MONTGOMERY, April 12, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:
What was Major Anderson’s reply to the proposition contained in my dispatch of last night!
L. P. WALKER.
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CHARLESTON, S. C., April 12, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
He would not consent. I write to-day.
G T. BEAUREGARD
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HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES,
Charleston, 8. C., April 12, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:
SIR: I have the honor to transmit the inclosed copy of a correspondence with Major Anderson, in consequence of which our fire was opened upon Fort Sumter at 4.30 o’clock this morning, as already communicated to you by telegraph. The pilots reported to me last evening that a steamer, supposed to be the Harriet Lane, had appeared off the harbor. She approached slowly, and was lying off the main entrance, some ten or twelve miles, when the pilot came in.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G.T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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CHARLESTON, April 12, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER:
Heavy firing all day. Several guns dismounted in Sumter. Our batteries all safe. Nobody hurt. Four steamers off the bar. The sea pretty rough.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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HDQRS. FIRST REGIMENT SOUTH CAROLINA VOLS.,
April 12, 1861—12 noon
Maj. W. H. C. WHITING,
Acting Adjutant and Insp. Gen., Morris Island, S. C.:
MAJOR: It is reported from the lookout on the lighthouse that three steamers are in sight off the bar. One is supposed by the light-house keeper to be the Harriet Lane. This one is in sight from the hill at my camp, and appears different in its build and rig from a merchant steamer. A heavy gun was fired a short time since at sea, probably from this steamer.
I have the honor to be., very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAXCY GREGG,
Colonel First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers.
P. S.–The steamer referred to is also reported to have approached the merchant steamer which was off the bar, and has now gone southward.
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APRIL 12,1861–afternoon.
The Pawnee, Harriet Lane (certain), and the Baltic (conjectured, from my knowledge of her build) are at anchor close at the North Channel; Illinois (conjectured)at anchor at the main bar. The wind and sea strong from the southeast; heavy surf. Troops are posted for the night. As many more as you can send will be welcome, No casualties whatever. Troops in good spirits. With your re-enforcements send, if possible, crackers and dried beef, or other provisions, in their haver-sacks. Shells still fire badly, owing to fuses prematurely bursting. The ships may try to send boats in. Already guns are trained and ranged for night firing on the landing. It is doubtful if the ships will try it. They may. If they run past they will have to go to the city. Men fire deliberately.
By order of General Simons:
W. H. C. WHITING,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
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FORT PALMETTO, STONO INLET, S.C., April 12, 1861.
Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD:
GENERAL: I have the honor to call your attention to the force at this point. From the accounts received from abroad, large military preparations seem to have been made against us. A vigorous diversion of their force may be made at this point, and as your attention is much occupied by the large preparations in Charleston Harbor, I take the liberty of bringing our force here to your notice, that you may increase it if the same is, in your opinion, expedient. We have been occupied all day strengthening our fortifications by the use of sand bags. With some laborers here, the main fortifications could be made much stronger against assault. The work is of such a character that it can only be done by those who are accustomed to this sort of labor.
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
J. J. POPE,
JR., Captain of Light Artillery, Commander of the Post.
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CHARLESTON HOTEL, Charleston, S.C., April 12, 1861.
Brigadier General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding Provisional Forces, Charleston, S. C.:
SIR: You were pleased to say, in your letter of yesterday, to Governor Pickens, in reference to my tender of services: “So soon as a sufficient force shall have been collected on Morris Island or elsewhere to form two brigades thereat, I shall be most happy to accept his [my] proffered services.” There being now on Morris Island the two regiments belonging to General Simons’ brigade, Colonel Gregg’s regiment of volunteers, and Colonel Kershaw’s regiment, also the whole or a part of Colonel Hagood’s regiment (both of my division), making as large or a larger number of my division proper than of General Simons’ command proper, I submit that the state of things contemplated in your letter has arisen, and respectfully ask to be assigned immediately to that command.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. L. BONHAM,
Major-General Division, South Carolina Volunteers.
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HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
April 12, 1861.
DEAR GENERAL: The display at Light-house Inlet, perhaps, is a feint, and if so, they intend to re-enforce, as you say, through Bull’s Bay and Sullivan’s Island Inlet; but I think there is danger at Stono, and of coming up in the rear of the city by the Long Bridge. The regiment, stationed at the race-course, is in good position, but they ought to have pickets out, so as to be in hearing of Stono, so as to report immediately to the colonel of the regiment if any attack is made. If they come through Sullivan’s Island Inlet or Creek, then Castle Pinckney might play her guns as they turn around to Sumter.
Respectfully,
F. W. PICKENS.
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HEADQUARTERS, April 12, 1861.
DEAR GENERAL: Plan of battle just determined on at Gregg’s quarters. Whiting, Huger, Gregg, Trapier, and Simons all agree that we greatly need infantry, to defend the batteries from assault. Four large steamers are plainly in view, and standing off the bar all day. Unanimous opinion that a landing will be attempted, and fears that some of the batteries will be taken, unless supported. Have made the best distribution of the troops we have, but need every man you can send. Should you not be here personally to direct! Such is the general opinion. I send this by order of Simons, who is at Gregg’s, and left me here to write, and send without delay.
Very respectfully,
LOUIS T. WIGFALL.
P. S.–We have no glass here, and have to rely entirely upon the eye to examine steamers. Four plainly in sight, and another vessel out a short distance. Fight expected to-night.
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HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S. C., April 12, 1861.
Lieutenant-Colonel DE SAUSSURE, Morris Island, S. C.:
SIR: In order to economize our mortar ammunition, I desire that at or after 12 m. this day you should double the interval between the firing of the shells; that is, four minutes instead of two during the day, and twenty minutes instead of ten during the night. The action of your mortar batteries in that respect will guide the others elsewhere. Be careful, also, not to fire too fast at your other batteries, and to call in time for additional ammunition when required.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S.C., April 12, 1861.
Maj. W. H. C. WHITING,
Assistant Adjutant-General, &c., Morris Island, S.C.:
MAJOR: Your note is received. Firing, I hope, will soon be better. To save ammunition of mortars, the time between each shell thrown should be doubled by day and by night–that is, four minutes instead of two for the first, and twenty minutes instead of ten for the last. I have written to Colonel De Saussure to that effect. This change should take place after 12 m. this day. The batteries elsewhere will follow those of Cummings Point. Great care should be taken at the other batteries (gun) not to fire too fast or uselessly, and timely calls for ammunition should be made. I have requested Colonel Wigfall to lend his assistance to General Simons as a volunteer aid. Be careful to strengthen the force protecting the batteries on south end of Morris Island, for if a landing is made it will be done there, probably. How would it do to send General Bonham to command from about the lighthouse down to Light-house Inlet? I am trying to dispatch to that locality as many new arrivals as possible. They will do very well for those hills.
Yours, truly,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.