Baltimore, June 25, 1863.
Upward of two years ago, in these very streets, the Massachusetts volunteers, while marching to defend the national capital, were assaulted by a mob. To-day, an armed guard patrols every corner and square of the city; and for two whole years a rebellious population have been taught the bitter lesson of loyalty by the threatening guns of Fort McHenry.
Strolling along Eutaw, or any of the principal streets, of an evening, your ear will probably catch, as mine has already, some fragment of conversation like the following: Miss Blank is sitting upon her door-step, musing, with her large, dark eyes fixed absently upon the heavens above her. A gentleman in linen trowsers is directly ahead of you. The shadowy form of the sentry is about disappearing in the ill-lighted street a few yards further on. The gentleman recognizes Miss Blank, and inquires is she enjoying the breeze, or makes some other equally intellectual remark.
“Oh! No,” Miss Blank replies in a subdued, melancholy tone, “I had not thought of the breeze; it
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is delicious; I am waiting for our dear Southern army.”
This is the spirit that prevails in Baltimore this month of June, 1863.
Here, as in Alexandria, the streets are barricaded, and the pedestrian is often obliged to leave the sidewalk in his progress through the city.
But the barricades are of the shallowest description, and would throw but little obstruction in the path of a resolute enemy.
They consist of a number of barrels placed side by side, with beams resting on them.
Only yesterday a lady, riding down Lombard street, touched her horse with her riding-whip, and cleared one with a bound.
What possible defence could these be against a charge of cavalry?
On the outskirts of the city earth-works are being rapidly constructed, and guns of considerable calibre mounted commanding the Northern and Frederick roads. By order of Lieutenant Colonel Fish, Provost-Marshal, no person is allowed to visit the fortifications without a proper pass.
I must postpone, therefore, going more into detail, until I have had an opportunity of inspecting them.
General Halleck was here yesterday, but returned almost immediately to Washington.
There is but little excitement in the city, law and order prevailing, without interruption even of the slightest kind. N. G. S.