The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-24
Correspondence of the Daily Exchange.

MONTGOMERY, ALA, April lS 1861
Editors Daily Erchonge:
The Capital of the Confederated States is one Of
the most beautiful inland cities of the South The
country surrounding 1t is diversified the soil rich.
very productive and well watered; and now, when
in your latitude the eye, as it scans the expanse.
rests only on barren fields and naked forests here
all nature is robed in her spring attire. The trees
are clothed in their delicate verdure-mapv. Of
different varieties, are in bloom, filling the air
with fragrance, and gladdening the eye with the
varieg ated hues of their blossoms The streets are
wide, running at right-angles, and in the business
part, the buildings are large and closely built Off
the main thoroughfares the scene presented is very
attractive, and to one who has lived for wears in a
densely populated city like Baltimore, surrounded
by huge piles Of brick and mortar, granite marble
and cement, the Countrywide appearance which
meets him here causes him to sigh that the nursui,s
OF men make 1t Imperative upon them to crowd and
huddle together, shut out from the pure mir Of
Heaven. and almost excluded from the sunlight.
Here whole blocks are occupied as a single resi-
dence The dwellings for most part are constructed
OF wood, seldom more than one and half stories
high, yet wide and broad enough to afford the
amplest room and convenience The grounds are
decorated with exquisite taste-many varieties Of
trees and shrubbery, vines and flowers the latter
OF which as they bow to every breeze laden it with
anu sweetest perfumes, while the
bird sits wild and free in the branches of the trees
pouring forth his melodies in such exquisite strains
that one is prone to the belief that he has inst
breaktased off the flowers and sending forth their
fragrance IN song At this season of the year
Montgomery is Paradise, where all nature is in
unison with the order of things as first created
1t is the general impression North that the pub
lie mind OF the South is laboring continually in 4
wild and uncomfortable excitement. No greater
mistake can possibly exist and the sooner the North
ern mind disabuses itself in this particular the
better. The action of the Confederate States is
the result of calm, deliberate consideration, and
the position which they have assumed will be main
tanned at a sacrifice, If needs be- of the entire
wealth and lives of the people. The permanencv
of the government of the Confederate States is
question involving the future existence of the
present system of society," and if it is to be destroy
ed, it can only be with the annibiation of those
who constitute that society. The Government here
do not anticipate protracted struggle should the
Administration inaugurate one 1t will take but
a short time to convince the Northern people that
such an idea as that of conquering the South is i'm
practicable; and with that conviction will follow
desire, on the part of the Republicans, or at least
OF the Northern masses, to stop the fight.
1t is thought here that the avidty exhibited by
the adherents of the United States Government to
sustain it in its work of coercion is more the eff
feet of impulsiveness than of thought and sn SOON
as the question can be thoroughly and calmly cam
vassed, the rage for volunteering will subside Be
this as 1t may, however, the Confederated Govern
u
let it assume whatever shape it NAV
The recent proclamation of President Davis, call
ing for troops from the several States has met a
most happy response. The military of this city
answered by rendering their services and no doubt
so soon the call reaches the different sections f
the State, Alabama's quota will be on hand ready
for service. The troops, in response to the call of
the President few weeks since, for operations at
Pensacola, are hurrying to their destination Not
train of cars arrives here from auy direction.
other than that from Pensacola hut r,
en- route for Pickens, and all exhibit an intense de-
sire to be there when the attack is made. These
volunteer corps are constituted of the best blood
and bone OF the State-young, vigorous and intel
igent; and good account will be heard from them
when the contest takes takes place.
No definite time has as yet been set for the
assault on Fort Pickens 1t is understood that
General Bragg has been clothed with discretion
airy powers in this particular, and the assault will
be prompted altogether by the events which are
daily transporting. There are now 1000 troops at
Pickens, and within a few days the number will be
increased to 10000. 1t is anticipated that the
struggle Will be hercer than that which took place
at Sumter, and there is now but little doubt that
the fort has been reinforced perhaps to the num-
Der OF 500 men. 1t will consequently be necessary
to storm the fertilization, and great loss of life
will be the result Be the loss what it may when the
assault is made, Fort Pickens must surrender and
woe be to its occupants if the slaughter of the Con
iederate troops is great. The brilliant success of
the South Caroinans has made the soldiers and
the community in this State and at Pensacola i'm
patient and they long for the opportunity IN ex
hibit their valor, confident of like success Per-
maps before this letter reaches YOU that opportun
ty will have been afforded; and lust so sure as 7
write, the result will be similar to that of Sumter
Yesterday and to-day were the DAYS appoin,sd
for subscriptions to the Confederate States loan
and the manner in which it has been taken is the
pest, ahd at the same time, the gratifying evil
aence OF the confidence of the people in the Gov
eminent In every city and town where hooks
nave been opened, so far as heard from. the most
general and liberal response has been made In
the city of Mobile, the first day, 500 600 wera
subscribed IN $50 and 500 bonds In this citv
an equally liberal spirit has been manifastad
The room Tin which the books were nnanaS Iu
been thronged all the time, and this morninG o. ="
was passing, entered and observed a eIarso' 90
who had just subscribed for $3.50 worth of stool
This is not isolated case. 1t is anticinatad In
the amount subscribed will exceed that renpiraJ
three-fold, and had it been five times as la1cn -
would as readily have been taken. 80 !"
This morning the papers contained President Da
Wis proclamation relative to granting letters Of
marque. 1t received with much iov, and al.
ready organizations have been formed for CARRYING
out the design. Yankee coasters had better be on
the lookout, for to say and to act is but one thing
down South, and in few days fast-sailing vessels
armed and equipped, Will be on the lookout for New
England craft.
A telegraphic despatch was received here on last
night to the effect that Gov. Hicks had resnondnd
Iayoraoiy to the proclamation of Lincoln and in
be furnished. After the patriotic responses which
the Governors OF the border States had made this
report fell with strong effect upon this community.
or myself, could not believe it, and accordingly
denounced it.. Little faith as have in Governor
Hicks, could not believe that he was SO lost to ma
trlouc duty as to be willing outrage the senti
ment OF the State, and inaugurate in the midst of
your people the horrors of war, such policy un
The people here think kindly of MARYLAND e,a
have sympathiZed deeply with the peonle in ~
present crisis. They believe that her affections as
we'll as her interests, are with the South, and wRen
he moment arrives that she can act, her influence
Ind power will be with the Confederate states
they freely acknowledge the impossibility for her
o do ANYTHING while Virginia remains ipactve.
md the blame, whatever it may be, is made to resi-
IN Virginias shoulders. COZ
There is quite number of Marylanders here.
md they feel the humiatng position in which
hey are placed. Among others is Col. James =
'iper, who commanded Company B. in Col. Wat.
on Is regiment in Mexico, and who was afterwards
a Nicaragua with Gen. Walker. Col. Piper is