June 5, 1861 Wednesday The Federal steamer (revenue cutter) Harriet Lane , commanded by Captain Faunce, USRM, threw a few shells at the Pig Point batteries on the James River, Va., typical of the secondary actions of the period. U.S.S. Niagara, Captain McKean, captured schooner Aid at Mobile. Flag Officer Pendergrast reported the capture of bark General Green by U.S.S. Quaker City, commanded by Commander Overton Carr, at the Capes of the Chesapeake.
At Manassas Gen Beauregard issued a proclamation to the people of northern Virginia, saying, “A reckless and unprincipled tyrant has invaded your soil. Abraham Lincoln, regardless of all moral, legal, and constitutional restraints, has thrown his abolition hosts among you, who are murdering and imprisoning your citizens, confiscating and destroying your property, and committing other acts of violence and outrage too shocking and revolting to humanity to be enumerated.” He added that the Federal “war cry is ‘Beauty and booty,’” and called for citizens to rally to their state and country. Earl Van Dorn, Theophilus Hunter Holmes, and Henry Alexander Wise were appointed to CSA Brigadier General. North Carolina transfers the arsenal, magazines, etc. at Fayetteville to the Confederate Government.
In Baltimore the U.S. marshal took possession of the gun factory of Merrill & Thomas. Federal authorities also seized powder from the Hazard Powder Co, Lower Canton, Conn, and from the Du Pont powder works in Delaware.
..................................................................................The Wheeling Intelligencer
Arrest of Maj. A. Loring—The Community Astonished—The people of this city were greatly astounded … upon learning that Major A. Loring, the sheriff of this county, had been arrested by U.S. officers, and was about being removed to Grafton. His arrest was made about 2 o’clock, A. M., while the Major was in his bed at the M’Lure House. He was taken to the Baltimore & Ohio Depot, where he remained until seven o’clock, when the train left for Grafton. Maj. Loring’s arrest is said to have been occasioned by certain papers found upon the person of W. J. Willey, who was captured after the skirmish at Phillippi [sic], and who is charged with leading the par[t]y who destroyed the bridges on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, between this city and Grafton. Nothing, however, is positively known in regard to this.—Maj. Loring has recently returned from Richmond, and it is surmised by his friends that he may have brought some papers to Mr. Willey, in which his own name is mentioned as bearer or otherwise. We sincerely hope it may appear that the Maj[o]r’s arrest is the resolute of a mistake, and that he has had no complicity whatever in the rebellious movements of the secessionists. We believe it will so turn out when the proper examination is had.
_________________ Gen Ned Simms 2/XVI Corps/AotT Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em. VMI Class of '00
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