Charleston Mercury
May 1, 1861
RICHMOND, April 29, 1861.
Of the arrest of General HARNEY, at Harper’s Ferry, on Friday last, you have already been informed by telegram. He reached this city yesterday in charge of a military escort, and was conducted to the Governor, and by him promptly released.
His treatment while here by his Excellency and other high officials, as well as by distinguished members of the Convention and citizens, was all that a distinguished soldier and gallant officer could have expected under the circumstances.
He left in the early train for Washington, D.C., this morning. A Southerner by birth and connection, an officer of distinguished gallantry and large experience, we can hardly entertain a doubt that the commission which he holds, and which he has so much honored, will promptly be laid at LINCOLN’S feet, and his fortunes united with his own South, and he placed in command of one of our crack brigades.
Yesterday I visited the encampments at both the Fair Grounds. The first is occupied by the gallant Palmetto Regiment, commanded by Col. GREGG. A more delightful spot can scarcely be conceived. It commands an extensive view of the upper western part of the city, the river with its bright sheen of waters, dotted here and there by the smoke of some steamer, and the white sails of the shipping plying to and from this city; while thelowlands and rising grounds to the south and southwest present a scene of surpassing beauty.
The Colonel and his staff were seated in the open air, discussing a good breakfast, which they seemed to enjoy very much. I was pleased with their soldierly bearing, no less than by their urbane and gentlemanly deportment. The troops were mustering for sentinel duty; others, not on duty were allowed to attend Divine worship at the various city churches, where, it is needless to say, they were welcomed and conducted to comfortable sittings. Many of them, it is hoped, are soldiers of another ‘King.’
Proceeding to the other encampment, under command of Col. GILLIAM, of the Virginia Military Institute, I found a much larger number of troops. Here are assembled the remaining companies of the 1st Regiment of Virginia Volunteers. The troops from Lynchburg, in one of the companies of which (the Lynchburg Rifle Grays, Capt. LANGHORN, a splendid company, composed of the elite of that city) I met with your former correspondent, ‘Richmond,’ in his fatigue undress, preferring service with those amongst whom he had been reared.
It was pleasant to look upon their cheerful faces even while performing the menial duties incident to camp life.
Reports from the North speak of the rapid concentration of large bodies of troops at such points as may be most accessible to the South, but particularly tending to Washington, where are assembled some 12,000 to 15,000. Governor SPRAGUE, of Rhode Island, is said to have arrived there on Friday last at the head of about 600 troops, while about 500 more from Pennsylvania reached there same day.
Yesterday I met several gentlemen formerly employed in the various departments, all of whom have surrendered office, upon which the support of their families depended, rather than submit to the detestable tyranny of the Black Republicans who infest that city.
They fully confirm the rumors of the reign of terror there, as also the great disaffection of many of those whose surroundings compel them to remain for the present.
Every department connected with the government here is all astir, preparing for the reception of troops. An officer connected with the Ordnance Department said today arrangements would be made for the accommodation of forty thousand troops, should as many be ordered to this point.