New York Herald,
April 25, 1861
By the important telegraphic intelligence which we publish in our columns this morning, we are placed in possession of the startling fact that the federal capital on Tuesday afternoon was in peril of capture, owing to the fact that the expected reinforcements had not arrived from the North in consequence of the interruption of the passage through Maryland, and there is an earnest urgent appeal from Washington for more troops and for field pieces. The Seventh regiment of New York and the Eighth of Massachusetts had arrived after some fighting and much suffering; but as many troops as can be sent forward are needed immediately, and they ought to take their provisions with them. There is not a moment to be lost. It appears that in addition to the Virginia troops in the vicinity of Washington, Jefferson Davis and Beauregard are at Richmond with twenty seven thousand men, and for all we know to the contrary, may now be in possession of the federal capital.
The motive of the obstruction of the Northern troops at Baltimore and other points in Maryland is now fully developed. It is evident that the design was to cause such delay as would enable the invaders to be present in force at Washington before the federal troops could reach the scene of action from the North. It is all a question of time. The city has no natural or artificial strength to enable it to hold out against superior odds and it has so many approaches that a small body of troops cannot effectually protect it long. We learn that the long bridge is well secured by General Scott, and that he has broken down the bridge at Georgetown; but by means of boats, or rafts, it is possible for troops to cross the Potomac higher up, and, perhaps, even below Washington.
So apprehensive of danger was the commander in chief that barricades were constructed for the windows of the public buildings, earthworks were thrown up, women and children, and even men were fleeing. All things indicated an approaching conflict. But if the Southern troops did not succeed in effecting a capture yesterday, they will be met today by a force large enough to keep them at by till fresh troops arrive from the North; and there is a consolation in the case of Washington that, even if it should be taken, it is not such a stronghold as can be retained against superior numbers, and the ability of the North to speedily retake it cannot be doubted.
Now, under these circumstance, what is the duty of the Governor of this State and all other Northern States? It is to send all available troops, regardless of expense, and without waiting for orders. It may not be in the power of the administration to transmit intelligence in time; but it is the part of the Northern Governors to take time by the forelock and forward all the troops they can to Washington without delay, ad if the route by Annapolis is not open to cut their way through Baltimore.
There has been great mismanagement on the part of the government, as well as a want of vigor and determination. The revolutionists have been silently acting, while Messrs. Lincoln, Seward & co. have been writing and talking and vacillating and procrastinating till it is almost, if not altogether, too late to save the capital from capture. We have fighting men and money in abundance, but we appear to have no government. There are half a million of soldiers ready to take the field, and two hundred millions of dollars are on hand if required to sustain them. But where are the men to lead them to action? It is stated that both Chase and Seward have succumbed. Indeed the letter of the Secretary of State to Gov. Hicks is the plainest proof of his caving in, and that he meditates a peaceful separation of the States, while Mr. Lincoln, as is evident from his parleying with the rebel Mayor of Baltimore, has also grown weak n the knees, and does not mean that nay body should be hurt. A million of dollars would be cheap for a President with a backbone—a man after the stamp of Andrew Jackson, who, being first sure he was right would take the responsibility and go ahead, looking danger and death in the eye.