Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-22
Baltimore Preparing for Defence


Baltimore papers of this morning say tina
Saturday and Sunday were two days Of un.
precedented excitement in and around that city
The military authorities there, in view of wha
may be necessary, rather than from any mme
diate pending danger, have taken energetic
measures for the thorough fertilization of tbs
city. To expedite the work, 5000 laborers ha VI
been called into service, and the able-bodieo
colored men have been freely impressed. The
negroes at first were considerably alarmed, blu
on understanding the nature of the service re-
quired they went cheerfully to work, and mum.
bers afterwards came forward voluntarily
and the work Of barricading progressed so rap.
idly that yesterday morning the entire circle Of
the city wasacompleted and ready for military
occupation at any moment that the scouts and
pickets shall announce the approach Of the
enemy. The city councils appropriated $4,000
to pay those laboring in the defences, and this
put all in fine working spirits.
The Baltimore american says:
The movements Of trains of wagons through
the streets, carrying hogsheads and barrels and
other materials required for the Notifications,
was novel sight for Sunday in Baltimore,
and brought TO mind the scene presented on
Sunday, the 2lst Of April, two years ago, when
Gen. Trimble and Marshal Kane and his min.
ions had possession OF the city. The said Gen.
Trimble is now said TO be on the soil Of Mary.
Land with band OF desperadoes, threatening
TO regain possession of the city OF Baltimore,
and IL is even rumored that Kane was at Rich.
mond last week to join in the invasion Of the
the man to risk his life for the treason he up.
holds. We would rather expect to find him in
Canada. out OF the way Of danger, than any
where that would place his life in peril. There
was, however. no panic visible among our 10y
al citizens. All were ready to meet the respon.
sibii1ties OF the occasion. In this respect yes.
terday showed q marked difference from the
Sunday panic Of 1861.
The dashing through the streets of officers
and orderlies also gave note OF the active prep
arations in progress, and indicated that our city
cavalry raid. Indeed no fear may now be en-
tertained Of any such Rebel demonstration in
this direction. II they come 1t must be in hea.
W force, or they would pay dearly Tor their
temerity.
The appeal Of General Schenck to the Loyal
Leagues Of Baltimore has been most heartily
and periodically responded TO by our citizens.
The arms furnished them have been found en-
tirely inadequate TO the demand, and in addi-
ton to the several thousands now in hands
prepared TO use them at the barricades, as many
more Will be furnished to-day. Each ct the
leagues have formed companies and chosen
officers, and were Yesterday ordered under
arms, with three days rations. Old men and
young are rallying to the defence Of the city
and their homes, and shouldan attack be made
the possession Of Baltimore will be stongly
contested.
It is right and proper to prepare for any
emergency that may arise. but we still think
the probabilities are that no attack will be
made on Baltimore. The force now ia the
western part Of the State are entirely made.
ouate to attempt TO venture thus far from their
fsse Of supplies and abandon their communi.
fica with the main army Of Lee. A cavalry
raid may be made in this direction. for the de.
structiofi OF bridges, but before any infantry OF
artillery force approaches Baltimore several
battles must be fought between here and Frede
rick. A cavalry raid could not enter the city
even with our present preparations 70 resis
fhem. and we think Will not be undertaken.