The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—Shots were exchanged between the U. S. Steamers Freeborn and Monticello, and a rebel battery at Sewell’s Point north of Elizabeth River, Virginia.—(Doc. 177.)

—Two schooners with secession troops on board were taken by U. S. steamer Freeborn, in the Potomac, 10 miles below Fort Washington.—N. Y. World, May 21.

—The rebels at Harper’s Ferry, Md., were reinforced from the south. Two thousand troops arrived from Mississippi and two regiments from Alabama.—N. Y. Herald, May 21.

—A meeting of the New York Bible Society was held, in reference to supplying the Bible to all soldiers, who go to fight for the Federal Government. Wm. Allen Butler presided, and speeches were made by the president, Dr. Tyng, Dr. Hitchcock, and others.—(Doc. 178.)

—A body of 1,000 Virginians and South Carolinians from Harper’s Ferry took a position on the Virginia side of the Potomac, opposite Williamsport, a town about seven miles from Hagerstown, Md. They there were in a situation to command the ferry at that spot.—Phila. Press, May 21.

—Governor Brown, of Georgia, issued a proclamation, inhibiting the carrying of arms or accoutrements of any kind purchased by the State, beyond its limits, without his consent. This proclamation appears to relate to the informal departure of soldiers.

“Governor Brown,” says the Savannah Republican, “may be technically right in this order, but he has at least selected an unfortunate time for issuing it. From the beginning a misunderstanding seems to have existed between him and the Confederate authorities, to be found with no other State, and it is high time it had been brought to a close.”—N. Y. Commercial, May 22.

—A patriotic demonstration took place in the town of Old Saybrook, Ct., made particularly interesting by the antiquity of the place, and its various revolutionary relics and reminiscences. A fine flagstaff was raised upon the spot which had given birth to the old Saybrook platform, and but a short distance from the old fort built by the first settlers of the place.

The services were prefaced by the raising of the flag by Deacon Sill, (91 years of age) a colonel of the war of 1812, and the patriarch of the place. A prayer and addresses were then made by the Rev. Messrs. McCall, Loper and Gallup; the intervals being appropriately filled by national songs admirably given by a club from a neighboring village. In conclusion, the old men of the village were called upon, and short and telling speeches were made.—Boston Advertiser, May 21.

—The Montgomery (Ala.) Mail of to-day has the following paragraph in reference to Fort Pickens: “Having returned this morning from Pensacola, where we have been for several days, we can assure our readers that the reports going to show that a battle will soon occur at Fort Pickens are mere conjectures. Of the plans of any of those in command nothing is known outside of hbead-quarters. Our own impression, formed while in Pensacola, is that there will be no battle at all at Pickens, or at least that it is not now the intention of the Confederate authorities to attack it.”

—Arkansas was by unanimous vote admitted a State of the Southern Confederacy, and its delegates to the Southern Congress. They are R. W. Johnson, of Pine Bluff; A. Rust, of Little Rock; A. H. Garland, of Little Rock; -W. W. Watkins, of Carrollton; H. F. Thomasson, of Van Buren.—N. Y. Times, May 26.

—Three merchants of Baltimore, Jerome A. Pendergrast, James Whiteford, and George McGowan, were arrested charged with riotous conduct in obstructing the track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad on the 19th of April, while the Massachusetts troops were en route to Washington. They were under indictment by the Grand Jury, and were admitted to bail—N. Y. Times,  May 26.

—The military department of Virginia, to embrace eastern Virginia to the summit of the Blue Ridge, and the States of North Carolina and South Carolina, was created; Major-General Benjamin F. Butler was placed in command. —Rappahannock River was blockaded, which rendered perfect the blockade of Virginia.— N. Y. Herald, May 19.

—Fourteenth Regiment N. Y. S. M. from Brooklyn departed for Washington, amid great enthusiasm.—Doc. 176.

—The Tug Yankee arrived in Philadelphia, having in tow three schooners loaded with tobacco, viz.: the Emily Ann, the Mary Willis, and the Delaware Farmer, belonging to and bound to Baltimore from Richmond. They surrendered to the Harriet Lane, and were ordered to Philadelphia by the flag officer of the Minnesota. Outside of Cape Henry the Mary Willis broke loose, and as the Yankee turned round to recover her, the Emily Ann got a lurch and sprang her mainmast. Her foremast had to be cut away to save her. The Emily Ann arrived at the wharf; leaking badly, and is being unloaded. Lieut. Bryant, of the Navy, who had the prizes in charge, stated that the ship North Carolina, in ballast, from Havre, and another ship, the Argo, had been seized and taken to New York. Twenty vessels had been detained by the fleet, including five tobacco schooners.—Phila. Ledger, May 19.

—An expedition of New York troops sent to recapture the lightship, taken by the secessionists, brought it up to the Washington Navy Yard to-day.—They were fired into, but nobody was hurt.—N. Y. Herald, May 19.

—In behalf of the Government of the United States, and the better to secure the peace of St. Louis, and promote the tranquillity of Missouri, United States warrants were issued for the search of places suspected to contain articles contraband of war. The warrants were placed in the hands of United States Marshal Rawlings, who proceeded, accompanied by a corps of United States soldiers, under Captain Sweeney, to the State Tobacco Warehouse on Washington Avenue, and to the Central Metropolitan Police Station on Chesnut street. At the former were found several hundred rifles, muskets, cavalry pistols, holsters, small boxes of ammunition; and at the latter place, Arnot’s Building, two pieces of cannon, and several hundred rifles.—St. Louis Democrat, May 18.

—A submarine boat, or infernal machine supposed to be owned by the secessionists, was captured in Philadelphia.—(Doc. 175.)

—Suregeon-General Gibbes  of the C. S. A., reports that no serious casualty occurred in the bombardment of Sumter to the Confederate forces. “Four trifling contusions at Fort Moultrie only; none at other posts.”

The Virginia papers recommend Southerners to sing the Marseillaise.—N. Y. Express, May 20.

—The Confederate Congress authorizes the issue of $50,000,000 in bonds, payable in twenty years, at an interest not exceeding eight per centum, and in lieu of bonds to issue $20,000,000 in treasury notes, in small sums, without interest.—N. Y. Herald, May 19.

—A letter upon the Virginia election was written by Senator Mason of that State, in which he says, that “the ordinance of secession” (not yet voted upon by the people of Virginia) “annulled the Constitution and laws of the United States within that State, and absolved the citizens of Virginia from all obligation and obedience to them;” and that if it be now rejected by the people, Virginia must “change sides,” and “turn her arms against her Southern sisters.” Moreover, that ordinance brought into Virginia several thousand soldiers of the Confederate army, and thus the faith of Virginia is pledged to it, for if it be rejected, their soldiers will merely have been entrapped. —(Doc. 170.)

—The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, of today, says that the various accounts about hundreds of letters of marque having been granted by the War Department of the Southern Confederacy, and that thousands of applications are already on file, is a gross error. Applications for that business are made to the collectors of the different ports, and not to the department at Montgomery, where none have been received. A number of applications have been made to the collectors of New Orleans, Mobile, and other Southern ports.

—General Butler was serenaded at the National Hotel in Washington, and in response made a happy speech upon the war, and the position of Massachusetts in it.—(Doc. 171.)

—Upon the opening of the U. S. Circuit Court at Boston, Judge Sprague charged the Grand Jury upon the crime of piracy.—(Doc. 172.)

—The Second Regiment of Maine volunteer militia passed through New York, on their way to the seat of war. Previous to their departure the natives of Maine, resident in the city, presented the regiment with an American flag; the presentation being made at the City Hall, in the presence of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.—(Doc. 173.)

—A correspondence between Gov. Andrews of Mass., and Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, relative to the proposed suppression by the latter of a slave insurrection, is published.—(Doc. 174.)

—Brigadier-Generals Butler and McClellan were appointed Major-Generals.—N. Y. News, May 17.

—Secretary Seward declares it treason to accept from the government of a Southern State the proffered price of vessels previously seized. —(Doc. 174½)

—A proclamation of neutrality with respect to the Secession rebellion is issued by Queen Victoria, in which all subjects of Great Britain are forbidden to enter the service of the contending parties, or to endeavor “to break a blockade lawfully and effectually established.” —(Doc. 168.)

—The bark Ocean Eagle, Capt. Luce, from Rockland, Me., with 3,144 casks of lime, consigned to Creevy & Farwell, was captured by the privateer steamer Calhoun, of New Orleans. —N. O. Picayune, May 17.

—Two yachts, belonging to private individuals, were formally accepted by the Government, and detailed for service by the Treasury Department. Their owners, James Gordon Bennett, jr., of New York, and T. P. Ives, of Providence, R. I., were commissioned as Lieutenants in the Revenue service, and ordered to their respective vessels as Lieutenants commanding.—N. Y. Tribune, May 16.

—Bishop Whittingham, the head of the Episcopal Church in Maryland, addressed a circular to the several Episcopal clergymen of his diocese, forbidding hereafter the omission of the prayer for the President of the United States from the regular church service; which had been done by a few disunion persons under his jurisdiction.—(Doc. 169.)

—The town of Potosi, in Washington county, Mo., was taken possession of, under orders of Gen. Lyon, by Captain Coles, of company A, Fifth Regiment, of United States volunteers.—(Doc. 169½.)

—Gen. Harney published an address to the people of Missouri, saying that the military bill recently passed by the Legislature is an indirect secession ordinance, manifestly unconstitutional, and ought not to be upheld by good citizens. He says, that whatever may be the termination of the present condition of things in respect to the Cotton States, Missouri must share the destiny of the Union, and all the power of the Government will be exerted to maintain her position.—(Doc. 162.)

—The Confederate Congress requested President Davis, by resolution, to appoint a day of fasting and prayer.—(Doc. 163.)

—A large and enthusiastic Union meeting was held in East Baltimore, Md., James T. Randolph presiding, assisted by a number of vice-presidents; patriotic resolutions were adopted, and addresses were delivered by John L Thomas and John G. Wilmot, of Baltimore, and Dr. Strafford, of Caroline county, and received with every demonstration of approval.—(Doc. 164.)

—There was a great demonstration at Annapolis, Md., in honor of opening the branch railroad connecting Annapolis station and the pier of the Naval Academy, then just completed by the skilful engineer corps of the Thirteenth New York Regiment. A long train of cars carried the Thirteenth Regiment on an excursion over the new road to a short distance beyond the city. They were accompanied with a full band of music, and as the train moved off a salute was fired from the Naval School. The regiment marched back to the city, and much enthusiasm was manifested by the citizens. —National Intelligencer, May 16.

—Ross Winans was arrested at the Relay House, on the Baltimore and Ohio road, by the federal officers. Governor Hicks, with others, endeavored to have him released on security, but this was refused, and he was placed under guard.—Phila. Press, May 15.

—Governor Andrew, in an address to the two branches of the Legislature of Massachusetts, delivered to-day, says:—

“This is no war of sections,—no war of North on South. It is waged to avenge no former wrongs, nor to perpetuate ancient griefs or memories of conflict. It is the struggle of the people to vindicate their own rights, to retain and invigorate the institutions of their fathers,—the majestic effort of a National Government to vindicate its power and execute its functions for the welfare and happiness of the whole,—and therefore while I do not forget, I will not name to-day that “subtle poison” which has lurked always in our national system —and I remember also at this moment, that even in the midst of rank and towering rebellion, under the very shadow of its torch and axe, there are silent but loyal multitudes of the citizens of the South who wait for the national power to be revealed and its protecting flag unfurled for their own deliverance.

“How shall I record the grand and sublime uprising of the people, devoting themselves—their lives—their all! No creative art has ever woven into song a story more tender in its pathos or more stirring to the martial blood than the scenes just enacted—passing before our eyes in the villages and towns of our dear old Commonwealth. Henceforth be silent, ye shallow cavillers at New England thrift, economy, and peaceful toil! Henceforth let no one dare accuse our northern sky, our icy winters, or our granite hills!

“ ‘Oh what a glorious morning !’ was the exulting cry of Samuel Adams, as he, excluded from royal grace, heard the sharp musketry which on the dawn of the 19th of April, 1775, announced the beginning of the War of Independence. The yeomanry, who in 1775, on Lexington Common and on the banks of Concord River, first made that day immortal in our annals, have found their lineal representatives in the historic regiment which on the 19th of April, 1861, in the streets of Baltimore, baptized our flag anew in heroic blood, when Massachusetts marched once more ‘in the sacred cause of liberty and the right of mankind.’

“Grave responsibilities have fallen, in the Providence of God, upon the Government and the people;—and they are welcome. They could not have been safely postponed. They have not arrived too soon. They will sift and try this people, all who lead and all who follow. But this trial, giving us a heroic present to revive our past, will breathe the inspiration of a new life into our national character and reassure the destiny of the Republic.” (Governor Andrew’s address is printed in full in the Boston Transcript, May 14.)

—A schooner was seized at the wharf in Baltimore, by a United States officer. She had a number of pikes, manufactured by Winans, and Minié rifles on board. She was taken over to the south side of the harbor, under Federal Hill, and a guard placed on board.—N. Y. Times, May 15.

Butler issued a proclamation from his head-quarters on Federal Hill—in which he explains why Baltimore is occupied by the troops, and guarantees safety and protection to all citizens engaged in lawful pursuits.—(Doc. 165.)

—Thomas H. Hicks, governor of Maryland, issued a proclamation calling for four regiments of troops “to serve within the limits of the State of Maryland, or for the defence of the capital of the United States.”—(Doc. 166.)

—The Connecticut Second Regiment, numbering eight hundred men, arrived at Washington. They are handsomely uniformed, and have a complete camp equipage and about forty fine horses. They are armed (all save two companies, which have Minié muskets) with Sharpe’s rifles and sabre bayonets.—(Doc. 167.)

—Postmaster-General Blair annulled the contract for carrying the mails between St. Louis and Memphis, owing to the forcible stoppage of the steamers by which they were conveyed. This is the first case under the law of the last Congress which authorized a discontinuance of the mail in case of illegal obstruction.—Boston Transcript, May 15.

—General Butler made a formal demand on the city authorities of Baltimore for the delivery of a quantity of arms stored in the warehouse of John S. Gittings, corner of Gay and Second streets. Marshal Kane refused to deliver up the arms without the officers produced an order from the Mayor.

Finally, after some altercation, an order was produced, and the arms were brought out, making fifteen dray-loads. About two-thirds of the fire-arms were carbines; the rest were flintlock muskets. There was also a large quantity of pikes. A guard of Federal troops was placed over the arms, and, escorted by a large number of police, they were taken to the fort. A crowd of turbulent men and boys followed, yelling and hooting, for a portion of the distance. Some were armed with pistols, and there was an evident desire to commit violence, but all such demonstrations were restrained by the police. —N. Y. Times, May 15.

—The Southern Baptist Convention, in session at Savannah, Ga., adopted a report of their committee on the state of the country, in which they hold “that the States once combined on this continent can no longer live together as one confederacy;” that the movement of Northern soldiers to sustain the Government is “an invasion designed to destroy whatever is dear in the heroic traditions of the South.” They tender to the government at Montgomery their sympathy and confidence, and recommend the churches of the South to observe the first and second days of June as days of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. This report borrows additional interest from the fact that it comes from the pen of Dr. Richard Fuller of Baltimore, who made himself conspicuous, three or four weeks ago, as a member of that committee of young Christians who waited upon Mr. Lincoln to request that the Government of the United States would reconsider its order for the troops needed at Washington to come through Maryland.—(Doc. 159.)

—A Union meeting was held in Martinsburgh, Berkeley county, Va. The gathering was large, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Strong resolutions were adopted, and a protest entered against the warlike attitude which Virginia had assumed in opposition to the General Government. Eastern Virginia is not, as has been represented, unanimous for secession.—Newark (N. J.) Advertiser, May 22.

—Six hundred troops from Georgia and Alabama arrived at Pensacola, the advance guard of 2,000 ordered there by General Bragg.—Mobile Advertiser, May 15.

—A portion of the Federal troops lately stationed at the Relay House on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, entered Baltimore. They arrived at the Camden station at seven and a half o’clock in the evening, disembarked in good order, and marched from the dépôt, piloted by Col. Hare and Capt. McConnell, down Lee street to Hanover, and thence to Montgomery, to Light, to Hamburgh, to Federal Hill, and, moving to the high ground surrounding the Observatory, stacked arms, and made preparations for rest.

The force was under command of Gen. Butler, and composed of a portion of the Boston Light Artillery, Major Cook; a strong detachment of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, Col. Jones; and about five hundred of the Eighth New York Regiment, Lient.-Col. Waltenburgh.

On the route to the Hill, the streets were thronged with people, who greeted the military with cheers at every step, the ladies at the windows and the doors joining in the applause by waving their handkerchiefs. Arrived at their destination—which was unknown to the troops until they reached the place—they began to bestow themselves as comfortably as possible in the absence of tents. Their operations were seriously interrupted by a soaking shower that completely deluged the place, but, having become accustomed to camp life, they seemed to pay little attention to it. At a late hour large fires were built, somewhat dispelling the gloom of the place, and rendering the atmosphere more comfortable. The forces will be largely reinforced, and additional force is expected, who will immediately take possession of the commanding heights around Baltimore. Public Schoolhouse No. 10, corner of Warren and William streets, was taken possession of by the troops for the purpose of storing away their baggage and other articles likely to be injured by being exposed to the weather.—Baltimore Clipper, May 14.

—Judge Giles, of Baltimore, having issued a writ of habeas corpus, directing the delivery of a soldier at Fort McHenry, Major Morris, the commander at that post, refused to obey the writ, and gave his reasons in a published letter.—N. Y. Evening Post, May 14.—(Doc. 160.)

—Early this morning the steamer Pawnee was moored off the city of Alexandria, Va., so that her guns and mortars command the town. She has several of James’s rifled cannon on board, which will throw grape, shell, hot shot or solid into any part of the town, and far beyond into the camp of an army that may be so imprudent as to pitch their tents in the suburbs of the city.—N. Y. Herald, May 14.

—The Virginia Union Convention assembled at Wheeling, and organized, with Dr. J. W. Moss in the chair.—Idem.

—Senator Bayard, of Delaware, issued an address to his constituents, called forth by the denunciations against him on his return from the South. He narrates the history of his journey, gives the motives which induced him to undertake it, and denies having been in consultation with the rebels in Montgomery. He proposes to rest on his past course, his general character, and his future life, and declares that he shall resign as soon as he is convinced that there is to be a war.—(Doc. 161.)

—Mrs. Sarah Sanford, a native of New Haven, Conn., and a graduate of the South Hadley Female Seminary, but for some time past an assistant teacher in a New Orleans Grammar School, was stripped naked and tarred and feathered in Lafayette Square, New Orleans, in the presence and amid the applause of an immense crowd of people. The assigned reason was abolition sentiments, expressed to her pupils, and by them repeated to their parents. Dr. Charles McQueen, recently from New Orleans, was an eye witness to the transaction.—Buffalo Express.

—The Boston Rifle Company, numbering seventy-two men, now at Washington, is armed with the Whitney rifle and sabre bayonet, and is a reliable body of soldiers. The officers are: Capt., A. Dodd; First Lieut., C. Dodd; Second Lieut., C. G. Atwood; Third Lieut., G. A. Hicks; Fourth Lieut., J. Nason. The uniform is light blue pants, red shirt, dark gray overcoat, and fatigue cap.—National Intelligencer, May 18.

—General Wm. S. Harney, commanding the military department of the West, at St. Louis, Mo., issued a proclamation declaring that the public peace must be preserved, and asking the people to return to their avocations, abstain from the excitement of heated discussions, and observe the laws of the local authorities.—(Doc. 156.)

—An attempt was made at night to destroy the Monocacy Bridge, three miles from Frederick, Md., by a party from Point of Rocks. They cut the wires in the telegraph office, and threatened to kill the operator if he resisted. They then went to the bridge, but could not set fire to it, as it is all iron and stone.—N. Y. Times, May 16.

—There was a grand review at York, Penn., to-day. The Governor and many members of the Legislature were present. There were five regiments on the ground.

An attempt was made to tear up the track of the Northern Central Railroad, fourteen miles North of Baltimore. It was detected before much injury was done.—N. Y. Times, May 18.

—The Connecticut Regiment, under the command of Colonel Alfred H. Terry, arrived at Washington.—(Doc. 157.)

—The New Orleans Picayune of to-day says:

“Books were opened yesterday at the Merchants’ Exchange for subscriptions to stock in a propeller steamer to be fitted out as a privateer. Fifty thousand dollars have already been subscribed, and fifty thousand more are required. A fine chance is now presented to our enterprising citizens to embark in a venture which cannot fail of yielding a handsome profit. The books will continue open in the back room of the Exchange, up stairs, until all the stock is taken.”

—The apportionment of the President’s call for seventy-five regiments for three years was published.—(Doc. 158.)

—A great Union demonstration took place in San Francisco, Cal. Nothing like it was ever seen there before. Business was totally suspended; all the men, women and children of the city were in the streets, and flags waved everywhere. Three stands for speakers were erected, and Senator Latham and McDougall, General Sumner, General Shields, and others addressed vast audiences. The spirit of all the addresses, as well as of the resolutions adopted, was: the Administration must be sustained in all its efforts to put down secession and preserve the Union complete.

A procession marched through the principal streets, composed of thousands of men on horseback, in carriages and on foot, and embracing all the military and civic organizations of the city. All political parties joined in the demonstration.—Alta Californian, May 12.

—The Savannah Republican of to-day says: “we have conversed with a gentleman who has just returned from the camp at Pensacola and brings the latest intelligence.

As details are not to be expected, we may state generally that the condition of the troops and fortifications is all that could be desired. Gen. Bragg has proved the very man for the work, and the volunteers lend a ready hand to carry out every order. Pickens is covered by our batteries on three sides. There are eight between the Navy-Yard and Fort Barrancas, four between the latter and the light-house, and a formidable mortar battery in the rear of Fort McRae. There is also a heavy mortar battery in the rear of Barrancas. All these works have been erected by the hands of the volunteers, and are armed with the very heaviest and best of artillery. The channel on a line between McRae and Pickens has been obstructed by sinking a number of small vessels. It was supposed that every thing would be complete by the middle of the coming week, after which we shall have a bombardment that will be worthy of record. Pickens must fall, and the more men they put in it the greater will be the destruction. Besides Pickens, the enemy have thrown up a battery on the island some five miles from the fort, which they are now engaged in arming for the struggle. Some hundred or more horses can be seen on the island, and seven ships of war and transports are lying off; something less than a mile from the shore.”

—The Fifth Regiment of N. Y. V. M. arrived at Washington from Annapolis, Md.—National Intelligencer, May 13.

—A large meeting took place at Wheeling, Va. Hon. John S. Carlile and Frank Pierpont spoke. Mr. Carlile took ground in favor of separation from Eastern Virginia, and was rapturously applauded. He proclaimed that while there should be no coercion to go out, there should be none to prevent remaining in the Union. Virginia, he said, owed forty-nine milions of dollars; a debt incurred without benefit to Western Virginia; and he demanded to know by what right the citizens of this section should not be allowed to have an opinion of their own expressed and recognized in the State councils, when the question of allegiance was discussed. Allegiance was first due to the Federal Government if there was no interference with State rights —N. Y. Times, May 12.

—The First Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry, under command of Colonel Lewis, arrived at Washington.—N. Y. Tribune, May 12.

—This afternoon, a large body of the Home Guards entered St. Louis, Mo., through Fifth street, from the. Arsenal, where they had been enlisted during the day, and furnished with arms. On reaching Walnut street, the troops turned westward, a large crowd lining the pavement to witness their progress. At the corner of Fifth street the spectators began hooting, hissing, and otherwise abusing the companies as they passed, and a boy about fourteen years old discharged a pistol into their ranks. Part of the rear company immediately turned and fired upon the crowd, and the whole column was instantly in confusion, breaking their ranks, and discharging their muskets down their own line and among the people on the sidewalks. The shower of balls for a few minutes was terrible. Seven persons were killed, and a large number wounded. To allay the excitement and restore confidence to the people, Gen. Harney issued a proclamation to the people of St. Louis and the State, which was posted throughout the city, expressing deep regret at the state of things existing, pledging himself to do all in his power to preserve peace, and calling on the people and public authorities to aid him in the discharge of his duties. He says the military force under his command will only be used at the last extremity, and hopes be will not be compelled to resort to martial law, but simply states that the public peace must be preserved, and the lives of the people protected. He says he has no authority to change the location of the Home Guard quarters in the city, but to avoid all cause of circulation of the excitement, if called upon to aid the local authorities, will use the regular army in preference. In accordance with this proclamation, a battalion of regulars was sent to the city and placed under the direction of the Police Commissioners to act as a military police corps.—N. Y. Times, May 18.

—The United States Steam Frigate Niagara arrived off the bar of Charleston, S. C., and began the blockade of that port.—(Doc. 155.)

—Six companies of volunteers left Buffalo, N. Y., for the rendezvous at Elmira. Buffalo has so far sent to camp ten companies of volunteers.

The Third Company of the Broome Co. N. Y. Volunteers, under command of Captain Peter Jay, took their departure from Binghamton, N. Y., for Elmira. They were addressed by the Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Tracy R. Morgan, and others. They vowed to stand by the Constitution and the Union as long as one star remained.—N. Y. Times, May 12.

—Schooner G. M. Smith, prize to the frigate Cumberland, arrived at New York in charge of prize-master Thos. Chisholm.—Idem.