Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-09

citizens, who had volunteered their services, to perform the duty. They at once pro ceeded on foot to the Melville bridge, about five miles from the city, where they de- handed of the watchman possession of the bridge. He at once surrendered, and after | they had torn down as much of 1t as they saw fit, they tore to pieces the watch house, and piled it on and under the bridge in order to facilitate the burning. The tur- l pentine was then poured upon the mass and the torch applied, and in few min utes the whole structure, to build which cost 5000, was one sheet of flame. The military and police stood guard until | daylight, when they returned to the city. The citizens, however, who had crossed the bridge before it was destroyed, ex- pressed their determination to proceed to the iron bridge at the Relay House and destroy it. Cheering and shouting they proceeded on their way, and as day broke upon them the citizens from the surround ing country joined them and entered heartily into the work. Arriving at the bridge, they crossed, and after unscrewing the immense girders, the structure was turned over into the water, which is about twelve feet deep. They then moved on to Cockeysville and destroyed the bridge between that point and Ashland, about eleven miles from Baltimore. The pas senger train from Harrisburg was within a half mile of the bridge and it may be said to have been burned in the face of the pas sengers, whoever they may have been. Here the crowd received large accessions from their brothers, the farmers and mechanics of the neighborhqad, some of them coming considerable distance After daylight the parties dispersed to their respective homes, cutting telegraph wires and poles at several points upon the route.
 Acting also under the order above re- ferred to, Marshal Kane, with posse of one hundred police officers, together with one company of the Baltimore City Guard, proceeded to the Philadelphia railroad, and upon the arrival of the o'clock train they took possession of it, and proceeded as far as Bush river, with the intention of adopting some mode to prevent the passage into the city of any more northern troops. The party proceeded as far as Bush river, l were unable to learn the particulars of the destruction. Of the bridge at that point, suffice it to say, however, that the bridge was rendered insecure to such an extent that no more trains can pass over 1t. They were joined along the line of the road by crowds of the residents of the surrounding country, and upon their return home, a large body of the country people continued on as far as Havre-deG Grace, where the Gunpowder bridge was destroyed. The railroad bridge at Canton was also burned upon the departure of the trains in the morning.
 ARRIVAL OF TROOPS ON SATURDAY.
 About three o'clock on Saturday after noon, the report became very general that number of Virginia troops were to arrive | by the express train from the west In consequence of this report number of per sons assembled at the Camden station to greet them, but they were disappointed, as the troops did not arrive. About six o'clock, a company of men, numbering about seventy, under command of Captain | Bradley T. Johnson, arrived from Frede rick, Md. The news of the invasion of Baltimore reached Frederick on Friday evening, and during that night he enrolled seventy volunteers, and yesterday came 1 over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to the Relay House, from which place they march ed to this city, and were quartered at Mo-. 34 Holiday street, opposite the office of the marshal of police.
 About four o'clock considerable excite ment was occasioned by the appearance of company of mounted men, styled the Patapsco drasoons, Capt. E. J. Hinkle, from the fifth district of Anne Arundel county. They rode up to the Fountain , Hotel and inquired for the Governor, but were told that that functfonary had gone home. They then proceeded to the mayors office and offered their 1tsices in defence of the city or State.
 At nine o'clock the Towson Mounted Guard, commanded by Capt. Charles Ridgeley, rode into Monument Square, and were dismissed, to meet at Barnum's Hotel at ten o'clock, to receive orders, if their services would be required. The officers then reported themselves to the mayor.
 The steamer pioneer yesterday morning arrived from Easton with two companies of troops.
 Last evening the Howard dragons, Capt. Geo. R. Gather, jr., arrived in the city and reported themselves for duty. More are expected to arrive to-day.
 CANNON BROUGHT TO THE CITY.
 A party of military, by authority of those in command, on Saturday took possession of five cannon belonging to the Catonsville Military Institute, and brought them to the city. They had been previously spiked by Rev. Mir. Van Bokkelen, the principal of the school The reverend gentleman took his departure for parts unknown immedi- ately after perpetrating this dastardly act, at which the citizens of Catonsville were highly indignant These cannon were de. posted in Holiday Square, and guard placed over them.
 ARMS TAKEN POSSESSION OF.
 During the day large numbers of arms of every description were taken possession of by the city, and in few hours several | thousand stand of arms were packed away at the office of the marshal of police, to be distributed to those who enrolled them selves as volunteers.
 FORT M'HENRY PROTECTED.
 Quite & number of persons were kept upon the streets on Saturday night until a late hour, in consequence of the rumor that 1 Fort McHenry would be attacked. A mili- tary force from the city was sent out in order to prevent any such attempt. Simi- lar reports were in circulation in regard to receiving ship at this port; but there was really no intention to attack either the ves- sel or Fort McHenry.
 THE DAWN OF SUNDAY.
 Yesterday mornings dawn witnessed the city in a state of quistude. to which we had been strangers for two days previous. The military appeared quite refreshed by a nights rest.