now even without arms. They have but 1,000 arms in the whole city of Baltimore. They are organized, however, and are drilling every night. Their conditon is really lementable. They are looking with great anxiety to the organization of your army. Everybody here except myself believes that Sumter will soon be evacuated. I doubt. I do not believe the Republicans have the nerve to do anything. They are just in the condition of Buchanan. They will neither make war nor conclude pleace, but will stand still till the country drifts into war. Such is my belief. I inclose a letter from a company formed here. Mr. Young will explain fully to you the circumstances. The material is good, and I have no doubt they would do good service, but I have no authority to act, and therefore refer the whole matter to you. Captain Sherman is willing to go as first lieutenant, and put himself under any captain you appoint, though of course both he and the company would be gratified to have him in command. They cn be sen to Charleston at the same rates as the recruits. Telegraph me your determination at the earliest moment practicable, as they are very anzious to hear. I am writing in great haste, as Mr. Young is waiting. I intended to have written you more fully, but my parlot has been croweded all day*.

I am, very respectfully,

L. T. WIGFALL.

[Inclosure.]

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 16, 1861.

Honorable LOUIS T. WIGFALL:

DEAR SIR: The undersigned officer of the National Volunteers, a military organization of Souther-rights' men, formed in this city in September, 1860, for the purpose of casting their lot with and battling for the cause of Southern emancipation, would respectfully request through you that they may be mustered into the Army of the Confederate States. This claim of our organization is founded on the following facts: We have arrived at our present status, having contended with an almost unanimous submissionist community anxious to preserve the late Union on any terms, who denounce us through the entire corrupt press of this place, and individually we are pointed out as traitors and disunionists. A large majority of our memebers are or will be thrown out of employment by the Black Republican traitors who now govern the Northern confederacy, and all of use are determined to unite with the South in any event; but we most earnesly desire that we may be mustered into the Army under our present organization. For the character of our officers for education, standing, and fitness, we would respectfully submit to you testimonials which cannot be doubted, and, further, we are ready to march at a minute's warning. We can mot probably muster from 64 to 100 men, rank and file, and we have endeavored to attain some prefcection in discipline and drill almost nightly since our formation.

Hoping our desires may meet your approval, and that we may soon have an opportunity of testifying our devotion to freedom and the Confederate States, we are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

C. K. SHERMAN,

First Lieutenant.

R. CLEARY,

Second Lieutenant.

W. N. BARKER,

[1.] Brevet Second Lieutenant.

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* For reply, see VOL. I, p. 278.

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