Facts and rumors from Washington.
The New York Express has the following by telegraph from
Washington:
Washington city is a key position, with
Baltimore for one base of operations in this direction, and
Carlisle or
Harper's Ferry for mother.
Military reconnaissances have been made by officers of the seceded States of the heights across the
Potomac, which command this city.
Those heights will be at once occupied and entrenched by Government troops, if
Virginia enters upon hostilities.
Another key point is
Cairo, in Illinois, where an immense force will be massed to go down the
Mississippi.
The mouths of that river will be blockaded, and all seceded ports at the
South.
Across the
Potomac into
Virginia, the war and secession spirit is by no means uppermost as yet, but
Virginians think that she will go out, though the
Western part of the
State may secede from the slaveholding portion.
Col. Huger, stationed at
Baltimore, (
Fort McHenry,) for the defence of the
Harbor, and one of the best U. S. Ordnance officers, has resigned his commission in the army.
A dispatch just received from
Richmond, states that a body of twenty-five hundred men will leave this evening for the purpose of seizing
Harper's Ferry.
The Republican officials here are greatly exasperated at the alleged bad conduct of
Major Anderson, and are inclined to endorse the
Courier article.
Gen. Scott, it is said, and re-said, will resign, if
Virginia leaves the
Union; but the report is without the least foundation.
He is daily at his post, and hard at work.
George Ashmun, it is reported here, is about to be sent to
Canada as a confidential agent of the Administration.
No orders have as yet been issued for the blockade of Southern ports, or to stop the mails in the revolutionary States.
Fort Monroe, as well as
Fort Washington, Va. are to receive an increase of
Garrison.
Harper's Ferry is to be garrisoned as soon as troops can be raised to send there; but the Virginians, it is feared, will capture the Arsenal first.
Three regiments will be ordered to rendezvous at
Washington, one to go to
Fort Monroe with the New York regiment, a comfortable rendezvous for soldiers.
A Baltimore regiment has tendered his services to the
Government.
Governor Hicks, of
Maryland, has just had an interview with the
President, and it is said that he conveyed assurances of support from that State.
Gen. Lane, the new
Senator from
Kansas, has accepted the command of one thousand men here.
The New Bedford Guards, a fine military company, have just telegraphed, tendering their services.
North Carolina Forts.
The
Newbern (N. C.) Progress, of the 17th inst., says:
‘
The committee, of which we were a member, having performed the commission they were sent to do, returned by a special train last night.
There are now about 150 to 200 men under arms at
Fort Macon, and everything is being put in order.
Should a Government vessel attempt to enter the harbor they will receive a warm reception, certain.
The ladies of
Newbern were busily engaged yesterday making bedding and other things necessary for the comfort of our military companies who went down to
Fort Macon last night.
Yesterday, when our military companies were beating up for recruits, about sixty free negroes volunteered and went down to
Fort Macon to do battle for their country, while another gave twenty-five dollars cash to help support the war; and still another, who is a poor man, having just arrived at our wharf with a load of wood for sale, delivered it up to the town auctioneer, with a request to sell it and appropriate it in the same way.
’
The Wilmington Journal of Wednesday says:
‘
On Monday and yesterday (Tuesday) our whole community was deeply excited on the subject of the forts at the mouth of our harbor, and it was finally decided to occupy them in pursuance of orders.
The flag of
North Carolina now waves over
Johnson and
Caswell.
It was desirable that the action of our community should be as quietly taken as possible, and therefore no reference was made to the matter in yesterday's or Monday's issue of the town papers, nor did any dispatches go off on the subject — none, at least, to the
North.
As, however, the matter has got into the
Charleston papers, and further, as we now learn, that
Col. Gardner, former commander at
Charleston, but who has been staying here during the winter on furlough, posted from here to
Washington City on yesterday's afternoon train, having indicated a determination to report to the
Lincoln Administration all that had been done, and no doubt all that it is proposed to do, so far as he could ascertain it, we feel that there is no longer any reason for further reticence on our part.
It was only after
Col. G. left that the fact of his indicated intention became known.
’
Federal Operations at New York.
Recruiting landsmen for the navy commenced yesterday morning at seven o'clock.--The
Cherry street rendezvous was filled, and before noon fifty men had been shipped.
Seamen and ordinary seamen have been added to the
North Carolina, from the city offices during the week, and if applicants continue to apply as they do now, the ship will be filled in a month or so.
Recruiting for the army was comparatively brisk, considering the weather.
Men are now being enlisted at the rate of 30 men-per day or 840 per month.
It is thought the figures can be run up to 1,000, without modifying the necessary restrictions.
A bounty would increase it to 2,000.
But four weeks enlistments at this rate would overflow the regiments, which could not be done without a special act of Congress.
The figures published by special reporters daily, are purely chimerical.
The rain did not stop work at the
Navy-Yard; caulkers, carpenters, and others were busily employed all day on the vessels preparing for sea.
The
Wabash is rapidly approaching readiness.
Her masts are nearly all right, and her machinery will be in like manner in a few days.
The coal and other necessaries are speedily going in.
The
Savannah, although still in dock, is going ahead with extraordinary rapidity.
Her sides are nearly caulked.
The armament of the ship will be ready in a few days.
The
Perry was not touched yesterday, except by riggers.
She has had her hull and battery put in service trim.
The
North Carolina begins to fill up. After the departure of the
Powhatan she had very few hands on board, but the activity of the recruiting business has considerably augmented her crew.
She may have a ship's company for a frigate on board before two weeks. Her marine guard consists of 44 men, all efficient.
The battery of the North Carolina is in fair order, and is exercised three or four times a week by the sailors and landsmen.
Proclamation of the
Mayor of
Baltimore.
Mayor Brown, of
Baltimore, issued the following proclamation on Wednesday:
‘
Whereas, in the present excited state of the public mind, and in the great division of opinion which exists in relation to the subjects of the gravest political importance, apprehensions have arisen in the minds of many citizens that violations of the peace may occur; and, whereas, our character and welfare as a community are deeply involved in the absolute preservation, at all times and under all circumstances, of public order, which can be maintained by the public authorities only through the aid of the people themselves, I hereby earnestly invoke all good citizens to refrain from every act which could lead to any outbreak or violence of any kind; to refrain from harshness of speech, and to render in all cases prompt and efficiency aid, as by law they are required to do, to the public authorities, whose constant efforts will be exerted to maintain unbroken the peace and order of the city, and to administer the laws with fidelity and impartiality.
the
Maryland Queta.
’
The Baltimore American of yesterday says:
‘
The variety of rumors afloat throughout the day yesterday, in relation to the call made by the
General Government on the
State of Maryland for four regiments of military, received some show of plausibility from an announcement in the National Intelligencer that Gov
Hicks had responded affirmatively to the requisition.
The facts are, as we stated yesterday morning, that
Gov. Hicks has as yet taken no final action on the subject, and probably will not for some days to come.
If the military are called out in
Maryland, it will be under the written pledge of the
Government at
Washington, that they are to be held for the special preservation of the peace and quiet of the
State of Maryland, and are not in any event to be employed beyond its borders, except in defence of the
National Capital, which is part and parcel of the original territory of the
State, If they are taken into the service of the
Government, under this agreement, they will remain on duty in
Baltimore, and not be removed hence unless their services are imperatively required at
Washington, whither they can be transported in a few hours.
We have reason to believe that this is the extent of the action as yet taken by the
Governor, he reserving for future consideration the decision of the question as to whether he will give a favorable or unfavorable response to the requisition of the War Department.
’
the
Massachusetts quota.
The quota of Massachusetts volunteers has been doubled in view of the probable delays in some of the
Border States.
Three regiments from that State will come to
Washington, and one will be sent to increase the garrison of
Fort Monroe, at
Norfolk, Va.--
Gen. B. F. Butler will probably be
Brigadier-General of these regiments, Co. A, flying artillery, of
Boston, which is understood to be the best company in
New England, are ordered to report at
Washington.
the New York troops.
Volunteers are said to be rapidly coming forward in New York city to support the
Government of the
United States.
The Seventy-ninth regiment,
Col. Thomas B. Maclay, has volunteered its, services to the
Federal Government, whenever and
wherever required.
The Scott Life Guard (Sixth regiment) have also tendered their services.
On Tuesday night the Zouave Guard held a drill, as did various other volunteer associations.--The right wing of the Seventh regiment, and a battalion of the Seventy-first, and others, held public drills, which were largely attended.
Col. Vosburg volunteered to lead his regiment if it desired to go South.
An officer of the Seventh regiment returned from
Washington on Tuesday with orders, which will be issued to the Seventh during the next twenty-four hours. It is said the Seventh will be sent to
Fort McHenry. One or two regiments in
Brooklyn have tendered their services.
Superintendent Kennedy has determined to exercise all the power at his command to prevent aid being furnished the
South, and to this end will seize all arms or munitions of war destined for seceding States.
Major Anderson.
Charleston,April 17.--Previous to
Major Anderson's departure in the
Baltic for New York, courtesies were exchanged between him and the principal officers of the
Southern army.
Major A. was received on board the
Baltic in a most enthusiastic manner.
Hearty cheers were given by the crew, every officer uncovered as he went up the side, and when the
American flag, which, with the
Confederate flag was hoisted on the
Isabel in compliment to
Major Anderson's bravery, was hauled down, and the flag of
Fort Sumter run up to the masthead of the
Baltic, amid the smoke of cannon,
Major Anderson bowed his head and wept.
After the salute, the
Harriet Lane led off, followed in line by the
Pocahontas,
Pawnee and Baltic.
The scene was impressive and beautiful.
The
Baltic had been slightly injured by a collision with the
Pawnee.
The steamtug
Yankee, of New York, appeared on the bar and hailed the
Isabel for information, and then put to sea, with loss of smoke-stack, to prevent seizure.