January 15, 1861, The Charleston Mercury That the sole conservative element, in the Government of the former United States of America, was centered in the Southern States of that Confederacy, is now made evident by the present attitude and progress of affairs at Washington. Bereft of that check upon the lawless will of a grasping, [...]

–Major-General Sandford tendered the whole of the First Division New York State Militia to the Commander-in-Chief, to be ready for service in an hour’s notice. –Colonel Hayne, a Commissioner of South Carolina to Washington, was received by the President, and demanded the withdrawal of the garrison of Fort Sumter. He was requested to submit a [...]

WAR DEPARTMENT, January 15, 1861. To his Excellency JOHN W. ELLIS, ……………Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh: SIR: Your letter of the 11th instant, addressed to the President of the United States, has by him been referred to this Department, and he instructs me to express his gratification at the promptitude with which you have ordered [...]

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA., January 15, 1861. SIR: In consequence of the secession of this State and the seizure of the forts and arsenals in other Southern States. I have moved my command to Fort Taylor, and shall defend it to the last moment against any force attempting to capture it. I have four [...]

January 15, 1861 Albert Sidney Johnston assumes command of the Department of the Pacific.

MONDAY 14 Something of a snowstorm today. Tonight is more like rain freezing as it falls. The walks are a glade of ice. There appears to be a more hopeful feeling abroad today in reference to the affairs of the country. The Govt is geting into the hands of Union men. The Cabinet is now [...]

January 14, 1861, The New York Herald The Star of the West, now surrounded with uncommon interest on account of her adventure in the harbor of Charleston, finally returned to her dock at the foot of Warren street yesterday morning, where large numbers wended their way during the day to see her. The gates on [...]

January 14, 1861, The New York Herald Tomorrow will be a memorable night. The dissolution of the Union and the prospect of civil war pale in interest before the excitement of the great local event which is to come off. Tomorrow the Brooklynites inaugurate their new Opera House, which was the only thing wanting in [...]

January 14, 1861, The New York Herald The city of Mobile contains nearly 30,000 inhabitants, and is situated on the west side of the river of the same name, on a beautiful and extended plain, elevated fifteen feet above the highest tides; open to refreshing breezes from the bay, and commanding a beautiful prospect. The [...]

Jan. 13, 1861. The New York Herald WASHINGTON, The administration have not yet decided upon the instructions asked for by Major Anderson. The great point which the President is aiming at, and is desirous of effecting, is to avoid bloodshed and the horrors of civil war. Many people blame Major Anderson for not opening his [...]

January 14, 1861, The New York Herald Notwithstanding the sharp frost and bitter cold which greeted the sun as it made its appearance yesterday morning, the Park was visited during the day by at least seventy five thousand people, the greater part of whom were present between the hours of eleven and three o. At [...]

January 14, 1861, The Charleston Mercury FORT MACON, BEAUFORT, N.C. Fort Macon protects Beaufort, N.C., and is situated on a bluff on Bogiebank, one and three fourths mile from the city. It commands the entrance to Beaufort harbor, having full sweep of fire on the main channel. The opposite http://www.cw-chronicles.com/blog/southern-forts/entrance to the harbor is Shackleford [...]

January 14, 1861, The Charleston Mercury THE FORTS OCCUPIED BY THE STATE TROOPS–THE PELICAN FLAG FLOATING OVER THEM–SECESSION CERTAIN, ETC. All the troops in New Orleans were under arms last night, by order of Governor Moore. Five companies embarked this morning at two o’ to seize the Arsenal at Baton Rouge. The Orleans Battalion Artillery [...]

January 14, 1861, The Charleston Mercury PENSACOLA, January 12. – Fort Barancas, and the Pensacola Navy Yard, were taken possession of, at half past one o’ today, by the Alabama and Florida troops. The Federal troops had already deserted the post after spiking the guns, and have occupied Fort Pickens. A ship with provisions is [...]

January 14, 1861, The Charleston Mercury The relations of adopted citizens to the Federal Government, and to the States in which they live, are the same as those of native citizens. When a foreigner is naturalized, he takes the oath support the Constitution of the United States. This renders it his right and duty to [...]

January 14, 1861, The New York Herald TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. BROOKLYN, Jan. 8, 1861. There is considerable hue and cry in the papers about there not being any available vessels, of light draught, which the President could order to Charleston should he desire to do so. This is unnecessary, as there are [...]

–Judge Smalley delivered a charge to the grand jury of the Federal court in New York, specifying what overt acts constitute treason. (The Evening Post of the 14th of January contains this charge in full.)

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA., January 14, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that in consequence of the recent seizure by unauthorized persons of several forts and arsenals in the Southern States, I have placed my entire command in Fort Taylor for the purpose of protecting it. I shall, until orders from the [...]

FORT CASWELL, N. C., January 14, 1861. SIR : I most respectfully wish to state that the party of citizens who occupied this post has left this day. Mr. Hedrick, who signed receipts to me for the ordnance stores, has returned them to me in good order, except what he expended. ……….I am, sir, very [...]

William Porcher Miles to Howell Cobb. Charleston [S. C], Jan. 14th/61. Dear Sir: I received your letter yesterday (Sunday) and this morning directed copies of all the ordinances passed and resolutions and addresses adopted by the convention of our state to be forwarded you at Macon. I will bear in mind your further request to [...]

January  14, 1861 The chairman of the Committee of Thirty-three, Thomas Corwin (OH), presents the group’s report to the House of Representatives. Recommendations include a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing slavery where it exists, a repeal of northern “personal liberty laws”, and jury trials for fugitive slaves. The committee does not unanimously approve of the proposals. Virginia [...]

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1861. It has been a fine winter day. M. this morning stood at 12. Went to church with wife and boys. Heard a Mr Black of Covington K.Y. a near relative of Mr Sec’y Black. He has evidently mistaken his occupation. Wrote a letter this evening to Col. Paine and took it [...]

January 13, 1861, The New York Herald STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN WHITING. The report which was circulated in this city on Friday last that Captain Whiting, of the steamer Marion, had left his vessel at Norfolk, and his non-arrival at this port, led to considerable apprehension as to his safety among his friends. In consequence of [...]

January 13, 1861, The New York Herald The sloop of war Brooklyn arrived off Charleston bay yesterday afternoon. She has not visited that port for a hostile purpose, but upon a mission of peace. Reports from Charleston state that the South Carolina authorities had communicated, under a flag of truce, with Major Anderson, but for [...]