Letter

Rvol Ii to WM. Crawford, April 16, 1861

BALTIMORE

Duar Sir: Is it true as stated that an attempt will be made to pass the volunteers from New York intended to war upon the South over your road to-day? It is important that we have an explicit understanding on the subject.

Your friend,

Aprix 16, 1861. S. M. FELTON, Esq. :

Drar Sm: The above is from our marshal of police. I have replied that I have no / knowledge of anything of the kind. It is rumored that the marshal has issued orders to his force not to permit any forces to pass through the city. Yours, truly, I send you the foregoing, thinking it important you should know of the communication, in order that you may ascertain the facts. Yours, truly,

Washington, April 18, 1861. _To his Excellency Tuos. H. Hicks, Governor of Maryland:

Sir: The President is informed that threats are made, and measures taken, by unlawful combinations of misguided citizens of Maryland to prevent by force the transit of United States troops across Maryland, on their way, pursuant to orders, to the defense of this capital. The information is from such sources and in such shape that the President thinks it his duty to make it known to you, so that all loyal and patriotic citizens of your State may be warned in time, and that you may be prepared to take immediate and effective measures against it.

Such an attempt could have only the most deplorable consequences ;

__ and it would be as agreeable to the President as it would be to yourself _ that it should be prevented or overcome by the loyal authorities and citizens of Maryland, rather than averted by any other means.

I am, very respectfully, yours, &c.,

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
37 R R—VOL II
i
APRIL 18, 1861.
Major CLARK, Quartermaster, U. S. Army, Baltimore :
Two or three Massachusetts regiments may reach Baltimore in the
next three days, and one New York regiment. Hasten the latter to this
place. One of the Massachusetts regiments must be turned off to Harper's Ferry, unless it be known that the establishment has been captured. If a fourth Massachusetts regiment. by mistake arrive at Baltimore by rail instead of Fort Monroe by sea, send it down the bay to
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 1861. Location: BALTIMORE.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 2 View original source ↗