40

RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS.

Universal indignation burst forth at the news of this murderous outrage, and the cry was to lay the city in ashes, should such a course be necessary for the passage of the troops. Fort McHenry received a stronger garrison. Camps of instruction were formed in different places for drilling troops, and soon all fears for the safety of Washington subsided, by the number of brave defenders who flocked thither.

The mob took possession of Baltimore, and the mayor and governor informed the President that no more troops could pass through it. When this news reached New York the seventh regiment took forty-eight rounds of cartridges to clear a passage, and their example was followed by other regiments. A bloody battle in the streets of Baltimore was expected, and the commander-in-chief declared that the troops must come by that route to Washington.

The troops, however, stopped at Havre de Grace, and took steamers for Annapolis. Regiments were hurried forward; and the public squares, both chambers of Congress, and the President's mansion were all filled with troops. The rotunda of the capital was filled with stacked arms, and soldiers lounged in the seats of Senators. No fear now that rebels could possess themselves of the national capital.

Many of the Federal officers in the army and navy, who were natives of the South, now resigned their positions, and severed their connection with the Government. Among these was Colonel Robert E. Lee, who was held in great esteem by General Scott, and universally respected by the nation. Long he hesitated, and is said to have shed bitter tears at the alternative proposed to him; but the struggle was soon past, and he gave in his adherence to the fortunes of Virginia. The State Rights doctrine of Calhoun at this time bore abundant fruits, and the greater credit is due to those who stood firm to the national Government in the heavy tribulations that followed.

Nothing but war was now thought of in all parts of the country, and the busy hum of industry was drowned in the clash of arms, the strains of military music, and the bustle of warlike movements. The pulpit breathed war. Congregations made it the subject of their prayers, and collected money for its support; while the people of the Northwest sent thousands of brave patriots to fight the battles of the

PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN NEW YORK.

41

Union. An immense mass meeting, the largest ever known in America, was held on the 20th of April in the city of New York. The cry prevailed, "Down with the Rebellion !" Men of all parties were there, unanimous in the determination to meet the existing evils with the edge of the sword, and range themselves on the side of Government whatever might betide. One of the great sources of New York was

her Southern trade-merchants were indebted to her, and planters owed her millions. The blockade of Southern ports cut off her commerce; and, with her warehouses idle, bankruptcy stared many of her merchants in the face. But she stood firm in loyalty to the Union, with it to rise or fall. Such was the astonishment of the South, that at New Orleans the mob had to be kept down by the police, and the rebels found their hopes of sympathy at the North entirely at an end; while war, brought on by themselves, left them the alternative of independence or subjugation. Great boldness distinguished the conspirators, who cast a wistful eye to Europe, and sent Mason and Yancey to try to obtain recognition for their government and the raising of the blockade; promising free trade and cotton in large abundance.

United States vessels in Southern ports were seized, and the Star of the West, captured at Galveston, was turned into a rebel vessel. In Arkansas and Texas, forts, arsenals, and troops were captured, and Northern property confis cated.

By a proclamation on the 3d of May, the President called for forty-two thousand and thirty-four volunteers, to serve for three years or during the war. Eight regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, were to be added. to the regular army, and eighteen thousand seamen were to be enlisted for the navy, for not less than one or more than three years. Some wondered how the President got the power for such levies without Congress; but the situation of public affairs at this juncture made people withhold their objections, or the remonstrances of the press were lost in the shouts for the Union.

The Southern leaders were anxious for recognition at foreign courts, and Mr. Seward instructed the ministers at those courts that the United States would suffer no intervention, but would settle her dificulties in her own way.

42

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTH.

Special attention was given to counteract the influence of the Southern commissioners at the courts of France and England.

Domestic traitors were now turned out of office at Washington, and the telegraph suddenly seized at many places simultaneously, in order to find out who were implicated in the disgraceful transaction of betraying their country. Many were arrested, and some obtained release by habeas corpus. About this time the act was suspended by the President, which caused much angry discussion, but this step was believed to be necessary in the existing state of affairs.

Two hostile armies were now confronting each other on the Potomac. The Government was alarmed at the neutral position of Kentucky, and troops were sent to Cairo. Tennessee, on the 11th of May, joined the Confederacy, and the state of affairs became better defined as time progressed. The only forts that could be reached were strengthenedFort McHenry, at Baltimore; Fortress Monroe, in Virginia, and Pickens, at Pensacola. Maryland remained in the Union. Missouri now threatened to be the theatre for intestine war. St. Louis was loyal, but the western portions of the State was full of traitors. The neutrality of Kentucky was doubtful, and the influence of Breckinridge might overcome that of the loyal men-Crittenden, Holt, and Prentice. The States of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, though containing many loyal men, could not be depended on. Loyal citizens saw that rebellion had indeed struck a wide, powerful root.

CHAPTER IV.

THE POTOMAC THE CENTRE OF ATTRACTION-DEATH OF COLONEL ELLSWORTH -BATTLE OF BIG BETHEL AND DEATH OF LIEUTENANT GREBLE-LYON IN MISSOURI-BATTLE OF BOONEVILLE-GENERAL MCCLELLAN IN

WESTERN VIRGINIA-BATTLE

ᎪᎢ PHILIPPI-CONTRABANDS-BATTLE

OF RICH MOUNTAIN-BATTLE OF BARBOURVILLE-SIGEL IN MISSOURI -BATTLE OF CARTHAGE-HIS SUCCESSFUL RETREAT-DEVOTION TO THE UNION OF EAST TENNESSEE-AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY.

It was now believed that a great battle was imminent, and many thought that the rebellion would be soon suppressed, and the Federal power once more reign supreme. The Potomac was the grand centre of attraction, and it was surmised that the great battle would take place in front of Washington. The South determined to defend the sacred soil of Virginia from the Chesapeake to Edward's Ferry.

Meantime, the appointment of brigadier and major-generals, at Washington, went on with great rapidity, and officers of all commands received appointments for which many of them were as well fitted as they were to fly in the air. As a rule, the more political influence a man had the higher the command with which he was entrusted; disaster, however, soon put the men in the places for which they were fitted.

Ålexandria was required to be occupied by the Union forces, and General Mansfield, with the Seventh New York regiment, left Washington on the 24th of May, and crossed the river to Alexandria; while another force, passing the Chain Bridge, seized the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, with two trains and their passengers. While other regi ments participated to the number of thirteen thousand men, several companies, and among them three of the Fire Zouave regiment of New York, took a steamer to Alexandria, where their commander, Colonel Ellsworth, landed them and drove the rebels before him. One company was detailed to destroy the railroad to Richmond, the others, with Colonel Ellsworth, went to cut the telegraph wires. A large secession flag met his eye, and, as it floated over the Marshall House, he entered the hall, inquiring who put it up. No one knew

44

DEATH OF COLONEL ELLSWORTH.

and the colonel, with some officers and privates, ascended to the house-top and cut down the flag; on the descent, a man to whom he had spoken about the flag stood in the hall, with a doubled-barrelled gun, with which he shot Ellsworth, emptying the contents of both barrels. In the act of rolling up the flag he fell forward on his face, and exclaiming "My God!" expired. The murderer was shot immediately by Corporal Brownell, and the detatchment soon arriving, bore to the boat the remains of their beloved commander, whose death caused deep regret throughout the North. His remains were sent in great honor to New York State; his gallantry was a subject of imitation.

The Federal troops immediately occupied Alexandria without opposition, and the town was found deserted by a portion of the inhabitants. The Seventh New York and other regiments occupied Arlington Heights, and began to intrench. Three thousand men were constantly at work, under the command of General McDowell, who commanded all troops beyond the Potomac.

In the skirmishes and engagements between small bodies which now took place, the Union troops were successful, and hopes were entertained of crushing out the rebellion in a little while. The first serious affair between the hostile forces was at Big Bethel, near Fortress Monroe. General Benjamin F. Butler, on the 10th of June, sent General Pierce with a few regiments to occupy Newport News. From this they went and occupied Little Bethel, and from thence, advanced on Big Bethel. The enemy was encountered behind intrenchments, and, after a brief action, the Federal forces were driven back, having lost forty men in killed and wounded. Mismanagement characterized the whole movement, the signals being neglected by which the troops from Fortress Monroe and Newport News were to recognize each other. They fired into each other in the darkness, and had the enemy been active, greater disasters would have ensued.

The greatest loss in this action was John T. Greble, a lieutenant of artillery, and a gallant young officer of the regular service. He was descended from brave Revolutionary sires, and distinguished by great energy, intelligence, and gallantry in the execution of his duties. He was a graduate of West Point, and fell lamented by all who knew him. His remains were rescued and borne to Philadelphia,