THE SECESSION REBELLION: PERFECTION OF THE BLOCKADE SYSTEM; Rumors of Skirmishing at Alexandria; WESTERN VIRGINIA ON THE MOVE (5/13/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 5/13/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Sunday, May 12.

A gentleman just returned from the south says that at Richmond are about six thousand troops, and about nineteen thousand are surrounding the city within fifty miles -- making in all about twenty-five thousand men fully armed and equipped within that radius of Richmond. He has been through several Southern States, and has been, from certain influences taken with him, kindly treated, and accorded full opportunity to observe all matters of public interest. He has been at Memphis and Cairo, and observed all the military arrangements at those points.

At Cairo was a large force with the most ample arrangements, ready to cope with any force that can be brought against them. Gen. PILLOW can bring into the field 15,000 men, but they labor under a disadvantage in position. Large guns are expected, and probably have reached there before this, to erect a battery commanding the only assailable point at Cairo. Large reinforcements from the West were ordered to that point last week, and were coming in rapidly.

Memphis was wide awake with soldiery, and the feeling between the Secessionists and the Union men is running very high. The story about a breakage in the levy on the Mississippi is all humbug.

The Government has made unusual progress in the arrangements for the reception of and provisions for the troops, during the past week. Ample quarters are provided for 30,000 men -- all that will be allowed at this station at one time. The Government has provisions for that number for ninety days. Blankets, knapsacks, uniforms and arms are coming in under contract very rapidly. The past week has been remarkably active, and the troops begin to speak much better of the Government's provisions for their comforts and necessities.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3958448/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Secession Rebellion: Highly Important from the Federal Capital – 2-3
Western Virginia on the Move: Special Dispatch from Wheeling – 3-4
Postscript-Latest News of the Rebellion: Another Collision Between the Troops and the Mob in St. Louis – 4-5
Editorial: Movements at the South – 5
Editorial: Power of a Blockade – 5-6
Editorial: The New Virginia – 6
Editorial: Steam Artillery-The Centrifugal Gun – 6-7
Editorial: The Sale of Tennessee – 7
Editorial: Affairs in New-York Harbor – 7-8
A Prize in Port – 8
From California: Fun in Santa Clara County – 8