April 12, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, April 11, 1861.
The capital was again full of all the pomp and circumstances of war today. The tramp of infantry and the clatter of cavalry and artillery was heard in every direction. Nearly a thousand men are now enrolled into the United States service from the ranks of the District militia. Both infantry and cavalry corps are being organized. In less than a week the government expects to have two thousand men under arms here.
The administration of the oath of allegiance has effectively purged the District militia of all secession sympathisers. About one seventh of the entire force refused to take it. The indignation at the secessionists was intense among those that continued. They were marched back to their armories, disarmed and stricken from the roll. The hisses of the spectators accompanied their disappearance from the parade ground.
The clerks in some of the departments are said to be about organizing themselves into volunteer companies.
A large body of cavalry was kept for some time riding up and down the avenue this afternoon.
Addresses to the President, offering the services of non-resident sojourners for the defence of the capital, were put in circulation today and largely signed. Office seekers were most eager to attach their names. They were all eager to have them appear at the head of the signers, but, of course, could not all be accommodated.
General Cadwallader, commanding the First brigade of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) militia, received an order today by telegraph, from Governor Curtin, to return home immediately. This movement is supposed to be in connection with the occupation of the capital by Pennsylvania volunteers.
Immense quantities of ammunition continue to be shipped from here to New York.
Immense quantities of ammunition continue to be shipped from here to New York.
A paper was circulated at Willard’s this afternoon, among the visiters now in the city, pledging the signers to hold themselves in readiness to defend the city if attacked. One paper, seen by the writer, bore the names of about two hundred, and had only been in circulation a few hours.