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 [...]
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 [...]
AUGUSTA ARSENAL, GA., January 25, 1861. SIR : I have the honor to report that this post was surrendered to the authorities of the State of Georgia on a demand made by the governor in person, backed by a very superior force of the military of the State. The company of Second U. S. Artillery [...]
HEADQUARTERS FORT MONROE, VA., January 25, 1861. Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army, New York City: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that in compliance with instructions from the General-in-Chief, Captain Vogdes’ company (A, First Artillery) left this post yesterday between 4 and 5 o’clock p.m. to embark on [...]
AUGUSTA ARSENAL, GA., January 24, 1861. SIR : I have the honor to report that the arsenal was surrendered this morning to the governor of Georgia upon honorable terms, herewith inclosed. ……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ARNOLD ELZEY, Captain, Second Artillery. Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. (Inolosure.) [...]
FORT SUMTER S.C., January 24, 1861. Col. S. COOPER; Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The storm continued until about daylight this morning. It is still cloudy, but the wind has abated sufficiently to enable our boat to take our mail over to Fort Johnson. I have written to our beef contractor in reference to furnishing us with beef, [...]
FORT SUMTER, S.C., January 23, 1861. (Received A. G. O., January 27.) Col. S. COOPER Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith a copy of the reply of the Hon. D. F. Jamison to my letter to him about supplies for this garrison and the removal of our women and children, and also [...]