BALTIMORE is the principal city of Maryland, having in 1860 a population of 212,418. It is situated on a small bay or estuary which extends about two and a half miles inland from the north side of Patapsco river, about twelve miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay. It is about two hundred miles by ship channel from the ocean, and thirty-eight miles by railroad northeast from Washington, and ninetyeight miles southwest from Philadelphia. Its central position and admirable situation has made it a place of large trade with the Northern and Southern States. Possessing slaves like the Southern States, the citizens were nevertheless quiet spectators of the agitations in the extreme North and South. A handful of votes were cast in favor of Mr. Lincoln for President, but the sentiment of the people assimilated rather with that of Virginia, on the South, than with Pennsylvania, on the North.

A public meeting was held on the evening of the 19th of December to listen to an address from A. H. Handy, the Commissioner sent to Maryland by the State of Mississippi. His view of the object of the seceding States was thus presented to the meeting: "Secession is not intended to break up the present Government, but to perpetuate it. Our plan is for the Southern States to withdraw from the Union for the present, to allow amendments to the Constitution to be made, guaranteeing our just rights; and if the Northern States will not make these amendments, by which these rights shall be secured to us, then we must secure them the best way we can. This question of slavery must be settled now or never. Many remedies have failed, we must try amputation to bring it to a healthy state. We must have amendments to the Constitution, and if we cannot get them we must set up for ourselves." This was followed in a few days by movements for a Union meeting. At the preliminary meeting, for completing the arrangements, Archibald Sterling, upon taking the chair, made this pithy address: "Gentlemen, I thank you for the honor you have dore me. I cannot hesitate when my countrymen call on me at such a time as this, for I hold every thing I possess, property, family, and life, of slight value when compared with country; and I consider the maintenance of its Union as our only safeguard." The meeting which ensued upon the completion of these arrangements, was one of the most impressive and influential assemblages convened in Baltimore for political purposes. The Union and Major Anderson were greatly cheered, and the word "secession" appeared to be very repugnant to the feelings of the assemblage.

The following, one of a large number of resolutions passed, is expressive of the position of those present:

Resolved, That the present condition of our country demands of all who love her a spirit of fairness, of candor, of conciliation, of concession, and of selfsacrifice; and that we hail with thankful and hopeful hearts the patriotic efforts now being made in Congress for the settlement, as we trust forever, of the

dangerous questions at issue, on some constitutional, just, and equitable principle; and that such of our statesmen and States, whether of the North or of the South, as may contribute most to this holy end, will challenge the highest place in the affections of our country; and those who may refuse to lend their aid to this holy purpose may justly expect, as they will be the present, as well as of future ages. sure to receive, the condemnation and reprobation of

The city, however, remained an inactive spectator of the progress of events, until the attack upon Fort Sumter. The excitement then aroused was most intense, and efforts were made by the friends of the seceded States to turn it to their benefit, and even, if possible, secure the secession of Maryland.

Through Baltimore passed the only line of railway from the North and East to Washington. New England, New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania, in response to the President's proclamation, might arm every man for the defence of Washington; but, as the only line of communication by land was through Baltimore and Maryland, an obstruction here might delay their progress until forces from the South seized the National city. Apprehensions of disturbance upon the passage of troops through the city for Washington were excited. On the 18th of April the Marshal of Police issued his orders to cause a vigilant eye to be kept on all persons attempting to incite riot or disorder, and to have them followed and arrested. He also received from the officers of the "State-Right Association" the most solemn pledge that no demonstration would be made against the Federal troops expected to pass through the city. He said, "the peace of Baltimore will be maintained at all hazards."

The Mayor of the city issued a proclamation invoking all good citizens to uphold and maintain the peace and good order of the city, and to refrain from the expression of sentiments that might have an irritating effect.

On the 19th, a body of troops from the North were expected to arrive by the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad. At the depot a crowd of two or three thousand persons gathered. Soon after 11 o'clock in the forenoon, the train from Philadelphia, comprising twenty-nine cars, arrived. Without disembarking the soldiers from the train, horses were attached to the several cars, which were drawn along Pratt street to the Camden station. Six cars were permitted to pass without any particular disturbance except hooting and yelling. The horses attached to the seventh car becoming restive, were detached, and the car moved without their aid nearly to Gay street, where a body of laborers were engaged in repairing the bed of the street, and for this purpose removing the cobble stones.

Some thirty or forty men assembled at this point, having followed the car from the depot, and with cheers for President Davis and the Southern Confederacy, hurled bitter taunts at the Northern Black Republicans, as they termed them. The troops remained in perfect silence.

This continued for several minutes, when, as the horses were again attached and the car moved off, it was proposed to stone it. Before the car had gone twenty yards, almost every window therein was broken to pieces, and a portion of the crowd followed a considerable distance hurling paving-stones. The eighth car was treated in the same manner, but the ninth ear, apparently being empty, or at least no person being visible except the driver of the team, escaped with only one stone thrown.

The tenth car was observed approaching from Pratt street bridge, when a number of persons, seizing the picks in the hands of the laborers, made an ineffectual effort to tear up the track. Finding that they could not succeed, as a last resort they took up the paving-stones, and threw them on the track, almost covering it from observation. They also dumped a cart-load of sand on the bed of the track, placing also four or five large anchors thereon, having bodily removed them from the sidewalk. This being accomplished, they, with loud hurrahs, dared the troops to come on; but the latter, observing the posture of affairs, deemed it more prudent to turn back to the President street depot. Mayor Brown hastened to the President street depot, and endeavored to prevent any disturbance. At this point there still remained upwards of twenty cars filled with the troops, and five or six cars which had been used for the reception of ammunition, baggage, &c.

After the lapse of a quarter of an hour, the command was given for the troops to disembark and form on the outside. While forming, they were surrounded by a dense mass of people, who impeded their march, up President street by every possible means. Stones were thrown in great numbers. At Fawn street two of the soldiers were knocked down by stones and greatly injured.

After the cars had been checked and returned to the depot, as above stated, the military formed and prepared to march through the city. From the President street depot to Pratt street bridge they were pursued by the excited crowd, who continued to hurl stones, and, it is stated, fired at them with muskets, &c. Mayor Brown had put himself at the head of the column, with a strong body of police. The soldiers continued on up Pratt street over the bridge, where several more were badly injured by the stones thrown at the rear ranks. They came along at a brisk pace, and when they reached Market Space, an immense concourse of people closed in behind them and commenced stoning them.

When they reached Gay street, where the track had been torn up, a large crowd of men armed with paving-stones showered them on their heads with such force that several of them were knocked down in the ranks. These, after lying a few moments crawled, on their hands and knees into some of the stores on Pratt street. After they fell there was no further attack made on them, and those thus

wounded were taken to apothecary stores for medical attendance.

At the corner of South and Pratt streets a man fired a pistol into the ranks of the military, when those in the rear ranks immediately wheeled and fired upon their assailants, and several were wounded. The guns of the soldiers that had fallen wounded were seized, and fired upon the ranks with fatal effect in two instances.

After they reached Calvert street they succeeded in checking their pursuers by a rapid fire, which brought down two or three, and they were not much molested until they reached Howard street, where another large crowd was assembled. Some stones were thrown at them, but their guns were not loaded, and they passed on through the dense crowd down Howard street towards the depot.

The scene on Pratt street, as stated, was of a startling character. The wounded soldiers, three in number, were taken up carefully and carried to places of safety by the citizens along the street.

The rear portion of the troops received the brunt of the attack of the assailants. The paving-stones were dashed with great force against their backs and heads, and marching thus in close ranks, they were unable to effectually defend themselves. When they did turn and fire, it was without halt, and being thus massed together, their shots took effect mostly on innocent spectators who were standing on the pavement. They stood the assault with stones without resistance, the entire distance from the President street depot until they reached the vicinity of South street, and then fired obliquely on to the pavements, rather than turning on their assailants. The police did their utmost to protect the troops from assault, and partially succeeded until they reached Gay street, where the crowd, armed with paving-stones, were collected. They rushed in between the police and the rear ranks, driving them back, and separating them from the military. After the firing commenced, the assaulting party dispersed, and for the balance of the route there was no attack upon them. The four soldiers who fell wounded in the street, were struck down between Gay and Calvert streets, where the fiercest of the attack was made on them. The troops composed the Sixth regiment of Massachusetts Infantry, commanded by Colonel E. F. Jones, in all eleven companies, with an aggregate of eight hundred and sixty men, rank and file.

It was about half-past twelve o'clock when the train left the Camden station. A few minutes afterwards, a discharge of firearms attracted the attention of the crowd to the corner of Pratt and Howard streets, where a body of infantry from one of the Northern States about one hundred and fifty strong, were seen rapidly approaching the depot, and no doubt anxious to reach the cars.

The excitement now was beyond description and a man displaying the flag of the Confeder

ate States seemed to be the rallying point of the disaffected people. Some of these assaulted the command with stones, when a number of the latter discharged their muskets. At least twenty shots were fired, but it happily proved that no person was injured. There seemed to be but little discipline among the troops, especially as they rushed along pell-mell. Whilst they were entering the cars a crowd of young men gave them several volleys of bricks and stones, some of which demolished the windows of the cars, whereupon three or four of the privates pointed their muskets through the car windows and fired, but no one was injured.

The baggage and munitions, in two cars, were seized by the crowd, but rescued by the police. Other troops were sent back to the borders of the State by orders of Gov. Hicks. The military of the city were called out, and quiet was restored at evening. Among the killed was Robert W. Davis, a member of a mercantile firm, and a person held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Nine citizens of Baltimore were killed, and many wounded. Twenty-five of the wounded Massachusetts troops were sent to the Washington hospital.

During the night following a report prevailed that more Northern troops were approaching by the Northern Central Railway. It was immediately resolved to destroy the bridges nearest the city, on both the Northern roads ending in Baltimore. The bridge at Canton was thus destroyed, and two bridges between Cockeysville and Ashland; also the bridges over Little Gunpowder and Bush rivers. This was ordered to be done by the authorities of Baltimore. Upon a representation of the events to President Lincoln, he ordered that "no more troops should be brought through Baltimore, if, in a military point of view, and without interruption or opposition, they can be marched around Baltimore."

The public mind continued in a feverish state from the excitement of Friday, when unfounded reports that Northern troops were approaching the city, aroused a most indescribable tumult, like ten thousand people bereft of reason. The error of the rumors becoming finally known, peace and order were restored.

The transmission of the mails, and the removal of provisions from the city, however, were suspended by the orders of the Mayor and Board of Police. Four car loads of military stores, clothing, tents, and other army equipments, sufficient for the accommodation of a thousand men, and the property of the Government, were thus detained. On the 24th, the city presented much the appearance of a military camp. The number of volunteers there enlisted, was put as high as 25,000. Large quantities of provisions were seized, and its departure from the city stopped. About four hundred picked men left the city for the Relay House, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, for the purpose of seizing and holding that important strategic point. They were followed by a force of about

two hundred men, having with them four fieldpieces and an abundance of ammunition. It was the intention of the military authorities to concentrate there about 1,200 men. The object of the seizure was to cut off the communication of the Pennsylvanians with Washington by that route.

The troops at Cockeysville were removed to York, Pennsylvania.

Immediately upon the departure of the train, the authorities of Baltimore County despatched a body of armed men to follow in the rear, and destroy the bridges, which they did; burning all the bridges, large and small, from Ashland to the Maryland line, with one exception, the "Big Gunpowder Bridge."

The turnpike from Ashland to York was literally black with vehicles of every description, containing whole families from Baltimore, who were hurrying to the country. A great many strangers were also proceeding to Pennsylvania, for the purpose of getting into the more Northern States.

Unparalleled as was the excitement in Baltimore, after one week quiet was not only restored, but a counter-revolution took place, which by its mere moral force reëstablished the control of reason and judgment.

On the 5th of May, the volunteer militia were dismissed by the authorities.

On the 10th of May, thirteen hundred troops landed near Fort McHenry from transports, and were thence transferred by trains to Washington.

The Board of Police Commissioners had at noon detailed a large police force, who were present at Locust Point, and acted with great efficiency, under the direction of Marshal Kane. The Board of Commissioners were present in person, as also the Mayor. Few spectators were present at Locust Point, but the wharves on the city side were filled with persons, who quietly looked on the scene of the disembarkation, which was very tedious, and was not concluded until between six and seven o'clock in the evening.

The troops were Sherman's Battery, five companies of the Third Infantry from Texas, and a Pennsylvania Regiment.

On the 5th of May, the United States Volunteers under the command of General Butler, had taken possession of the Relay House on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and proceeded to fortify their position. Subsequently, on the 13th, he moved a portion of his troops to Baltimore. It soon became known in the city, and a number of people went to the Camden station to witness the arrival.

About half-past seven o'clock a long train came, containing a portion of the troops. They disembarked in good order, and marched from the depot down Lee street and other streets to Federal Hill, and, moving to the high ground surrounding the Observatory, stacked arms, and made preparations for a long rest.

The force under command of General Butler was composed of a portion of the Boston Light Artillery, Major Cook; a strong detachment

more or Maryland. I desire to support the public authorities in all appropriate duties; in preserving peace, protecting property and the rights of persons, in obeying and upholding every municipal regulation and public statute consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States and of Maryland. But unlawful combinations of men, organized for resistance to such laws, that provide hidden deposits of arms and ammunition, encourage contraband traffic with men at war with the Government, and, while enjoying its protection and privileges, stealthily wait opportunity to combine their means and force with those in rebellion against its authority, are not among the recognized or legal rights of any class of men, and cannot be permitted under any form of government

whatever.

Such combinations are well known to exist in this department. The mass of citizens of Baltimore and of Maryland, loyal to the Constitution and the Union, are neither parties to, nor responsible for them. But the Chief of Police is not only believed to be cognizant of these facts, but, in contravention of his duty, and in violation of law, he is, by direction or indirection, both witness and protector to the transactions and the parties engaged therein. Under such circumstances the Government cannot regard him otherwise than as the head of an armed force hostile to its authority and acting in concert with its avowed enemies.

This arrest was made for the reason stated in the proclamation: "Under such circumstances the Government cannot regard him otherwise than as the head of an armed force hostile to its authority, and acting in concert with its avowed enemies." If the opinion of the Government was correct, the arrest was doubtless justly_made. But how shall the opinion of the Government be decided to be correct? By the Government itself who makes the arrest, or by an impartial tribunal? These questions excited much discussion at the time, but the public acquiesced in the proceedings of the Government, not only in this instance, but in many others.

The captains of the different police stations were directed to report themselves to the Provost Marshal, and, upon obeying the summons, they were notified that they and their officers would be continued in service, while the strictest injunction was imposed upon them to arrest every one who might attempt to disturb the peace.

The functions of the Board of Police were suspended as soon as Colonel Kenly entered upon his duties as Provost Marshal.

In the mean time, however, a meeting was held by the Police Commissioners and the Mayor -consisting of Chas. Howard, Wm. H. Gatchell, Charles D. Hinks, John W. Davis, and George Wm. Brown, Esqs.-who, after agreeing upon a protest against the suspension of their functions, adopted the following resolution:

Resolved, That whilst the Board, yielding to the force of circumstances, will do nothing to increase the present excitement, or obstruct the execution of such measures as Major-General Banks may deem proper to take on his own responsibility for the preservation of the peace of the city and of public order, they cannot, consistently with their views of official duty, and of the obligations of their oaths of office, recognize the right of any of the officers and men of the police force, as such, to receive orders or directions from any other authority than from this Board.

The Commissioners further resolved that the suspension of their own functions, suspended at the same time the active operation of the police law and relieved the officers and men from duty; and, in pursuance of this decision, they issued a notice to the police captains of the several stations announcing that they had determined upon the disbanding of the force, and directing them to carry out the provisions of that resolve. The men were accordingly summoned to the station-houses and notified that their services as police officers were suspended for the present, though it was intimated that their pay would continue, and that they were to hold themselves in readiness to resume their duties at a moment's notice.

Notwithstanding a notice issued by Colonel Kenly, that every man would be continued on duty, the force was disbanded, and a temporary police force of about four hundred men, immediately enrolled and placed on duty. Munitions of war in considerable quantities were found secreted in the city. In some instances they were the property of the city, in a few others they belonged to citizens.

On the 1st of July, the Commissioners of Police were arrested. The reasons for this arrest are thus stated by the commanding officer, General Banks, who ordered it:

In pursuance of orders issued from the Headquarters of the Army at Washington for the preservation of the public peace in this department, I have arrested and do now detain in custody of the United States the late members of the Board of Police-Messrs. Charles How. ard, William H. Gatchell, Charles D. Hinks, and John W. Davis.

The incidents of the past week afforded full justification for this order. The head-quarters under the charge of the Board, when abandoned by the officers, resembled in some respects a concealed arsenal. After public recognition and protest against the "suspension of their functions" they continued their sessions daily. Upon a forced and unwarrantable construction of my proclamation of the 28th ultimo, they declared that the police law was suspended, and the police officers and men put off duty for the present, íntending to leave the city without any police protection whatever. They refused to recognize the officers or men necessarily selected by the Provost Marshal for its protection, and hold subject to their orders, now and hereafter, the old police force, a large body of armed men, for some purpose not known to the Government, and inconsistent with its peace or security.

On the 19th of July, General Dix was orderBaltimore, and the city thenceforth remained ed to the command of the troops stationed at peaceful and tranquil. The troops have continued there throughout the year. The usual election in October for city officers was very quietly conducted. The vote was 9,587. This exceeded the vote at the previous election for members of the Legislature by 338. Except a few scattering votes there was no opposition to the Union candidates. The State election took place in November, in a quiet and peaceable manner. In Baltimore a number of arrests were made on the charge of disloyalty, which prevented a full vote for the opposition party. The total vote polled was 21,069, of which the Union candidates received 17,722.