Reception of the News in Massachusetts.
Dispatches From Gen. Butler.
Boston, Saturday, April 20.
This City was terribly excited last night and this morning, at the attack on the Massachusetts troops at Baltimore. A bloody retribution is threatened, but it will be on a fair battle-field.
Gov. Andrew was at the Executive Department nearly all night. At 11 o'clock he received the following dispatch, dated Philadelphia:
To Gov. Andrew — I have reason to believe that Col. Jones has gone through to Washington. Two killed only of the Massachusetts men. We shall go through at once. The road is torn up through Baltimore. Will telegraph again.
(Signed) B.F. Butler, Brigadier-General.
At midnight another dispatch was received, as follows:
To Gov. Andrew:
Col. Jones has gone through to Washington. The Pennsylvania troops have been driven back. These were unarmed. Eight are killed and four wounded. Only four of them are Massachusetts troops. I will telegraph again, but shall not be able to get ready as soon as I had hoped.
(Signed) B.F. Butler, Brigadier-General.
In a proclamation Gov. Andrew says:
“No direct information has been obtained at Headquarters from Col. Jones personally, but under the intelligence received, no doubt is entertained that his command will gallantly force a passage through Baltimore, nor of its arrival in good order and fine spirits in the Advance Guard of the National Militia, at the Capital of the Union. Cordially and deeply sympathizing with the families of the bereaved by the loss of the brave men fallen in this heroic expedition, the Governor recognizes the parallel, the day and event suggested with the 19th of April, 1775, and the immortal memories which cluster around the men of Lexington and Concord. At 2 1/2 o'clock this morning, the Governor received a dispatch from Brigadier-General Butler, confirming the previous report, that but two of the Massachusetts soldiers were killed — one of them by a piece of iron thrown from a foundry, and it states that most of the wounded have arrived at Washington, with their comrades, from which the inference must be that their wounds are not dangerous. General Butler also telegraphs of our men that they fought gallantly. No man offered to run. They bore the attack with the utmost patience, until prominent citizens of Baltimore told them to fire. They did so Part of the mob responded with fire; the rest scattered. All have arrived at Washington except the six injured, who are well cared for at Baltimore."
The Governor has sent the following dispatch to the Mayor of Baltimore:
I pray you to cause the bodies of our Massachusetts soldiers dead in Baltimore to be immediately laid out, preserved in ice, and tenderly sent forward by express to me. All expenses will be paid by this Commonwealth.
(Signed) John A. Andrew,
Governor of Massachusetts.
At Fall River, last night, there was an immense meeting of citizens called on the reception of the news. Patriotic speeches were made, and the City Government instructed to appropriate $10,000 to fit out volunteers, and to pay each volunteer $20 per month in addition to the Government pay.
Boston, Saturday, April 20—P.M.
The news from Baltimore stimulates the war feeling to a high pitch all over New-England. Dispatches pour in announcing mass meetings in every direction.
At Newburyport three full companies enlisted today, and will be ready at one hour's notice.
Salem has voted $15,000 and sent two companies, numbering 164 men, who arrived in Boston to day.
The Irish, German and French citizens are offering their services en masse.
The greatest activity is exhibited in preparing uniforms and war equipments.
Old Concord sends 64 men.
The Fifth Regiment and Boston Flying Artillery are in readiness, and anxiously awaiting orders to march.
Boston looks like a military camp.