The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-04-17

with admiration, and frequently we're hopes ex
pressed that the Union might live " now and for
ever" But there was much cheering, for nc
one knew, in the first place, what was the des;i'
nation of the feet, and there was something aw.
/ ful in the thought that nos the time had come
whom the Union was forced probably to make a
war Of selfpreservation, and stop the treason OF
Slavery Extensionists. From Governors Island,
and from the Harriet Lane hats and handkerchiefs
we're waved to the frigate, and the salutes were
ardently returned.
On the Battery extension a considerable mum.
ber of talking persons we're assembled during the
greater part of the day. At O'Clock in the
morning the boatmen said there had been large
company of soldiers, with long, roundish swords
(probably dragoons), on the ground; they had
come across from the Paymaster's office, waited
awhile for command, and then departed up town
Ii was thought not unlikely that troops might
have been passing up during the night, but this
was probably not the case, AS the ferry mas
ter did not transport any coming from Fort Ham
ilron before IL O'Clock, when 100 or so dusty
fellows (Capt. Barry's party of Texans) came
tIudging along, and crossed the battery grounds
on their way up town. Small parties of one, two,
and three followed from Fort Hamilton. Look.
ing from the Battery to Bedloe's and Ellis 3
Islands, nothing could be seen but few strag-
gers.
GARRISONING THE NEW YORK FORTS.
The Board of officers which has been co,.ven
ed for the purpose of deciding on the best means
of distributing the United States forces in the
harbor, have not yet adjouened sine die. 1t is
understood, however, that they will recommend
the permanent garrisoning Of Fort Hamilton,
Fort Lafayette, and BedlOe's Island, which had no
troops whatever in them until last week. We
learn, too that the land side of Governors Is
land will be made impregnable. Some OF the
tremendous co!umbiads which arrived from the
Fort Smith FOundery will bemounted. Bedloe's
Island ia row well fortified and guarded II
Wood and Kerrigan proposes to have the City OF
New York secede, they had better begin at once,
or il will be too late.
THE MEN LEFT AT THE FORTS.
At Fort Hamilton on Friday there were six
companies numbering four hundred men. Four
of these LETT on saturday morning, leaving Com
panies II aud X, Second Artillery, and these were
gathered in Fort Lafayette and were strolling
about along the sunnyside of the walls, and look
iag up the bay towards the town. Some of the
people said the soldiers expected to be taken off
the same day next morning, and others said
they were all recently from Texas by the Daniel
Webster, and would be transferred to Fort Ham,
1ltOn having been out Tor several wears, tneS
desired to stay and see their friends. Fort Ham,
ilton was locked up. and the guns on the walls
were boxed. A half dozen soldiers still lounged
about the drinking counters near by. Most OF
them had been on drunk" the day before, but
they were by this time nearly all over it, few
of them had not returned from town.
FORT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. pFsERrIONs-rwO
OFFICERS RESIGN.
The most important news of the day is from
Fort Hamilton. On Friday evening the garrison
was paid oil, and its members told they might go
on liberty, and that al, hands would be mustered
at flag up" on Saturday morning. During the
night knots of two and three left Brooklyn in
the cars, from time to time, returning to quar-
tiers, and many walking the entire way. On Sat-
urday, when the roll was called, nearly one hun
dred men were missing. and were supposed to
have deserted. A few, however, rather the
worse for liquor have since returned. Two Of
fcers, detailed TO accompany the troops, resigned
almost at the last moment. At 10 o'clock on the
same morning. Capt. Barry's company OF artille-
~, mounted on their own horses, lett the Fort,
and marched by the road to Hamilton Ferry,
went on the Island, and subsequently on the
steamship Atlantic. There were some soldiers
absent. At 8 O'Clock p. m, the steamer Maybey
arrived in front of Fort Lafayette, and embark
ed the following: