The Daily Dispatch: April 20, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Exciting Scenes in Baltimore — passage of Northern troops.

‘ At an early hour large numbers of persons congregated in the streets about the centre of the city, and a rumor that troops would arrive over the Northern Central Railroad during the forenoon, created an intense excitement. A meeting of the Southern Rights men was held in the Taylor Building, and it was there determined to offer no resistance to their passage through the city. After the adjournment of the meeting the throng in the street increased. About 11 o'clock three or four young men made their appearance at the corner of Baltimore and North streets, wearing badges representing the Confederate flag, when they were instantly surrounded by a crowd, who demanded that they should remove them. The police interfered, and no attempt at violence was made. The young men then walked down South street, followed by a crowd, and when between Second and Lombard streets they were surrounded. The police again interfered, and one of the parties appealed to Marshal Kane to know if he had the right to wear such an emblem. The Marshal replied that he had a perfect right to do so, so long as he was orderly and committed no breach of the peace. The crowd then left them and returned to Baltimore street, on the way cheering for the Stars and Stripes. Occasionally there would be a movement of the crowd, when the police would interfere and march off the author to the police station.

’ Shortly after twelve o'clock, the movement of an unusual body of police indicated that something else was on hand, and they were followed to the Bolton depot by a large number of persons. Shortly after two o'clock, the sound of the whistle indicated the approach of a train, and with it came some three or four hundred troops. A part of them comprised a battery of artillery, and the remainder were said to be recruits from Pennsylvania. The recruits were without uniform, and some of them almost without clothing. A few of them carried flint-lock rifles, while more than half the number carried no arms at all. When they emerged from the train three cheers were given for Bell and Everett, which was soon followed by several groans. The crowd seemed to be disappointed in the appearance of the military, but followed them through Howard street to the Camden station. Then it was found that the train had left, and it became necessary to march them to the Mount Clare station, where a train was provided for them. The regulars broke off at Charles street, and marched to Fort McHenry.

In the afternoon the crowd increased on Baltimore street, and several times there was hallowing, which the police checked by carrying off several to the police station. At night the crowd again assembled on Baltimore street, and up to a late hour there was a good deal of cheering. It was intimated that Senator Sumner, of Massachusetts, had arrived in the city and stopped at Barnum's. There an immense throng immediately went, and, after giving three groans, began to call for Mr. S., and cheer him. It was finally understood by the crowd that he was not there, and the crowd fell off and dispersed. The police found it necessary during the night to arrest several parties for disorderly conduct, besides which there was no violation of the law. In front of Barnums the Southern Rights men were addressed by several speakers, and all was good order.

Another account says:

‘ The troops included a company of the Fourth Artillery, U. S. A., Maj. Pemberton, from St. Paul, Minnesota; two companies from Pottsville, Pa.; one company from Reading, Pa., and the Logan Guard. The U. S. troops were acting as infantry, and carried only their side-arms. The volunteer companies were not more than half uniformed and armed, and presented some as hard-looking specimens of humanity as could be found anywhere. Some were mere boys, and there were a few colored individuals in the ranks, generally acting as servants to the officers.

’ The Sun The march from depot to depot was a rapid one, and the column moved, flanked on either side by files of policemen, about ten paces apart, and extending several squares, the mass of spectators following, indulging in all sorts of pastimes, such as singing ‘"A way Down in Dixie,"’ cheering for ‘"Jeff. Davis"’ and the ‘"Southern Confederacy,"’ the ‘"Union,"’ &c.--While the troops were occupying the cars at Mount Clare, a perfect pandemonium existed, and such screeching, yelling, hooting and cheering was probably never heard before.--Demonstrations of a riot were renewed, and several bricks were hurled at the cars. One party was arrested by the police, but afterwards released. A colored man received a severe cut on the head, and it was said one of the soldiers was injured. The train departed for Washington about 4 o'clock.

About two o'clock yesterday afternoon, a party of young men residing in South Baltimore procured a small swivel, and took the gun up on Federal Hill, near the Flag House, with the intention of firing a salute of fifteen guns in honor of the secession of Virginia.--When one or two rounds had been fired, a large party of men working in the shops in the neighborhood, made a descent on those engaged in firing the salute, drove them off, and captured the swivel, tumbled it down the hill into the river. One of the saluting party received a cut on the head in the affray. Capt. Boyd, of the Southern district, upon hearing of the affair, repaired to the spot with a posse of police, but those concerned had scattered. The submerged gun can easily be recovered.

The Southern Rights men yesterday afternoon raised at the intersection of Greenmount avenue and Charles streets, the Confederate flag, and fired a salute of one hundred guns. The flag is of large size, and standing upon an elevation, is a prominent object in that vicinity.