Harper’s Weekly
April 27
THE Secretary of War has addressed the following circular to the Governors of States:
“WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April —, 1861. “SIR,—Under the Act of Congress ‘ for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections; repel invasions,’ etc., approved February 28, 1795, I have the honor to request your Excellency to cause to be immediately detached from the militia of your State the quota designated in the table below, to serve as infantry or riflemen for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged.
” Your Excellency will please communicate to me the time at or about which your quota will be expected at its rendezvous, as it will be met as soon as practicable by an officer or officers to muster it into the service and pay of the United States. At the same time the oath of fidelity to the United States will be administered to every officer and man.
” The mustering officer will be instructed to receive no man under the rank of commissioned officer who is in years apparently over forty-five or under eighteen, or who is not in physical strength and vigor.”
New York Replies.
On 16th the Legislature passed a bill authorizing the Governor to call out thirty thousand State troops, to be placed at the disposal of the President, and appropriating three million dollars therefore. The bill, slightly amended from the form in which it passed the Assembly, was passed by the Senate, and returned to the former body, which concurred in the amendments almost unanimously, there being but one negative vote. Great feeling and enthusiasm were manifested in both Houses on the subject. Part of the troops have already gone forward to Washington.
So Do Massachusetts,
Without waiting the official requisition for troops, but acting upon the report sent to the press of the country, Governor Andrews telegraphed to the President as follows :
” The quota of troops required of Massachusetts is ready. How will you have them proceed ?”
The Secretary of War responded:
” Send them by rail.”
Part have gone forward by rail, the rest by steamer.
And Connecticut,
Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, telegraphs to the Secretary of War, “Your requisition will have immediate attention.”
And Vermont,
Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont, responds that one regiment of Green Mountain boys will be immediately raised.
And Ohio,
Governor Dennison says to the Secretary of War,” Your dispatch calling on Ohio for thirteen regiments is just received, and will be promptly responded to.
Adjutant-General Carrington has just issued orders carrying into effect the military laws just enacted by the General Assembly of Ohio, and providing for 6000 regular militia, besides the militia of reserve of not less than 35,000 men, to be subject to immediate transfer into the regular force. The regular militia has been organized into twenty-five regiments, which, when upon a war basis, would make 25,000 men. On Saturday his office was thronged by persons eagerly inquiring for the news, and offering their services, irrespective of party, to support the General Government.
Governor Dennison telegraphs that Ohio will furnish her quota of twelve thousand men, and more if needed.
And Wisconsin,
Governor Randall, of Wisconsin, telegraphs,” The call for one regiment will be promptly responded to, and further calls when made.”
And Rhode Island,
Governor Sprague tendered, by telegraph, 1000 men, with himself as leader. The tender is accepted, but that State is not required to send more than one regiment.
And Maine,
Governor Washburne, of Maine, telegraphs the Secretary of War as follows:” Your dispatch is received, and your call will be promptly responded to. The people of Maine, of all parties, will rally with alacrity to the maintenance of the Government and the Union.”
And Illinois,
Governor Yates has issued a proclamation to convene the Legislature of this State at Springfield on the 23d April, for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary upon the following subject, to wit : The more perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State, and placing the same upon the best footing to render efficient assistance to the General Government in preserving the Union, enforcing the laws, protecting the property and rights of the people, and also the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the foregoing objects.
The troops are mustering, and ready to go forward.
And Pennsylvania,
Governor Curtin has directed his Adjutant to forthwith establish two camps, one in eastern and the other in western Pennsylvania, for the mustering of the thirteen ,thousand men required from that State; and he has also authorized his Adjutant to issue orders to the different division officers to act promptly.
Pennsylvania has promised 100,000 men if necessary.
And Minnesota,
Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, offered the President one thousand volunteers from his State, yesterday, and leaves for home today to raise the single regiment of seven ‘ hundred asked for.
And Maryland,
Maryland responds promptly, it is said, to the requisition upon her for three thousand troops.
Governor Hicks was waited upon on the 16th at his hotel by Company F, the Governor’s Guard, who informed him that they had come to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” with him. The Governor expressed pleasure at the visit, and said he was too hoarse to join with them, but he would tell them he was still under the Stars and Stripes. The “Star Spangled Banner” was then sung by over fifty voices, with fine effect. The Governor thanked the visitors for the courtesy, and said he hoped the song would be sung on all fitting occasions forever. The Union must be preserved.
A Voice. ” Governor, you have done your duty so far.” GOVERNOR. “Yes, and I intend to keep doing so.” Voice. ” We’ll stand by you.”
Much enthusiasm was manifested.
A telegram dated Baltimore, April 14, says: The Union feeling in this city has been unmistakably displayed since Friday. Men with cockades and secession emblems have been chased by crowds, and protected by the police.
The bark Fanny Fenshaw hoisted the secession flag today, and a crowd compelled a boy on the vessel to take it down. The captain afterward rehoisted it, and required a detachment of thirty police to protect it from the people. The indignation is intense. All the other vessels in port hoisted the American flag. The captain is a Union man, but hoisted the flag under instructions from the owners of the vessel, the Messrs. Curry, of Richmond, Virginia.
Another of same date says: The Union feeling here is strong this morning The Minute-Men organization, of 2500 strong, who have been drilling ever since the Presidential election as a military organization, threw out the Stars and Stripes this morning from their headquarters, with the motto, ” The Union and the Constitution.”
And New Jersey.
General Hatfield has issued the following call: “HEADQUARTERS, HUDSON BRIGADE, N. J. S. M., “HOBOKEN, April 16, 1861.
“To THE OFFICERS OF THE BRIGADE, In view of the proclamation of the President of the United States, calling forth the militia of the several States to aid in the protection and execution of the laws, and the expected immediate call for the required quota of troops from this State by the Governor, Commander-in-Chief, I deem it most expedient to call together the immediate representatives of the several companies, to consult and determine what duty and honor require of us under these circumstances.
“I have no authority, by my office, or your enlistment in the organized militia of the State, to offer your services, uninstructed by you, to the General Government.
“I therefore request that the commissioned officers will assemble on Friday evening next, the 19th inst., at eight o’clock, at the Hudson House, Jersey City.
“James T. HATFIELD, Brig.-Gen.”
Kentucky Refuses.
“FRANKFORT, April 16, 1861. ” HON. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War;
” Your dispatch is received. In answer, I say emphatically that Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern States.
“B. MAGOFFIN, Governor of Kentucky.”
A dispatch dated Louisville, April 16, says: “A large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens opposed to President Lincoln’s war policy was held tonight. About 3000 people were present.
“Resolutions were unanimously adopted that Kentucky will not permit the marching of troops to the Confederate States, but share the latter’s destiny, if war must come; sympathizing with the patriotic men in the free States, and indorsing Governor Magoffin’s response to Secretary Cameron.”
Another dated Paducah, April 16, says: “A meeting, irrespective of party, J. B. Husbands presiding, last night adopted resolutions recommending the government to immediately convene the Legislature, that we are with the South in interest and action; that the Governor be requested to issue a proclamation for a Convention at Frankfort at as early a day as practicable, to consider the position and future destiny of Kentucky; calling on the people of Kentucky to ignore party feelings and oppose to the last extremity the coercive and fratricidal policy of the Executive.”
So Does Missouri.
The State Journal publishes the following reply from Governor Jackson to Secretary Cameron:
“EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
“JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, April 17, 1861. ‘SIR,—Your dispatch of the 15th instant, making a call on Missouri for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the President’s army to make war upon the people of the seceded States. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and revolutionary in its objects, inhuman and diabolical, and can not be complied with. Not one man will, of the State of Missouri, furnish or carry on such an unholy crusade.
“C. F. JACKSON, Governor of Missouri.”
So Does North Carolina.
The following dispatch has been published :
” RALEIGH, April 15, 1861. “HON. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War ;
” Your dispatch is received, and, if genuine, which its extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply that I regard the levy of troops made by the Administration for the purpose of subjugating the States of the South, as in violation of the Constitution and a usurpation of power. I can be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people. You can get no troops from North Carolina. I will reply more in detail when your call is received by mail.
“JOHN W. ELLIS, Governor of North Carolina.”
A dispatch, dated Wilmington, North Carolina, April 15, says: The Proclamation is received with perfect contempt and indignation. The Union men openly denounce the Administration. The greatest possible unanimity prevails. There were great rejoicings here on Saturday on the reception of the news of the reduction of Fort Sumter.
The Feeling in Tennessee.
A dispatch dated Nashville, April 13, says: An enthusiastic public meeting was held here tonight. Resolutions were unanimously adopted, condemning the Administration for the present state of affairs, and sympathizing with the South. The Hon. Mr. Zollicoffer and others spoke.
Another, dated Memphis, April 14, says: Great excitement prevails in this city over the news from Charleston, and great crowds are in the streets. The event is being celebrated by cannon firing, rockets, bonfires, music, and dancing.
Another, dated Memphis, April 16, says: There is intense excitement here. A tremendous meeting tonight resolved Memphis out of the Union. There are no Union men now here.
A dispatch from Montgomery says: General Pillow guarantees to raise 10,000 men in Tennessee in twenty days, if President Davis will accept of them, and there is no doubt expressed but what he will accept of the offer.