The National crisis.
the seizure of Forts — unsuccessful attempt at another seizure of fire-arms in New York — letter of the Governor of Alabama to the President — from Charleston, &c., &c.The seizure of the Arsenal at Augusta, Ga.
The seizure of the United States Arsenal at Augusta.,Ga., occupied by Capt. A. Elzey and 70 U. S. troops, has been noticed. The number of Georgia troops under arms was over 800, and large numbers of country people came in to see the expected difficulty. The arsenal was surrounded on the 23d, and the State troops were ordered out. The Governor however, would not order an assault until the next day. In the meantime, no answer was receive to the summons, and the next morning the troops were again assembled. The of 11 o'clock was first fixed for the assault but it was changed to 2 o'clock. Before that hour arrived, a note was received from Captain Elzey asking for an interview with Gov. Brown, of Georgia, and the Governor required to the arsenal, where terms of surrender were agreed on. The Constitutionalist says: ‘ The company of United States troops retain all personal effects and their proper arms; have some to make arrangements to leave; have safe conduct from this place, via railroad, to Savannah, and thence by sea to New York, or any other destination: the Captain takes the receipt of General Harris for all arms and mens on hand, to be accounted for to the United States, at any future settlement, and the right was reserved to salute the Federal colors. ’ On the part of Georgia, the only object was executed by the possession of a fine battery of two twelve-pound howitzers, and two cannon, and some twenty-two thousand muskets and rifles, many of them of the best kind. There are also large stores of powder, cannon balls, grape, etc. After the arrangements were completed, Col. Wm. Henry Walker, late of the U. S. A., crossed the room, and taking the hand of Capt. Elzey, stated that as an old brother-in-arms, and lately an officer in the same army, he felt it his duty to state that the honor of the officer he held by the hand was in no way compromised; but he had done all which any government could require, or a true man perform. A silent embrace was all the reply Capt Elzey could make, and the embrace of two such men filled with tears the eyes of all who saw it. Col Walker was at West Point with Capt Elzey, and the endorsement given by one who has three times been shot down under the stars and stripes, is not unworthy of him who received it. The drums then called out the men, and the four field pieces were run out in front of the buildings. Thirty-three guns were then fired, one for each star on the old flag, Georgia's among them and it descended between the thirty-second and thirty-third fire. All the officers of the company and some of those of the Governor had seen service under it--Colonel Jackson through the Mexican war, and it was painful to see it sink from the staff, for fifteen of its glorious stars are yet our own. Refreshments were ordered for us by the Captain, and two of the toasts are worth commemorating. By Col. Jackson, for the second time in the same old room: "The Flag of Stars and Stripes--May it never be disgraced while it floats over a true Southern patriot." It was duty appreciated by the United States officers — every one is a Southern man. The next was by the Governor to Capt. Elzey, in which he paid a deserved compliment to that officer. Lieut. Colonel Walker, of the staff, was put in charge, and His Excellency and suite returned to the city. About half past 4, the representative flag of Georgia was formally raised. It is pure white, with a large red, five pointed star in the centre. The salutes were as follows. For the sovereignty of Georgia one gun; for the secluded States, five guns for the Southern Confederacy in futuro, a union salute of fifteen guns.The seizure and return of the North Carolina Forts.
The correspondence between Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, and the Federal Government, relative to the seizure of the forts in North Carolina, is published. Gov. Ellis informs the President of the seizure and his order that they be returned and then asks if the President intends to garrison them. In reply to this Secretary Holt compliments the high sense of honor of North Carolina, and, on behalf of the President, says that he will not garrison these forts unless some apprehended demonstration of violence should render it necessary.A Fort Retaken.
The capture of Fort Neale, in North Carolina, has been noticed. The Washington (N. C. ) Dispatch thus notices its ‘"recapture:"’ Fort Neale, a revolutionary earth work, near this town, was taken possession of on Saturday night last, and on Sunday morning the community was intensely excited at the report that the Palmetto flag was flying high above the ramparts, and had been nailed to the flag staff. This outrage was borne in silence during the sacred hours of the Sabbath day and night but early on Monday morning our citizens were startled by the report of cannon, fired in quick succession. On inquiry, it was ascertained that a company of jolly tars had recaptured the fort, shot down the Palmetto flag trampled it in the dust, and run up the Stars and Stripes in its place. Forthwith the National ensign was floating in the breeze from every masthead in the port, and we had general rejoicing on the occasion.Another seizure of Government property.
The steamship Texas arrived at Galveston, Texas, on the 15th instant, from New Orleans. When she arrived at the wharf a captain of one of the military companies, with a squad of men, marched down and seized upon fifty-one boxes of U. S. cavalry equipments, giving a receipt in the name of the people of Texas for them. A meeting of the most influential citizens having been called to determine what should be done with them, it was resolved that they should be returned to the agent of the Steamship Company, inasmuch as they were intended to be sent to the frontier of Texas. They were accordingly delivered, and were re-shipped on board the steamship Orion, bound for Indianola.Unsuccessful attempt at another seizure of arms in New York.
The New York Herald has the following account of an unsuccessful attempt to seize a batch of muskets on the steamer Monticello there, Thursday: ‘ About a quarter to three o'clock, yesterday afternoon, one of the steamboat squad of the Metropolitan police repaired to the First precinct police station-house, in Broad street, and reported that a lot of muskets and other "contraband." articles were being shipped on board the steamship Montgomery at pier 12 North river. The officer in command immediately telegraphed the facts to police head-quarters, asking for instructions how to proceed. In about five minutes afterwards a dispatch was received from General Superintendent Kennedy, commanding the police, to seize upon the property forthwith. The receipt of this decidedly unequivocal order threw the police into a great state of confusion. The steamer was to start for Savannah at three o'clock, and it then only lacked five minutes of the appointed time. Instantly summoning about a dozen of his trustiest men, Sergeant Wemyss started off for pier 12, and arrived on board just as the last lot of muskets were placed in the hold, and the captain was giving orders to get ready for sea. ’ The appearance of so many uniformed policemen at such a moment somewhat disturbed the equanimity of the captain; but, quickly recovering his presence of mind, he inquired what the intruders wanted. The police, who were breathless with excitement, could only articulate #x34;muskets," "treason," "contraband goods,"and, without more ado, jumped into the hold and commenced searching for the munitions of war. By this time the captain began to understand what was in the wind, and, approaching the edge of the hatch way, held the following conversation with the police: ‘ Captain — What are you doing down there, I should like to inquire? Pretty conduct this Police Sergeant — We are searching for contraband goods and cannot leave until we find them. Captain — Get out of the hold, you rascals, you, or I will soon make you. 'Let go that line there,' he continued, addressing some men on the pier." ’ The idea of being carried to sea, and to a secession State, too, was rather repugnant to the feelings of the police. If the captain had threatened to blow them to atoms with grape and cannister they would not have been half so frightened. Hastily emerging from the hold, they clambered upon the bulwarks, ready to jump ashore at a moment's warning. Their fears of any immediate danger were groundless, however, for the men on the pier were prevented from executing the order of the captain by a couple of the harbor police — so there was no danger of their being carried off in a hurry. The captain was not to be nonplussed so easily. Finding that his orders could not be obeyed on shore, he directed the sailors to cut the lines on board. A couple of blows from an axe in the hands of one of the seamen soon severed the cables, and in a moment the steamer was freed from her moorings. The engineer then received orders to "start her ahead," and just as the vessel began to move off, the Metropolitans bethought of moving, too. The scene which ensued is described as ludicrous in the extreme. The brave policemen were wild with fright, and precipitated themselves over the side of the steamer in anything but an orderly or graceful manner. The crowd on the pier cheered at the discomfiture of the police, and as the Montgomery glided out into the river, similar manifestations were observed on board among the officers and passengers. The New York Express of Friday says the following dispatch has been received by H. B. Cromwell & Co., owners of the steamship Monticello, from their Savannah agents: "Savannah, Jan. 24. "The seizure of arms from the Monticello cause excitement here, Can you get them back? We fear retaliation."From Charleston.
The Charleston papers of Friday contain the following items: A workman, who left Fort Sumter yesterday, reports that eighteen of his comrades(all laborers,;) will leave this morning. He says that the determination of the laborers not to do any fighting is fixed and general. Our reporter learned from him another fact of some significance-- that all the women and children will be sent off to-day. This looks like getting ready for warm work. A terrible accident occurred, on Wednesday, at the barracks on Sullivan's Island.#x2014;Private Strawinski, of the Columbia Company, while in bed with a contract, took up his revolver and jeeringly remarked that he would shoot his bed-fellow. The gentleman addressed grasped the barrel of the pistol, which was cocked, and in turning it round it went off. The ball took effect on the person of Mr. Strawinski lodging in the groin. The Quartermaster General of the South Carolina Militia, advertises for a quantity of cloth to make uniforms. Also, a number of seamstresses are wanted to make up one thousand uniforms.The proposed attack on Fort Sumter.
The Charleston correspondent of the Philadelphia Press says, in a letter dated the 19th instant: ‘ Since writing the above, I have been with some members of the Calhoun Guard to witness the large floating battery now in course of construction on the river, in the upper part of the city. ’ This work has been carried on quietly, but with considerable energy. Its height will be sixty feet, considerably higher than Fort Sumter, which it is intended to attack. It is formed of cotton bales, and will be bound with iron. When complete it will be very formidable, and will enable the Palmettos to make the attack with comparatively little danger to themselves. Several large guns are lying ready to be placed in it, and the enthusiasm which is displayed in preparing a position for them shows pretty conclusively that equal ardor will be manifested in using them against the enemy.The evacuation of Moultrie.
It is a well established fact, that as soon as intelligence was transmitted to Washington of the movement of Major Anderson--(and that this intelligence was sent from here in cypher, on the instant the guns were fired at Sumter as a signal that the evacuation and occupation were consummated)--I say that as soon as the fact became known in Washington, word was returned to the agent in Charleston, ‘"go back to Moultrie at once."’ There was some delay in transmission of the message from Washington here, and when it did come the agent could find no conveyance to Sumter to forward the command of the Federal authorities till it was too late. He could not hire or purchase a boat to go over until he obtained passage in the steamer that carried Carolina troops to occupy Moultrie. He therefore telegraphed back to the President ‘"too late,"’ Thus, you see, by not occupying Sumter, South Carolina gave the enemy a chance to take a threatening attitude, and improving her advantage on the instant, moved into the very place lately occupied by her adversary. Things looked serious, South Carolina had violated no breach of faith, yet it brought out coercion as the policy of Mr. Buchanan, and this policy has given Georgia her present stand.--Char. Cor. Balt. Amer.The Florida troops and Fort Pickens.
The following is an extract from a letter dated Fort Barrancas, Pensacola, Jan. 17. The writer is a young gentleman of Charleston, and the letter is addressed to his father: ‘ "We have not yet made the attack on Fort Pickens, which is situated very much like Fort Sumter, and which will be attended with fearful havoc; but we expect to do so on Monday. God grant that I may pass the ordeal; but should I die, rely on it I will not disgrace your name. Our company will be in front, as we are the left wing of the regiment, and we go left in front. Our boys are all cheerful, and the only feeling I have is for those I left behind me." ’Letter from the Governor of Alabama to the President.
Gov. Moore, of Alabama, has written a letter to President Buchanan, announcing the seizure of the U. S. forts and property in that State. He says it was an act of self-defence, which, had it not been executed by him, would have been performed by an excited people.--He says: ‘ The purpose with which my order was given and has been executed, was to avoid, and not to provoke hostilities between the State and Federal Government. There is no object, save the honor and dignity of my State, which is by me so ardently desired as the preservation of amicable relations between the State and the Government of the United States.--That the secession of the State, made necessary by the conduct of others, may be peaceful, is my prayer, as well as the prayer of every patriotic man in the State. ’ An inventory of the property in the Forts and Arsenal has been ordered, and the strictest care will be taken to prevent the injury or destruction of it, while peaceable relations continue to subsist, as I trust they will.--The Forts and Arsenal will be held by my order, only for the precautionary purpose for which they were taken, and subject to the control of the Convention of the People to assemble on the 7th inst.Another letter from Major Anderson.
Major Anderson was invited to the grand festival to be given by the Masonic Fraternity in Albany, on the 30th inst. The probability was not very great that he would leave Fort Sumter and journey to Albany for the purpose, but the Committee secured an autograph letter which runs as follows: Fort Sumter, Jan. 15.
Permit me to express the gratification your Union-loving sentiments have given me. The time is at hand when all who love the glorious Union, under whose flag the country has won the admiration of the civilized world, shall show themselves good and true men. Our fellow-countrymen in this region have decided to raise another flag.
I trust in God that wisdom and forbearance may be given by Him to our rules, and that this severance may not be "cemented in blood." Regretting that it will not be permitted me to be with you on the 30th,
I am, sincerely yours,
[Signed] Robert Anderson,
Major United States Army.
I am, sincerely yours,
[Signed] Robert Anderson,
Major United States Army.
The Georgia protest.
All the members of the Georgia Convention signed the Ordinance, excepting six, who entered the following protest: ‘ We, the undersigned, delegates to the Convention of the State of Georgia, now in session, whilst we most solemnly protest against the action of the majority in adopting an Ordinance for the immediate and separate secession of the State, would have preferred the policy of cooperation with our Southern sister States; yet, as good citizens, we yield to the will of the majority of her people, as expressed by their representatives, and we here by pledge ‘ "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor"’ to the defence of Georgia, if necessary, against hostile invasion from any source whatever. ’ Jas P. Simmons, of Gwinnet.
Thos. M. McRae.
F. H. Latimer, of Montgomery.
Davis Whelchel.
P. M. Byrd, of Hall.
Jas. Simmons, of Pickens.
Milledgeville, Ga., Jan. 22, 1861.
Thos. M. McRae.
F. H. Latimer, of Montgomery.
Davis Whelchel.
P. M. Byrd, of Hall.
Jas. Simmons, of Pickens.
Milledgeville, Ga., Jan. 22, 1861.
Important Army intelligence.
Gen. Scott has issued orders to the following effect;- I. Officers on leave of absence who have been absent from duty for a period of eight months, will immediately proceed to join their respective companies or stations. Offices absent for a less period, but whose leave of absence exceeds eight months, will, in like manner, return to duty at the expiration of that number of months.
- II. Officers absent on account of sickness will present themselves to a medical officer of the army for examination, who in his report — forwarded to army headquarters for decision --will give a minute history of the case, distinctly stating whether the officer can, without injury to his health, travel to his station; whether the station is in a section of country likely to retard his restoration to health; and, also, whether proper medical attention, in every respect, can there be rendered.
The destination of the Brooklyn's troops.
A dispatch from Washington to the N. Y. Herald, says there is now no doubt that the troops on the frigate Brooklyn are to reinforce Sumter and Pickens. It adds: ‘ The Administration do not regard this action as any declaration of war on the part of the Government, but as simply a duty. The authorities of Charleston and Pensacola understand this, and if they choose to be the aggressors and make the attack they must take the consequences. ’ It may be some days before it is known that forces have been sent. The movement has been quietly made, but the movement is in earnest now, as these people well understand. The destination of the steamer Brooklyn is Fort Pickens.Provisions for the support of Government.
The Committee of Ways and Means have reported the following appropriations for the next fiscal year, for the support of the Government:| Naval Bill | $11,423,222 30 |
| Army | $14,395,352 67 |
| Sundry Civil Expenditures | $1,851,868 39 |
| Legislative | $7,076,949 46 |
| Deficiencies | $1,292,216 38 |
| Consular | $1,004,270 00 |
| Military Academy | $189,337 00 |
| Pensions | $1,082,000 00 |
| Indian Affairs | $1,847,755 38 |
