The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-09


OF this force the following in commission the re-
mainder being in ordinary, dismanted &c.
Frgates. 100 guns.
S,oops.:. 23z do.
Storeships. ..'.'' ''........................ do.
screw irlgate. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. IL do.
rirst-ciass steam sioops 30 20.
slde-wheel steamerS..... 35 do.
second Grass steam sloops As do.
Ihird-cass screw steamers... 2S do.
3 Sidewheel steamers. ............ 5 do
Steam tender ......................... l do.
A. 555
These vessels had complement, exclusive of officers
were on foreign stations The home squadron consisted
of twelve vessels carrying 1877 guns and about
Of this squadron, only four small vessels carrying TWEEN
ty five and about $50 in northern ports
with so few vessels in commission on coast and
our crews in distant seas the department very in
differently prepared to meet the exgency that rising
Every movement closely watched by the disaected
and threatened to precptate that the country
seemed anxious to avoid. Decentralization among
the officers, many of whom occupying the most respon
sble positions, betrayed symptoms of that nfdelity
which has dishonored the service. But while many
officers unfaithfu crews, their honor be it
recorded true and reliable, and have maintained,
through every trial and under all circumstances, their
devotion to the Union and the flag Unfortunately,
however few compar lively of these gallant were
within the call of the department. at that eventul period
They, well as the ships, abroad.
The soop-owar Cumberland, the flag ship of Commo-
dore Pendergra arrived opportunely in the Chesapeake
the 23d of March, and this the only vessel of
any considerable capacity in these waters that was
manned detained her at Norfolk to await events that
gradually developing in Virginia and the adjoining
States
The Navy Yard Norfolk protected by no fortress or
garrison has always been favored depot with the gov
ernment. 1t was filled with and munitions, and
several chips were in the harbor dismaned and in
diuary and in condition be had there been
men to move them. There were, however, seamen
there home stations to these vessels or even
of them of the larger GLASS; and any attempt with
draw hem or either of them without crew, would in
the then sensitive and disturbed condition of the public
mind have betrayed alarm and diSrust and been likely
to difficulty
Apprehensive however, that action might be necessary
COmmanu2nt
OF this feeling and cautioned to extreme vigilance and
circumspection. These admonitions were, few days
later, repeated to Commodore McCauley. This
dant. whose patriotism and fidelity doubted
was surrounded by officers in whom he placed confidence
to the flag and the country.
On the 10th of April Commodore McCauey was order
ed to put the shipping and public property in condition
to be moved and placed beyond danger should it be-
necessary; but doing this he warned take
steps that could give needless alarm The steam fri
gate Merimac could it was believed, her machine
ry in ORDER be made available in this emergency
only exricate herself but the other shipping in the
harbor. Not knowing, however who could be con ided
in take charge of her. commander and engineers
detailed to proceed to Norfolk for that purpose
Two days after the 18th of April the department
reced that the Merrimac should be prepared proceed
to Philadelphia with the utmost de patch. 1t was
stated that to repair the engine and it in working
condition would require four weeks Dscredtng this
report the engineer nchie ordered to proceed forth
with in and attend the necessary preparations
On the 10th April the commandant directed to lose
time in placing armament board the Merrimac;
get the Plymouth and Dolphin beyond danger; have
the Germantown IN condlton TO De to~ed out, ana to
put the valuable public property ordnance stores
&C. shipboard so that they could at any moment be
moved beyond danger.
Such the energy and despatch of the engineer in
chief that the 10th the department advised by
the commandment of the yard ha the 18th the Mer
on the afternoon Of thst "a @ ,ha inar
cd her ra.dv for steam Commodor. McCaplev refused II
- - e., - Trss We bowanar h,;,, aarI,r -,
next morning. and at nine O'Clock the engines work
ing. engineers, iremen &C., board but the comman
uant sun refused TO permit her 10 De moved ana IN IN
|
u. 'hIs 70 ote ,lc an II = no ~, eHp'anat'o ~
other han tnat o, spaceu confluence III MS Junior OIL
| GERS, who OPPOSED II.
| ment "rdsrs wsre instsptlw issued 70 " commddnr
| n. ueas 5 W. .,ny;,h % - Ns,, ~ ounno. 9. @
| ef s 80, d ~ y - ~ ota 49, w. ah,o;ad ~ 80; at. ~ & a
mand of ali the vessels afoat on that station. f
a r' b. ~ So ,. ~ s, ., $3.50 o ,h y, 20 % , iGn' ,: " " N - Pe
NJ all bs1srds from nass;n into tbe I'D s b ;
,ection;sls ixmt w. tbet naesr raanhS ~ Ntiis -
| the evening or Sa,nrdoY tba oob i fn,'nd 49, ~
powder magazine trr,i-a.-aaav been seir v"
4 trn,- d eorcs r. ad comrne- eea th,ow;i
! vicinifv the eomma.,laEt Of tie,
| permit the vessels to be moved on Th.asv,
it on Friday ordered them to be scutted on SATURDAY
| evening and they were sinking when Commodore Paud
ing with the force under his command arrived at Norfolk
The officers knowing that to sink the shp would be onl
| temnorarv denriyation TO the INSURGENTS who woud
when in full possesson of the place again ha them
ordered the torch to be applied to the sinking ships
Pursuant to Instructions he also DESTROYED so far as
was able with his limited force the public property in tn
| ward before abandoning the place
The Cumberland was towed down the river and pass
ed, delay the distractions
been sunk in the channel to prevent her removal
This unfortunate calamity Norfolk only deprive
the government of several vessels but of large amour
of ordnance and stores hch had there accumulated
preventing the shipping and property from passing int
the hands of The INSURGENTS who had gathered in consid
erable force in that vicinity under General Talliaerrc
Commodore Paulding the officers and those under them
performed their duty and carried out, far i
their power the wishes of the government and the in
structions OF the department.
The demonstration Norfolk but one of a serie
of measures that occurred at this juncture Smutant
ousl7 with 1t, Baltimore appeared In lnsurrecon, an
by force and violence destroyed the railroad communca
tion and cut of mail aud elesraphic facilities bewee
the seat of government and the states North In ti
crisis it became necessary to act with prompness an
visor Ihere eoa ,e NEITHER nor uiay wne t
the government ana the country were lnperleu anu I'll
department took measures accordingly
Believing that the emergency NOS only Jusuhed pu
absolutely required that all the public armed vessel
be forthwith completed and equipped for service
orders given to That effect and in addition theret
the commandants Of the navy yards in Boston, New
York and Philadelphia directed to purchase
charter, arm, equip and man steamers which upon e,
animation mi ght found fit, easily convertible int
vessels suitable for the public service, in order
support the government and enforce the laws.
ncaon with the ports of the nsurgent States was nte
diced and an embargo or blockade declared it becan
70 concentrate almost an the naval force of Il
country upon the Atlantic coast at south of tn
Chesapeake bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. This
sive line of sea board embracing extent of near
| three thousand miles with its numerous harbors an
nlets was deemed too extensive single comman,
and the naval force to carry the proclamalio
and execute the laws has consequently been arrange
into two sauadrons The command of the first of then
the Atlantic squadron has beed con6ded Flag ofic
, | H audt he or
under command of Flag-oficer William Mervine.
Before either of these gentlemen could appear til
station assigned him. Flag gofcer Pendergrast in
mand of the home squadron established nonintercouIs
and ave notice to foreigners of an embargo or ecti,
boctade at HAMPTON Roads on the Both of April. 1t
S "a ~ % eicsr n saw that he has rendered essent
nd service not onlv before but after the arrival
his senior on that station.
FIag.oA6cgr Stringham reached Hampton Roads wit
the Minnesota hi, flagship on the 18th of May and e.
tered upon his duties with such force departeI
in so brief a period able place his disposal al
illegal by the insurgents in disregard Of
tonal laws is almost entirely suppressed
The Niagara, which arrived at Boston from Japan
ths o4lh of April was Immediately despatched to Ne
Work for necessary repairs before proceeding off Charlie
ton harbor whittier energetic commander direc
and promptly repaired, to prevent legai cohmer
from that port In the meantime Information reache
department of large shipments OF arms ana mum
tions Of in Europe destined Tor New orleans an
Mobile. Believing it oil primary Importance that III
shipmeut should possible be intercepted and its Ian
ing prevented Captain McKeon directed procet
Gulf for that purpose; and the Harriet Lane w
ordered to charleston 10 'aAe Inc pi"'e VI 'He
n before that port.
Flag officer Mervine left Boston in the Mississippi
advance of his flag ship, the Colorado, and arrived in
/ Gulf the Sth of June Previous to his arrival
embargo or blockade of the Mis- ssppi river and some
the principal ports the Gulf had been commenced al
has been since vigorously maintained and enforced
As the Constitution declares that mo preference sha
y be given by any regulation of commerce revenue
the ports of one State over another ana also mat
State SHALL the consent of the Congress- lay al
mposts or duties imports exports except what ma
he absolutely necessary inspection laws; and
net produce of all duties and lmposts shal De or e
of the treasury Of the United as IN sew
of the States the insurgents had in utter disregard al
violation of these express provisions OF the Constitute
and the laws assumed to give preference by unauhC
lied uations of commerce revenue to the ports
certain States over the ports oil other Staes ana had
T. 80" n ;moorts and evnorts and that FOO nat
~ .hnsa of tbe treasury of the United States but to
ut priye of revenue 1t became duty OF paramount nee
sty, acting uhoer the express authotiy Vi e ac' Vi
authorizing the use OF the navy IN causing the laws
be executed to suppress, py an armed naVa iorce ne