Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Doc. 134.--“the attack on Washington.”

No man, he said, could tell where the war this day commenced would end, but he would prophesy that the flag which now flaunts the breeze here would float over the dome of the old Capitol at Washington before the first of May. Let them try Southern chivalry and test the extent of Southern resources, and it might float eventually over Faneuil Hall itself.

Such being the publicly avowed belief of the Secretary of War of the Confederate States, we quote in illustration of similar “threats,” the following excerpts taken from leading Southern journals, merely premising that we could greatly add to their number if it were essential to the purpose:

From the Richmond Enquirer, of April 13.

attention, volunteers!--Nothing is more probable than that President Davis will soon march an army through North Carolina and Virginia to Washington. Those of our volunteers who desire to join the Southern army as it shall pass through our borders, had better organize at once for the purpose, and keep their arms, accoutrements, uniforms, ammunition, and knapsacks in constant readiness.

From the New Orleans Picayune, of April 18.

The first fruits of a Virginia secession will be the removal of Lincoln and his Cabinet, and [189] whatever he can carry away, to the safer neighborhood of Harrisburg or Cincinnati-perhaps to Buffalo or Cleveland.

From the Vicksburg (Miss.) Whig, of April 20.

Major Ben McCullough has organized a force of five thousand men to seize the Federal Capital the instant the first blood is spilled. The Montgomery Advertiser says this intelligence is from a Virginia gentleman now in Washington city, who had it direct from McCullough's own lips.

From the Richmond (Va.) Examiner, of April 23.

The capture of Washington city is perfectly within the power of Virginia and Maryland, if Virginia will only make the proper effort by her constituted authorities; nor is there a single moment to lose, the entire population pant for the onset; there never was half the unanimity among the people before, nor a tithe of the zeal upon any subject that is now manifested to take Washington, and drive from it every Black Republican who is a dweller there.

From the mountain tops and valleys to the shores of the sea there is one wild shout of fierce resolve to capture Washington city at all and every human hazard. The filthy cage of unclean birds must and will assuredly be purified by fire. The people are determined upon it, and are clamorous for a leader to conduct them to the onslaught. That leader will assuredly rise, aye, and that right speedily.

From the Goldsboroa (N. C.) Tribune, of April 24.

We understand that Duncan K. McRae, Esq., who came here last night, bears a special order for one regiment of North Carolina troops to march to the city of Washington. They are to be ready in forty-eight hours from the notice. This is by order of Gov. Ellis.

To have gained Maryland is to have gained a host. It insures Washington city, and the ignominious expulsion of Lincoln and his bodyguard of Kansas cut-throats from the White House. It makes good the words of Secretary Walker at Montgomery in regard to the Federal Metropolis. It transfers the lines of battle from the Potomac to the Pennsylvania border.

From the Raleigh (N. C.) Standard, of April 24.

North Carolina will send her full quota of troops to unite in the attack on Washington city. Our streets are alive with soldiers and officers, many of the latter being here to tender their companies to the Governor. Washington city will soon be too hot to hold Abraham Lincoln and his Government. North Carolina has said it, and she will do all she can to make good her declaration.

From the Eufaula (Ala.) Express, of April 25.

With independent Virginia on one side and the secessionists of Maryland (who are doubtless in the majority) on the other, our policy at this time should be to seize the old Federal Capital and take old Lincoln and his Cabinet prisoners of war. Once get the Heads of the Government in our power, and we can demand any terms we see fit, and thus, perhaps, avoid a long and bloody contest.

From the Wilmington (N. C.) Daily Journal of April 27.

A correspondent writing from Georgetown, (S. C.) under date of April 26th, makes inquiry about a report that had got afloat there that three regiments of troops had left North Carolina to join Lincoln. What an idea! When North Carolina troops join old Abe it will be at the point of the bayonet, and he at the sharp end. When North Carolina regiments go to Washington, and they will go, they will stand side by side with their brethren of the South. What fool could have put in circulation such a report!

From the Milledgeville (Ga.) Southern Recorder, of April 30.

The government of the Confederate States must possess the city of Washington. It is folly to think it can be used any longer as the headquarters of the Lincoln Government, as no access can be had to it except by passing through Virginia and Maryland. The District of Columbia cannot remain under the jurisdiction of the United States Congress without humiliating Southern pride and defeating Southern rights. Both are essential to greatness of character, and both must cooperate in the destiny to be achieved.

The correspondent of the Charleston Courier wrote from Montgomery, Alabama, under date of the 28th ultimo, as follows:

The aspect of Montgomery at this time is any thing but peaceful, and, with the presence of so many troops in the capitol at once, the people are beginning to realize the fact that we are in the midst of war, as well as to feel assured that vigor and energy characterize the Administration. In the churches to-day, prayers were offered for the success of our arms during the war. The desire for taking Washington, I believe, increases every hour, and all things, to my thinking, seem tending to this consummation. We are in lively hope that before three months roll by, the government, congress, departments, and all, will have removed to the present Federal Capital.

A correspondent of the Baltimore Exchange, writing from Montgomery (Alabama) under date of April 20, immediately after the receipt of the telegraphic intelligence announcing the attack of the Baltimore mob on the Massachusetts troops, communicated the following:

In the evening bonfires were built in front of the Exchange Hotel, and from the vast crowd which assembled, repeated cheers were given for the loyal people of Baltimore. Hon. Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia, had arrived in the city in the afternoon, and as soon as it was known, there were loud calls for him. His reception was most enthusiastic. and some minutes [190] elapsed before he could commence his remarks. He made a brief but very eloquent address, full of spirit. He is in favor of marching immediately on Washington, and so stated, to which the crowd responded in deafening and prolonged cheers.

At the “flag presentation” which preceded the departure of the second regiment of South Carolina for Richmond, the following remarks were made by Colonel Kershaw on taking the colors:

Sergeant Gordon, to your particular charge is committed this noble gift. Plant it wherever honor calls. If opportunity offers, let it be the first to kiss the breeze of heaven from the dome of the capitol at Washington.