May 1, 1861;
The New York Herald
A crisis is approaching in the military movements progressing at the seat of war. Troops have not been concentrating there for so many days without a definite object, and it is manifest now what the purpose of government is. Baltimore is to be completely filled with troops, and Maryland is to be compelled to act like a State still in the Union. All the information which reached us up to a late hour last night plainly indicated that this is the policy of the government of Washington. Let us state the points of the latest news in brief. The greatest activity prevails in Southern Pennsylvania, seventeen thousand troops being in the field there at the present time. At Camp Scott, York, Pa., there are 6,000 men; at Camp Siffler, near Chambersburg, 2,600; at Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, 4,000; two regiments from Ohio are quartered near Lancaster, and 1,200 United States regulars at Carlisle. Scattered at different points between Philadelphia, Elkton and Perrysville there are 6,000 more.
Three thousand New Jersey troops are to march from Trenton today, which will constitute in all a force of over 20,000 men in that region, their destination being undoubtedly for Baltimore, to open the route to the federal capital. On the south side of Baltimore are stationed at Annapolis five thousand men, including the Providence Marine which left Perrysville yesterday.
The Sixth and Thirteenth New York regiments occupy a position directly opposite Annapolis, and the Sixty-ninth are at the Junction.
It will thus be seen that Baltimore is completely hemmed in on both sides with an effective force, which is to be immediately employed in opening a passage through that city for the federal troops, and restoring free communication between the North and the capital of the republic. With this purpose Major General Keim, of Pennsylvania, was ordered to leave Philadelphia yesterday, for the camp at York, with instructions to advance at once with an army of fifteen thousand men on Baltimore. If any resistance is offered, he will issue a proclamation announcing his intention to march his force through that city, and warning the loyal citizens, the women and children, to leave, and will then cut his way through at all hazards. It is probably, however, that the threat of visiting Baltimore with so severe a chastisement will bring the resistants to their senses, and thus save the effusion of blood.
Troops from the South continue to move northwards in small bodies. North Carolina, it is said though still in the Union, is prepared to furnish her quota to the army of rebels. Bodies of men are advancing from Alabama and Georgia, whose destination is reported to be Lynchburg, Virginia. There are at present eleven thousand men at Richmond; but it is stated by the papers of that city that the ultimate destination of all the troops now moving from the South is a great camp which is to be established at Dumfries, on the banks of the Potomac–a town about thirty-five miles south of Alexandria.
A very important movement has been made in Virginia, which threatens the division of that State on the secession question. The Western portion of the State goes strongly for the Union, and a convention has been called to meet at Wheeling, to decide upon the subject of the secession of the Western portion from the Eastern, in which it is said every county west of the Blue Ridge will be represented. It is significant of the feeling of this part of the State that Hon. Mr. Clemens who was arrested at the Richmond Convention for his Union sentiments, was received in Wheeling with the utmost enthusiasm on his return there. It is quite evident that Virginia is very far from being a unit on the question of secession from the Union. Even in Eastern Virginia there is a strong feeling in favor of remaining faithful to the government and constitution, as we learn from the sentiments expressed by the owners and crews of the numerous schooners arriving here from the ports of Virginia. The oystermen, who represent a large interest in the Virginia ports are all naturally in favor of remaining in the Union their principal trade being with the North.
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, in his message delivered yesterday to the Legislature in extra session, foreshadows the vigorous policy which the administration have decided upon with regard to Baltimore. He says that the present condition of Maryland is not to be tolerated; that no hostile force can be permitted to stand between the loyal States and the federal capital, and that the time for temporizing is past. He announces on the part of the Pennsylvania banks that they have tendered any amount of money necessary for the defence of the state and the nation; and he recommends that fifteen regiments of infantry and cavalry be raised, exclusive of those already called into service by the Government.
The Western States are acting with great promptitude in the crisis. The Legislature of Indiana granted an appropriation of half a million dollars yesterday through both houses for the maintenance of a volunteer army. Four regiments are already nearly ready to march from this State, and six more are rapidly organizing. In Ohio 17,000 volunteers have offered themselves to Governor Dennison to fill up the thirteen regiments called for. In Missouri four regiments are enrolled and equipped, and six more are in progress of organization.
From Fortress Monroe we learn that there is no danger of its capture by any force that may be brought against it. There are 2,000 troops there, and Colonel Dimmick entertains no fears whatever for the safety of this important post.
From this summary of the latest information received from the theatre of war, it will be seen that everything is going on favorable, and the greatest vigor marks the course of military movements on the part of General Scott, and the administration.