February 5, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1861.
There is not a shadow of foundation in the report that the Brooklyn threw men into Fort Sumter. I have it on authority.
The President has not yet finished his reply to the ultimatum of South Carolina, hence Col. Hayne and Lieut. Hall, the joint messengers from Gov. Pickens and Major Anderson, will delay their departure until tomorrow, when, it is authoritatively asserted, the Presidents’s reply to Gov. Pickens will be ready.
When Lieutenant Hall returns to Fort Sumter there will be seventy one men there, and no more. The fact that the secessionists have guard boats in the harbor all night, makes it impossible for a fleet of boats large enough to convey three hundred men to approach Fort Sumter without being known. Besides, Major Anderson doesn’t desire so large a reinforcement, because it would incur greater responsibilities in the way of providing provisions and the liability of sickness among the men.