fruits. nationality in foreign lands, perhaps by the arrival; but the opinions it typified rankled subject of a petty monarchy or obscure princi- for some time after and bore troublesome pality, the impoverished and degraded fraction of a once powerful empire, ruined by the madness of faction, local ignorance, and secession. It was something, in replying to such inquiry, to feel one's heart swelling with imperial pride such as moved the ancient Roman in the days when he could quell the insolence of barbaric kings with the simple announcement, "Civis Romanus sum." This was yesterday. To-day, what am I? A citizen of Virginia. Virginia, a petty commonwealth with scarcely a million of white inhabitants. What could she ever hope to be but a worthless fragment of the broken vase? A fallen and splintered column of the once glorious temple. But I will not dwell longer on the humiliating contrast. Come harness up the buggy and let us get out of this or I shall suffocate. On our way to Charlestown we met great numbers of persons afoot, on horseback, and on wheels, hurrying to the scene of excitement. | Some attracted simply by curiosity, others armed and demonstrative, eager to claim a share of the glory after the danger was over. My friend and I discoursed mournfully of the prospect before us and the country. Indeed there was nothing in the subject calculated to promote cheerfulness. He hoped that the great change might be accomplished without war. I neither believed in the possibility of such a result, nor did I wish it. Of the great twin governing powers in human society-Fraud and Force-I decidedly preferred the latter. I was wearied and disgusted with the reign of subtle phrasemongers and empty babblers, and hailed the dawn of an era which promised to develop the latent manhood of the nation, and sweep away the cobwebs of tricky and compromising politicians with sword and fire. April 20, Charlestown.-To-day we received confirmation of the passage of the ordinance of Secession by the Virginia Convention. This was followed by news of the riots of the 19th in Baltimore, and the destruction of the Navyyard at Norfolk. Under these accumulating proofs of the inability or unwillingness of the General Government to defend itself the arrogant confidence of the Secessionists continued to increase, while the Unionists exhibited a corresponding depression. Every hour brought accessions to the forces at Harper's Ferry. The volunteer companies from the adjoining counties were gathered in without the slightest regard to the political views of officers or men. The Border Guard of Martinsburg, a fine company, whose Captain and seven-eighths of whose members were decided Union partisans, at first made some difficulty about obeying the Governor's order; but at length, mystified by subtle counsels, they agreed to march to Harper's Ferry with the United States flag flying. As may be supposed the flag was soon furled after their On Sunday, April 21, in pursuance of important private business, I went from Charlestown to Harper's Ferry, and thence by the train to Baltimore. As Maryland was at that time supposed to be one of the elect, and Baltimore, by the acts of the 19th, had earned the right to be regarded as a true Southern city, the railroad communication was uninterrupted. At the stations near the city we heard the wildest rumors of fights going on and battles impending. The conductor told me that a large body of Pennsylvania volunteers were advancing on the town by way of Cockeysville, and that the Baltimoreans, six thousand strong, had marched out to meet them. At the Camden Street dépôt I met Captain K of the United States navy, with whom I exchanged salutations. He seemed in a good deal of perplexity, and, after some hesitation, told me he was about going to Washington, and asked if he could trust me with a message? I replied with warmth that he might rely upon me, even if the message involved a question of life or death. He frankly apologized for the implied doubt, but said that every thing was in such confusion that he did not know who to trust. He went on to state that the city was in the hands of a revolutionary mob, and he wished to send a message to the officers in charge of the Naval Dépôt not to display the United States flag as usual on the next morning. There was no. force to protect it, and, if displayed, it might bring the officer into trouble and would be torn down by the rabble. The Captain's eye flashed and his lip quivered as he spoke: "If I had any means of defending it it should wave in the face of the whole city; but as we are helpless I do not wish the flag exposed to insult." We clasped hands, and I promised the message should be duly delivered. As I walked up street carrying my traveling sack I was accosted by men and women who, perceiving I was a stranger, beset me with questions and repeated the most startling rumors. Harper's Ferry was occupied by fifteen thousand Virginians, with thirty pieces of artillery. Lee was on Arlington Heights preparing to bombard Washington; while Jeff Davis, at the head of fifty thousand men, was marching on that doomed city-these were the jubilant gobemouches: others in mortal terror followed me to learn when the Virginia army was coming to relieve Baltimore, now threatened by a hundred thousand Abolitionists, determined to sack and burn it in revenge for the affair of the 19th. I said what I could to chasten the hopes and soothe the fears of these good people, and kept on my way. Throughout the town every thing evidenced alarm and excitement. Men and boys were running wildly about armed with swords, horse pistols, fowling-pieces, bowie-knives, and every | still continued, the mobs occasionally breaking imaginable weapon of offense. At first I saw into shops in search of arms. them singly or in small parties, anon they marched by in organized companies and even battalions. On Baltimore Street crowds were collected in front of hardware stores and shops, where fire-arms are sold, crushing in the doors and helping themselves to every thing that would answer for a weapon. Axes, scythes, hatchets, sword-canes, pitchforks, were distributed to the eager and half-frantic mobs. In addition to the weapons and utensils thus violently obtained there was a reasonable amount of promiscuous stealing of matters pertaining to the commissary rather than the ordnance department. Tobacco, whisky, jewelry, and, an article which in all civilized countries is recognized as the main-spring of war, money. The battle of Cockeysville did not take place as was expected. The Pennsylvanians, who were for the most part unarmed and altogether unprepared for a warlike encounter, had received warning of the proceedings in Baltimore, and prudently halted. The Baltimoreans suspended their attack until the result of certain negotiations with the authorities at Washington should be known. It was finally conceded that these troops should turn back and reach the Federal city by another route. The immediate cause of the popular outburst having been removed by this acquiescence, the excitement began visibly to subside; and although the revolutionary faction had still absolute control of the city, symptoms of a sweeping reaction had begun to manifest themselves. To these proceedings the city police appeared to make but a demonstrative resistance, occa- | Nevertheless, during the week that followed, sionally firing a volley from their revolvers in the air, which only served to increase the turbulence of the mob, and evidenced that these guardians of law and order were either too timid to act, or were themselves in sympathy with the rioters. the national flag was nowhere displayed, and on the street every body talked secession if they expressed any opinion at all. Around Barnum's were congregated a number of sinister-looking fellows, who publicly boasted of the part they had taken in the affair of the nineteenth. Among these I recognized several border ruffians of Kansas notoriety. Volunteer companies still paraded the streets under the State flag of Maryland, yet it was evident that more discreet and methodical heads were directing affairs. Disorder and violence were repressed. The wild volunteers were organized and shut up in barracks where they could do no immediate mischief, and where their superfluous enthusiasm might be cooled off by hard drilling, guard-duty, and uncomfortable beds. For this judicious management of these dangerous elements I believe Maryland was somewhat indebted to Colonel Huger of South Caro In following up Captain K's directions for the purpose of delivering the message with which I was intrusted, I at length found myself at the head-quarters of the volunteer medical staff, hastily improvised to succor those who were expected to fall in the great battle that was to be fought. There were two or three wash-tubs full of lint, a barrel or two of rolled bandages, splints, tourniquets, and cases of baleful knives, hooks, and probes lying open and all ready for use. The cruel and cold-blooded aspect of these apartments was softened by the presence of tables covered with sandwiches, cold fowls, sliced tongue, and pickles, flanked by decanters of whisky and baskets of Cham-lina, then of the United States army. pagne. Ignoring the patent lint and scientific cutlery I took a young surgeon's advice, gratuitously proffered, and helped myself to Champagne and sandwiches. I here learned that all communication with the North had been cut off by the burning of the railroad bridges, and that the city had risen in arms to drive back the Pennsylvanians "en route via Cockeysville" for Baltimore and the Federal Capital. No collision had yet been reported, but the surgeons waited in momentary expectation of a call for their services. After some further search I at length found an opportunity to deliver the message with which I had been intrusted, and thus ended the adventures of the day. Owing to the condition of the city, and the stoppage of communication with the North, I found it impossible to conclude my business as speedily as I had hoped. I therefore took quarters at the house of a friend, determined to bide my time, and meanwhile to amuse myself observing the march of events. On Monday, 22d of April, the excitement The Meanwhile the under current of loyal feeling was becoming every day more decided. best men in Maryland were known to be unswerving in their determination to support the nationality, while hundreds, who, under the sudden excitement and confusion of ideas incident to the times, had seemed to acquiesce or had actually joined in the late movement, believing they were called upon to defend the city from attack, now, upon reflection, perceived the ruin to which they were inadvertently hastening, and turned their backs on it. The leaders of the movement began to be alarmed at this aspect of affairs. One of them, a local politician, meeting an acquaintance from Virginia on the street expressed himself thus despairingly, "Damn it, the excitement is going down, they are all caving in; if something is not done to keep it up we are all ruined. Can't you tell me some exciting news? something that I may publish to keep the people moving? I don't care a damn whether it is true or not-if it is only sufficiently stimulating." It was thus easy to perceive that Baltimore fruits. nationality in foreign lands, perhaps by the arrival; but the opinions it typified rankled subject of a petty monarchy or obscure princi- for some time after and bore troublesome pality, the impoverished and degraded fraction of a once powerful empire, ruined by the madness of faction, local ignorance, and secession. It was something, in replying to such inquiry, to feel one's heart swelling with imperial pride such as moved the ancient Roman in the days when he could quell the insolence of barbaric kings with the simple announcement, "Civis Romanus sum." This was yesterday. To-day, what am I? A citizen of Virginia. Virginia, a petty commonwealth with scarcely a million of white inhabitants. What could she ever hope to be but a worthless fragment of the broken vase? A fallen and splintered column of the once glorious temple. On Sunday, April 21, in pursuance of important private business, I went from Charlestown to Harper's Ferry, and thence by the train to Baltimore. As Maryland was at that time supposed to be one of the elect, and Baltimore, by the acts of the 19th, had earned the right to be regarded as a true Southern city, the railroad communication was uninterrupted. At the stations near the city we heard the wildest rumors of fights going on and battles impending. The conductor told me that a large body of Pennsylvania volunteers were advancing on the town by way of Cockeysville, and that the Baltimoreans, six thousand strong, had marched out to meet them. At the Camden Street dépôt I met Captain K of the United States navy, with whom I exchanged salutations. He seemed in a good deal of perplexity, and, after some hesitation, told me he was about going to Washington, and asked if he could trust me with a message? I replied with warmth that he might rely upon me, even if the message involved a question of life or death. But I will not dwell longer on the humiliating contrast. Come harness up the buggy and let us get out of this or I shall suffocate. On our way to Charlestown we met great numbers of persons afoot, on horseback, and on wheels, hurrying to the scene of excitement. Some attracted simply by curiosity, others armed and demonstrative, eager to claim a share of the glory after the danger was over. My friend and I discoursed mournfully of the prospect before us and the country. Indeed He frankly apologized for the implied doubt, there was nothing in the subject calculated to but said that every thing was in such confusion promote cheerfulness. He hoped that the great that he did not know who to trust. He went change might be accomplished without war. I on to state that the city was in the hands of a neither believed in the possibility of such a re-revolutionary mob, and he wished to send a sult, nor did I wish it. Of the great twin governing powers in human society-Fraud and Force-I decidedly preferred the latter. I was wearied and disgusted with the reign of subtle phrasemongers and empty babblers, and hailed the dawn of an era which promised to develop the latent manhood of the nation, and sweep away the cobwebs of tricky and compromising politicians with sword and fire. message to the officers in charge of the Naval Dépôt not to display the United States flag as usual on the next morning. There was no. force to protect it, and, if displayed, it might bring the officer into trouble and would be torn down by the rabble. The Captain's eye flashed and his lip quivered as he spoke: "If I had any means of defending it it should wave in the face of the whole city; but as we are helpless I do not wish the flag exposed to insult." We clasped hands, and I promised the message should be duly delivered. As I walked up street carry April 20, Charlestown.-To-day we received confirmation of the passage of the ordinance of Secession by the Virginia Convention. This was followed by news of the riots of the 19th in Baltimore, and the destruction of the Navy-ing my traveling sack I was accosted by men yard at Norfolk. Under these accumulating proofs of the inability or unwillingness of the General Government to defend itself the arrogant confidence of the Secessionists continued to increase, while the Unionists exhibited a corresponding depression. Every hour brought accessions to the forces at Harper's Ferry. The volunteer companies from the adjoining counties were gathered in without the slightest regard to the political views of officers or men. The Border Guard of Martinsburg, a fine company, whose Captain and seven-eighths of whose members were decided Union partisans, at first made some difficulty about obeying the Governor's order; but at length, mystified by subtle counsels, they agreed to march to Harper's Ferry with the United States flag flying. As may be supposed the flag was soon furled after their and women who, perceiving I was a stranger, beset me with questions and repeated the most startling rumors. Harper's Ferry was occupied by fifteen thousand Virginians, with thirty pieces of artillery. Lee was on Arlington Heights preparing to bombard Washington; while Jeff Davis, at the head of fifty thousand men, was marching on that doomed city-these were the jubilant gobemouches: others in mortal terror followed me to learn when the Virginia army was coming to relieve Baltimore, now threatened by a hundred thousand Abolitionists, determined to sack and burn it in revenge for the affair of the 19th. I said what I could to chasten the hopes and soothe the fears of these good people, and kept on my way. Throughout the town every thing evidenced alarm and excitement. Men and boys were running wildly about armed with swords, horse 17 still continued, the mobs occasionally breaking into shops in search of arms. pistols, fowling-pieces, bowie-knives, and every imaginable weapon of offense. At first I saw them singly or in small parties, anon they marched by in organized companies and even battalions. On Baltimore Street crowds were collected in front of hardware stores and shops, where fire-arms are sold, crushing in the doors and helping themselves to every thing that would answer for a weapon. Axes, scythes, hatchets, sword-canes, pitchforks, were distributed to the eager and half-frantic mobs. addition to the weapons and utensils thus vioIn lently obtained there was a reasonable amount of promiscuous stealing of matters pertaining to the commissary rather than the ordnance department. Tobacco, whisky, jewelry, and, an article which in all civilized countries is recog-though the revolutionary faction had still abnized as the main-spring of war, money. To these proceedings the city police appeared to make but a demonstrative resistance, occasionally firing a volley from their revolvers in the air, which only served to increase the turbulence of the mob, and evidenced that these guardians of law and order were either too timid to act, or were themselves in sympathy with the rioters. as was expected. The Pennsylvanians, who The battle of Cockeysville did not take place were for the most part unarmed and altogether unprepared for a warlike encounter, had received warning of the proceedings in Baltimore, and prudently halted. ans suspended their attack until the result of The Baltimorecertain negotiations with the authorities at conceded that these troops should turn back Washington should be known. It was finally and reach the Federal city by another route. The immediate cause of the popular outburst having been removed by this acquiescence, the excitement began visibly to subside; and al ing reaction had begun to manifest themselves. solute control of the city, symptoms of a sweepNevertheless, during the week that followed, the national flag was nowhere displayed, and on the street every body talked secession if they expressed any opinion at all. Barnum's were congregated a number of sinisAround ter-looking fellows, who publicly boasted of the teenth. part they had taken in the affair of the nineborder ruffians of Kansas notoriety. VolunAmong these I recognized several teer companies still paraded the streets under the State flag of Maryland, yet it was evident that more discreet and methodical heads were directing affairs. In following up Captain K's directions for the purpose of delivering the message with which I was intrusted, I at length found myself at the head-quarters of the volunteer medical staff, hastily improvised to succor those who were expected to fall in the great battle that was to be fought. There were two or three wash-tubs full of lint, a barrel or two of rolled bandages, splints, tourniquets, and cases of baleful knives, hooks, and probes lying open and all ready for use. The cruel and cold-blooded aspect of these apartments was softened by the presence of tables covered with sandwiches, cold fowls, sliced tongue, and pickles, flanked by decanters of whisky and baskets of Cham-lina, then of the United States army. pagne. Ignoring the patent lint and scientific cutlery I took a young surgeon's advice, gratuitously proffered, and helped myself to Champagne and sandwiches. I here learned that all communication with the North had been cut off by the burning of the railroad bridges, and that the city had risen in arms to drive back the Pennsylvanians "en route via Cockeysville" | for Baltimore and the Federal Capital. No collision had yet been reported, but the surgeons waited in momentary expectation of a call for their services. repressed. The wild volunteers were organized Disorder and violence were and shut up in barracks where they could do no immediate mischief, and where their superfluous enthusiasm might be cooled off by hard drilling, guard-duty, and uncomfortable beds. For this judicious management of these dangerous elements I believe Maryland was somewhat indebted to Colonel Huger of South Caro was becoming every day more decided. The Meanwhile the under current of loyal feeling best men in Maryland were known to be unswerving in their determination to support the nationality, while hundreds, who, under the sudden excitement and confusion of ideas incident to the times, had seemed to acquiesce or had actually joined in the late movement, believing they were called upon to defend the city from attack, now, upon reflection, perceived the ruin to which they were inadvertently hastening, and turned their backs on it. After some further search I at length found alarmed at this aspect of affairs. The leaders of the movement began to be an opportunity to deliver the message with which them, a local politician, meeting an acquaintOne of I had been intrusted, and thus ended the ad-ance from Virginia on the street expressed ventures of the day. Owing to the condition of the city, and the stoppage of communication with the North, I found it impossible to conclude my business as speedily as I had hoped. I therefore took quarters at the house of a friend, determined to bide my time, and meanwhile to amuse myself observing the march of events. On Monday, 22d of April, the excitement citement is going down, they are all caving in; It was thus easy to perceive that Baltimore was in the hands of the same sort of people who had played so successful and so fatal a game in Virginia and other Southern States; and notwithstanding these indications of a popular reaction, it was evident that the Maryland conspirators did not intend to relinquish their grasp upon the authority which they had seized by surprise and violence, or slacken in their efforts to drag their State into the vortex of secession. Shortly after the affair of the 21st a quantity of small-arms were forwarded to the city from Harper's Ferry. The revolutionary forces were strengthened by volunteer companies from the rural districts, and imposing reviews were held daily; while the most absurd and incredible reports of the conduct of the national troops moving through Maryland via Annapolis were industriously circulated to keep up the irritation of the popular mind. On the 27th of April I met a friend who was on his way to Annapolis for the purpose of visiting his son, then a cadet in the Naval Academy. I was easily persuaded to accompany him, and at an early hour we took the steamer for that place. about the hotels. A few meek-mannered volunteers (fellows who had never borne arms) dawdled about on their good behavior, trafficking at stores and candy-shops, and slyly sounding for forbidden stimulants. Few citizens were seen on the streets, and a number of the best residences were closed, the inmates having abandoned the town in terror or disgust. While strolling about the streets of rural aspect I frequently fell into conversation with citizens of the plainer class, and found them generally in sympathy with the rebellion, and stuffed with underground rumors of the most marvelous character. One man told me that since the advent of the Yankee troops several of his acquaintances had disappeared mysteriously, and he had satisfactory information that they had been kidnapped and hung by Butler in the academy grounds. For himself, he averred that he never went to bed at night with any certainty as to where he would find himself hanging in the morning. From conversations here with officers of the army and navy I became satisfied that the National Government fully intended to assert and maintain its supremacy by arms, and for the first time since the commencement of our troubles I felt elated with a hope for the future of my country. As we passed Fort M'Henry the national flag was displayed from the boat in response to that which floated over the fort, while three cheers were given and returned with unction. The emotion excited by this incident awakened historic memories. It was the sight of the flag floating over the ramparts of Fort M'Henry during its bombardment by the British that suggested to Frank Key the verses that have since become our national anthem, "The Star-lutionary opinion decidedly ebbing. The naSpangled Banner." Arrived at Annapolis, we found that city occupied by the national forces under the command of Major-General Butler. The Navy School had been shipped bodily to Newport, Rhode Island, while its premises were used as barracks and drill ground for the volunteers arriving daily by ship loads. My companion, on ascertaining that the motive of his visit was removed, returned immediately to Baltimore. Finding in the quaint antiquity of the city, and in the military activity of the rendezvous, an attractive field of observation I determined to remain for several days. April 30.-In the afternoon I took passage on the steamer Balloon, and after encountering a severe gale on the bay arrived at Baltimore about ten o'clock at night. On my return here I found the tide of revo tional flag had reappeared in some places, communication with the North had reopened, and men no longer boasted in public of their complicity in the proceedings of the mob. Having at length succeeded in concluding the business for which I came, on the 2d of May I returned to Charlestown, Virginia. In returning through Harper's Ferry I found the plot had thickened considerably during my absence. The militia general, Harper, had been suspended in command by a Colonel T. J. Jackson, formerly of the United States Army, and latterly a professor at the Virginia Military Institute. There were probably at this time five Through the politeness of Captain Rodgers, thousand men assembled here, including regiof the navy, I obtained a permit from General ments from several of the Southern States. A Butler to visit the academy grounds at pleas- regiment of Kentuckians, under a Colonel Dunure. Here the work of organizing and equip- can of Louisville, had arrived, while detached ping the troops hastening to the defense of the companies and individual sympathizers from national capital was going on with all the Maryland were being organized into a battalpromptness and efficiency that the occasion de-ion. Several field-guns were in position commanded. Vessels were continually arriving manding the railroad approaches, while batwith supplies, arms, and recruits in the raw. teries were exhibited on the neighboring cliffs These recruits generally had to be renovated in localities which struck me as more picturfrom the epidermis outward, and then drilled esque than judicious. Although still very iminto soldiers all in a few days. So far as ex-perfect in organization and discipline, and deternal appearance went this was satisfactorily ficient in arms, ammunition, clothes, and equipaccomplished. Outside the military inclosure ments, the troops already showed the presence the city of Annapolis was as quiet as a New of a military head. Among the volunteers England village on a Sabbath morning. A few from Berkeley and Jefferson I perceived a good officers and curious country gentlemen hung | deal of discontent and disaffection. Two weeks |