New York Herald
April 19, 1861
WASHINGTON, April 18, 1861.
The two dragoon messengers who came in from Virginia in such hot haste late last night, as mentioned in my despatch, brought the intelligence that three large special trains of cars left Alexandria between eight and nine o’clock in the evening. Two of them went in the direction of Richmond; but whether they were going to that place, or were destined to some other place of rendezvous in Virginia, was a matter of some doubt; but that they started upon some secret expedition against the government seemed clear in the minds of the messengers. The third train, containing none but known secessionists, went out on the road leading to Harper’s Ferry.
Following directly upon the report above mentioned the city has been thrown into a state of intense excitement by the report that the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry was seized this morning. But we get no particulars.
In addition to this, two Union members of the Richmond Convention—Messrs. Carlile and Dante—arrived here this forenoon, and report that the excitement was so intense yesterday that seven of the Union members had to leave to escape injury.
Mr. Clemens and four others proceeded on for Western Virginia, but their baggage was retained in Richmond. Mr. Bootts remained there, but is feared by his friends that he will be hung.
A despatch from Norfolk states that the United States ship Yorktown has been taken by the mob, and that they have sunken four or five vessels across the channel at the mouth of Elizabeth river, leading to the Navy Yard.