that they were spoiling for a fight. The Custom House contains only about eighteen thousand dollars of Government funds, which will be disposed of as the State of Virginia may think proper.
MOVEMENTS IN RICHMOND.
RICHMOND, VA., April 18.—The silence which has perplexed you in regard to things here in the past few days, you might have was ominous. The word, ‘To arms,’ silently went forth, and while the response is every where of troops mustering for immediate service in town and country, the bulletin from Norfolk is, that the Merrimac, the Germantown, and the Cumberland war ships have been caught at that port. This feat was carried out under the auspices of Wm. H. Parker, Esq., of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He is inspector of vessels, and one of ex-Governor Wise’s appointees. Do not be surprised if some other Virginians perform unusual achievements before Saturday night. Troops are gathering from various directions to march immediately. One hundred thousand Virginians can be in arms before Saturday night.
THE NORTHERN TROOPS IN BALTIMORE.
The excitement in Baltimore, on Thursday, rose to a higher point than at any time since the announcement of the assault on Fort Sumter. The Sun gives the following account of the events of the day:
At an early hour large numbers of persons congregated in the streets about the centre of the city, and a rumor that troops would arrive over the Northern Central Railroad during the forenoon, created an intense excitement. A meeting of the Southern Rights men was held in the Taylor Building, and it was there determined to offer no resistance to their passage through the city. After the adjournment of the meeting the throng in the streets increased.
Shortly after twelve o’clock, the movement of an unusual body of police indicated that something else was on hand, and they were followed to the Bolton depot by a large number of persons. Shortly after two o’clock, the sound of the whistle indicated the approach of a train, and with it came some three or four hundred troops. A part of them comprised a battery of artillery, and the remainder were said to be recruits from Pennsylvania. The recruits were without uniform, and some of them almost without clothing. A few of them carried flint lock rifles, while more than half the number carried no arms at all. When they emerged from the train, three cheers were given for Bell and Everett, which was soon followed by several groans. The crowd seemed to be disappointed in the appearance of the military, but followed them through Howard street to the Camden station. Then it was found that the train had left, and it became necessary to march them to the Mount Clare station, where a train was provided for them. The regulars broke off at Charles street, and marched to Fort McHenry.
Another account says:
The troops included a company of the Fourth Artillery, United States Army, Major Pemberton, from St. Paul, Minnesota; two companies from Pottsville, Pa.; one company from Reading, Pa., and the Logan Guard. The United States troops were acting as Infantry, and carried only their side arms. The volunteer companies were not more than half uniformed and armed, and presented some as hard looking specimens of humanity as could be found anywhere. Some were mere boys, and there were a few colored individuals in the ranks, generally acting as servants to the officers.
The march from depot to depot was a rapid one, and the column moved, flanked on either side by files of policemen, about ten paces apart, and extending several squares, the mass of spectators following, indulging in all sorts of past times, such as singing ‘Away Down in Dixie,’ cheering for ‘Jeff. Davis’ and the ‘Southern Confederacy,’ the ‘Union,’ &c. While the troops were occupying the cars at Mount Clare a perfect pandemonium existed, and such screeching, yelling, hooting, and cheering was probably never heard before. Demonstrations of a riot were renewed, and several bricks were hurled at the cars. One party was arrested by the police, but afterwards released. A colored man received a severe cut on the head, and it was said one of the soldiers was injured. The train departed for Washington about 4 o’clock.
The Southern Rights men yesterday afternoon raised at the intersection of Greenmount avenue and Charles streets the Confederate flag, and fired a salute of one hundred guns. The flag is of large size, and standing upon an elevation, is a prominent object in that vicinity.
RESIGNATIONS.
A telegram from Norfolk announces the following resignations of Virginians. The following Naval officers have sent in their resignations: Lieutenants R. B. Pegram and Catesby Jones. Commanders Richard Page, John Tucker, and Arthur Sinclair. Also, Lieutenants Terry, Sinclair, Spotswood, Rochelle, Maury and Gwathney, Commander Robb and Surgeon Van Bibber.
In the Army we have the following resignations: Lieut. Robert Johnson, second Dragoons; Captain Henry Heth, of first Infantry, and Lieut. R. J. Harvie.
MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN NEW YORK.
The number of volunteer regiments that are forming in New York city seems to be legion, and the men are rapidly being enrolled. There are in the city at present, among others, the Scott Life Guard, First Regiment; National Guard, Seventh Regiment; Union Volunteers, Tenth Ward Volunteers, Fifth Ward Volunteers, and Union Volunteer Battalion. Hon. Daniel R. Sickles is said to be organizing a company. Colonel Ellsworth, of Zouave fame, has commenced the organization of a Zouave Regiment, to be entirely composed of members of the fire department. It is stated that the Twelfth Regiment is to leave town for Washington within thirty six hours. Of late recruiting has been briskly carried on in this regiment, and its roll contains the names of nearly seven hundred men. Contributions have been tendered to the extent of nearly $5000.
Mr. A. T. Stewart, the princely merchant, has it is said, tendered the government one million dollars from his private fortune. A number of the clerks in the employ of A. T. Stewart & Co. are members of the Seventh Regiment. They have been informed that in the event of their being called to serve the government, their salaries will be continued during the full term of service.
MOVEMENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Every Federal post in North Carolina has been taken. At Fayetteville Arsenal, 70,000 stand of arms were captured, including 28,000 of the most improved patterns.
WELDON, N.C., April 10.—The passengers on the train from Wilmington today were surprised at almost every point on the road by the energetic preparations for war. At Enfield, two companies of troops were starting for Fort Macon, to garrison that point. The North Carolinians have awoke with an energy that will be terrible to their enemies.
I hear that a company of twenty three free colored men have volunteered their services in throwing up sand batteries. John Long, a wealthy citizen, has subscribed $2,000 to procure arms for the troops and a messenger left this afternoon for Richmond, commissioned to make the purchase. Secession flags dot the country along the route from Wilmington, and even the negros waved the Confederate banner at the cars as they passed.
KENTUCKY.
A despatch from Louisville, April 17, says:
An extra meeting of the City Council was held this evening, and $50,000 appropriated to arm the city.
It is rumored that a steamer, with Government arms, is en route from St. Louis to Newport, Ky. It is likely that she will be stopped on her trip.
Ex-Vice President Breckinridge writes from Richmond, Ky., to a friend here, as follows:
‘Kentucky should call a Convention without delay, and Lincoln’s extra session of Congress be confronted by fifteen States. This alone can prevent a general civil war.’
The abhorrence to Lincoln’s proclamation is intense amongst the people.
Breckinridge will speak in Lexington tomorrow night and at Louisville on Saturday.
The Memphis and Ohio Railroad offers to transport troops and munitions of war free for the South.
The City Council has appointed a military board and appropriated $50,000 to defend the city.
The Union flags on the steamers have been hauled down, and the citizens are arming and volunteering.
PRENTICE ON LINCOLN’S WAR POLICY.
PRENTICE, of the Louisville Journal, one of the strongest ‘Union’ papers in the country, thus speaks of the call for troops by the Administration:
We are struck with mingled amazement and indignation. The policy announced in the Proclamation deserves the unqualified condemnation of every American citizen. It is unworthy not merely of a statesman, but of a man. It is a policy utterly hair brained and ruinous. If Mr. Lincoln contemplated this policy in the Inaugural Address, he is a guilty dissembler; if he has conceived it under the excitement raised by the seizure of Fort Sumter, he is a guilty hot spur. In either case, he is miserably unfit for the exalted position in which the enemies of the country have placed him. Let the people instantly take him and his administration into their own hands, if they would rescue the land from bloodshed, and the Union from sudden and irretrievable destruction.
BY TELEGRAPH
HARTFORD, CONN., April 18.—The banks of the city this afternoon tendered $500,000 to the Governor for arming the troops. The Connecticut regiment will be organized in a day or two, and prepared to respond to the call of the government.
CHICAGO, ILL., April 17.—At a meeting of the directors of the Burlington Branch of the State Bank of Iowa this morning, it was resolved that the cashier of this bank be directed to advance to the Governor of the State such a sum of money as he may require for the equipment and preparation of the regiment of troops called for by the President of the United States.
MADISON, WIS., April 17.—The Legislature adjourned today sine die. The Governor’s Guards have tendered their services, and have been accepted. Volunteer companies are forming. In all parts of the State the excitement runs high.
NEWARK, N.J., April 18.—The Governor of New Jersey has issued his proclamation, calling out four regiments for the service of the United States.
INDIANAPOLIS, April 18.—The first regiment of Indiana volunteers leave today for Washington. The Bank of the State has tendered the Governor all the money he wants in furnish the Indiana quota of troops to sustain the government.
CINCINNATI, April 18.—The city councils last night passed a resolution tendering the Governor $250,000 in cash, from the sinking fund, and appointed a committee to tender the money to the Governor.
NEW ORLEANS, April 17.—Active preparations are making here for the defence of the city. The city council has appropriated $100,000 for that purpose. In the way of military matters everything is progressing rapidly.
General M.L. Bonham
BRIGADIER GENERAL M.L. BONHAM, of the Confederate States army, leaves this city today for Virginia. He will command the Brigade of ‘Palmettos,’ now on their way to the Border. We learn that the General’s Headquarters will be established at Richmond, instead of Norfolk.
First Regiment Rifles, S.C.M.
The several companies of this command returned to their homes on Saturday last. We but express the general sentiment of the community in tendering to this efficient corps a hearty welcome and the done, which is so clearly their due. For months past they have been on active service—performing duties which were calculated to try their worth as soldiers—and the record is an honorable one. An eminent military writer has given it as his opinion, the spirit and efficiency with which any corps conducts itself, in working parties, is no mean criterion of its general order and discipline. Measured by this standard, the First Regiment Rifles hold no second place among the military of their State. At Castle Pinckney, Morris’ Island, Sullivan Island and James’ Island they have done their duty manfully, and more than one mound of sand attests their fidelity to the cause of the South. In preparation for the recent conflict, they were assigned, by Gen. BEAUREGARD, to the defence of the east end of Sullivan’s Island, where it was supposed that that valiant fleet, with ‘Northern officers,’ would attempt a landing, with a view to and possess Fort Moultrie.’ Day after day the fleet was reported off the shore, but the prudence of the ‘Northern commander’ disappointed our watchful Riflemen, and they were not permitted to do their devoir as would have pleased them best. As a tribute to their public spirit and untiring devotion to the sacred cause, we place on record, for future reference, the roll of the regimental and company officers:
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
J. J. PETTIGREW, Colonel
J. L. BRANCH, Lieut. Colonel.
ELISON CAPERS, Major.
T. G. BARKER, Adjutant.
A. S. HANCKEL, Quartermaster.
R. G. PERKINS, Quartermaster Sergeant.
L. G. YOUNG, Commissary.
J. B. GREGG, Commissary Sergeant.
MEDICAL STAFF.
G. E. TRESCOT, M.D., Surgeon.
T. L. OGIER, Jr., M.D., Assistant Surgeon.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Washington Light Infantry.—C. H. Simonton, Captain; Oct. Wilkie, First Lieutenant; E. W. Lloyd, Second Lieutenant; J. M. Carson, Third Lieutenant.
German Riflemen.—Jacob Small, Captain; H. Ed. Young, First Lieutenant; A. Lengnick, Second Lieutenant; H. Mensing , Third Lieutenant.
Moultrie Guard.—B. W. Palmer, Captain; —- Barnwell, First Lieutenant; C.E.B. Flagg, Second Lieutenant; W. E. Stoney, Third Lieutenant.
Palmetto Riflemen.—A. Melchers, Captain; R. Issertel, First Lieutenant; P. Schuckmann, Second Lieutenant; A. D. Cohen, Third Lieutenant.
Carolina Light Infantry.—B. G. Pinckney, Captain; Jno. Chambers, First Lieutenant; Hudson Lee, Second Lieutenant; Jno. Munroe, Third Lieutenant.
Meagher Guard.—Ed. McCrady, Jr., Captain; W. N. Heyward, First Lieutenant. P. P. Parker, Second Lieutenant; John McCarthy, Third Lieutenant.
Zouave Cadets.—C. E. Chichester, Captain; R. C. Gilchrist, First Lieutenant; E. John White, Second Lieutenant; B. M. Walpole, Third Lieutenant.
The artillery detachment of the Washington Light Infantry in charge of Fort Washington will be relieved today.