New York Herald
April 19, 1861
WASHINGTON, April 18, 1861.
The Secretary of the Navy despatched Commodore Paulding some days since to the Gosport Navy Yard, to inspect the movements in and about the yard. The Commodore returned here this evening, direct from the scene of operations. He reports to the Secretary of the Navy that the vessels reported sunk across the channel at the mouth of Elizabeth river are only three light boats; that it was done yesterday, and that they will not obstruct the passage of vessels; that the Merrimac is not outside of the supposed obstruction, but inside, but will remove the vessels as easily as she would remove a web. One or two war vessels are moored a short distance from the dock at the Navy Yard, and their guns will protect the yard. The mouth of the river is also carefully guarded.
Captain Thornton Jenkins, who accompanied Com. Paulding to Gosport, also arrived here this evening, direct from Norfolk. Five sloops are in harbor at Norfolk, with men and arms sufficient to protect and hold the Norfolk Navy Yard. The authorities had given notice to the commander in charge of the yard, that they intended to take it. Captain Jenkins does not believe that it is in the power of the Virginians to capture it. Should they attempt it the vessels would blow them to atoms. The commander, as also those in charge of the vessels, understood the matter fully, and are ready for any emergency.
There is no such vessel as the Yorktown in the navy now. The story evidently emanated from the fact that a New York schooner of the same name was seized at Norfolk for privateering purposes.
The government have no official information up to tonight that any attempt whatever has been made to take the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. The report that it was taken this morning probably grew wholly out of the report of movements yesterday of large masses of men in Virginia towards Harper’s Ferry.
Eight hundred volunteer troops from Pennsylvania arrived here tonight, much to the gratification of the people and the government. Three hundred of these troops consist of flying artillery batteries and cavalry corps. It is said that the greatest indignation was expressed by the secessionists of Baltimore, at the fact that these troops were allowed to pass through the city. A meeting of secessionists was immediately held, and resolutions passed instructing the chairman to notify the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railroad Company, through their President, that they must not allow any more troops to pass over their road bound for Washington. The company will not only not heed this notice, but will pass them over for nothing.
It is reported that fifteen hundred more troops are on their way here, from New York and Massachusetts, and that they are expected to arrive in Baltimore tonight some time, and the secessionists of Baltimore are to resist their passage through that city. Union men of Baltimore have left here for that place this afternoon, to rally the Unionists, and join in repelling the secessionists in their attempt to close up the Northern gateway to the capital.
There is some apprehension of an attack upon the capital tonight from Virginia, and arrangements are making accordingly. The city is in a state of the greatest excitement.