July 10.— Weather clear, wind very fresh, right in our teeth and considerable sea on. At 1:30 this morning I went upon the companion ladder, to give some directions to the officer of the deck, as to not driving her through the head sea, and while so doing I felt a sudden sickness of the [...]
Tuesday, July 9.—Weather clear,with the wind fresh from the E.S.E. At daylight made the west end of the island of Jamaica, the island in sight all day, the blue mountains dimmed by the haze that hung over them. Struggling against a very strong trade.
Monday, July 8.— During the forenoon gave chase to a brigantine which showed Spanish colors. Kept on our course. Passed the Caymans between 9 and 10 p.m. The islets are laid down some 15 or 16 miles too far to the westward.
Sunday, July 7.—Morning clear and beautiful, the waters of the little harbor clear and sparkling, and the bright green of the vegetation on shore looking picturesque and cheerful. At 8 a. m., Lieutenant Chapman, whom I had sent to town yesterday to look after the prizes, make arrangements for coaling, and present a dispatch to [...]
Saturday, July 6. — Morning clear, with a light land breeze. Soon after sunrise three sail came out of the harbor. Waited patiently until they were all more than a marine league from the land when we gave chase and captured them. They were as follows, viz, the bark West Wind, the brigantine Naiad, and [...]
Friday, July 5.—Cloudy, with a moderate trade. Just before daylight one of the prizes broke adrift. Recovered her and let go the one we had in tow and directed the officer in charge to work his way into Cienfuegos. At about 2 p.m. crossed the shoal off the east end of the reef of the [...]
Thursday, July 4.—Weather cloudy, with a few rain squalls during the morning. At daylight descried two sail ahead. Gave chase and came up with, first the U. S. brigantine Cuba, and secondly with the U.S. brigantine Machias, of the everlasting State of Maine. Captured them both and took them in tow for Cienfuegos; speed, 5 [...]
Wednesday, July 3.—Weather cloudy, with a fresh trade from E. to E.S. E. and some sea. At 9 a.m. off Cape Corrientes. At meridian latitude 21° 29′, longitude 84° 06 ‘. Soon after meridian made two sail nearly ahead. Gave chase and came up, first with a Spanish brig from Cadiz to Vera Cruz, and [...]
Tuesday, July 2.—Day begins clear and beautiful. At 8 a.m. struck the N. E. trades, made sail in aid of the steam, and ordered moderate steam carried. Toward noon a few trade squalls, with light showers of rain, passed over. Course since 8 last evening, S. S. E.½ E .; latitude at noon, 23° 04′; [...]
The Commonwealth Of Virginia To Richard Thomas Zarvona, Greeting: Know you that from special trust and confidence reposed in your fidelity, courage and good conduct our governot in pursuance of the authority vested in him by an ordinance of the convention of the State of Virginia doth commission you a colonel in the active volunteer [...]
Monday, July 1.—Weather beautiful and clear, with the deep blue sea rolling brightly around us, and a gentle breeze from the southward and westward. We have seen no sail since we lost sight of the Brooklyn, and have averaged a speed of about 8 knots. Latitude at noon, 26° 18′ north; longitude, 87° 23′, steering [...]
FORT TAYLOR, FLA., January 31, 1861. Col. L. THOMAS, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army: SIR: My company left Fortress Monroe, Va., on the 24th of the present month, and arrived at this place this morning. The Brooklyn will coal at this place, and then proceed to Fort Jefferson. As there was but a very small [...]
FORT SUMTER S. C., January 31, 1861. (Received A. G. O., February 4.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The South Carolinians are still busily engaged at work at two places on Cummings Point, They are using heavy timbers, which they square and frame. Last night they worked at least half the night. The agent of [...]
FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,………. January 31, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 26th instant of a communication [following] from the headquarters of the Army dated the 4th instant, ordering my whole company to this fort. I had anticipated the order some time ago. This is the only dispatch [...]
BILOXI, MISS., January 30, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that the works at Ship Island were visited by an armed body of men on the forenoon of the 13th instant. They stated to the overseer that their object was to take possession of the works, and, also, that they were acting on [...]
WAR DEPARTMENT, January 29, 1861. Lieut. ADAM J. SLEMMER, First Regiment Artillery, U. S. Army, Commanding Fort Pickens : SIR: The dispatch of which the inclosed is a copy was transmitted today, and the hope is indulged that it will be received before the arrival of the Brooklyn. Lieutenant Saunders goes as the bearer of [...]
Fort SUMTER, S.C., January 29, 1861. (Received A. G. O., February 1.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U.S. Army: COLONEL: The South Carolinians are at work in large force on Cummings Point, apparently framing heavy timbers, for what purpose I am unable yet to state. They succeeded this morning, favored by a very high tide, in [...]
PENSACOLA, January 28, 1861. To Hon. JOHN SLIDELL, or, in his absence, Hon. R. M. HUNTER, or Governor BIGLER: We hear the Brooklyn is coming with re-enforcements for Fort Pickens. No attack on its garrison is contemplated, but, on the contrary, we desire to keep the peace, and if the present status be preserved [...]
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., January 28, 1861. Hon. WM. M. BROOKS, President State Convention: SIR: The following resolution has been handed me by the secretary of the Convention: Resolved, That his excellency the governor be requested to communicate to this Convention forthwith any information he may have in reference to the propriety of withdrawing or [...]
SAVANNAH, GA., January 27, 1861. I transmit herewith a copy of an order which was handed to me yesterday. I refused to recognize Colonel Lawton’s authority, or to allow Lieutenant Bassinger to interfere with the barracks or public property. Lieutenant Bassinger, on my refusal to agree to comply with the order which he gave me, [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., January 27, 1861. (Received A. G. O. January 30.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to state, in reply to your letter of the 24th instant, that our letters, &c., are sent by boat, daily, at 12 m., to Fort Johnson in a sealed package, addressed to the postmaster [...]
“Every man…, that is discharged is beset as soon as he reaches town for information, and in some instances they have played upon the credulity of their questioners. In other instances, the information given has been magnified and distorted.” FORT SUMTER, S. C, January 27, 1861. General Jos. G. Totten, GENERAL: I have the honor [...]
[JANUARY 26, 1861.] Saturday–8 o’clock a.m. Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON, Commissioner from Virginia, Charleston: President’s reply: “Brooklyn not for South Carolina. On errand of mercy and relief.” JOHN TYLER.
WAR DEPARTMENT, January 26, 1861. Lieut. Gen. W. Scott: DEAR GENERAL: The President is much disturbed by a telegraphic dispatch which announces that the Brooklyn has sailed with two companies instead of one as was ordered. I assured him that the dispatch must be inaccurate, but would be glad to repeat the assurance on your [...]
FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,………. January 26, 1861. SIR: I have to report that no demonstration has been made upon this fort to this date. There is no apprehension from the population of Key West, but I have no doubt that a force will soon appear at any moment from the mainland. If my company [...]