PROCLAMATION OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

35

the Governors of Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Ten nessee, Arkansas, and several other States. Governor Hicks, of Maryland, was willing to supply troops for the protection of Washington only. Delaware took loyal ground at

once.

Few in the North dreamed that the exasperated bitterness which disgraced Congress, and the inflamed passions which on both sides made the breach for a long time between the North and South wider and wider, would end in civil

war.

This state of things had long existed, and the menaces which might have been taken as significant, excited no alarm. The political demagogues gave out that "the South would not fight," and the Southern conspirators said "the North would never go into a contest with Southern chivalry; and if such should be the case, one Southerner could easily beat three Yankees." The South they thought was too good a customer to be lost, and thus on both sides the people were cajoled, till hostile armies prepared to decide the contest by the sword.

The patriotic spirit of the North was now fairly aroused, and the troops, passing through every town, had a most enthusiastic reception, while martial music stirred the heart, banners waved proudly, and citizens thronged to see the soldiers. Many thought that the war would end in a brief space, and it seemed but an exciting and pleasant holiday.

Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation calling out volunteers, and also granted letters of marque to privateers to prey on the commerce of the North. This call was promptly and enthusiastically responded to. Many in the South were under the impression that the Northern forces were not called out for the defence of Washington, but to liberate the slaves, and hence they must fight for all they held dear their hearths and homes and liberty itself. most dreadful stories were told of Northern barbarity, and the Southern people were fully roused. The South was a unit, but divisions for a long while were prevalent at the North, where many sympathized with Southern rebels and traitors, and prayed for the success of the Confederate

arms.

The

On the issue of President Lincoln's proclamation, the State of Virginia at once adopted the ordinance of secession.

36

SURRENDER OF NORFOLK.

Her fertile fields were destined to become the stage on which many a bloody tragedy was enacted. One of those who resisted this suicidal policy was John Minor Botts, but in vain. His proud old State sided with the South, and attached an importance to her part in the contest of no little magnitude.

The Government at Washington now contended with great embarrassments; and as treason lurked on every side, and the most secret designs were conveyed to the enemy, great distrust prevailed. In the conflicting chaos of affairs, an inexperienced hand had to guide the helm. The two cabinet officers on whom Mr. Lincoln relied were neither of them eminently fitted for the crisis, and as little prepared for the complications with which the nation struggled as the President himself. The Secretary of the Navy had but limited experience in naval affairs, and, in consquence of a great disaster that soon followed the fall of Sumter, came in for a heavy share of blame. This was the capture by the rebels of the Navy Yard at Norfolk, the greatest in the United States, and containing a great number of cannon of the largest calibre, in which, notwithstanding the heavy thefts of Floyd, the rebels were deficient, and required for future operations. This important place was not guarded sufficiently, and, falling into the hands of the enemy, supplied them with hundreds of heavy cannon, which were soon turned against the 'nion. The Secretary of the Navy was content to save the vessels there, and gave orders to Commodore McCauley to that effect. Finding that the design was not carried out, he sent Commodore Paulding to supersede him, who, on arriving, found the Merrimac and other ships scuttled, and the work of destruction going forward. As this process would not save them from the enemy he fired them, and such of the public property as he could, and left the place. The Cumberland and Merrimac were destined to meet again, the former meeting with a worse fate than the torch from patriots. The Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Columbus, of seventy-four guns each; the Merrimac and Columbia, fortyfour; the Raritan, forty-five; the war sloops Germantown and Plymouth, and the brig Dolphin, were scuttled and fired. The loss was estimated at fifty millions of dollars-of little moment compared with the hundreds of cannon which it gave into the enemy's hands. Great indignation arose that

THE PEOPLE ROUSED TO WAR.

37

the ships did not shell the batteries of the enemy, lay the place in ruins, and render the guns useless. But now the act was done.

About the same time, Lieutenant Jones set fire to and destroyed the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, to save it from falling into the hands of two thousand five hundred men, who marched against it from Virginia. These arms and munitions of war might have been conveyed to a place of safety, and, but for the prompt action of Lieutenant Jones, would have fallen into the enemy's hands. The Gosport Navy Yard was surrendered on the 15th of April, and Harper's Ferry on the 18th, ard Norfolk Navy Yard two days before. There was mismanagement somewhere, and the indignation of the people was fierce, while confidence in the administration was seriously shaken by these dis

asters.

While the rebels were at work-drilling, preparing the munitions of war, arms, equipments, every thing-Government was listening to politicians who were in want of places; and for six weeks, during which warlike preparations should have been vigorously pursued to suppress rebellion, time was frittered away, and the administration did little or nothing.

But the people took things into their own hands, resolved to finish the quarrel with the bayonet, and with amazing energy devised schemes to frustrate the enemy's designs, and sent out bold patriots to defend the nation from traitors.

The supineness of the administration and dogged determination of the people, formed a contrast that was not without alarm, but every thir.g, by degrees, righted.

4

CHAPTER III.

APRIL, MAY, 1861.

SANGUINE HOPES OF THE SOUTH-BLOCKADE OF SOUTHERN PORTS-BASENESS OF CONTRACTORS-TROOPS ANSWERING TO THE PRESIDENT'S CALL -ATTACK BY A MOB ON MASSACHUSETTS AND PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS IN BALTIMORE-RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS IN THE ARMY AND NAVY-NEW YORK DECLARES REBELLION MUST CEASE-EFFECT OF THE NEWS IN THE SOUTH-CALL FOR FORTY THOUSAND MEN, AND INCREASE OF THE ARMY AND NAVY-SUSPENSION OF HABEAS CORPUS-STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTH.

THE rebel leaders intended to capture the Federal capital, and Walker, the rebel Secretary of War, predicted that the flag of the Southern Confederacy would float in triumph over the dome of the capitol before the 1st of May. The Southern press was quite sanguine of success, and its hopes, but for the patriotism of the loyal sons of the North, might have been realized.

Meanwhile, the Southern ports were blockaded by the great steamship Niagara, at Charleston; the steam frigate Minnesota, at Old Point Comfort; the Dawn and Yankee, off Fortress Monroe; the Quaker City, off the mouth of the Chesapeake; the Monticello, off York river; the Harriet Lane, off the James river, and other vessels were sent to Savannah, Mobile, and New Orleans.

While the people were bent on saving the country, and pouring forth regiments in its defence, the troops sent out were generally unfurnished with arms and equipments, which it was expected the Government would supply. It was then that politicians took these affairs into their ow hands to amass money, and many a colossal fortune was made by contract in those days of shoddy. The clothing supplied by them soon fell into tatters, and the shoes left the troops barefooted. Swindling to an immense extent prevailed, and General Wool, superintending affairs at New York, attempting to check the wasteful extravagance that was robbing the public treasury, was sent home to Troy by the influence of politicians at Washington.

Troops were now rushing from Massachusetts, Pennsyl.

TROOPS ATTACKED IN BALTIMORE.

89

vania, Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois, and the distant West, to the defence of the capital. Threats on every side arose that they would not be allowed to pass through Baltimore. Patrols guarded the Long Bridge, at Washington, night and day, and cannon were placed to command the passage. General Scott made the best disposition he could of the small forces of the Government, and anxious eyes were bent on the Northern troops, who were advancing to reinforce Washington.

The first regiment which had that honor was the Sixth Massachusetts, which reached Baltimore on the 19th of April, and proceeded to the farther depot in eleven cars, drawn by horses. An attack was made on them by the mob, who, with dreadful yells and curses, rained a shower of brickbats, stones, and every missile within reach, breaking the windows, and wounding the troops seated within. No retaliation on the part of the soldiers took place, and nine cars reached the depot and set off for Washington. Two cars, with a hundred men, were cut off and left behind. The mob, eight thousand in number, lashed into fury, made a fierce attack, and the soldiers, leaving the cars, formed a solid square, and, with the mayor of the city at their head, advanced at double-quick, with bayonets gleaming. Brickbats, stones, clubs, pistols, and muskets were freely used by the mob, but the troops restrained themselves with great forbearance, and only an occasional shot was fired. Two soldiers were killed, and two wounded, and then their comrades, exasperated, fired, and struggling toward the depot, with two killed and eight wounded, set out for the capital.

A body of Pennsylvania troops from Philadelphia, under Colonel Small, was less fortunate, being almost entirely unarmed. While the armed Massachusetts men made good their way, the Pennsylvanians, leaving the cars, formed a 'ine in the street, and marched for the depot. A vast mob, with a Confederate flag, attacked them with a volley of stones, and such of the soldiers as had arms discharged them in self-defence. A hand-to-hand combat ensued, and the soldiers at last succeeded in reaching the depot; an engine was attached to the train of cars, and the return to Philadelphia commenced. A number were wounded, several killed, others scattered, and these made their escape facilitated by the circumstance that the regiment was not uniformed.