The Charleston Mercury
April 26, 1861
LATEST by TELEGRAPH.—THE WAR NEWS. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.—LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET IN A FRIGHT.
ALEXANDRIA, April 25.—The Government at Washington has taken possession of the telegraph office, and no despatch for a Southern point is allowed to be sent off, unless it meets their approval. It was proposed to your correspondent that he send despatches to THE MERCURY as they might prepare, which was of course respectfully declined on my part, and so at much risk I have run over here, where LINCOLN has no control, to send you the news.
The Administration is most actively engaged in fortifying the city of Washington. The whole force congregated there is six thousand, including a large number of volunteers. The volunteers are strongly suspected of Southern affinities, and already much dissatisfaction exists.
A mutiny was threatened yesterday among those two thousand quartered at the Capitol, which caused Secretary CAMERON to be sent for in great haste.
Batteries are being erected on all the surrounding hills for the protection of the city.
It is anticipated that martial law will be proclaimed tomorrow.
Spies in the Government employ are constantly coming in from Virginia and other States.
The Republicans are terribly alarmed, and preparations are already completed for blowing up the Capitol and other public buildings in case of a successful attack.
The Federal troops at Annapolis will hold that point as a means of egress from the Capital, as well as a means of ingress for further reinforcements.
The United States navy and army is virtually disbanded, which alarms the Administration to an exceeding degree. Upwards of one hundred resignations have been tendered within the past two days. Several hundred clerks in the various departments have also resigned.
LINCOLN entirely disregards the counsel of his Cabinet, and is controlled by JIM LANE, of Kansas notoriety; CASSIUS M. CLAY, and old FRANK BLAIR. These gentlemen admit the war to be against slavery, and not for the Union, and they publicly boast that they will wipe out States Rights and establish a strong government to keep us in subjection.
Maryland is bravely contesting every inch of ground, and no Northern troops have reached Washington since the attack on the Massachusetts regiment in Baltimore.
These troops express the greatest surprise at their reception and attack in Baltimore. They say they did not expect any fighting, and only volunteered for Washington, thinking it would be a very fine frolic. They are now growing very restless; and LINCOLN is becoming much alarmed for his personal safety, as are all the Republicans in the city.
If the public buildings are not blown up and deserted, it is said that the North will march legions in Maryland and force their way to the capital.
The Foreign Ministers view LINCOLN’S Proclamation as your Cabinet at Montgomery did. They look upon it as a good joke, and it has been the source of much merriment amongst them.