The rumors which prevailed in this city on Sunday last that
there was 'something in the wind' about Governor's Island, were
the cause of great excitement and public concern. the report,
which it now appears was not altogether unfounded, was to the
effect that a considerable body of federal troops had been
quietly removed from the island garrison to some unknown point.
The peculiar situation of affairs in South Carolina, of course,
very naturally pointed to that region of country as the
destination of the troops. The embarkation and transfer of the
soldiers, it is said, were effected during Saturday night last
with as little noise as possible. The steamer Star of the
West, which arrived at this port from Havana on Monday last,
was, as far as we have learned, the capacious vessel selected
for the conveyance of the military and warlike stores which
were to be sent south. According to the usual practice and in
accordance with public advertisement, this steamer should have
left New York for Havana and New Orleans yesterday, or this
morning; but instead of this, she suddenly disappeared from
the harbor at a time when no one expected her departure. The
fact is that private arrangements are said to have been made
for the charter of the vessel, and the preliminary management
had been conducted with so much skill and prudence that nothing
was known to the public until the steamer was far away on her
trip. It was not long, however, before a ubiquitous reporter
got upon the scent. All the secrecy and mystery of the
Governor's Island folks were useless to blind his clear vision.
But as all communication with the island was positively
interdicted, it was next to impossible to obtain anything like
reliable information. That the troops had been embarded during
Saturday night, and that the steamer had slipped her cables and
put to sea early on Sunday morning, there was scarcely any
doubt at all expressed. There were wakeful watchers enough
between the Battery and Hamilton avenue to observe the stealthy
midnight movement of blue coated soldiery, but the only
difficulty was to ascertain their destination. Some people
thought that they were sent to Washington, others that they
were intended to garrison and protect unoccupied federal forts,
but the majority were very clearly of opinion that Fort Sumter
and Major Anderson had something to do with the movement.
It is very well known that a good deal of activity has been
manifested in the enlistment of recruits on Governor's Island
for several weeks past. The drum call has rattled on the
island early and late and passengers by the ferry boats cannot
have failed to witness the unceasing industry evinced in the
drilling of raw recruits. Since communication with the island
has been suspended, by order of the officers in command, but
very few soldiers are to be seen moving about the island, and
until fresh recruits are enrolled it will be some time before
such active exercises are again witnessed there.
The difficult position of Major Anderson in Fort Sumter
had, it is rumored, attracted the attention of the merchants of
New York. Everybody seemed to approve of the action of this
officer, and while some of his admirers were thundering forth
salvos of artillery in his honor through various parts of the
country, the more practical men were seeking to send him prompt
and effectual relief. For several days past a number of
wealthy merchants of this city had been making arrangements to
send him supplies and reinforcements. This was not with the
intention of exciting the people of South Carolina, but for the
purpose of placing the gallant Major and his little garrison in
a position to maintain themselves against any sudden and
formidable attack. Money, it is said, was freely forthcoming
from all sides, and the number of men to be sent as well as the
other necessary preliminaries were fully settled on Friday
night.
The proposed commander of the expedition had procured all
the supplies necessary for the occasion such as preserved
meats, dessicated vegetables, coal, and other articles of which
the garrison of Fort Sumter was supposed to be greatly in need.
Everything was in readiness for the departure of the
expedition on Saturday morning, when it was discovered that the
government had anticipated the patriotic purpose of the parties
concerned, and that Lieutenant General Scott had telegraphed
orders to this city, for the immediate embarkation of two
hundred and fifty men, with all the necessary munitions of war,
and that the force should be instantly dispatched to the South.
The astute and wary commander of the American forces was, it
appears, not satisfied with a mere telegraphic message in so
important a matter. After telegraphing he despatched Col.
Thomas, in person to this city, to see to the chartering of the
Star of the West, and all the other necessary arrangements.
It, therefore, seems that strong reinforcement have been sent
to the relief of Major Anderson, and we may now, momentarily
look for very important intelligence from South Carolina. The
Star of the West will reach Charleston sometime this afternoon,
and we may fairly anticipate the reception of telegraphic
advices before evening. The troops and provisions thus sent
will of course, be thrown in the besieged fortress at all
hazards; and if all the circumstances which have transpired be
strictly correct, it will be little less than a miracle to
prevent a hostile collision. Under all circumstances, the
garrison of Fort Sumter are reported to be determined not to
surrender, and it is well known that the small corps of
soldiers have sworn to stand firmly to one another and their
commander. The intelligence that is now expected form
Charleston is big with importance and the fate of the nation.
In the present excited state of the south it is next to
impossible that Major Anderson's reinforcements can be landed
without resistance, and the results might prove the beginning
of a very serious affair.
We also learn that an order has been received in this city
from the War Department, directing all the available troops on
this station to be mustered, and critically inspected at
Governor's Island on Thursday next. That no man may be absent
at roll call, the utmost strictness is exercised in making out
the daily liberty lists, and no soldier is allowed to leave the
island except by special permission. All the remaining troops
in garrison are held in readiness for immediate departure.
As we said before, there is much mystery connected with
the movements on the island. Nothing is allowed to transpire
that can by any possibility be concealed. To an enquiry made
of an officer by one of our reporters, he received the reply,
in the classic language of congress, that the whole thing was
'a - lie.'
The steamship Columbia from Charleston arrived here
yesterday afternoon with fifty four cabin passengers, some of
whom had been employed on the works at Fort Sumter. A reporter
of this paper had a conversation with one of these passengers.
He states that the excitement in South CArolina is as great now
as ever. Everything there is at fever heat. He also informs
us that the reports about the sufferings of the people of
Charleston are utterly false. There is no dissatisfaction
among the troops, nor any necessity for forced loans. The
supplies from the interior were as large as usual.
Every precaution had been taken to protect the harbor of
Charleston and to prevent the possibility of the entrance of
any vessels, especially at night. The buoys have all been
removed, and the pilots are interdicted from bringing vessels
into port. It is therefore almost impossible for any vessel to
enter Charleston harbor at the present time.