The National Crisis.
the Amenities of "War"--the force in Fort Sumter--resignations in the home Squadron--Feeling towards the South in Kentucky--a parting, &c., &c.
Amenities of "War."
A letter from Pensacola says:‘ Yesterday we had a visit from Lieut. Slimmer, who came for the purpose of apologizing to our Colonel for taking the mattress he slept on. Slimmer having sent, with the Colonel's permission, for all private property, which the Colonel promptly gave up. Lieut. Slimmer is a fine looking man, of about 35 years old, wearing spectacles. He says he regrets the hostile attitude of the two sections, and hopes for a peaceable settlement, but intends doing his duty under any emergency.--Lieut. Gilman has been here and dined with the Colonel. Lieut. Berryman, of the U. S. steamship Wyandotte, came here the other day and took Captains Winter, Andrews, Dixon, Maj. Marks, Dr. Semple, and others aboard his ship, and sailed them all around Pickens, gave them elegant wine, &c. They speak very highly of them as high-toned gentlemen.
’ Another correspondent, writing from Fort Moultrie, says:
‘ The signal for dress parade was given, when the 1st Regiment of S. C. Volunteers assembled on the front beach, almost under the very guns of Fort Sumter, and was received by Mrs. Governor Pickens, accompanied by her step-daughter. This was a pleasant episode in military parades, so monotonous as they usually are. Advancing to the right of the Regiment, escorted by Adjt. Smith and Cols. Lucas and Suber, the two ladies marched, to music, down the lines to the entire left, and back to the post of Col. Gregg, when Mrs. Pickens very gracefully saluted the Colonel.
’
The force in Fort Sumter.
There had been no reinforcement of Major Anderson up to the time of the Marion leaving on Friday last. Seventy-nine persons, including the officers and band, and exclusive of a working corps of some twenty men, under Captain Foster, constitute the whole garrison — a force generally felt to be insufficient for a rigorous or prolonged defence of the place.--‘"It is a shame, "’ said one of the most intelligent of the party, ‘"that they should be left there to be destroyed; if the Government cannot send them help, they ought to let them come away."’ When Lieutenant Talbot returned from Washington, the command were assembled, and the decision of the President communicated to them. The expressions of confidence reposed in them by the authorities at Washington gave them new heart, and every man declared he would fight to the last, and die rather than surrender.A great many guns have been mounted on the second and third tiers, and they are now in as good condition to defend the fort as they ever will be, excepting that they are shorthanded. A light is kept burning throughout the night in each of the casemates, and everything ready for instant action. There is no lack of ammunition, and any quantity of grenades of a destructive character have been prepared for use at close quarters. There have been no desertions; no disaffection exists, and the entire command entertain the highest respect and even admiration for Major Anderson, with whom they are ready to stand or fall in their country's defence.-- New York Times.
Feeling Toward the South in Kentucky.
The Louisville Courier, a Democratic paper, in noticing the introduction in the Legislature by Mr. Harrison, of a resolution "requesting the President to withdraw the troops from the forts and fortifications in the seceding States," says:‘ Before we would ever consent to get on our knees to South Carolina in this sort of begging the question style, we would declare the United States Government a nullity at once; beg the rebel States to take such of its remains as might please them, and let us, like underlings, dodge about between the mighty legs of King Pickens, seeking dishonorable graves.
’ We are opposed to coercion. We are for letting the seceding States alone. At the same time we are for having and making the seceding States let the United States alone. While we are an American citizen, we will never acknowledge the superiority of South Carolina & Co., over the small balance of the world.--While the Stars and Stripes wave over the remainder of the United States, let them never be lowered to satisfy the caprice of a factious and fractious mob of Southern fanatics. Never, Never, Never.
Action of the Kentucky Legislature.
We have news from Kentucky of the passage by the House, by a vote of 54 to 40, of the resolutions reported by the Special Committee on Federal Relations — the same having passed the Senate on the 1st, by a vote of 25 to 11.--The following is the third resolution:‘ Resolved, That as this General Assembly has made an application to Congress to call a National Convention to amend the Constitution of the United States, and requested the Legislatures of all the other States to make similar applications, and has appointed Commissioners to meet those which have been appointed by the State of Virginia, and such as may be appointed by other States, at a designated time and place, to consider, and, if practicable, agree upon some suitable adjustment of the present unhappy controversies, it is unnecessary and inexpedient for this Legislature to take any further action on this subject at the present time. As an evidence of the sincerity and good faith of our propositions for an adjustment and an expression of devotion to the Union, and desire for its preservation, Kentucky awaits with deep solicitude the response from her sister States.
’ ‘"on the fourth Wednesday in April next, to take into ’ The fourth resolution of the series provides that when the Legislature adjourns, it will meet "on the fourth Wednesday in April next, to take into consideration the responses of our sister States to the proposition for a National Convention, and the then condition of the nation, and to adopt such measures as may be proper, and the interests of Kentucky may require."
A parting.
The wives and children of the soldiers at Fort Sumter, who arrived in New York Wednesday on the Marion, have been sent to Fort Hamilton. A letter from one of the passengers on the Marion says:‘ "On Sunday, the 3d inst., as the Marion was proceeding down Charleston harbor, having on board amongst the passengers the wives--twenty in number — and children belonging to the soldiers stationed in Fort Sumter, a somewhat exciting scene occurred. On nearing the fort the whole garrison was seen, mounted on the top of the ramparts, and when the ship was passing fired a gun, and gave three heart-thrilling cheers as a parting farewell to the dear loved ones on board, whom they may possibly never meet again this side the grave. The response was weeping and ‘"waving adieus"’ to husbands and fathers. A small band pent up in an isolated fort, and completely surrounded by instruments of death, as five forts could be seen from the steamer's deck, with their guns pointing towards Sumter."
’
United States troops for Washington.
Two detachments of United States troops passed through Baltimore early yesterday for Washington, per order of Lieut. General Scott. The first arrival was a body of ninety-four, rank and file, United States Marines, who are from New York, and reached here in the four o'clock train for Washington. They were fully equipped and went immediately through for the Metropolis. The second detachment consisted of fifty-five United States Dragoons, were from Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; and arrived in the morning train of the Northern Central Railway. They were accompanied by their horses, and departed for Washington in a special train.-- Balt. Amer.
Resignations in the home Squadron.
A correspondent of the New Orleans Delta, at Vera Cruz, writing on the 20th ult., states that Paymaster Clarke and Surgeon Grafton, both of Arkansas, and now in the Home Squadron, have sent in their resignations, and asked to be relieved at once. Lieuts. Rutledge, Porcher, Ingraham, and Evans, of South Carolina, and Midshipman Read, of Mississippi, have done the same. Flag-Officer Pendergrass has forwarded their resignations, but refuses to allow them to return home. These officers have represented to him that the Union is dissolved, and that they cannot and will not serve under a flag that is hostile to the South. Com. Pendergrass, although a Kentuckian by birth, adheres to the Central Government.
