Harper’s Weekly
April 20, 1861
The Atlantic was chartered by the Government, and sailed on 6th with troops and munitions of war. The Baltic and Illinois sailed on 8th with similar freight. Orders were issued on same day by the Navy Department to have the Wabash, Vincennes, and Savannah, at Brooklyn, and the Jamestown, at Philadelphia, fitted for active service with dispatch. The United States ship Pawnee sailed from Norfolk at 6 P.M. on Tuesday, bound South, under sealed orders. There is great activity manifested at the Charlestown Navy-yard (at Boston, Massachusetts), over 800 persons being employed. The brig Bainbridge is ready for sea, and waiting for her crew. The steam-frigates Minnesota, Mississippi, and Colorado are also nearly ready. Commodore Stringham is expected to arrive early next week. Business at the Philadelphia Navy-yard is inactive, and there are frequent discharges of men, only two hundred being now employed there. The United States steamer Water Witch has gone into commission, and sails during the week. Her destination is unknown. Her crew consists of 70 sailors and marines.