March 28, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, March 27, 1861.
Colonel Ward H. Lamon, bearer of despatches from President Lincoln to Fort Sumter, returned this afternoon, and reported himself to the President while the Cabinet was present. The Colonel brought with him a large palmetto tree which was presented to him at Charleston.
Colonel Lamon had no opportunity to state to the President the results of his mission to Fort Sumter this afternoon. An interview was had this evening, but the precise information Colonel Lamon brings, or the effect it has had upon the President’s mind, is not known outside of the Cabinet, except as since indicated in a conversation the President had with a gentleman, to whom he said that Major Anderson was ordered to report with his command at another place, and would embark with his troops as soon as the facilities for doing so reached him, which would be in a few days.
Colonel Lamon does not hesitate to state his experience at Charleston in regard to the modus operandi of reaching Fort Sumter. He reached Charleston on Sunday morning, and book himself as ‘Ward H. Lamon, of Virginia.’ He did this because he ascertained that he could not reach Fort Sumter without a permit from Governor Pickens, and could not see the Governor until Monday morning, and in order not to make himself a target for the curious for twenty four hours, as he would have done had he announced himself from any other State. He was not annoyed until Monday morning, when a delegation of Charlestonians called upon him, and inquired if his name was Lamon? He replied, ‘Yes, my name is Ward H. Lamon.’ They asked him if he was a friend of President Lincoln? He replied that he was. He was then asked if he had any objection to tell them the object of his mission? He said he had objection, and added that he had important business with Governor Pickens, with whom he was soon to have an interview, and if the Governor wished to state to them the result of the same he could do so.
This put a stop to questions; but a strict watch was kept upon the Colonel, as if he was some infernal machine that had been thrown suddenly in their midst to destroy them. No insult was offered to him, however, but thousands of the Charlestonians assembled to gaze upon the representative and friend of ‘Old Abe,’ all wondering whether he was the messenger of peace or war.
Colonel Lamon soon obtained an interview with Governor Pickens, and informed the Governor that he was bearer of despatches from President Lincoln to Major Anderson, and he wished to be allowed facilities to reach the Fort. Governor Pickens treated Col. Lamon with great courtesy, and promptly informed him that he should have a steamer in which to proceed to the Fort and immediately detailed Col. Duryea, one of the Governor’s staff, to accompany him. The Governor also assured Col. Lamon that he would issue orders to the Mayor of the city to see to it that he had safe conduct through the city during his stay.
Accordingly, everything was provided as indicated, and the Fort was reached. Col. Lamon invited Col. Duryea to accompany him into the Fort, where he was introduced to Major Anderson and the other officers in Fort Sumter. Colonel Lamon and Major Anderson then left Colonel Duryea to be entertained by the other officers, and proceeded to private quarters, where an interview of several hours was had, the result of which has been reported to the President, and will be the subject of an official communication from the President in a few days.
Despatches received here from Charleston tonight assert that it is well known that Major Anderson has not a week supplies of provision on hand, and is out of fuel, and that the probability is the authorities will refuse to allow him longer to purchase supplies from Charleston market. It is believed that Colonel Lamon is the bearer of similar information, and if so it is easy to account for the remark made by the President in conversation tonight as quoted above.