The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-07
TINE APPROACHING CIVIL WAR.

1hE APPROACHING CIvll WAR.
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The cxcteuenb which has sprung up within the last
few days consequent upon the unwonted movement Of
United States troops the commissioning of United States
vessels the chartsrng Of steamers for military SERVICE
the extensive preparations made out ths with
all the deadly mateyiel Of war and, above ALL the mys
terry which shrouds the object Of this extraordinary
bei,gerent DEMONSTRATION, seemed reach It's culni
mating point yesterday On whatever side the attentive
observer turned the all abeorbng topic Of con-
versaton was the military preparations and The warhke
attitude 80 suddenly assumed by the government
q Washington. But while the facts laid before
the public yesterday morning by the HxsArD furnished
an interesting subject for discussion, was evident that
the precise cause Of all this unusual hubbuo greatly
ercised the liegcs Of Uncle sam.
The battery, ts conveyed the sgniScapcy Of It's
name might be appropriately considered fitting spot for
assemblages 70 meet and discuss the tidngs of coming
war but though this is so, the Battery tho
chosen ground yesterday whereon OF those
whose coming have cast their shadows BEFORE and which
have 90 startled the mind Of the community great
diversity Of opinion prevailed TO the object Of the
pauents in process Of eDbarkation on the Powhatan
the Atlantic and other steamers and the destination Of
troops daily concentrated at the different stations
the harb0r.
But as little information could be acquired from the
surmises OF the assembages, and is the duty Of
the reporters 70 collect facts and lay the before
the public it necessary to visit the different forts
and, possible, TO learn from authentic sources what
was going
The great hustle and activity observable In the Navy
Yard for days denotes that much s TO be done be-
fore the orders Of the War Department be fully
Piled with. Within each of the forts the quiet,
md hat has
marked the conduct Of the military for the last few days.
Arms burnished, kits got ready, inspections are
made parades are ncessant orderliGs perpetual
molten, and all this under the strctest rules Of
discipline. The bearing OF every in garrison
s characterized with that sodery gravity which seems
mpervious to appeals from curious civilians and which
mpresses all such ndiv with the idea that every
orderly he meets much the secret the Secre-
tary Of War himself But to all inquiries at "head
quarters the mvariable answer was, ave all In the
dark here; get al our own information from the
Herald. What's coming to be bet or known at
your office that II is to highest ohcers,' &C., nc. In
every instance all courtesy extended to the report
ers and in the forts all due facility was offered for
noting the preparations going and Of ascertanng the
feeling OF the On this latter point the are
very chary OF expressing themselves They evince
no hesitation in carrying out to the letter the
orders Of their superiors; indeed, very commendabe
promptitude is observable In the they 90
through every routine Of garrison duty The officers
secm TO have every reliance the loyalty and fidelity
Of the men, while the latter rccprocatc this feeling most
heartily. In this respect the esprit de corps beyond all
nsnuation aud all cavi While thus animated to wards
each other and towards the profession they have volun
tarly chosen, II s equally true that officers and men
lamen. the dissensions which have disrupted the Union
the bitterly from the very fact that their services
likely 70 be called iato requison before compro
misc Effected and they freely express the hope that
collision viii place between the two confcdcracee.
One fruitful theme Of conjecture and comment in all
circles but particularly in military, the
s.gnations OF Major Holmes and MAJOR johnson The for
mer an old and tried officer, is native Of North Caro-
lima He has been in the service thirty years
and has distinguished himself several occasions In
way 20 for himself the confidence or the War Depart
ment The resignation is not officially known, and the
report may be premature but yet the report getting
abrosd at such time when, chief in command Of the
island garrison and general superintendent Of the recruit
ing department, his services most necessary
TO the execution or the orders Of tina Executive
has excited quite a ccmmoon Major johnson ia o ma.
tive OF Kentucky and fellowctzen Of Major Anderson
and has also been highly esteemed officer.
The resignation OF these officers win come with the
more astounding effect upon the public from the fact that
they must naturally exercise depressing effect upon the
feelings and sentiments Of the great body Of the military
Of every grade Indeed intima,ions rather sely
tnduged in that other resgnat!ons would follow and
these got wing, evident gloom imperceptbly stole
over the stu the troops continued packing
up, and still incessant activity prevailed
in preparing all the materials and supplies
required by troops under orders for active service At
Governor Island wharf vessels have been loading all
day with ordnance and stores for the fitting ont Of the
steamers The troops who the island Under arms
the to be ordered owi be conveyed 70 the Allan
tic by the steam tug Pope Catn. detachment Of the
Second artillery Company A., intended to form part of
the expedition by the Atlantic went on board In the
forenoon several other companies followed the
Of the day, making in all between and eight hun
dred men The Atlantic viii leave with sealed orders.
Her destination Is Of course only matter Of conjecture
At the recruiting rendezvous enlistmens not par
ticuary pressed No orders traceable 70 the excite
ment have been received, Spd none but picked ro
taken. There no want OF applications at the Offices,
but gentlemen who desire TO food for powder
all prefer TO Join volunteers and az bound 70
serve for period Of five years. When told that Uncle
Sa-or Abe Iinooln-reQuires volunteers these same
would be heroes, with the most perfect nonchalance,
inquire Of the officer whether be VIII take volunteers for
the Southern army. They don't to understand Why
is rejected by Uncle Sam, he is 90 aversc
ferring tneM oVef 70 jon. uavs, VINO might paor more
] value on their services.
AT the United States naval rendezvous orders have
been received for accession Of seameu and large
numbers Of ordinary and able bodied joining.
The term cf service is three years NOT sooner dr
chIged-the rate SIS month. Not bad service that In
these times. The general impression In that the ppins
OF peace" are past and that - President Is deter
mined 70 change his tune "NoboAss hurt 70 whatever
tune cannon ball and musi ctry may whistle in be-
leaguercd fort or tented Geld.
SAILING OF THE POwHATAN.
The socp Of Powhatan did NOT haul into
the Friday night as was runorcd but remain
cd alongside the dock at the Navy Yard throughout the
night. Yesterday there another large influx o. visit