It must be a close blockade, and by heavy vessels, that will keep us in.
Troops are being collected in large numbers in the enemy's States, marchings and counter-marchings are going on; and the fleet seems to be kept very busy, scouring hither and thither, but nothing accomplished.

Whilst penning the last paragraph, news reaches us that the Lincoln Government has crossed the Potomac and invaded Virginia! Thus commences a bloody and a bitter war.

So be it; we but accept the gauntlet which has been flung in our faces.

The future will tell a tale worthy of the South and of her noble cause." But the delays were not yet over.

On the 27th May, the United States steamer Brooklyn made her appearance, and commenced the blockade of the river.