FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,………. February 6, 1861. SIR: Nothing has occurred at Key West since my last communication to disturb my relations with its citizens. It is very doubtful now if any attempt will be made upon this fort. I have transferred seven more 8-inch columbiads to Major Arnold, which will give him additional [...]
FORT PICKENS, FLA., February 5, 1861. SIR: Having heard rumors that the forts and other public property in Pensacola Harbor were to be seized by troops under the orders of the governor of Florida, and having been advised of the seizure of the forts in Mobile Bay, I deemed it proper, having received no instructions [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 5, 1861. (Received A. G. O., February 8.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The character of the work on the end of Cummings Point nearest to us is, I think, now pretty well established. It seems to be a bomb-proof, with embrasures for the guns, the embrasures cut in a sloped [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 4, 1861. (Received A. G. O., February 6.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The South Carolinians continued to do as much work yesterday (Sunday) at Cummings Point as the storm permitted. The work nearest to us now presents the appearance of a battery, having an inclined guard in front to [...]
WASHINGTON, March 4, 1861. Gov. F. W. PICKENS, Charleston, S.C.: Do not permit any attack on Sumter without authority of Government of Confederated States. This is all important. Inaugural means war. There is strong ground for belief that re-enforcements will be speedily sent. Be vigilant. LOUIS T. WIGFALL. I concur, and believe this Government will [...]
HUNTSVILLE, ALA., February 3, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Montgomery: MY DEAR SIR: There is at Pensacola an immense quantity of powder, shot, and shells, which ought to be removed to the interior at the earliest possible moment. Where they now are they are constantly exposed to the danger of recapture, and if they are [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 3, 1861. Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: Yesterday and last night, in consequence of the continuance of a storm of wind and rain, very little work was done, as far as we could observe, around us. The rain is still (11 a.m.) continuing. The steamer has not yet left the harbor [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 2, 1861. (Received A. G. O., February 6.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I received a letter yesterday from Mr. Gourdin, in which he says: “I saw his excellency this evening, and he makes no objection to your groceries being sent you.” The South Carolinians were, we thought, occupied nearly all [...]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, December 31, 1860. Colonel DIMICK, or commanding officer, Fort Monroe: SIR: Prepare and put on board of the sloop-of-war Brooklyn, as soon as the latter can receive them, four companies, making at least two hundred men, destined to re-enforce Fort Sumter. Embark with said companies twenty-five spare stands of arms, [...]
CHARLESTON ARSENAL, S.C. December 31, 1860 SIR: I have the honor to submit the correspondence relative to the surrender of this post yesterday to the authorities of this State. Trusting that my course may meet the approval of the Department, I am, sir, very respectfully, F. C. HUMPHREYS, Military Storekeeper Ordnance, U. S. A. Capt. [...]
. WASHINGTON CITY, December 31, 1860. Hons. ROBERT W. BARNWELL, JAMES H. ADAMS, JAMES L. ORR: GENTLEMEN: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 28th instant, together with a copy of your “full powers from the Convention of the People of South Carolina” authorizing you to treat with the Government of [...]
. CHARLESTON, S.C., December 30, 1860. SIR: This arsenal has to-day been taken by force of arms. What disposition am I to make of my command? F. C. HUMPHREYS. Capt. MAYNADIER, In charge of Ordnance Bureau.
WASHINGTON, December 30, 1860. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Lieutenant-General Scott begs the President of the United States to pardon the irregularity of this communication. It is Sunday; the weather is bad, and General Scott is not well enough to go to church. But matters of the highest national importance seem to forbid a [...]
WASHINGTON, December 29, 1860. LARZ ANDERSON, Esq., Cincinnati: SIR: General Scott has been hoping for two or three days to find himself well enough to answer your letter, but is too much prostrated by diarrhea. He has done everything in his power to support your brother in his command, repeating, with what effect remains to [...]
. CHARLESTON ARSENAL, S. C., December 29, 1860. Capt. WM. MAYNADIER, In charge of Ordnance Bureau, Washington, D.C.: SIR: I reported by telegraph on the 28th instant that this arsenal was surrounded by a body of South Carolina militia, and that myself and the command are not allowed to pass in or out without a [...]
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 28, 1860. Hon. D. L. YULEE, Senate: SIR: In answer to your letter of the 21st instant I have the honor to inclose to you a statement showing the names, rank, and pay, and emoluments of the officers of the United States Army appointed from Florida.* The contingent allowances for [...]
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Charleston, December 28, 1860. Hon. D. F. JAMISON, President of the Convention : SIR: As the Convention sent for me yesterday, to be informed upon important business, I take the occasion to say that, under my order, Castle Pinckney was taken last evening, and the United States flag hauled down and the Palmetto [...]
CHARLESTON, December 28, 1860. Capt. WM. MAYNADIER, Ordnance Bureau: A body of South Carolina military now surround the arsenal outside, however of the inclosure, but denying ingress or egress without countersign. The officer in command disclaims any intention of occupancy, and the United States flag is undisturbed. I await instructions. F. C. HUMPHREYS.
. FORT SUMTER, S.C., December 28, 1860. (Received A. G. O., January 1, 1861.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith a copy of a memorandum received to-day from the governor of South Carolina, in reply to a message from me, which shows that for the present we are treated [...]
WASHINGTON, December 28, 1860. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: SIR: We have the honor to transmit to you a copy of the full powers from the Convention of the People of South Carolina, under which we are “authorized and empowered to treat with the Government of the United States for the delivery of the [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., December 27, 1860. (Received A. G. O., December 31.) COLONEL: I had the honor to reply this afternoon to the telegram of the honorable Secretary of War in reference to the abandonment of Fort Moultrie. In addition to the reasons given in my telegram and in my letter of last night, I [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., December 27, 1860. Col. R. E. DE RUSSY, Commanding Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that yesterday evening Major Anderson removed his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, leaving a guard with me, with orders to spike the guns, cut down the [...]
FORT SUMTER S. C., December 26, 1860—8 p.m. (Received A. G. O., December 29.) COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have just completed, by the blessing of God, the removal to this fort of all of my garrison, except the surgeon, four non-commissioned officers, and seven men. We have one year’s supply [...]
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 21, 1860. Major ANDERSON, First Artillery, Commanding Fort Moultrie, S.C.: SIR: In the verbal instructions communicated to you by Major Buell, you are directed to hold possession of the forts in the harbor of Charleston, and, if attacked, to defend yourself to the last extremity. Under these instructions, you might [...]
SENATE CHAMBER, December 21, 1860. Hon. JOHN B. FLOYD, Secretary of War: SIR: You will oblige me by a statement of the officers connected with the Army of the United States who were appointed from Florida, their rank, and pay. Respectfully yours, D. L. YULEE.