—The Daylight, the first steamer direct from New York, via Potomac, reached Washington at 10 A. M. She found many lights out on the Virginia coast; and up the Chesapeake and Potomac, two light ships and many buoys destroyed by the rebels. The Daylight came without convoy; had no guns, except one howitzer, which Capt. Veile obtained from the Pocahontas, at the month of the Potomac. Capt. Veile and the 172 recruits for the New York Seventh Regiment, have the honor of the first passage up the Potomac.
—The United States frigate Constitution arrived at New York from Annapolis, Md., having had a narrow escape from seizure by the rebels.
After the secession of Virginia, the demonstrations of the rebels became so apparent that it was deemed of the greatest importance to get her out over the bar. Her crew of twenty-five men and officers had been at their quarters with shotted guns night and day for four days. Troops were drilling on the shore; signals between them were constantly made out; large parties were around the ship to find her assailable point. She had four anchors and seven chains out, when the order came to get her over the bar.
The steamer Maryland, in General Butler’s charge, came alongside; one anchor was hove up, for use, all the other chains were slipped, and the ship started at 9 A. M. drawing 20½ feet. There was then but 19 feet on the bar, and for some time it was doubtful if she would go, but by great exertion, by lighting and careening her, she was forced over. The captain, pilot, and engineers of the Maryland, which had been seized by General Butler, were very averse to do their duty, and it was only by putting them under a guard with revolvers, that they would proceed with the vessel.
After dragging her over the bar, the vessel grounded on the outer spit. About 10 P. M., information having been brought off that the channel outside the ship would be obstructed, kedges were laid out, and it was endeavored to warp the ship over the spit, part of the men being at the guns. The Maryland having been ran aground by her officers during the warping, a squall came up and drove the ship ashore again. At daylight a steam tug from Havre de Grace came in sight, and was taken to tow the ship out. She was then taken in tow by the R. R. Cuyler, and brought to New York.—N. Y. Commercial, April 29.
—The Fifth Regiment of New York State militia left New York on board the British steam transport Kedar, for Annapolis. This regiment is composed almost entirely of Germans, and is commanded by Colonel Schwartzwaelder. For some days past they have occupied 162 neat tents, precisely of the pattern furnished to the Hudson’s Bay Indians, on the bare grounds of the Battery, where thousands of people visited them, and admired the excellent order and homelike appearance of their quarters.—(Doc. 113.)—N. Y. Tribune, April 29.
