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 what purpose had not transpired. Rumors were current that disaffection exists among the garrison, and that a surrender of Fort Sumter is contemplated. It is stated that there was good authority for believing that negotiations are going on with Washington for the surrender of the fort and a cessation of a warlike attitude. It is certain that Col. Hayne, on the part of South Carolina, and Lieut. Hall, on the part of Major Anderson, have left Charleston for Washington, respectively with proposals and to obtain instructions.

The proceedings of Congress yesterday will be read with unusual interest. The Senate Chamber and galleries and lobbies were occupied at an early hour by a dense throng of spectators, anxious to listen to the long expected speech of Mr. Seward upon the perilous condition of the country. The diplomatic corps were also in attendance. In due time Mr. Seward made his speech, which occupied some three hours in the delivery. A full report of it is given in today’s paper, and in the editorial columns may be found an analysis of the orator effort, with such remarks as the occasion suggests. At the conclusion of Mr. Seward’s speech the Deficiency Appropriation bill was discussed, and a resolution was offered enabling Commodore Paulding to accept of a sword and a tract of land given to him by the government of Nicaragua, in acknowledgment of his services in suppressing the Walker filibuster invasion.

In the house a resolution was offered calling for information respecting the reported occupation of the federal offices at St. Louis by United States troops, but the republicans refused to entertain it. A communication was received from the Mississippi delegation announcing the secession of that State from the Union and their withdrawal [continue reading…]

January 13, 1861, The New York Herald

SECOND MEETING OF THE UNION VOLUNTEERS.

ADOPTION OF A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS – ELECTION OF A CAPTAIN AND ORDERLY SERGEANT, ETC., ETC., ETC.

The second meeting of the Union Volunteers–a corps of young men who have organized themselves into a military body, with the intent of offering their services to the President of the United States for the preservation of the Union–took place last evening, pursuant to adjournment, at the Mercer House, the Chairman, Mr. Allan Rutherford, presiding. Some sixty or seventy persons were in attendance, including a number who were not present at the previous meeting.

January 13, 1861, The New York Herald

The steamer Star of the West, the focus of excitement for the last few days, arrived at this city at eight o’clock yesterday morning, and anchored off pier No. 29 North river.

The Star of the West, under command of Captain McGowan, left New York on Saturday night last, and at one o’clock Wednesday morning made Charleston bar. Capt. McGowan says that they laid off the bar until daylight when she proceeded to enter the harbor. When just off Morris Island the steamer was fired into by the battery from the island. Seventeen shots were fired. One shot took slight effect upon the port bow of the steamer, and a second hit her on the starboard quarter as she turned to leave the harbor. One ball passed between the smoke stack and the engine beam.

Finding it impossible to land troops, the captain, at nine A.M., returned to sea, the firing being still continued, but without further damage either to the vessel or those on board.

While coming over the bar, going out, the steamer struck twice.

The Star of the West remained outside the bar all night (Wednesday), and during the night steamers were seen coming out of the harbor, and Captain McGowan supposed that these vessels – the guard boats of the harbor–were in pursuit of him. All the lights on the Star of the West were extinguished, and she was not discovered.

The same night the ship Emily St. Pierre was spoken by the steamer. The St. Pierre is owned in Charleston, and came from Liverpool to that port, but was refused admittance because she had the American flag flying. The captain of the St. Pierre had not anticipated any such difficulty, and lay at anchor off the harbor.

The Star of the West made the passage to New York without incident, arriving here as above mentioned. The United States troops will remain on board until orders are received from Washington.

The steamer lies at anchor at the foot of Chambers street, and will doubtless attract as much attention as did the Great Eastern.

January 13, 1861, The New York Herald

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 1861.

I learn that despatches have been sent from here by authority to Major Anderson, at Fort Sumter, and also to Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, informing them that the steam frigate Brooklyn was not ordered to Charleston for any hostile purpose. Her mission was one of peace.

The Hon. Jefferson Davis has also communicated similar intelligence, the object of which is to disabuse the minds of the people of that State, and to prevent a collision.

The United States steam sloop of war Brooklyn left the Navy Yard, at Norfolk, on the 9th inst., and proceeded immediately to sea, with sealed orders. She passed the Capes at half-past two o’clock P.M. The sloop was met by the mail steamer Jamestown, of the New York and Virginia steamship line, bearing away to sea, and only six miles inside of the Capes. The following is a list of her officers:

Captain: W. S. Walker.

Lieutenants: Washington Gwathney, Albert W. Smith, Wm. Mitchell, R. T. Chapman, H. A. Adams.

Master: Thos. B. Mills.

Surgeon: Jas. M. McClellan.

Assistant Surgeon: T. W. Leach.

Paymaster: Thos. H. Looker. [continue reading…]

–Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, sent to Washington for a balance of $3,000 due him as late Minister to Russia. The Department adjusted his accounts by sending him a draft on the Charleston Sub-Treasury, the money in which has been seized by the State.

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FORT COLUMBUS, N. Y. H.,
January 13, 1861.

COLONEL: Pursuant to instructions, dated Headquarters of the Army, January 5, 1861, I embarked on the evening of Saturday, 5th instant, from Governor’s Island, at 6 o’clock p.m., on a steam-tug, which transferred us to the steamer Star of the West.

My command consisted of two hundred men, recruits from the depot, fifty of whom were of the permanent party. My officers were First Lieut. W. A. Webb, Fifth Infantry; Second Lieut. C. W. Thomas, First Infantry, and Assist. Surg. P. G. S. Ten Broeck, Medical Department.

On Tuesday afternoon, 8th instant, arms and ammunition were issued to all the men. About midnight same evening we arrived off Charleston Harbor, and remained groping in the dark until nearly day, when we discovered the light on Fort Sumter, which told us where we were. The other coast light marking the approaches to the harbor had been extinguished, and the outer buoy marking the channel across the bar gone.

During the night we saw what we supposed to be the light of a steamer cruising off the harbor, but she did not discover us, as our lights were all out. Just before day we discovered a steamer lying off the main ship channel. As soon as they made us out they burned one blue light and two red lights, and, receiving no response from us, immediately steamed up the channel. As soon as we had light enough we crossed the bar, and steamed up the main ship channel. This was on the first of the ebb tide, the steamer ahead of us firing rockets and burning lights as she went up. We proceeded without interruption until we arrived within one and three-quarter miles of Forts Sumter and Moultrie–they being apparently equidistant–when we were opened on by a masked battery near the north end of Morris Island. This battery was about five-eighths of a mile distant from us, and we were keeping as near into it as we could, to avoid the fire of Fort Moultrie. Before we were fired upon we had discovered a red palmetto flag flying, but could see nothing to indicate that there was a battery there.

We went into the harbor with the American ensign hoisted on the flagstaff, and as soon as the first shot was fired a full-sized garrison flag was displayed at our fore, but the one was no more respected than the other. We kept on, still under the fire of the battery, most of the balls passing over us, one just missing the machinery, another striking but a few feet from the rudder, while a ricochet shot struck us in the fore-chains, about two feet above the water line, and just below where the man was throwing the lead. The American flag was flying at Fort Sumter, but we saw no flag at Fort Moultrie, and there were no guns fired from either of these fortifications.

Finding it impossible to take my command to Fort Sumter, I was obliged most reluctantly to turn about, and try to make my way out of the harbor before my retreat should be cut off by vessels then in sight, supposed to be the cutter Aiken, coming down the channel in tow of a steamer, with the evident purpose of cutting us off. A brisk fire was kept up on us by the battery as long as we remained within range, but, fortunately, without damage to us, and we succeeded in recrossing the bar in safety, the steamer touching two or three times. Our course was now laid for New York Harbor, and we were followed for some hours by a steamer from Charleston for the purpose of watching us.

During the whole trip downward the troops were kept out of sight whenever a vessel came near enough to us to distinguish them, and the morning we entered the harbor of Charleston they were sent down before daylight, and kept there until after we got out of the harbor again. From the preparations that had been made for us I have every reason to believe the Charlestonians were perfectly aware of our coming.

We arrived in New York Harbor on the morning of the 12th instant, and disembarked at 8 o’clock this morning, the 13th, by orders from Headquarters of the Army.

The conduct of the officers and men under my command during the whole trip, and particularly while under fire, was unexceptionable.

Capt. John McGowan, commanding the steamer Star of the West, deserves the highest praise for the energy, perseverance, and ability displayed in trying to carry out his orders to put the troops in Fort Sumter. He was ably assisted by Mr. Walter Brewer, the New York pilot taken from this place.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. R. WOODS,

First Lieutenant, Ninth Infantry, Commanding.

Col. L. THOMAS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, U.S.A., Washington. D.C.

[January] 12th

       Lewis returned from Town with an uncomfortable account of the Forts, Sumpter is still in charge of Major Anderson and a vessel the Star of the West with men & supplies on board for the Fort, was fired into and prevented from communicating. Major Anderson declared the Port blocaded, and that he would fire on any boats coming in or going out. And after a spirited letter from the Governor, requested that Lieut. Talbot be permitted to go to Washington with letters which was granted. The Fort has to be taken. William with his Company will be at Morris’s Island, and Arthur with him. John in Fort Moultry. If I were to allow myself to think of these things I should be wild; but there is no use. Went yesterday to see Charlotte, Papa and Mrs Wayne, found C. & Mrs W at home. C’s governess not come which rather surprises her. Mrs W. tells me Mrs Lewis’s governess has left her, Mrs L. has a favorite maid, Emma, a very light Mulatoe & her son, who tell her every thing which goes on in her house, and made a great many extraordinary communications about the Governess, which she refused to submit to and left. I do not think my cousin Annie will ever have a Governess. Mrs Stevens has, C. says, quite a nice one, and she takes to flirting with Mr Stevens greatly to the disgust of Mrs S. who flirted away most violently with a Dr Foster, a homeopathic man, and says openly she does not care for her husband, yet will not willingly submit to his attentions to the Governess. I think upon the whole they are rather trying additions to ones family, I am very thankful there is no need of one with us. Mr Grimball went off to Town the day Lewis came up, he must have gone at any rate, for he said he wanted to see the boys. Every one feels restless & excited in these transition times, I only hope we may have a peaceful settlement of this sepparation . I expect up Mr G. & E. to day , & Mrs Wayne is to dine with us and to hear the news, & Papa is coming too.—

       Mr Grimball & Elizabeth arrived from Town and had seen John. Mrs. Wayne dined, Papa arrived here before we had finished our soup and seemed altogether in a bad humor, in answer to most news he said he did not believe a word of it: and aluded in rather a bantering tone to the fact of the raw Carolina recruits running at, or even before the fire of the English, Elizabeth fresh from Town and seeing her brothers, heartily earnest in the service of the State, said anyone who says the Carolina troops would run, should be shot. Papa was very angry, and the next day wrote me a letter, the thing will of course drop.—

       We all feel very anxious about the taking of Fort Sumpter, it is in negociation but that failing, must be got for the State even at great loss of life, and in view of this I wake in the night and pray most heartily to my Father in Heaven, and my merciful Savior to save us or we perish.

       Went to see Papa on his return from Town, he had an attack last night, and seemed very tired.

       Had a nice visit from Mrs Barnwell and Ann, she is very clever. We were talking of men, I said the result of my experience was to say, if asked for advice, if you want to do so you had better do it, and if you don’t want to do so you had better not do it, for I never found my advice was attended to, Ann said if she ever had an offer when the man was on his knees, she would make him promise all sorts of things;—I said they never went on their knees, & asked Margaret if Mr Barnwell offered himself on his knees. Ann said I can never imagine Papa the least sentimental & think he must have proposed as a passing remark between a conversation about the crops. In view of Mr Barnwells very stiff & settled manner, this is quite funny.

       In looking over my account of things I find I neglected to notice a very handsome entertainment which Mr Lewis gave to introduce his daughter, the boys were all invited, and Berkley & William went. They arrived at Ashapoo in time for Lunch & afterwards went out with horses, riding or driving, & rowing on the river. Had a very handsome dinner, sat down 30; and in the evening music from Town, and a band with some outside additions, & danced until five o’clock they then went to their rooms, and after resting 3 hours had breakfast, hot cakes, omlet , sausages, spare ribs, which B. said were not spare at all. Just our boys, and Frank Frost & Jim Fraser even slept in the same room, Mr Lewis doing the honors, the rest sat up. Most of the party were to return to the City by the 1 o’clock train, our boys came by the early train, & Mr Lewis must have been making arrangements for a long time, and succeeded.—

       Elizabeth staid while in Town with her Aunt, they are in a great state of excitement about the Forts, & Martin & Berkly in military exposure. M. has gone to Castle Pinckney, and as he is delicate I predict that he will either be made ill, or a great deal better by the exposure.—

       Papa has determined this winter of all times to remove Elizabeth Morris remains from the vault at Morrisania and put it in the Lowndes vault in Charleston & also Ralph and put him into a grave up here at the Bluff[?] Church for when the property is sold the vault must be emptied of the remains, (Papa had to give up this removal), for which he has provided a sum of 5 hundred dollars to get another vault at a Church near by.—Mr Whaly says Mrs Wayne is coming to perfect poverty, but she will entertain to the end, she has Friday for her receptions days, I like to go, it amuses me everything is so odd, shoes under the chairs and bags of dirty calico full of feathers on chairs for cushions.—She reminds me of Grandmama who always at Morrisania had her shoes, hat and shawl in the drawing room.—

       The first of this week Mr Grimball sent 10 men, under the charge of Lewis, to work at the Fort which they are putting up at the mouth of the Edisto river to protect the coast. Col. Jenkins sent 6 hands, his son Dr. Paul, 3, Col. Ashe 10, & they all went together. Lewis had some stores, & Georgy Jenkins, who went with his Fathers hands, told Lewis not to trouble himself, for he intended taking a whole sheep. Papa went while on one of his visits to the City, to see the Gov. and told him during the War of 1812, with England the Coast had been surveyed & it was judged unnecessary to build Forts as owing to the bars at the mouth of the rivers that they were inaccessable . The Gov. thanked Papa for his advice but—they are putting up two Forts, & Papa says he will not give a cent, or send a hand; so says the Miser, Ephraim Bainard, but others send, Mr Barnwell and others. Mr Grimball preferred sending here to Morris’s Island.

January 12, 1861, The Charleston Mercury

By letters from Anderson District, we learn that the gallant yeomanry of the up-country are no laggards in maintaining the honor and glory of the State, but are rapidly arming and forming themselves into companies. Below we give a list of the officers of the ‘Seneca Rangers, ‘a corps of mounted men, armed and equipped at their own expense, whose services have been tendered to the Governor, and who are eager to have a hand in the picture’ in sustaining the rights of South Carolina against the sectional bandit war waged against here. The officers of the Seneca Rangers are: THOMAS HALL, Captain; F.E. HARRISON, First Lieutenant; F.C.V. BORSDEL, Second Lieutenant; C. C. LANGSTON, Cornet: Rev. W.E. WALTERS, Chaplain; Dr. WALLER NARDIN, Surgeon; Jo. BERRY SLOAN, Orderly Sergeant.

SATURDAY 12

Mr Sewards Speech is the great event of the day. Did not hear it. The Senate Chamber was crowded by 9 o’clock. Got letter from Julia through Chas. Wrote her today. Hardly know how to get her Home, or (in fact) whether it is best for her to come here to Washington at this Crisis. Went round to the Hotels this evening. Gave Mr Hoard M.C. from N.Y. name of exmr in Pat office who got pay in advance and then “Seceded” (R. R. Rhodes of Mississippi). Pay Clerk Hugh McCormick, all unlawful. The indications now are that Virginia & Maryland will both “secede.” Cold and windy today. Temperature about the same as yesterday.

The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

January 12, 1861, The New York Herald

PENSACOLA BAY.

Pensacola bay has rare properties as a harbor. It is now accessible to frigates. The bar is near the coast, and the channel across it short and easily passed. The harbor is perfectly landlocked and the roadstead very capacious. There are excellent positions within for repairing, building and launching vessels, and for docks and dockyards in healthy situations. The supply of good water is abundant. These properties, in connection with the position of the harbor as regards the coast, have induced the government to select it as a naval station, and a place of rendezvous and repair. The upper arms of Pensacola bay receive the Yellow Water or Pea river, Middle river, and Escambia river, eleven miles from the Gulf.

SANTA ROSA ISLAND.

Santa Rosa Island is situated east by northwest by south fourteen leagues, and completely shuts out Pensacola from the sea. It is so low that the sea in a gale washes its top. It is not more than one fourth of a mile wide. The west point of this island is at the mouth of Pensacola bay. The latter is not over one and a quarter mile wide.

FORT PICKENS.

The principal means of defence to the mouth of Pensacola bay and the naval station is Fort Pickens. This fort is a first class bastioned fort, built of New York granite, and situated on low ground on the east point of Santa Rosa Island. Its walls are forty five feet in height by twelve feet in thickness; it is embrasured for two tiers of guns, which are placed under bombproof casemates, besides having one tier of guns en barbette. The guns form this work radiate to every point of the horizon, with flank and ensliding [continue reading…]

January 12, 1861, The New York Herald

Mr. Thomas yesterday resigned the post of Secretary of the Treasury, and the nomination of General Dix, Postmaster of New York, for the vacancy was sent to the Senate by the President, and confirmed without the usual reference. No nominations have yet been made for the War and Interior Departments. The resignation of Mr. Thomas and the appointment of General Dix have been brought about, it is said, by the subscribers to the government loan, who declined lending their funds to an administration of which avowed secessionists formed a part.

Florida and Alabama have seceded from the Union. An ordinance of secession was passed by the Florida Convention on Thursday, with but seven negative votes. The Alabama Convention adopted a secession ordinance yesterday. Four States have now bolted from the Union, as follows:

South Carolina Dec. 20.

Florida Jan. 10.

Mississippi Jan. 9.

Alabama Jan. 11.

Our dispatches from Washington announce an abatement of the excitement, in consequence of pacific news from Charleston. The authorities have relinquished possession of the steamer Marion, and she will resume her place in the line between Charleston and New York. [continue reading…]

January 12, 1861, The New York Herald

In regard to the forts on the Florida reefs we quote the following from the last report of the Secretary of War. It will be remembered by our readers that the steamer Joseph Whitney sailed from Boston a few days ago with troops to take charge of these forts, but it is thought the Florida State troops would precede them in the occupancy in these important works. The following description of the condition of the works will afford some idea of their practicability for present defence:-

FORT CLINCH, AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA.

During the past year, the east, south and southwest bastions have been built to the sprinting of the gun room arches; the curtain walls connecting them have been carried to the reference of the loop holes; all the galleries have been finished with the exception of asphalting their roof surfaces and placing the door and window frames; the gateway foundations of piers of sink gallery have been also laid; two lumber sheds and service magazine of north bastion have been completed. Barbette platforms for the north and northwest bastions have been procured, and a large amount of materials, accumulated for the working season. With the funds now on hand, it is proposed to complete the masonry of the enceinte and as far as practicable, the embankment of the rampart; to put the ramparts of the two channel fronts in condition to receive their armament; top pave all the bastions in order to provide the flank defence, and to put down the barbette platforms of the bastions bearing on the channels.

Assuming that the funds on hand are sufficient for the purposes described, to complete the work there remain the embankment of the unfinished portions of land front, ramparts, breast height walls, barbette platforms, excavation of ditch, embankment of counterscarp and covered way, breast height, glacis, quarters, workshops and storehouse. [continue reading…]

January 12, 1861, The New York Herald

FORT MORGAN AND MOUNT VERNON ARSENAL.

At the time Louisiana was purchased from France, in 1803, Mobile was claimed and held as a Spanish possession. The French claimed territory to the Perdido river flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, between Mobile bay and Pensacola. When we came into possession Louisiana, we also claimed to be the same boundary, while the Spanish government claimed to a line considerable west of Mobile. The war of 1812 coming, the Spaniards continued in possession until 1813, when the Fort Conde, the principal work in Mobile was surrendered to a force under Gen. Wilkinson, and our claim made good to the Perdido. The Americans on taking possession not only strengthened Fort conde, but also manned the imperfect works at Mobile Point, which measurably commanded the entrance to the harbor. These were attacked in the autumn of 1814 by some British vessels of war – one of which, if our memory serves us, was the Hermes. On this locality has since been constructed Fort Morgan–one of the strongest defensive works on the Gulf of Mexico. With this fort and other works of the entrance of the bay, twenty two miles from the city, in the possession of a reasonable force, no fleet, however formidable, can pass them. Fort Morgan alone commands, the chief entrance to the bay. Vessels of large draft cannot pass over Dog Island bar, some miles below the city.

The arsenal referred to as having been taken possession of by Alabama militia is known as the Mount Vernon Arsenal, and is situated thirty miles in the interior, north of Mobile. It stands on a high hill, which rises some 400 or 500 feet above the surrounding country. From the base of this hill to the city, and, in fact, to the Gulf of Mexico, is almost a dead level. The soil is sandy and covered with an almost unbroken pitch pine forest, interspersed with alluvial creeks, small farms, and with glades and swamps, bearing magnolia trees, live oaks and tangled thickets of undergrowth. The present [continue reading…]

January 12, 1861, The Charleston Mercury

Probably the most arbitrary act of despotism that can be perpetrated by a Government, next to the punishment of men by execution, imprisonment or otherwise, without trial, is the violation of private rights of confidence in the supervision of the mails, by the breaking private seals and the seizing private documents by public authorities. This has ever been charged as the most despotic and tyrannous act of LOUIS NAPOLEON, the present Emperor of the French. Yet it is not surprising that he should have exercised this power, when we reflect upon the condition of that country at that time–when anarchy was imminent–Red Republicanism running riot–plots and conspiracies ripening everywhere–his life in jeopardy–and the stability of his throne involved. Yet the action of LOUIS NAPOLEON was open and declared. All men understood that the mail was under the supervision of the Prefect.

It has been reserved for the free, enlightened, constitutional, limited Government of the United States to pilfer the mails in secret, and to violate private rights and confidence by stealth. We speak by the card.

During the last three weeks we have reason to suppose no less than eight consecutive letters upon public matters, addressed to the Editor of this paper from Washington, have been stolen in that post office. They have not come to hand. To suppose that the Postmaster at Washington should thus deliberately and systematically rob the public mails, without direct authority or secret countenance, is hardly admissible. For he would scarcely undertake, upon his own account, thus to forfeit his liberty and his life. He must have been aware (if the act was committed by him at all) that both were entirely secure. The same thing has happened to us in regard to letters from New York, in a few instances, of late. They have never arrived. [continue reading…]

January 12, 1861, The Charleston Mercury

MONTGOMERY, January 11. – Alabama sends greeting to South Carolina: The Convention of her people today adopted the Ordinance of Secession from the Federal Union. It reads as follows:

AN ORDINANCE. TO DISSOLVE THE UNION BETWEEN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE OTHER STATES UNITED UNDER THE COMPACT STYLED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Whereas, the election of ABRAHAM LINCOLN and HANNIBAL HAMLIN to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America by a sectional party, avowedly hostile to the domestic institutions, and the peace and security of the people of the State of Alabama, following upon the heels of many and dangerous infractions of the Constitution of the United States by many of the States and people of the Northern section, is a political wrong of so insulting and menacing a character as to justify the people of the State of Alabama in the adoption of prompt and decided measures fort heir future peace and security; therefore, Be it declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama in Convention assembled, That the State of Alabama now withdrawn from the Union, known as the United States of America, and henceforth ceases to be one of the said United States, and is, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and independent State. Sec. 2. And be it further declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama in Convention assembled, that all powers over the territory of the said State and over the people thereof, heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America, be and they are hereby withdrawn from the said Government, and are hereby resumed and vested in the people of the State of Alabama. And as it is the desire and purpose of the people of Alabama to meet the slaveholding States of the South, who approve such purpose, in order to frame a provisional and permanent Government, upon the principles of the Government of the United States; Be it resolved [continue reading…]

CINCINNATI, January 12, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE:–I will write oftener hereafter. I have some work, the days are short, and the state of the country is a never-ending topic which all you meet must discuss, greatly to the interruption of regular habits. I rather enjoy the excitement, and am fond of speculating about it.

We are in a revolution; the natural ultimate result is to divide us into two nations, one composed of free States, the other of slave States. What we shall pass through before we reach this inevitable result is matter for conjecture. While I am in favor of the Government promptly enforcing the laws for the present, defending the forts and collecting the revenue, I am not in favor of a war policy with a view to the conquest of any of the slave States; except such as are needed to give us a good boundary. If Maryland attempts to go off, suppress her in order to save the Potomac and the District of Columbia. Cut a piece off of western Virginia and keep Missouri and all the Territories.

To do this we shall not need any long or expensive war, if the Government does its duty. A war of conquest we do not want. It would leave us loaded with debt and would certainly fail of its object. The sooner we get into the struggle and out of it the better.

There, you can read that perhaps. If you can’t, you lose nothing. If you can, it is no more worthless than the dispatches from Congress.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

–The Star of the West arrived at New York, having failed to land her troops at Fort Sumter. The Captain reported that unexpected obstacles in the removal of buoys, lights, and ranges, which, though he arrived in the night, compelled him to wait till daybreak outside the harbor, rendered a successful entrance impossible.–(Doc. 21.)

–Senator Seward, in his place in the Senate, spoke upon the present troubles of the country, and avowed his “adherence to the Union, in its integrity and with all its parts; with his friends, with his party, with his State, or without either, as they may determine; in every event, whether of peace or of war; with every consequence of honor or dishonor, of life or death.” He said that “Union is not less the body than liberty is the soul of the nation.” The speech is denounced by both extremes, and is understood by the Southerners to mean “coercion,” while the political friends of the Senator consider it a relinquishment of his principles.–Times, Jan. 18.

Four Barrancas and the navy yard at Pensacola, were seized. The late commandant of the navy yard, in a dispatch to Government, says:

“Armed bodies of Florida and Alabama troops appeared before the gate of the navy yard, and demanded possession. Having no means of resistance, I surrendered and hauled down my flag. They are now in possession.”

A dispatch to the Florida senators announced the same as follows:

“We repaired down here and captured Fort Barrancas and navy yard, and then paroled the officers, granting them permission to continue to occupy their quarters. We are now in possession. This move was in consequence of the Government garrisoning Fort Pickens, which has before remained unoccupied. You will propose to the Administration, resuming the status quo ante bellum and we will immediately evacuate.”

The Pensacola navy yard contains a hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars’ worth of ordnance stores.–Richmond Enquirer, Jan. 14.

–Artillery were ordered to Vicksburg by the Governor early this morning, to hail and question passing boats on the Mississippi river.

A salute of fifteen guns was fired last night at Jackson, on the reception of the news from Alabama and Florida.–Raleigh Standard, Jan. 14.

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NEW YORK HARBOR,
January 12, 1861.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I reached this post at 8 ½ o’clock this morning with my command, having been unable to reach Fort Sumter. I will make a detailed report without delay.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES R. WOODS,

First Lieutenant, Ninth Infantry.

Col. H. L. SCOTT, A. D.C.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Raleigh, January 12, 1861.

His Excellency JAMES BUCHANAN,
…….President of the United States:

SIR: Reliable information has reached this Department that on the 9th instant Forts Johnston and Caswell were taken possession of by State troops and persons resident in that vicinity, in an irregular manner. Upon the receipt of this information I immediately issued a military order requiring the forts to be restored to the authorities of the United States, which order will be executed this day.

My information satisfies me that this popular outbreak was caused by a report very generally credited, but which, for the sake of humanity, I hope is not true, that it was the purpose of the administration to coerce the Southern States, and that troops were on their way to garrison the Southern forts and to begin the work of our subjugation. This impression is not yet erased from the public mind, which is deeply agitated at the bare contemplation of so great an indignity and wrong, and I now most earnestly appeal to your Excellency to strengthen my hands in my efforts to preserve the public order here by placing it in my power to give public assurances that no measures of force are contemplated towards us.

Your Excellency will therefore pardon me for asking whether the United States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops during your administration? This question I ask in perfect respect, and with an earnest desire to prevent consequences which I know would be regretted by your Excellency as much as myself. Should I receive assurances that no troops will be sent to this State prior to 4th March next, then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the United States will be fully protected as heretofore. If, however I am unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for the consequences.

The forts in this State have long been unoccupied, and their being garrisoned at this time will unquestionably be looked upon as a hostile demonstration, and will, in my opinion, be certainly resisted.

Believing your Excellency to be sincerely desirous of preserving peace and preventing the effusion of the blood of your countrymen. I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind here.

………………..Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN W. ELLIS.

January 12, 1861

• Star of the West returns to New York City
• Attorney-general I. W. Hayne leaves Charleston with a demand from Governor Pickens that the federal government surrender Fort Sumter

The image is of the steamship “Star of the West” (Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War)

January 11th, 1861. —We did not try to be early this morning, as the big event of the day did not take place until one o’clock. Capitol Square was so crowded you could see nothing but heads and the Capitol itself was full of people looking from the windows, which looked out on the east portico. Somehow Father and I had seats on the portico itself, close up to the wall where we were not in the way and yet we could both see and hear.

There was a table already there with a large inkstand and several pens, nothing more. A subdued murmur came from the assembled citizens but there was none of the noise and excitement which had prevailed on other days; all seemed impressed with the solemnity of the occasion for oh, it is solemn! I did not realize how solemn until Mr. Sanderson read the Constitution and I understood just why it was necessary for Florida to secede.

As the old town clock struck one, the Convention, headed by President McGehee, walked out on the portico. In a few moments they were grouped about the table on which some one had spread the parchment on which the Ordinance of Secession was written. It was impossible for me to tell in what order it was signed, the heads were clustered so closely around the table, but presently I heard Col. Ward’s familiar voice. There was a little break in the crowd and I saw him quite plainly. He dipped his pen in the ink and, holding it aloft he said, in the saddest of tones, “When I die I want it inscribed upon my tombstone that I was the last man to give up the ship.” Then he wrote slowly across the sheet before him, “George T. Ward.” [continue reading…]

FRIDAY 11

Yesterdays Telegraphic news was incorrect as to Maj Anderson. The “Inteligencer” this morning publishes a letter from an ex-Congressman from the south exposing the treasonable proceedings at their Secret meetings of the Senators from the Cotton States now here. Yulee (brother of the Senator from Fla) in my room today said they were acting from patriotic motives. I denounced them as conspirators and traitors. Y “looked daggers” but was silent. Whitaker (from S.C.) looked blank. He is our 2nd assistant and is emphaticaly a “literary know nothing.” No particular news today. Treason is rife in the City, and we know not what a day may bring forth. A pretty cold day. M. about 20.

The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

January 11, 1861, The Chaleston Mercury

NEW YORK, January 7.

The secession of South Carolina from the Confederacy excites more condemnation now than it did when it first occurred. Since then business has decreased considerably among the merchants; orders to manufacturers are very limited; thousands of mechanics and clerks are thrown out of employment, all of whom see, in the action of the Palmetto State, the proximate cause of these disasters, and they look not beyond. Conservatives assert that South Carolina has always been a troublesome State; Democrats that she acted too precipitately; Republicans that secession is treason, which LINCOLN, like ANDREW JACKSON, will put down, as he did nullification; while a portion of the press and political philosophers declare, with great gravity, that the success of the sectional candidates for the Presidency, and the consequences resulting therefrom, are all owing to the convictions of the ‘Northern conscience.’

The highest law of conscience known, is ‘do unto others as you would that they should do unto you.’ Now, in order to discover whether the ‘Northern conscience’ acts in accordance with this rule, it would seem fair to apply the tests of its past history in order to analyse it. A retrospect over the last thirty five years presents to view the fact that the constant dictate and effort of the ‘Northern conscience was, has been, and is still, to have the whole Confederacy taxed and to pay tribute for the support of Northern manufactures, by protective tariff laws, coasting navigation acts, bounties and drawbacks. Next in the retrospect comes the crusade of the ‘Northern conscience’ against negro slavery in the Southern States. Now this ‘Northern conscience’ will touch, taste, handle and wear those unclean things, the products of slave labor, sugar, rice, coffee, cotton and tobacco. Although the most effective mode and peaceful way of terminating negro slavery would be the non consumption of the products of slave labor, which must take place when Abolition triumphs, inasmuch as those products of negro [continue reading…]

January 11, 1861, The New York Herald

Savannah is the seat of justice and the largest city in the State of Georgia, and contains 20,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the southeast bank of the Savannah river, on a high bluff, forty feet above low water mark. It is twelve miles distant, in a direct or air line, from the ocean, and eighteen miles, following the course of the river. The city is regularly laid out in the form of a parallelogram, with streets (many of them wide) crossing each other at right angles. There are ten public squares in the city, containing two acres each, at equal distances from each other. These squares and many of the streets are bordered with trees, and particularly of the genus know as the ‘Pride of India,’ which give them a beautiful appearance. The monument erected to General Greene, and especially the one to count General Pulaski, who fell in the attack against the British at Savannah, are beautiful and tasteful structures. Many of the houses are of brick, and a considerable number of them, including the principal public buildings are elegant. The city is lighted with gas, and well supplied with water from the river, raised by two powerful steam engines into a reservoir one hundred and twenty feet above the surface of the river, and distributed through the city in iron pipes. On the east and west of the city are marshes, and a pine barren extends two miles to the south. The city affords good facilities for vessels in distress, having a dry dock capable for taking vessels 235 feet in length by sixty feet over all, and everything necessary for repairing vessels. There are also ways for drawing up vessels of three hundred tons. There are twenty feet of water on Tybee bar at high water, with a fall of six feet.

The city was founded in 1733, by General James Oglethorpe and others. It was taken by the British in 1778, but they abandoned it in 1782. On the 10th of January, 1820, four hundred and sixty three buildings were destroyed by fire – four millions worth of property destroyed; but it has been rebuilt with additional beauty. [continue reading…]