War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Mississippi treasury depleted from war expenses.

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Executive Office, Jackson, Miss., May 3, 1861. His Excellency President Jefferson Davis: Dear Sir: The troops from Mississippi at Pensacola are sending to me for tents, clothing, arms, medicine, &c. I am sending them whatever is in my power to furnish. The expenses of forwarding our troops, arms, ammunition, tents, camp equipage, clothing, &c. , [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Anaconda Plan

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Cartoon map illustrating Gen. Winfield Scott’s plan to crush the Confederacy, economically. It is sometimes called the “Anaconda Plan.” Headquarters of the Army Washington, May 3, 1861 Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, Commanding Ohio Volunteers, Cincinnati, OH We rely greatly on the sure operation of a complete blockade1 of the Atlantic and Gulf ports soon [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Every day makes me feel more secure of making an efficient defense, and in a very few days my defensive preparations will be complete.

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA, Fort Pickens, May 2, 1861. Lieut. Col. TOWNSEND. Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have heretofore addressed my official communications to Colonel Keyes, because he, as the agent of the President as well as military secretary of the General-in-Chief, superintended the fitting out of the expedition for the relief of the fort, which [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

It is true that this Government considers the early reduction of Fort Pickens as highly important…

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WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 30, 1861. Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG, Commanding at Pensacola: GENERAL: Apprehending that you might have construed the suggestions thrown out from this Department as to the erection of batteries on Santa Rosa Island, and as to the attack on Fort Pickens, into orders to proceed first to the [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Anticipating an attempt by Bragg to land forces on Santa Rosa Island.

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U. S. FRIGATE SABINE, Off Pensacola, April 26, 1861. ORDER: Colonel Brown thinks it probable that an attempt may be made by General Bragg to land forces on Santa Rosa Island with a view of making approaches by land against Fort Pickens, in which case he asks the co-operation of the squadron to prevent it. [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Am much obliged for the muskets, and request that you send them to Richmond, Va., to my address as Secretary of War of the Confederate States.

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MONTGOMERY, April 25, 1861. Gov. J. W. ELLIS, Raleigh, N. C.: Major Whiting writes from Wilmington that he needs one thousand muskets and accouterments and one hundred rounds ammunition from Fayetteville Arsenal. L. P. WALKER. __________ MONTGOMERY, April 25, 1861. Gov. J. W. ELLIS, Raleigh, N. C. I shall have to supply with arms three [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Report on Expedition to Fort Pickens—Montgomery Meigs

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U. S. TROOP-SHIP ATLANTIC, Havana, April 25, 1861. Brig. Gen. J. G. TOTTEN, Chief of Engineers, Washington: GENERAL: In obedience to orders from the President of the United States, I accompanied as engineer the expedition of Colonel Brown, fitted out in New York, and sailing under secret and confidential orders to attempt to re-enforce Fort [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“I find myself installed here in command of the defenses of Cape Fear…, but in a babel of confusion…”

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WILMINGTON, N. C., April 22, 1861. Brigadier-General REAUREGARD ………………..Commanding Provisional Army, Charleston, S. C. MY DEAR GENERAL: I find myself installed here in command of the defenses of Cape Fear; to be sure, by commission from the governor, but in a babel of confusion, to which Morris Island and Charleston Harbor were child’s play. Without [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

I have now at this post nine full companies; aggregate about eight hundred and sixty men.

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 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA, Fort Pickens, April 22, 1861. Lieut. Col. E. D. KEYES, …..Secretary to the General-in-Chief, Washington, D.C.: COLONEL: I wrote you on the 19th, detailing my proceedings to that time. Having sent my dispatches by a sailing vessel, I herewith inclose duplicates. Since my last the weather has been generally favorable, and [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“…an attempt of the seceders to bribe and seduce the garrison from their duty.” Fort Pickens

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA, April 20, 1861. Col. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I inclose you a report of Lieutenant Slemmer in relation to an attempt of the seceders to bribe and seduce the garrison from their duty. That the attempt was made is fully proved by the fact that the money paid to Private McGarr [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Slave labor and white laborers on Tortuga and Key West

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HEADQUARTERS TROOPS STATIONED AT KEY WEST, Fort Taylor, April 20, 1861. Maj. L G. ARNOLD, Commanding Fort Jefferson, Tortugas : MAJOR: In order to further the views contained in your letter of the 1st instant, received to-day, I have been with Lieutenant Morton, Engineer Corps, to the town of Key West, for the purpose of [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“I believe that it is impossible to land a force upon this island…”

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U. S. TROOP-SHIP ATLANTIC, Off Santa Rosa, April 20, 1861. Col. H. BROWN, Commanding Department of Florida : DEAR COLONEL: If my estimate is correct you have now about 690 men inside Fort Pickens. The Illinois is here with two companies, say 168. The Saint Louis has gone to order up two companies of infantry [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The Official Communications Between Anderson and Beauregard Before, During, and Following the Bombardment

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NEW YORK, April 19, 1861. COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith dispatches Nos. 99 and 100, written at but not mailed in Fort Sumter, and to state that I shall, at as early a date as possible, forward a detailed report of the operations in the harbor of Charleston, S.C., in which my [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

I found this post in the worst possible condition for hostilities

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA, Fort Pickens, April 19, 1861. Lieut. Col. E. D. KEYES, Secretary to the General-in-Chief Washington, D. C.: COLONEL: I respectfully report for the consideration, and I hope for the approval, of the General-in-Chief the reasons inducing me to urge on Captain Meigs and Lieutenant Porter a delay in forcing an entrance [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Report of G.V. Fox—Nearing the bar it was observed that war had commenced, and, therefore, the peaceful offer of provisions was void.

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STEAMER BALTIC, New York, April 19, 1861. SIR: I sailed from New York in this vessel Tuesday morning, the 10th instant, having dispatched one steam-tug, the Uncle Ben, the evening previous to rendezvous off Charleston. The Yankee, another chartered tug, followed us to the Hook, and I left instructions to send on the Freeborn. We [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies