Saturday, January 17, 2026

Who are the True Owners of Our Federal Fortifications?

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January 17, 1861, The New York Herald The argument is continually brought forward by that portion of the people of the Southern States who would justify the seizure of federal property by State governments, that our coast defences were erected exclusively for local defence. They say that Fort Pulaski belongs to Georgia, from the very [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

The Revolution

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January 17, 1861, The New York Herald WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1861. The President adheres to his position in regard to the forts in Charleston harbor, and emphatically refuses to surrender Fort Sumter, and will so inform Col. Hayne, the special Commissioner from South Carolina, who came here to demand its unconditional surrender. Lieut. Talbot, one [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

The News

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January 17, 1861, The New York Herald The news from Washington this morning is of the highest importance. Col. Hayne, the Commissioner from South Carolina, was informed by the President on Tuesday that any communication he had to make must be made in writing. Col. Hayne thereupon withdrew, in order to prepare his propositions, but [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Southern Politicians

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January 17, 1861, The Charleston Mercury If there is any one thing more than another disheartening and disgusting, in the present juncture of affairs, it is the course of Southern politicians at Washington. In the past, their weak vacillations, their vain submissions, their short sighted selfishness, have reduced us to our present condition. Not the [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

The Decision of the President—Fort Sumter to be Retained

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January 17, 1861, The New York Herald Our Washington despatches on Tuesday informed us of the arrival of the federal capital of Colonel Hayne – a special messenger from the Governor of South Carolina to the President of the United States. Col. Hayne’s errand was to demand the surrender of Fort Sumter to the authorities [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

DNC Chairman August Belmont to W. H. Seward: “…nothing can prevent Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky, from joining the movement of the cotton States…,”

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To The Hon. W. H. SEWARD, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. New York, January 17, 1861 My Dear Sir,–I had intended for the last few days to express to you my sincere admiration of your patriotic and statesmanlike speech in the United States Senate, on Saturday last, but have been prevented by indisposition until [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Texas Convention will pass Secession Ordinance

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George I. Durham[i] to Howell Cobb. Austin, Texas, Jan’y 17/61. Sir: I am directed by the Executive Committee to apprise you of the true condition of public sentiment in this State respecting our relations with the Federal Government. Our Executive is hostile to the present movement of the Gulf States and will use every means [...]

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