Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-04-26
CoIUYBUs, ONO. April %.
From the Cincinnati Commercial, April "a.
Items from Vyashiusto

Important Items from Washington.
We are indebted TO S. S. L'Hommedieu,
Esq. President of the Cincinnati, Hamilton
and Dayton Railway Company, for some in
teresting items ofintelligence about the con-
dition of things in Washington and vicinity.
Mr. L'Hommedicu left Washington on Sat
urday night last. He reports an active or
ganiZation of q citizens Home Guard there,
of which nearly all the Ohioans now in
Washington are members. Their hall of rem
devious is the same one used By the peace
Congress-" in Wizards Hotel, which is now
put to novel use, as q military drill-room.
The people of Washington were quite gen.
orally apprehensive of an attack on that city.
But members OF the Cabinet inti;nated that
they had no reason to credit the rumors
which had began to assume a formidable
shape, to the effect that jeff Davis and large
Southern army were en- route to attack Wash
ingtOn. Mr.. L'Hommedieu was assured that
the city was well fortified and guarded at all
points; and that the arrival of full regiments
OF Northern troops, then hourly expected
land which have since begun to be realized),
would soon enable the Government to with
stand with an overwhelming force any as
sault which might be made.
la regard to the much mooted apprehen-
siOns of DOmbardment of the city from Ar
lington Heights, on the opposite Virginia
shore, Gen. Cameron stated that General
Scott had already thoroughly provided for
that danger, having planted batteries on that
side of the river, as well as on Georgetown
Heights, Capitol Hill, etc. The report that
Virginians had planted batteries twenty
miles below Washington, on the Potomac,
was totally without foundation.
While the Government seemed to be free
from apprehensions as 10 the safety of Wash
ington, it was seen that they evidently re-
garded Cincinnati as possible point of at
tack for the Confederate Army, unless its
leaders should be impressed by q timely ex-
hibitiOn of the resources of defense Gen.
Cameron has instructed Gov. Dennisou to
send no more of the Ohio troops eastward for
the present, but to hold them in camp and
under drill, within easy reach of Cincinnati
and prepared for immediate concentration at
any required point.
A military department of the West has
been or will be established, of which Cincin-
Iati or Cairo will be the centre, and a yigor-
Gus system of blockade for the enemies of the
Government, and rapid inter-communication
for its friends and defenders will be immedi-
ately carried into effect. 1t is altogether
probable that Capt. George B. Mcclellan,
lately OF the U. S. Army, who was i'm the
Crimea during that memorable war, will be
appointed to the control of this division.
The secession feeling in Virginia is report
people are infatuated with the idea that the
selfprotec'ion of the Government is q war of
invasion and subjugation upon them. Az one
instance Of the rapid change going on in
public sentiment, our informant states that
at Stanton 900 troops are now gathered to
fight against the Government, out of a coun-
ty (Augusta,) where three weeks ago only
500 secessionists could be found.
In Washington city the best informed per-
sons, (among them Senator Douglas) believe
that two-thirds of the population of the Capt.
tai are unsound. and will take sides with the
enemies of the Government, on the first show
of probable success.
Concentration OF Troops at Cairo, IL
HnOis.
A gentleman just arrived from near Cairo.
Illinois, passed at p. NJ, Monday, sixty
miles north of Cairo, monster train, con-
tanning the Chicago Light Guard. eight hun
dred strong. and the Chicago Light Artillery
with thirteen brass field pieces and one hum
dred and fifty Artillerymea.
They had several tons of provisions aboard,
and would reach Cairo Monday evening TO
rendezvous.
They reported that Monday night and
TUESDAY, more would follow. and that by
tuesday evening there would be in Cairo a
wen appointed army of from two to three
thousand men. W 'H'0e
liz is understood that they will stop all
STEAMBOATS,, and none carrying provisions or
munitions oil war, will be allowed to 90 be.
low. o.
No notice of their progress was allowed 70
precede them. The regular trains were hon,
back, aud no news as to the cause of The
movement could be ascertained.
The Central Rail Road had an artil,erv
guard at Big Muddy Bridge at Carbondale.
ALI the Railroads in Illinois offer to carry
troops and war material free.
The Indiana troops are said to be under or
ders to move, and no doubt is entertained
but they are going to Cairo where it is I'M
derstood an army of at least fifteen thoueand
men 70 70 be Immediately concentrated.