The New York Herald
April 27, 1861
Our advices yesterday with regard to affairs in Washington and vicinity were very conflicting. At one time it was stated that the Seventh regiment of this city and the Massachusetts Eighth regiment, from Annapolis, had arrived in the federal capital, as well as the New York regiments which left here on Sunday, together with other State troops. Later in the day this was contradicted, and it was stated that the Seventh New York and Eighth Massachusetts regiments were encamped eight miles from Annapolis. There is reason to believe, however, that at least a portion, if not all, of these troops we have named, are now at Washington. That the Seventh has arrived we have positive intelligence. Our latest despatches advise us of a terrible state of excitement and apprehension in the capital. An early attack is anticipated, and all business is suspended. From Philadelphia it is stated that the President will soon call for one hundred thousand more men, if he has not done so already.
In contradiction of the report which has prevailed for some days past, that General Beauregard is in the neighborhood of Washington, preparing for the contemplated attack on that place, we have a despatch from Philadelphia stating that a gentleman has arrived in that city who left Charleston on Thursday of last week, who says that General Beauregard was then in Charleston, superintending the repair of Fort Sumter, in anticipation of an immediate attack by the government. This gentleman is reported as representing that there had, up to the time he left Charleston, been no movements of troops northward from there, and that none were likely soon to be despatched. The people there were still unaware of the unanimous Union feeling which now pervades the North.
No reliable intelligence with regard to the reported taking of Fort Pickens by the secessionists is yet received. One account from the South states that it had been taken with a loss on the part of the Southerners of 2,500. The latest advices, though, discredit this.
We have a despatch from Fort Smith, Arkansas, stating that on Wednesday night, that post was taken possession of by the State forces, under command of ex-Senator Borland. The garrison of the fort at the time it surrendered number three hundred men.
General Ransom, who has recently left North Carolina, reports that every federal post in that State has been taken. At Fayetteville Arsenal seventy thousand stand of arms were captured, including twenty eight thousand of the most approved pattern.
Accounts from Baltimore represent that city to have been quiet on Wednesday; but the quietness is only that of terror. The mob have completely awed the citizens. All the wholesale stores are said to be closed, and the clerks are forced to enlist in the secession army. All males over fourteen years of age are required to enroll themselves. All Northerners who can escape are leaving the city. The election for delegates to the extra session of the Maryland Legislature, which meets at Annapolis today, took place in Baltimore on Tuesday. It was a mere farce. Only about 8,500 votes were cast, and they all for one ticket—the ‘Southern States rights.’ It is supposed that the Legislature, on assembling, will immediately pass an ordinance of secession.
The steamship Empire City, from Indianola, Texas, on the 13th inst. arrived here yesterday, having on board the Third regiment of infantry and the Second regiment of cavalry, United States Army, numbering in all about six hundred men. The troops are all in good health. The Empire City brings intelligence of the Star of the West. She had not been captured by the rebels, but was at Indianola when the Empire City sailed, and was awaiting the arrival of troops from the Rio Grande to convey them North. It is supposed that the Empire City will in a few days be despatched by government with troops to the seat of war.
At a meeting of members of the medical profession, held at Cooper Institute on Tuesday evening, resolutions were adopted pledging their professional services to the families of absent soldiers free of charge. A committee was appointed to whom applications for surgeons in the army may be made.
At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the treasurer of the committee having in charge the subscriptions of the Chamber to the find for equipping the regiments needing assistance, and otherwise aiding the soldier, stated that the amount already received is over one hundred thousand dollars. It was voted to merge the committee in the Citizens’ Committee for the same object.
The Board of Aldermen last evening still manifested a laudable desire to aid the families of the volunteers, and voted $500 for a gold box for the gallant Major Anderson.
The Commissioners of Charities and Correction met yesterday. The report of the committee of the Whole stated that there are a number of the recruits of the Second regiment quartered at Bellevue Hospital; that the Board have agreed to allow two months pay to their employees who volunteer, and to retain their situation till they return; the Warden of Bellevue Hospital has been ordered to have one or two words in that building prepared for the reception of wounded soldiers, and that an application has been received from Dr. Harris for permission to accompany a large number of nurses from Bellevue Hospital, to afford them an opportunity of learning the art of nursing patients properly. The report stated that the number in the institutions at present is 8,316—a decrease of 110 for the week.
Messrs. Horton and Post, two of the United States Marshal aids, yesterday visited several bank engraving establishments in the city, and seized ten engraved copper plates, some of national bonds for the Southern confederacy, and some of bank notes to be issued for the States of America. In the centre of these plates was the likeness of Jefferson Davis. The plates were laid before the Grand Jury.
A meeting of the ladies of the congregation of St. Bartholomew’s church took place yesterday for the purpose of providing lint, linen bandages, &c. for the wounded soldiers of the federal army. They will meet again this morning at ten o’clock, when committees will be appointed and all the arrangements perfected to carry out their laudable and praiseworthy intentions.
William Pratt, mate of the ship Montank, charges with piracy, in being engaged in the slave trade, was brought before United States Commissioner White yesterday. Mr. Andrews produced a witness on the part of the government who deposed that Pratt was mate of the vessel, and they took 1,140 slaves on board off Congo river, and brought them into Havana. The examination stands adjourned.