UNION POLICY OF REPRESSION IN MARYLAND. SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Apr. 20-26, 1861.-Burning of the railroad bridges by order of the mayor, to prevent the passage of Union troops through Baltimore. May June July 27, 1861.-Lieut. Gen. Winfield Scott, U. S. Army, announces the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, by direction of President Lincoln. 16, 1861.—The General-in-Chief empowers Bvt. Maj. Gen. George Cadwalader, U. S. Army, to arrest persons under certain circumstances. 26, 1861.-Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, of the U. S. Supreme Court, issues a writ of habeas corpus. His opinion in the matter of Prisoner John Merryman. 24, 1861.—Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, is directed to "quietly 27, 1861.-Arrest of George P. Kane, Marshal of Police of Baltimore. 29, 1861.-The Baltimore Police Commissioners from their prison memori- Aug. 1-12, 1861.-Police Commissioner Charles Howard addresses Secretary Simon Cameron and General Scott, protesting against alleged harsh treatment of the political prisoners in Fort Lafayette. Sept. Nov. Dec. Nov. 31, 1861.-Hon. Montgomery Blair recommends that certain Baltimore newspapers be suppressed. 12, 1861.-Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, after conference with the President and Secretary of War, orders the arrest of disloyal members of the Maryland Legislature. 20, 1861.-The prisoners are sent to Fort Lafayette. Governor Thomas H. Hicks, of Maryland, indorses the act of arrest. 30, 1861.-Ex-Marshal George P. Kane, from Fort Lafayette, writes to President Lincoln calling attention to his treatment. 1, 1861.—Maj. Gen. John A. Dix's proclamation of his determination to protect the ballot box. 12, 1861.-Governor Hicks protests against the release of obnoxious members of the Maryland Legislature. 10, 1861.-The House Judiciary Committee reports back the police commissioners' memorial, and asks to be discharged from its further consideration. 29, 1862.-Ex-Marshal George P. Kane, of Baltimore, after seventeen months' imprisonment, arrives in Baltimore, and denounces Secretary of State William H. Seward in a newspaper card. NOTE. For additional correspondence, etc., relating to miscellaneous political arrests and the treatment of suspected and disloyal persons, North and South, during the early days of the rebellion, see Volume II, this Series.-COMPILER. The Threatened Outbreak in Maryland-Political Arrests and the Causes Therefor. [For contemporaneous records covering military events in Maryland, including the Baltimore riots, the occupation of that city by the Union troops under General Butler, and the re-opening of communications between Washington and the North, see Series I, Vol. II.] WASHINGTON, April 18, 1861. His Excellencу THOMAS 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 U. S. 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, [The PRESIDENT.] BALTIMORE, April 19, 1861. SIR: This will be presented to you by the Hon. H. Lennox Bond, George W. Dobbin and John C. Brune, esqs., who will proceed to Washington by an express train at my request in order to explain fully the fearful condition of affairs in this city. The people are exasperated to the highest degree by the passage of troops and the citizens are universally decided in the opinion that no more should be ordered to come. The authorities of the city did their best to-day to protect both strangers and citizens and to prevent any collision but in vain; and but for their great efforts a fearful slaughter would have occurred. Under these circumstances it is my solemn duty to inform you that it is not possible for more soldiers to pass through Baltimore unless they fight their way at every step. I therefore hope and trust and most earnestly request that no more troops be permitted or ordered by the Government to pass through the city. If they should attempt it the responsibility for the blood shed will not rest upon me. With great respect, your obedient servant, Mayor. [Appended to the foregoing.] His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States: I have been in Baltimore since Tuesday evening last and co-operated with Mayor G. W. Brown in his untiring efforts to allay and prevent the excitement and suppress the fearful outbreak as indicated above and I fully concur in all that is said by him in the above communication. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS H. HICKS, STATE OF MARYLAND, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Hon. S. CAMERON. SIR: Since I saw you in Washington last I have been in Baltimore City laboring in conjunction with the mayor of that city to preserve peace and order but I regret to say with little success. Up to yesterday there appeared promise but the outbreak came; the turbulent passions of the riotous element prevailed; fear for safety became reality; what they had endeavored to conceal but what was known to us was no longer concealed but made manifest; the rebellious element* had the control of things. * * * They took possession of the armories, have the arms and ammunition, and I therefore think it prudent to decline (for the present) responding affirmatively to the requisition made by President Lincoln for four regiments of infantry. With great respect, I am, your obedient servant, THOS. H. HICKS. WASHINGTON, April 20, 1861. Governor HICKS: I desire to consult with you and the mayor of Baltimore relative to preserving the peace of Maryland. Please come immediately by special train which you can take at Baltimore; or if necessary one can be sent from hence. Answer forthwith. LINCOLN. [General SCOTT.] BALTIMORE, Saturday, April 20, 1861-10 o'clock. MY DEAR GENERAL: There has been no arrival from the North. Some one or more bridges have been destroyed; where it is not known; telegraph interrupted. Warford has sent by horses along the road to find where the trouble is. * * Depend upon it a vigorous and efficient plan of action must be decided on and carried out or we will have to give up the capital. * The communication with the South is perfect both by railroad and telegraph and we must have the same or we are gone. No arrivals *For reports of the attack of the mob on the U. S. troops passing through Baltimore April 19, 1861, here alluded to by Governor Hicks, see Series I, Vol. II, pp. 7–21. from Philadelphia or New York and no information. Rumor says the bridge across the Gunpowder is destroyed and also a bridge some six or eight miles out of the city. Let there be prompt action. * * * * * Yours, truly, D. WILMOT. [General SCOTT:] SATURDAY, April 20, 1861-11 o'clock. Have just heard that the bridges between Ashland and Cockeysville and two or three nearer town are burned. Will advise the forces in Philadelphia and such as may be at Harrisburg to come upon this road as far as they can and protect the balance of the road and protect while temporarily repairing the bridges or so much as is necessary—the balance to come in force and well armed to within three miles of Baltimore . and cross over to Washington [branch], and if in our possession as it should be to proceed by rail to Washington; if not to march by forced marches to Washington. Yours, * D. WILMOT. Governor T. H. HICKS, Annapolis: HAGERSTOWN, April 22, 1861. Virginia troops searching houses in Maryland on Saturday near Harper's Ferry for arms. I appealed to General Harper, commander, to recall them which he promised if Northern troops are forbidden. What is to be done with Southern? What steps shall I take? EDWARD M. MOBLEY, PHILADELPHIA, April 23, 1861. Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. DEAR SIR: Since I wrote my last of this date I have been informed that the Baltimoreans and Marylanders have destroyed the whole of the bridges on the Northern Central. This seems to have been a mere spite action and must convince the Government that those loyal to the Government in Maryland are in a vast minority. As soon as the cap. ital is safe from attack it seems to me that the Government should at once turn on Baltimore and place it under martial law and require that it should pay all damages to the railroads it has destroyed and to their business. HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, MASSACHUSETTS VOL. MILITIA, His Excellency THOMAS H. HICKS, I have understood within the last hour that some apprehensions were entertained of an insurrection of the negro population of this neighborhood. I am anxious to convince all classes of persons that the forces under my command are not here in any way to interfere with or countenance any interference with the laws of the State. I am therefore ready to co-operate with your Excellency in suppressing most promptly and effectively any insurrection against the laws of Maryland. I beg therefore that you announce publicly that any portion of the forces under my command is at your Excellency's disposal to act immediately for the preservation and quietness of the peace of this community. And I have the honor to be, your Excellency's obedient servant, THIRD BRIGADE, U. S. MILITIA, His Excellency THOMAS H. HICKS, Governor of Maryland: * * * You are credibly informed that I have taken possession of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad. If the government of the State had taken possession of the railroad in any emergency I should have long waited before I entered upon it. But as I had the honor to inform your Excellency in regard to the insurrection against the laws of Maryland I am here armed to maintain those laws if your Excellency desires and the peace of the United States against all disorderly persons whatever. I am endeavoring to save and not to destroy; to obtain means of transportation so I can vacate the capital prior to the sitting of the Legislature and not be under the painful necessity of occupying your beautiful city while the Legislature is in session. I have the honor to be, your Excellency's obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, The undersigned, General-in-Chief of the Army, has received from the President of the United States the following communication: COMMANDING GENERAL ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES: You are engaged in repressing an insurrection against the laws of the United States. If at any point on or in the vicinity of the military line which is now used between the city of Philadelphia via Perryville, Annapolis City and Annapolis Junction you find resistance which renders it necessary to suspend the writ of habeas corpus for the public safety, you personally or through the officer in command at the point where resistance occurs are authorized to suspend that writ.. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. |