Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-23
MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS.
Excitement In Baltimere-Preparatie ID
Fight

Excitement In Baltimere-Preparatien for
Fight.
From the Baltimore American Of yesterday
we obtain the following details Of the doings
In Baltimore on Sunday:
When the announcement was msde that
troops were approaching the city from the
direction Of Pennsylvania, and had already
reached COckeysville, the scene of excitement
cA Baltimore street was one of extraordinary
Intensity. The street was already thickly
ihrOnged with people for several squares east
and west of North street, but they were rather
discussing what had been done than contem-
plating any immediate renewal of action. The
1elegraphic dispatch from Washington stating
that no more troops would be sent through or
around Baltimore, though not receiving gen.
eral credence, had still to some degree calmed
the excitement, and the popular interest was
concentrated upon the rumors that were float
ing about In relation TO the reinforcement of
Fort McHenry, the transfer of the Seventh
Regiment of New York to Washington via An
1apOlis, the facts in relation to which we're
related with every variety of incident and
of comment.
In the midst of this comparative pause the
news was received that troops were at Cockeyg-
vile, marching steadily towards the city The
lumber was originally stated at two thousand,
but 1t rose rapidly in the mouth of rumor to
FIVE, eight, ten thousand. Instantly the street
was in an uproar; the cry to arms rang out
men sinely and in groups, with arms of every
variety, from patent rifles to common fowling
pieces, passed hurriedly around to different
rendezvous. fresh impulse was given to the
excitement by a second report that another
body of troops were marching on the city by
the Reisterstown road, and were already at
Pikesville, seven mees distant. The thronc
rushed curiously and excitedly about The
armed men gathered into squads and were
formed into companies. The unarmed clam
ored for weapons and rushed to the gun shops
on Baltimore street, which were quickly brok en-
open, and what arms they contained passed
out Unfortunately to any who were alert
enough tO get within reach of the supply
The bells of the church on Second street rang
oCt startling alarm, communicating the ex.
oltement to every part of the city. In the
churches in which services were at the time in
progress, Of course the widest apprehensiops
were created. A general attack upon the city,
bombardment from Fort McHenry, with all
the addenda of horrors that the fertile imagi-
nation could depict, presented themselves
Services were interrupted, ladies shrieked and
tainted, congregations dismissed themselves
and terrified women hurried to their homes
Foom all sections Of the city throngs of men
poured toward the centre, seeking information
as TO what had occurred, and adding to the
general alarm by repea ting the rumors that
were caught up, magnifed to the utmost e1-
tent, and then thrown aside for some newer
and stranger story.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, Mr Gist Cockey.
of Baltimore county, arrived at the Office Of
Marshal Kane with information that 1000
troops from York, Pa, had arrived at Cock
eysville at an early hour, and had there en-
campsd. The news was quickly spread on the
streets, and from the various armories of the
military companies their flags were thrown
out to call the members together. The popu-
lace hurried from all parts Of the city to Hol-
lday square, which in very short time WAS
densely crowded. The alarm bells of the town
clock on Second street were also rung
The Police Commissioners after ascertain
ing the reliability of the information gave
orders for the assembling and arming Of the
volunteers, as well as all other military CORPS
all under the command Of Major G eneral q eo
H. Steuart Instantly men were gathered at
the various enrolling places, where thousands
OF sble-bodied men and youths signiied their
desire to share in the dangers and tolls attend
ing the defense of the city against the ex-
peoted invaders. Companies marched from
one point to another, and then proceeded to
the Old City Hall, where, after some delay,
the necessary arms were furnished. The South
ern Volunteers, numbering over a thousand,
formed on Fayette and other streets, the diff
ferent ward organizations also forming in the
same vicinity. The military companies were
gathered IN their respective armOries, await
ing the order to move.
proposition was made for the formation of
volunteer corps d'Grmee for the purpose of i'm
mediately meeting the invaders and of beating
them back This proposition met with much
favor, and hundreds Of impetuous spirits, con-
hdent Of being followed by larger numbers,
lett the city IN wagons, carriages, buggies and
"ther vehicles, determined to wage a guerilla
warfare with the advancing force. Not less
than 900 men, 1t is estimated, left Baltimore
for this purpose, armed with shot guns and
rides. At subsequent period of the day,
when the pscifc intentions of the Pennsylya-
mans and the peaceful policy of the Admins
tratlon became fully known, earnest fears pre-
vailed that these hot and eager men would be-
gin an attack upon the Northern troops, and
90 lead to most unnecessary and melancholy
waste of human life.
These fears, we learn, were happily not re-
allied, though the encampment Of the Penn
sylyanisns was visited, it is said unchallenged
by scores of Bsltimoreans, who were cordially
received and entertained
From q gentleman who visited the camp we
learn that the Pennsylvanians to the number
of 400, were encamped at Cockeys Fields, in
the vicinity of Ceckeysville, IL miles from Bal
more; that leaving Harrisburg with no knsw-
ledge Of the opposition of the citizens of Balti-
more to the passage Of Northern troops through
their city, they had halted upon the first init
nation OF the hostile intentions Of the authOri-
ties Of this city; and far from entertaining any
idea OF forcing passage through Baltimore
they held our citizens in peculiar and friendly
N--O eAO COu pOoluS
force-a corps from Lancaster-were earnest
IN their inquiries after the Baltimore City
Guard, with whom they have heretofore en-
Joyed relations Of friendship and of pleasant
social intercourse, and transmitted them many
verbal evidences Of their continuing goodwill
and regard
Only about one-third of the whole force were
uniformed and drilled, the remainder were
raw recruits unsrmed and ununiformed There
was but $50 stand of arms in the encamp-
ment. The force is said to be suffering much
from the want Of provisions, but meagre sup
ply Of which could be obtained for s'loyo or
money" number Of the country people in
that vicinity refusing, it is said, to sell them
food upon any terms.
All doubs of the issue of the hostile attitude
Of the opposing forces were, however, removed
about o'clock by the public announcement
by Brigadier Gen. Watkins, that President
Lincoln had just pledged his word no more
troops should pass through or around Baltimore
and that the troops at CockeysyilIe should be
ordered back to Harrisburg The correctness
of the announcement heino con g rn ed In oticiaI