January 5, 1861

The Charleston Mercury

Military.

A detachment of the Richardson Guard, Lieut. C.H. AXSON, were out on duty Sunday afternoon. Another platoon passed the MERCURY office yesterday afternoon, under the command of Lieut. BOAG.

The detachment of Citadel Cadets who have been on the seashore since the first of January, passed our office yesterday on their way to the Citadel, to resume their studies. By their skill and energy the first battery was erected for the defence of Charleston: by their admirable gunnery Federal insolence was checked, and the Star of the West, with her warlike crew, was sent back without having accomplished her stealthy mission. It is well that their duties on the field should now be changed to that of the Academy. They will be thus enabled to make preparation for the future. The Executive knows full well, that at the tap of the drum lads in gray will answer to roll call and gladly receive the order, ‘Forward!’ particularly if a visit is to be paid to Capts. DOUBLEDAY or FOSTER, in Fort Sumter. The Cadets were escorted to the steamer, on their departure, by the Washington Light Infantry, who turned out in large numbers, as a compliment to their old friends. As soon as the steamer started, the Washington Light Infantry gave three cheers, which the Cadets returned with a tiger. They will be missed by the entire garrison, for their places cannot be well supplied.

The Palmetto Riflemen, Capt. MELCHERS, in a gray fatigue suit, passed through Broad street on parade yesterday; the ranks were full, and we doubt not the Captain and his command are ready for any emergency that may arise.

Washington Light Infantry. —Rev. A. TOOMER PORTER, Chaplain —in spite of the rain storm —paid his accustomed visit to the Washington Light Infantry’s quarters, on Sunday afternoon, where divine service was performed. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the Chaplain was persuaded to remain over night, and, we learn, was comfortably cared for until Monday morning. A strong attachment has grown up between this command and their chaplain.

On Monday, Major CAPERS called for twenty volunteers from the Washington Light Infantry, to take the place, temporarily, of the Cadets, in one of the batteries, and upon requesting all so disposed to step three paces to the front, the entire company moved forward. We learn that the Major at once proceeded to the battery with the men and commenced drilling them to the use of the heavy guns. The health of the troops on Morris Island is good, and the men manage to keep dry in spite of the drenching rains.

The Georgetown Rifle Guard— Commendable Liberality.

We learn that P.D.J. WESTON, Esq; has presented to the Georgetown Rifle Guard, Captain E.J. WHITE, one hundred and twenty of the fine English weapon known as the ‘Enfield Rifle’ with accoutrements and ammunition ample for a long campaign, besides placing funds at the disposal of the company. The Georgetown Guard, composed of many of the first citizens of that place now numbers eighty four, rank and file. The members are making every exertion to place themselves upon a war footing, and they expect to be ordered by detachments to take charge of the fortifications now being erected at the entrance of the harbor by the planters under the superintendence of L.F. LEBLEUX and E.J. WHITE.

Another Resignation.

It is our pleasing duty to record, this morning, the patriotic course of another son of South Carolina, in the resignation, some days since, of Mr. WILLIAM WILKINSON, from the Naval School at Annapolis. The opportunity of a naval education and position have thus voluntarily been abandoned from a high sense of duty, and of proper State pride.

New York Herald

The News.

Yesterday was observed as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer for our national transgressions, in accordance with the recommendation of the President. In this city business was almost entirely suspended, and the churches were crowded with worshippers. We give in our columns this morning the sermons, addresses and prayers delivered by Revs. Drs. Vinton, Raphall, Adams, Gallandet, Hawkes, DeWitt, Williams, Tyng, Spring, White, Hoge, Chapin, Thompson, Bethune, Chamcey, Beecher, J. C. Smith, Hogany, Van Dyke, Taylor and Bellows, together with a report of the sermon delivered by Rev. Mr. Stockton in the venerable Chaplain to Congress, in the hall of the House of Representatives. These reports embrace the views of the Episcopalians, Unitarians, Old and New School Presbyterians, Methodists, Dutch Reformed, Baptists, Fanatico—Massachusetts and Hebrews, on the perilous condition of the nation, and will doubtless receive from our readers the attention they deserve.

The government arsenal at Mobile was seized by the Alabama State troops at daylight yesterday morning. It contained a large quantity of munitions of war. it was rumored at Mobile that Fort Morgan was captured on Thursday night.

From South Carolina we have a list of the members of Gov. Pickens’ Cabinet. The following are the names: -

Secretary of State—A. G. Magrath

Secretary of War—D. F. Jamison

Secretary of the Treasury—C. G. Memminger

Secretary of the Interior—A. G. Garlington

Postmaster General—W. H. Harlee.

The South Carolina Commissioners have left Washington to report to the convention the result of their negotiations with the President. It is expected that important events will follow their report.

The announcement of the occupation of the fort at Beaufort by order of the Governor of North Carolina is not confirmed, and there is reason to believe that the report to that effect was without foundation. In our Washington despatches may be found the programme of the secessionists for taking possession of all the public property, including forts, dockyards, barracks, arsenals, &c., along the Southern coast from Cape Henry to Texas.

The pony express, with San Francisco dates to December 22, arrived at Fort Kearney on Thursday night. The advices by this arrival report business in San Francisco is still continuing exceedingly dull. The President’s message overtook the outgoing party at Kearney on the 7th of December, being telegraphed entire from St. Louis. By the pony it arrived at Sacramento on the 19th, whence it was telegraphed to San Francisco, and published in the papers of that city on that day, together with the proceedings of Congress down to the 7th. The steamship Sonora sailed from San Francisco on the 22nd of December for Panama, with $1,467,219 in treasure on board, of which $1,446,000 are for New York. The dates from Oregon are to December 11, British Columbia to the 8th, and Sandwich Islands to the 1st. The details will be found in another column.

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SATURDAY 5—People were startled today to hear that the U.S. Forts and Arsenals at Savannah & Mobile had been taken possession of by the Revolutionists. Where this is all to end God only knows. It looks dark for our Country at present. But there is still a strong feeling that the Government will be upheld. This City is threatened and the Citizens do fear that a Mob will have possession of it unless measures are taken to defend it; incendiary fires occur every night and we feel very unsafe.

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