Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-12-13
Vol. vII.---No. 10.

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and ascertain what would be his course
of action in the then existing condition Of
public affairs. On calling upon Gov.
Hicks, Judge Crump very soon became
satisfied that the Governor intended to 60
with the North. and would use his influ-
ence, personal and official. to prevent
Maryland from connecting herself with
her Southern sisters. The conference,
therefore, very soon terminated. Judge
Crump's report is herewith transmitted.
For this struggle, SO suddenly COM
menced, Virginia had for some time been
making such preparations as her means
enabled her to make; and although she
was not so we'll prepared as was desira-
BILE, still she was better prepared than
most of her southern sisters-better per-
baps than any one of them. For some
time anterior to the secession she had
been engaged in the purchase of arms of
different kinds, ammunition, and other
necessary articles, and in mounting ar
tillery, in anticipation of the event which
subsequently occurred
A large portion Of the ammunition which
has been used in the war was captured at
Norfolk, and the heavy guns supplied to
our southern sister States for coast, river
and land defenses, were captured with
the navy yard at the same time. The
capture of the navy-yard and of Harper's
Ferry was accomplished without the loss
of life, or casualty of any description.
All the field artillery which we have Is
sued belonged exclusively to the State of
Virginia, and much the larger part of it
had been in our possession for half
century. The small arms were all of her
own exclusive property, save seven thou
sand five hundred altered percussion mus
kets kindly furnished by the late Gov.
Ellis, of North Carolina, who felt and
manifested the deepest interest in all that
concerned the people in this common
wealth. Death has removed him from
the theatre of action, but his memory
will be cherished, his manly virtues
honored, and his name held in grateful
remembrance by the Executive and peo-
pie of Virginia.
1t is to be regretted that Fortress Mon
roe is not in our possession that it was
not as easily captured as the nsvy-yard
and Harper's Ferry. AS far back as the
9Th of January last, / consulted with
gentleman whose position enabled him to
know the e.rength of that fortress, and
whose experience in military matters ena-
bled him to form an opinion as to tho
number of men that would be required 10
capture it. He represented it to be one
of the strongest Notifications in the
world, and expressed his doubts whether
il could be taken, unless assailed by wa
ter as well as by land, and Simultaneous
ly. He stated, emphatically and dis
tinctly, that with the force then in the
fortress, it would be useless to attempt
its capture without large force, tho
roughly equipped and well appointed
At no time previous to the secession Of
Virginia had we military organization
sufficient to justify an attempt to take it,
and events since that occurrence demon
stratd very clearly that with cur military
organization since, and now existing, it
has not been deemed prudent to mako
the attempt.
1t is impossible at this time TO state the
precise number of volunteers and militia
that Virginia now has in the field, owing
to the fact that the mastering at Norfolk,
Lynchburg, Abingdon, Staunton, Win
chester Harper's Ferry, the Potomac
division, and other places, have not made
their returns to tho inspector generals
Office in this city. From the light before
me, estimate the number at not less
than seventy thousand. We have in SER
vice fifty mine regiments Of infantry, and
considerable number Of battalions and
companies in this arm OF the service that
have not been organized into regiments.
We have eight organized regiments Of
cavalry, and number Of companies at
tached to different commands, which, il
consolidated, would make probably three
regiments more. We have issued three
hundred and fifteen pieces Of artillery,
nearly all Of which are in service in the
field. One artillery regiment only has
been organized, and that was organized
at the instance Of Gen. Magruder.
The expenditures of the State for war
purposes since the 18th Of April last,
amount TO more than six millions Of dol
lars. Her contributions Of men and
money for the common cause have been
cbeerfully furnished, and her past course
gives assurance Of her determination TO
spare no effort to insure success. She
feels and knows, and therefore acts upon
the principle that nothing short Of the
full and free recognition Of the indepen-
dence Of the Southern Confederacy can
give assurance Of protection to persons
and property, and happiness and pros
perity to her people. Every considera-
ton, therefore, that should influence a
people prompts us to yepudiote all COM
promises, TO reject all adUances to,eards
reconstructiou. We must triumph in this
struggle. In that alone consists our
safety for the present and for the future
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