ate States seemed to be the rallying point of the disaffected people. Some of these assaulted the command with stones, when a number of the latter discharged their muskets. At least twenty shots were fired, but it happily proved that no person was injured. There seemed to be but little discipline among the troops, especially as they rushed along pell-mell. Whilst they were entering the cars a crowd of young men gave them several volleys of bricks and stones, some of which demolished the windows of the cars, whereupon three or four of the privates pointed their muskets through the car windows and fired, but no one was injured.

The baggage and munitions, in two cars, were seized by the crowd, but rescued by the police. Other troops were sent back to the borders of the State by orders of Gov. Hicks. The military of the city were called out, and quiet was restored at evening. Among the killed was Robert W. Davis, a member of a mercantile firm, and a person held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Nine citizens of Baltimore were killed, and many wounded. Twenty-five of the wounded Massachusetts troops were sent to the Washington hospital.

During the night following a report prevailed that more Northern troops were approaching by the Northern Central Railway. It was immediately resolved to destroy the bridges nearest the city, on both the Northern roads ending in Baltimore. The bridge at Canton was thus destroyed, and two bridges between Cockeysville and Ashland; also the bridges over Little Gunpowder and Bush rivers. This was ordered to be done by the authorities of Baltimore. Upon a representation of the events to President Lincoln, he ordered that "no more troops should be brought through Baltimore, if, in a military point of view, and without interruption or opposition, they can be marched around Baltimore."

The public mind continued in a feverish state from the excitement of Friday, when unfounded reports that Northern troops were approaching the city, aroused a most indescribable tumult, like ten thousand people bereft of reason. The error of the rumors becoming finally known, peace and order were restored.

The transmission of the mails, and the removal of provisions from the city, however, were suspended by the orders of the Mayor and Board of Police. Four car loads of military stores, clothing, tents, and other army equipments, sufficient for the accommodation of a thousand men, and the property of the Government, were thus detained. On the 24th, the city presented much the appearance of a military camp. The number of volunteers there enlisted, was put as high as 25,000. Large quantities of provisions were seized, and its departure from the city stopped. About four hundred picked men left the city for the Relay House, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, for the purpose of seizing and holding that important strategic point. They were followed by a force of about

two hundred men, having with them four fieldpieces and an abundance of ammunition. It was the intention of the military authorities to concentrate there about 1,200 men. The object of the seizure was to cut off the communication of the Pennsylvanians with Washington by that route.

The troops at Cockeysville were removed to York, Pennsylvania.

Immediately upon the departure of the train, the authorities of Baltimore County despatched a body of armed men to follow in the rear, and destroy the bridges, which they did; burning all the bridges, large and small, from Ashland to the Maryland line, with one exception, the "Big Gunpowder Bridge."

The turnpike from Ashland to York was literally black with vehicles of every description, containing whole families from Baltimore, who were hurrying to the country. A great many strangers were also proceeding to Pennsylvania, for the purpose of getting into the more Northern States.

Unparalleled as was the excitement in Baltimore, after one week quiet was not only restored, but a counter-revolution took place, which by its mere moral force reëstablished the control of reason and judgment.

On the 5th of May, the volunteer militia were dismissed by the authorities.

On the 10th of May, thirteen hundred troops landed near Fort McHenry from transports, and were thence transferred by trains to Washington.

The Board of Police Commissioners had at noon detailed a large police force, who were present at Locust Point, and acted with great efficiency, under the direction of Marshal Kane. The Board of Commissioners were present in person, as also the Mayor. Few spectators were present at Locust Point, but the wharves on the city side were filled with persons, who quietly looked on the scene of the disembarkation, which was very tedious, and was not concluded until between six and seven o'clock in the evening.

The troops were Sherman's Battery, five companies of the Third Infantry from Texas, and a Pennsylvania Regiment.

On the 5th of May, the United States Volunteers under the command of General Butler, had taken possession of the Relay House on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and proceeded to fortify their position. Subsequently, on the 13th, he moved a portion of his troops to Baltimore. It soon became known in the city, and a number of people went to the Camden station to witness the arrival.

About half-past seven o'clock a long train came, containing a portion of the troops. They disembarked in good order, and marched from the depot down Lee street and other streets to Federal Hill, and, moving to the high ground surrounding the Observatory, stacked arms, and made preparations for a long rest.

The force under command of General Butler was composed of a portion of the Boston Light Artillery, Major Cook; a strong detachment

of the 6th Massachusetts regiment, Col. Jones, and about five hundred of the 8th New York regiment, Lieut,-Col. Waltenburg.

On the route to the Hill the streets were thronged with people, who greeted the military with cheers at every step, the ladies at the windows and the doors joining in the applause by waving their handkerchiefs.

Thus quietly was military possession taken

of the city of Baltimore. On the next day considerable reënforcements arrived.

On the 16th of May, the regular passenger trains between Baltimore and Washington resumed their usual trips. Baltimore subsided into one of the most quiet cities of the Union. The military encampment was, however, maintained. Meantime the action of States to secede from the Union was renewed.

THE secession of more Southern States now commenced. Of these Texas was foremost. The call for her Convention was revolutionary. It was signed by sixty-one individuals. Upon this call delegates were elected.

About the same time one of the members of the Legislature took the responsibility of issuing a call for the meeting of that body in extra session. To avoid a conflict between the State authorities and the revolutionists, Governor Houston convened the Legislature in extra session at Austin on January 22d.

The following is the proclamation issued by the Governor:

Whereas, there has been and yet is great excitement existing in the public mind, arising from various causes, touching our relations with the Federal Government and many of the States, and a portion of the people have expressed a desire that the Legislature should be convened in extra session; and whereas the Executive desires that such measures should be adopted as will secure a free expression of the popular will through the ballot-box upon the question at issue, involving their peace, security, and happiness, and the action of the whole people made known in relation to the course which it may be proper and necessary for Texas, as one of the States of the Union, to pursue, in order to maintain, if possible, her rights in the Union, as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution; and whereas our frontier is now invaded by Indians, and the lives of our citizens taken and their property destroyed; and whereas the treasury is without means either to defend the frontier or meet ordinary expenses of Government;

Now, therefore, I, Sam Houston, Governor of the State of Texas, for the reasons herein set forth, do hereby issue this my proclamation, ordering the Leg

islature of the State of Texas to convene in extra session at the Capitol, in the City of Austin, on Monday, the 21st day of January, A. D. 1861.

When the Legislature assembled, he addressed a message to them, in which he favored delay as long as possible in holding a State Convention. He was himself opposed to calling one, and believed that the Union could be preserved.

The Legislature sanctioned the election of delegates to the State Convention, which assembled one week later, by the adoption of the following

JOINT RESOLUTION concerning the Convention of the people of Texas, called in pursuance of the Bill of Rights." for the preservation of the rights, liberties, and powers Whereas the people of Texas, being much concerned of the State and its inhabitants, endangered by the political action of a majority of the States, and the people of the same have, in the exercise of powers reserved to themselves in the Bill of Rights, called a Convention, composed of two members for each representative in the Legislature, from the various districts established by the apportionment law of 1860, to assemble on the 28th day of January, 1861, at the city of Austin; which Convention, by the terms of the call, made by numerous assemblages of citizens in various parts of the State, was, when elected and assembled, to have power to consider the condition of public affairs; to determine what shall be the future relations of this State to the Union, and such other matters as are necessarily and properly incident thereto; and in it is necessary for the preservation of the rights and case it should be determined by said Convention that liberties aforesaid that the sovereignty of Texas should resume the powers delegated to the Federal Government in the Constitution of the United States, and by the articles of annexation, then the ordinance of said Convention resuming said delegated powers, and repealing the ratification by the people of Texas of said articles of annexation, should be submitted to a ratification or rejection. Therefore vote of the qualified electors of this State for their

That the Government of the State of Texas hereby Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, gives its assent to and approves of the Convention

aforesaid.

lar, the vote for members was very light. There are 122 counties in the State, of which nearly half held no election, and were not represented in the Convention. Some of these were: Old Nacogdoches, with 1,023 legal voters; Lamar, with 1,123 voters; Blanco, with 1,139 voters; Cherokee, with 1,644 voters; Fannin, with 1,183 voters.

The vote in some of the counties was as follows: Anderson, with 1,093 voters, only 387 voted; Bastrop, 769 voters, 153 voted; Collin, 1,119 voters, 211 voted; Grayson, 1,217 voters, 280 voted; Hays, 296 voters, 67 voted; Jack son, 296 voters, 40 voted; Lampasas, 285 voters, 50 voted; Red River, 879 voters, 60 voted; Travis, 1,011 voters, 342 voted. This county has Austin within its limits.

On the 5th of February an ordinance of secession was passed in the Convention by a vote of ayes 166, nays 7. The following is the ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the Union between the State

of Texas and the other States under the compact styled The Constitution of the United States of America." SEC. 1. Whereas the Federal Government has failed to accomplish the purposes of the compact of union between these States, in giving protection either to the persons of our people upon an exposed frontier, or to the property of our citizens; and whereas the action of the Northern States is violative of the compact be tween the States and the guarantees of the Constitution; and whereas the recent developments in Federal affairs make it evident that the power of the Federal Government is sought to be made a weapon with which to strike down the interests and property of the people of Texas and her sister slaveholding States, instead of permitting it to be, as was intended our shield against outrage and aggression; there fore, "We, the people of the State of Texas, by delegates in the Convention assembled, do declare and ordain that the ordinance adopted by our Convention of delegates on the fourth (4th) day of July, A. D. 1845, and afterwards ratified by us, under which the RepubStates, and became a party to the compact styled The Constitution of the United States of America,' be, and is hereby repealed and annulled."

lic of Texas was admitted into the Union with other

That all the powers which, by the said compact, were delegated by Texas to the Federal Government are resumed. That Texas is of right absolved from all restraints and obligations incurred by said compact, and is a separate sovereign State, and that her citizens and people are absolved from all allegiance to the United States or the Government thereof.

SEC. 2. The ordinance shall be submitted to the

people of Texas for their ratification or rejection, by the qualified voters, on the 23d day of February, 1861; and unless rejected by a majority of the votes cast, shall take effect and be in force on and after the 2d day of March, A. D. 1861. Provided that in the representative district of El Paso said election may be held on the 18th day of February, 1861.

Done by the people of the State of Texas, in convention assembled, at Austin, the 1st day of February,

A. D. 1861.

Public sentiment was in favor of joining a Southern Confederacy, and on the 11th an ordinance was passed favoring the formation of such a Confederacy, and electing seven delegates to a Southern Congress.

On the 14th the Convention adjourned to the 20th of February.

The vote to refer the ordinance of secession

to the people was quite as unanimous in the Convention as was that on the adoption of the ordinance. The election of delegates being to some extent informal, and scarcely half of the vote of the State having been cast, it was thought best that the ordinance of secession should receive the sanction of the people before it should be declared final. It was submitted to the voters of the State on the 23d of February, which election was legalized by the Legislature, and approved by the Governor under a protest against the shortness of time intervening between the passage of the ordinance and the day of election. The vote in eighty counties of the State was: For secession, 34,794; against secession, 11,235. Majority for secession, 23,559. The vote at the Presidential election in November previous was: Lincoln, ; Douglas,

-; Breckinridge, 47,548; Bell, 15,438. On the 2d of March the Convention reassembled without a quorum, and on the 4th the vote was counted. When the result was announced in the Convention, and the President declared that Texas was a free and independent State, there immediately ensued a tremendous burst of cheers and enthusiastic applause.

On the 5th the Convention passed an ordinance instructing the delegates, whom it had previously appointed to the Southern Congress, to apply for the admission of Texas into the Southern Confederacy, and to that end to give the adhesion of Texas to the Provisional Constitution of the said Confederacy.

The numerical strength of the United States into thirty-seven companies-twenty-two inarmy in Texas was about 2,500 men, divided fantry, five artillery, and ten cavalry. Twenty companies were on the Rio Grande-fifteen infantry, and five artillery. The other seventeen companies were stationed in the interior, from Camp Cooper, Phantom Hill, in the northern part of the State, south as far as San Antonio and Fort Inge, near Fort Duncan, on the Rio Grande.

On the withdrawal of these troops, their places on the Rio Grande were supplied by State militia from Galveston and the neighboring counties.

Previous to this time, the surrender of MajorGeneral Twiggs, the United States commander in that Department, to the authorities in Texas, took place. This caused great astonishment at Washington, where it was hardly anticipated. The secession of the State was not then, in fact, concluded. There had been no vote of the people upon the ordinance. The United States army was allowed to march to the coast by the articles of agreement, and to take with them their side-arms, facilities for transportation and subsistence, as well as two batteries of flying artillery of four guns each. The means of transportation were to be surrendered, and left upon arrival at the coast. By this treaty, without one drop of bloodshed, and "without sullying in the least the honor of the United States army," Texas came into possession of

over thirteen hundred thousand dollars' worth of property, principally consisting of munitions of war.

The seizure of all the property of the United States was complete. The revenue cutter was surrendered, and the lighthouse supply-vessel for the coast was captured. This vessel, the Guthrie, sailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts, November 8, 1860, with a full cargo of supplies for one year for all the lighthouses and light vessels between Amelia Island, Georgia, and the Rio Grande, Texas. The master in charge reached the bay at Galveston on the 5th of March, for the purpose of delivering the year's supply of oil, &c., to the Bolivar Point and other lighthouses in that vicinity. While he was absent from the vessel, attending to the delivery of the supplies, the Guthrie was boarded by several men, accompanied by an individual calling himself General Sherman, claiming to act by authority, and under the orders of the "Committee of Safety at Galveston." These men got the vessel under weigh, and proceeded with her nearer the cutter, where she was detained.

Some detachments of United States troops still remained in the State, and these were made prisoners, and released upon parole. On the 24th of April, Colonel Van Dorn, with a Texan force on steamers, came down from Indianola to Salaria, and anchored near the schooners having on board the United States troops under Major Sibley, numbering 450. An interview took place during the next day between the commanding officers, which ended in the surrender of the entire Federal force as prisoners of war. The officers were to be released on parole, and the men on their oaths that they would not take up arms against the Southern Confederacy, after surrendering their arms and all the property of the companies; such of the men and officers as desired were to be received into the Confederate army. Private property was not to be molested, and the soldiers were not permitted to leave the State except by way of Galveston and the Mississippi River.

On the 9th of May, six companies of the 8th United States infantry, under command of Lieut.-Colonel Reeve, surrendered to a Confederate force under Colonel Van Dorn, near San Lucas Springs, about twenty-two miles west of San Antonio, and on the Castroville road. Colonel Reeve's command consisted of 366 rank and file, with their appropriate officers, together with Colonel Bumford and several other officers who were on leave, or under orders to report at other points, and who, taking advantage of the troops coming to San Antonio, sought and obtained the escort of the same.

Colonel Van Dorn left his camp on the Leon at four o'clock on Thursday morning, the 8th, and took a position previously selected, about two miles to the westward on the road leading to Castroville, where he formed his command into line of battle. Shortly after daylight the pickets and spies reported Colonel Reeve as having left his camp at two o'clock A. M., as

had been his custom on this march, and having reached the high ridge of land near San Lucas Springs, and at the ranche of Mr. Adams, where he had halted his command, taken possession of the large stone house, barricaded the road with his wagons, and placed his troops in position behind the strong corral fences and in the stone house, apparently to await the assault.

Upon this being announced to the colonel commanding the Confederate troops, he ordered a forward movement of the whole command, and gave directions for the forming of the line of battle. The infantry, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Duff, were placed on the right; the battery of flying artillery-six pieces, 12pounders-under Capt. Edgar, in the centre, with the cavalry and mounted troops under Col. H. E. McCulloch on the left; the whole command, numbering some 1,500 troops of all arms, presenting a very fine appearance, with banners flying, drums beating, sabres and bayonets glittering in the meridian sun, horses pawing and neighing, the field officers flying from one end of the field to another, carrying the commands of their chief.

Under a flag of truce, borne by Capts. Wilcox and Majors, a demand was made of an unconditional surrender of the United States troops as prisoners of war, and five minutes given to answer it. Col. Reeve would not agree to the terms unless Col. Van Dorn would convince him that he had sufficient strength to enforce them, by permitting an officer of his command, whom he would designate, to see the troops and report to him; the prompt answer returned was, that he should have that opportunity to see the troops, and the more he saw of them the less he would like it. The officer designated by Col. Reeve was Lieut. Bliss, a young officer of distinguished bravery, well known in the United States army, who mounted a horse, rode down the line of Confederate troops, and was repeatedly cheered. Suffice it to say, on his report Col. Reeve surrendered with his command, together with all the public property in his possession, unconditionally, as prisoners of war, giving his word of honor that he would report himself and command at Col. Van Dorn's camp on the Leon that evening at 6 o'clock.

The Confederates then retired to camp, where they arrived about 3 o'clock P. M. At 5 o'clock P. M. Col. Reeve's command arrived in camp, and their ground being designated by the proper officer, they pitched their tents as orderly, and stacked their arms with as much precision, as if on inspection parade. Next morning at 5 o'clock the infantry and cavalry struck their tents and marched into San Antonio, where they arrived in good condition at 6 o'clock. Col. Reeve's command marched to the San Pedro Springs, two miles above San Antonio, to a camp designated by a proper officer, where all the arms and Government property were given up. Other States now rapidly followed in the secession movement.

The State Convention of Virginia met at Richmond on the 13th of February. John Janney, of Loudon, was elected President of the Convention, and upon taking the chair he made an address friendly to the Union, but said that Virginia would insist on her own construction of her rights as a condition of her remaining in the present Union. The next day was devoted to perfecting the organization.

The object of the people of Virginia, as expressed by their Legislature, and by their vote at the election for delegates to the Convention, was, if it could be done, honorably "to restore the Union of the States, and preserve that Union for all time to come. ""

On the 16th numerous resolutions were of fered, which, while expressing a hope that the difficulties then existing might be reconciled and the Union perpetuated, yet denounced the idea of coercing in any way the seceding States. Mr. Wise, of Princess Anne, reiterated his policy of fighting in the Union, and counselled speedy action.

Mr. Moore, of Rockingham, opposed haste. He would not be driven by the North, nor dragged by the cotton States, who had acted without consulting Virginia.

Addresses were also made to the Convention by the Commissioners from other States who were present. Mr. Preston, from South Carolina, in his remarks, said that the Union could never be reconstructed "unless power should unfix the economy of good. No sanctity of human touch could reunite the people of the North and South."

On the 20th of February, numerous resolutions were offered and referred. They generally expressed an attachment to the Union and the desire for an equitable settlement, but denounced coercion, and declared a purpose to resist it. Others maintained that the union of the South was the safety of the South, and that each State should speedily resume the powers delegated to the General Government. A resolution was offered to raise a committee to inquire whether any movement of arms or men had been made by the General Govern ment toward strengthening any fort or arsenal in or bordering on Virginia, indicating preparations for an attack or coercion. It was laid on the table without further action, but taken up the next day and adopted. The report of the committee on the election of members stated that all the counties except sixteen had sent in returns thus far, and the majority for referring the action of the Convention to the people was 52,857.

The Convention was occupied with debates on general subjects until April 13th. On that day the debate turned exclusively upon the surrender of Fort Sumter. Messrs. Carlile and Early deprecated the action of South Carolina in firing upon the fort, and expressed devotion to the flag of their country. Others applauded the gallantry of South Carolina, and maintained that whatever the Convention might

do, the people would take Virginia out of the Union.

Our

A communication was received from the Governor, submitting a despatch from Gov. Pickens, giving an account of Friday's bombardment. He said: "There was not a man at our batteries hurt. The fort fired furiously upon us. iron battery did great damage to the south wall of the fort; the shells fell freely into the fort, and the effect is supposed to be serious, as they are not firing this morning. Our 'Enfield' battery dismounted three of Anderson's largest columbiads. We will take the fort, and can sink the ships if they attempt to pass the channel. If they land elsewhere we can whip them. We have now 7,000 of the best troops in the world, and a reserve of 10,000 on the routes to the harbor. The war has commenced, and we will triumph or perish. Please let me know what your State intends to do."

Governor Letcher replied: แ The Convention will determine."

On the 15th the reply of the President was presented by the Commissioners. A resolution was offered to go into secret session to consider this report. A debate followed. The proclamation of President Lincoln, calling for seventy-five thousand men, constituted the principal theme. Messrs. Scott and Preston (Unionists) declared, that if the President meant subjugation of the South, Virginia had but one course to pursue. A difference of opinion existed as to whether it would be best to secede immediately, or await the cooperation of the Border States, and it was believed the alternative propositions would be submitted to the people. Some delegates doubted the authenticity of the proclamation, and, in deference to their wishes, the Convention adjourned.

The reply of the Governor to the requisition of the Secretary of War was made on the 16th, as follows:

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, RICHMOND, VA., April 16, 1861. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

SIR: I received your telegram of the 15th, the genuineness of which I doubted. Since that time I have in which I am requested to detach from the militia received your communication, mailed the same day, of the State of Virginia "the quota designated in a table," which you append, "to serve as infantry or riflemen for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged."

In reply to this communication, I have only to say that the militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view. Your object is to subjugate the Southern States, and a requisition made upon me for such an object-an object, in my judg ment, not within the purview of the Constitution or the act of 1795-will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war, and, having done so, we will meet it in a spirit as determined as the administration has exhibited toward the South. Respectfully, JOHN LETCHER.

On the 16th the Convention assembled in secret session. This was immediately after the surrender of Fort Sumter.

On the 17th an ordinance of secession was passed by the Convention. The vote was 88 in