March 14, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, March 13, 1861.
Information has just been received in this city of the most important character from Montgomery. The Southern administration know that the evacuation of Forts Sumter and Pickens has been decided on. Despatches from General Beauregard, represent that it would be utterly impossible for any united force that the administration at Washington could collect, to prevent the surrender of Major Anderson before the lapse of many weeks. Despatches from Washington have also assured the Montgomery government that no attempts at reinforcement will be made, and that the troops of the United States will be soon withdrawn. President Davis has, however, received the most ominous communications from his friends here, respecting the intentions of the Lincoln administration to blockade Southern ports, and make an attempt to collect the revenue. He is assured that the most strenuous and active measures are being taken to concentrate the naval forces of the North, and that not only Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans and Mobile will be blockaded; Forts Pickens, Jefferson and Taylor reinforced; but that, if necessary, vessels will be chartered to keep up as active a surveillance as possible of all parts of the coast, where there are ports of entry, between South Carolina and the Rio Grande.
The indignation that prevails at Montgomery and elsewhere, in view of this prospective attempt to carry out the threats in Mr. Lincoln’s inaugural knows no bounds. Cabinet meetings have been held, and it has been resolved, at the first appearance of hostilities, or just so soon as a single vessel has been stopped outside of any Southern port, to put the whole available force of the South in motion, and to march through the border States upon Washington. Fifty thousand troops can be collected without difficulty, and, so far from any opposition being apprehended from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, it is believed that the people will rally to reinforce the invading army, and assist them with arms as well as sympathy.
The people of the South are fully alive to the exingencies of the period. They, on the whole, anticipate war, and wish, at all events, to take time by the forelock. If Mr. Lincoln provokes civil discord, the first sound of cannon may greet his ears near the White House, if he has courage enough to stay there to hear it.
The intelligence from Montgomery indicates great impatience to know whether the issue is to be war or peace. Large bodies of troops are concentrated, and ready to march at a moment warning.