The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore
    

A Diary of American Events – June 8, 1861

–The bridges at Point of Rocks and Berlin, on the Potomac, River, were burned by order of Johnston, the rebel general. Neither of them were railroad bridges.–N. Y. Herald, June 10.

–The Sanitary Commission was authorized by the Secretary of War, and approved by the President. Its aim is to help, by cautious suggestion, in the laborious and extraordinary exigencies of military affairs, when the health of the soldiers is a matter of the most critical importance. The commission consists of the Rev. Dr. Bellows, Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D., Prof. Wolcott Gibbs, M. D., Prof. Jeffries Wyman, M. D., W. H. Van Buren, M. D., Dr. S. G. Howe, Dr. Wood, U. S. A., Col. Cullum, U. S. A., and Major Shires, U. S. A.–N. Y. Commercial, June 10.

–Some disunion troops from Leesburg, Va., burnt four bridges on the Alexandria, Loudon, and Hampshire Railroad, at Tuscarora, Lycoline, Goose Creek, and Beaver Dams, being the balance of the bridges from Leesburg to Broad Run.–N. Y. World, June 15.

–The ceremony of the presentation of a Confederate flag, from the ladies of Baltimore to the members of the Maryland Guard, now in Virginia, took place in the Capitol grounds, at Richmond, Va. Mrs. Augustus McLaughlin, the wife of one of the officers of the late United States Navy, who brought the flag from Baltimore, concealed as only a lady knows how, was present, and received the compliments of a large number of ladies and gentlemen who surrounded her upon the steps of the monument, from which the address was made. The presentation speech was made by the Hon. J. M. Mason. Accompanying the flag is the inscription: “The ladies of Baltimore present this flag of the Confederate States of America to the soldiers composing the Maryland Regimen; now serving in Virginia, as a slight testimonial of the esteem in which their valor, their love of right, and determination to uphold true constitutional liberty, are approved, applauded, and appreciated by the wives and daughters of the monumental city.”–(Doc. 289.)–Richmond Dispatch, June 10.

–Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, issued a proclamation calling upon all persons having arms belonging to ‘that State, to surrender them.–(Doc. 240.)

–This morning a detachment of Federal troops from Annapolis, on one of the steamers of the Ericsson line, made their appearance in Miles River, and landed at the ferry, the nearest point to Easton, Md. On landing they proceeded to arrest Messrs. Thomas and William Holliday, whom they compelled to inform them where the armory for the safe-keeping of the guns was located. They also arrested Charles G. Kerr, Esq., late of the Exchange newspaper, and a Mr. Roberts, and several others. The military then proceeded on their search for arms, and succeeded in finding a number of muskets, and several iron field-pieces, all of which they put on the steamer and removed to Annapolis. Two of the old iron field-pieces were some time since removed from Cambridge, where they were planted for the defence of that place in the war of 1814. Before going to Miles River Ferry they stopped at the farm of Capt. Ogle Tilghman, a few miles below, but did not find the proprietor at home. They reported to Mrs. T. that they were from Richmond, and had come for the purpose of offering arms to the inhabitants, at the same time asking if there were any in the house. There were none but the private arms of Capt. T., which they did not disturb. While the detachment was drawn up on the boat, one of the soldiers placed the muzzle of his musket under his chin for a rest for his head, when the weapon accidentally discharged. The ball passed out through the top of his head, killing him instantly, and then passed through the hurricane deck in close proximity to two soldiers who were there. The detachment consisted of 250 men of the N. Y. 13th Regiment, under Col. Abel Smith.–Baltimore Sun, June 11.

–General T. A. Morris, commanding the United States troops at Philippi, issued a proclamation announcing that Western Virginia is now free from the enemies to her peace, the United States forces having routed the secessionists at Philippi, causing them to flee for refuge to the passes of the mountains; and he therefore calls upon all loyal Virginians to come to the support of the United States Government, and serve in defence of their own soil.–(Doc. 241.)

–The New Orleans Catholic Standard says: “Let no Southern child be educated outside the limits of the Confederate States. We have excellent schools and colleges at Richmond and Norfolk in Virginia; at Charleston and Columbia in South Carolina; at Savannah and Augusta in Georgia; at St. Augustine in Florida; at Mobile in Alabama; at Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Sulphur Springs, Vicksburg, and Natchez in Mississippi; at Fort Smith, Helena, and Little Rock in Arkansas; at Marksville, and Memphis in Tennessee; at Galveston, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Brownsville, and Liberty in Texas; and at St. Michael’s Grand Coteau; Vermillionville, Thibodeaux, Donaldsonville, Natchitoches, Avoyelles, Alexandria, Shreveport, Iberville, Algiers, and New Orleans in Louisiana. The social bonds between us and the Catholics at the North have been severed by them. We acknowledge them no longer as our countrymcn. They and their institutions have no claims upon us.”

–The Burlington (Vt.) Times, of this date, contains an extended narrative of the movements of the First Vermont Regiment at Fortress Monroe and its vicinity.–(Doc. 242.)

–Addresses to the People of the United States and to the people of Kentucky, signed by J. J. Crittenden, Jas. Guthrie and others, members of the Border State Convention, lately in session at Frankfort, Ky., were published. Only the States of Kentucky and Missouri were represented; one gentleman was irregularly present from Tennessee. To the people of the United States the Convention says that, “in its opinion, the obligation exists to maintain the Constitution of the United States and to preserve the Union unimpaired;” and suggests that something “ought to be done” to quiet “apprehension within the slave States that already adhere to the Union,” To the people of Kentucky they say that the proper course for that State “to pursue, is to take no part in the controversy between the Government and the seceded States but that of mediator and intercessor,” and ask if this “is not an attitude worthy of a great people.” –(Doc. 243.)

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