In the morning
I found Colonel Butterfield of the New York Twelfth and Colonel Scott,
a nephew of General Scott, who assumed the direction of affairs. He
afterwards joined the rebels. I observed also that our encampment was
commanded by hills on the north and east, and Colonel Butterfield
informed me that the picket line was a long way inside the base of the
hills. At about six o'clock in the evening, a train with troops and
three civilians was made ready for Washington. The American flag was
displayed at many of the houses on the line of the road.
I arrived in Washington the 27th day of April. I annex a copy of a
letter that I wrote to Governor Andrew the day following:
WASHINGTON, April 28, 1861.
To His Excellency Governor Andrew.
Sir:--I arrived in Washington to-day, after a journey of forty-eight
hours from Philadelphia by Annapolis. There have been no mails from
the North for a week; and you may easily understand that the mighty
public sentiment of the Free States is not yet fully appreciated here.
The President and Cabinet are gaining confidence; and the measures of
the Administration will no longer be limited to the defence of the
capital. Secretary Welles has already sent orders to Captain Hudson
to purchase six steamers, with instructions to consult you in regard
to the matter. I regret that the Secretary was not ready to put the
matter into the hands of commissioners, who would have acted
efficiently and promptly.
Pages:
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395