The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-29
FROM PORTSMOUTH.
ESPECIAL coRREsPoSpgScE OF THE DISPATCH I
PoxrsxourH, April %, 1851.


PORTSMOUTH, April % 1851
Nothing new here. The battery ut the Hos
pital is vigorously prosecuting. There are
about 500 troops there, composed of our own
volunteers and the four companies from Geor-
gia. There is a parade every evening at 9
o'clock, when the grounds are thronged with
ladies, cheering by their presence and smiles
the men who are to defend them.
heard gentleman say he did not think the
officers who supervised the burning of the
Navy Yard and the destrnc tion OF the public
property were 10 blame-that they We're only
obeyng orders. This is a species of logic and
philosophy that l cannot appreciate. II the
order had been TO lombard the two cities and
cut the throats of the citizens, women and
children, and it had been xecuted, it would
only have been obeying orders.
l witnessed practice at the big guns after
parade. The men are thoroughly in earnest
and preparing for the worst.
The resignation Of Captain Hugh Nelson
Page, which was after the Ordinance of Sc
cession, has not been yet published. No an
sWers have been received to any of the rpsi2
nations. Capt Page distinguished himself
| on the lakes, and received from the old Com
monweaith a sword in testimony OF his ser
| vices aud bravery on that occasion. Though
now old man, he has all the fire of former
| days, and is ready 10 battle again in the ser
| vice of his fellow-citizens and countrymen
His little boy. nine years old, WAS with his
spade at the battery, as were many chaps OF
| mis- age-the promising chips of our peo-
pie, and to be the future gallant defenders OF
| Virginia. Ii. w.
PORTSMOUTH, Va, April 9th.
| The Hospital grounds were crowded yester-
day evening by citizens OF the Two citeS ana
| ladies', to witness the parade and the skir-
| mish drill executed by the Columbus City
| Guard, commanded by Capt. Colquitt. The
manpuvres We're prompt, and by their nov
| pity here attracted the atten ton of the two
| thousand assembled to witness them.
| Two of the Georgia companies went over
| To Fort Norfolk from the Hospital, and com
l II, IL
| fhe battery st the Hospital is rapidly ad-
| vancing to com pletion, and will command the
| approach to the harbor. The trigate United
States has been towed up to the Navy L ard
| and a battery is TO be placed upon her.
| When the Irigate Cumberland passed from
| the yard in tow of the Pawnee, on sunday
| morning, DR.. Dillard, of Virginia, Of the
| Navy OF the former United States, who had
| been sick al the Hospital, got a boat went
| along side of the trigate and embarked his
| fortunes with our enemies. 1t is said tie
| Doctor had been talking secession with ac-
quaintanceS in the city, and was regarded by
| them as with his native State and the South
bat it seems he has had Il '' second thought,
| AID so sloped.
Commodore Aulc1, of Virginia, we see has
| gone to Europe, and Capt FarragGi, of tbs
| Norfolk Navy,t to California. he determined
| we hear, to take sides with neither and so De
| parted n quiet position. He that is not fol
| us is against us, and he that gathers not with
| rs s2atters abroad. The positions of Scott
| pendergrast, billiard, ct III omRe genas
| though Iegretful i'll the estimation of all tru'
friends OF the South, are but speckS upon oul
| otherwise bright horizon. We hear that Bay
Tor, of Norfolk son -four former Sheriff, il
an officer ut OLD Point, and declines TO resign
though urged TO do so by his friends.
| But all such instances of Il preference 10
| what is deemed the stronger power are not Il
be dweit upon. The power opposed to n
| cannot subOue us. Oar cause is Just. w
are doubly armed. 1t is contest Tor our in
dividuai iiberty-and notwlths tantiing the gi
| gantc efforts making at the North, and tn
united action of people where, we wer
| told, there exis ted a conservative element--al
| element in favor OF the South, headed by Fill
more, Pierce, and Gushing, who have now com
| out against us, we are yet not cast down, bi
| resolved to resist to the death in defence O
cur homes our fresides, and our liberties.
| Old DOMINION.