April 7, 1861; The New York Herald
The excitement which has sprung up within the last few days consequent upon the unwonted movement of United States troops, the commissioning of United States vessels, the chartering of steamers for military service, the extensive preparations made to fit out the same with the deadly material of war, and, above all, the mystery which shrouds the object of this extraordinary belligerent demonstration, seemed to reach its culminating point yesterday. On whatever side the attentive or curious observer turned the all absorbing topic of conversation was the military preparations and the warlike attitude so suddenly assumed by the government at Washington. But while the facts laid before the public yesterday morning by the HERALD furnished an interesting subject for discussion, it was evident that the precise cause of all this unusual hubbub greatly exercised the lieges of Uncle Sam.
The Battery, if its uses conveyed the significancy of its name, might be appropriately considered a fitting spot for assemblages to meet and discuss the tidings of coming war. But though this is not so, yet was the Battery the chosen ground yesterday whereon to treat of those events, whose coming have cast their shadows before, and which have so startled the mind of the community. A great diversity of opinion prevailed as to the object of the armaments in process of embarkation on the Powhatan, the Atlantic and other steamers, and the destination of the troops daily concentrated at the different stations in the harbor.
But as little information could be acquired from the surmises of the assemblages, and as it is the duty of the reporters to collect facts and to lay the same before the public, it was necessary to visit the different forts, and, if possible, to learn from authentic sources what was going on.
The great bustle and activity observable in the Navy Yard for some days denotes that much is to be done before the orders of the War Department can be fully complied with. Within each of the forts the same quiet, orderly bustle and active preparation is going on that has marked the conduct of the military for the last few days. Arms are burnished, kits got ready, inspections are made, parades are incessant, orderlies are in perpetual motion, and all this under the strictest rules of discipline. The bearing of every man in garrison is characterized with that soldierly gravity which seems impervious to appeals from curious civilians, and which impresses all such individuals with the idea that every orderly he meets is as much in the secret as the Secretary of War himself. But to all inquiries even at ‘the invariable answer was,’ We are all in the dark here; we get all our own information from the HERALD. What’s coming seems to be better known at your office than it is to our highest officers,’ &c., &c. In every instance all courtesy was extended to the reporters, and in the forts all due facility was offered for noting the preparations going on and of ascertaining the feeling of the men. On this latter point the men are very chary of expressing themselves. They evince no hesitation in carrying out to the letter the orders of their superiors; indeed, a very commendable promptitude is observable in the manner they go through every routine of garrison duty. The officers seem to have every reliance on the loyalty and fidelity of the men, while the latter reciprocate this feeling most heartily. In this respect the esprit de corps is beyond all insinuation and all cavil. While thus animated towards each other and towards the profession they have voluntarily chosen, it is equally true that officers and men lament the dissensions which have disrupted the Union, the more bitterly from the very fact that their services are likely to be called into requisition before a compromise is effected, and they freely express the hope that no collision will take place between the two confederacies.
One fruitful theme of conjecture and comment in all circles, but more particularly in military, was the resignations of Major Holmes and Major Johnson. The former, an old and tried officer, is a native of North Carolina. He has been in the service some thirty-one years, and has distinguished himself on several occasions in a way to earn for himself the confidence of the War Department. The resignation is not officially known, and the report may be premature; but yet the report getting abroad at such a time, when, as chief in command of the island garrison and general superintendent of the recruiting department, his services are most necessary to the execution of the orders of the Executive has excited quite a commotion. Major Johnson is a native of Kentucky and fellow citizen of Major Anderson, and has also been a highly esteemed officer.
The resignation of these officers will come with the more astounding effect upon the public from the fact that they must naturally exercise a depressing effect upon the feelings and sentiments of the great body of the military of every grade. Indeed, intimations were rather freely indulged in that other resignations would follow, and as these got wing, an evident gloom imperceptibly stole over the men. Still the troops continued packing up, and still an incessant activity prevailed in preparing all the materials and supplies required by troops under orders for active service. At Governor Island wharf vessels have been loading all day with ordnance and stores for the fitting out of the steamers. The troops who are on the island under arms–the first to be ordered off–will be conveyed to the Atlantic by the steam tug Pope Catlin. A detachment of the Second artillery (Company A) intended to form part of the expedition by the Atlantic, went on board in the forenoon; several other companies followed in the course of the day, making in all between seven and eight hundred men. The Atlantic will leave with sealed orders. Her destination is, of course, only a matter of conjecture.
At the recruiting rendezvous enlistments are not particularly pressed. No orders traceable to the war excitement have been received, and none but picked men are taken. There is no want of applications at the offices, but the gentlemen who desire to become food for powder all prefer to join as volunteers, and not as men bound to serve for a period of five years. When told that Uncle Sam–or Abe Lincoln–requires no volunteers, these same would be heroes, with the most perfect nonchalance, inquire of the officer whether he will take volunteers for the Southern army. They don’t seem to understand why it is, if rejected by Uncle Sam, he is so averse to transferring them over to Jeff. Davis, who might place more value on their services.
At the United States naval rendezvous orders have been received for an accession of seamen, and large numbers of ordinary and able bodied men are joining. The term of service is three years if not sooner discharged–the rate $18 a month. Not bad service that in these times. The general impression is that the times of peace’ are past, and that the President is determined to change his tune ‘Nobody hurt,’ to whatever tune cannon ball and musketry may whistle in beleaguered fort or tented field.