HDQRS. PROV. ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
Charleston, S.C., April 11, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER,
Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:
SIR: I transmit herewith, for the information of the Department, a copy of my note of this morning to Major Anderson, commanding at Fort Sumter, demanding the surrender of that fort to the Confederate Government, together with a copy of his reply thereto. As soon as his answer was received a telegraphic dispatch (a copy of which is inclosed) was sent to you, communicating its purport, and asking for your instructions. I regret to add here that the new levies at Morris Island are not in as complete a state of organization as I desire; but I hope, in the event of an attempt to land by the enemy, that I will be able to give you a satisfactory account of them.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
[Inclosure.]
CHARLESTON, April 11, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:
Major Anderson replies: “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication demanding the evacuation of this fort, and to say in reply thereto that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor and of my obligations to my Government prevent my compliance.” He says verbally: “I will await the first shot, and if you do not batter us to pieces we will be starved out in a few days.”
Answer.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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MONTGOMERY, April 11, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
Do not desire needlessly to bombard Fort Sumter. If Major Anderson will state the time at which, as indicated by him, he will evacuate, and agree that in the mean time he will not use his guns against us unless ours should be employed against Fort Sumter, you are authorized thus to avoid the effusion of blood. If this or its equivalent be refused, reduce the fort as your judgment decides to be most practicable.
L. P. WALKER.
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WASHINGTON, April 11, 1861.
General G. T. BEAUREGARD:
The Tribune of to-day declares the main object of the expedition to be the relief of Sumter, and that a force will be landed which will overcome all opposition.
ROMAN.
CRAWFORD.
FORSYTH.
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CHARLESTON, S.C., April 11, 1861.
ROMAN, CRAWFORD, and FORSYTH,
Commissioners Confederate States, Washington, D.C.:
Evacuation of Fort Sumter will be demanded to-day. If refused, hostilities will commence to-night. Answer.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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CHARLESTON, April 11, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER:
Ought not demand of Sumter be made also by Commissioners at Washington for its evacuation?
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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MONTGOMERY, April 11, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
No. Yours is the only demand to be made.
L. P. WALKER.
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CHARLESTON, April 11, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
Demand sent at 2. Allowed until 6 to answer.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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HEADQUARTERS MORRIS ISLAND, S.C.,
April 11, 1861.
Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD, Commanding:
MY DEAR GENERAL: It is absolutely necessary that some assistance be sent here, in the Adjutant-General’s Department–I mean of the kind that will be useful. I am expected to be engineer and everything else, The regimental organization (mixed up of infantry and riflemen, without bayonets) cannot be preserved. Cannot you take charge, or at least come here and see the state of affairs? We must have a clerk experienced. Must have an order book, stationery, &c. Transportation is wanted. Horses are required for officers, staff, and orderlies (at least, half a dozen}, especially if you come down.
Colonel Gregg has 1,100 men; Colonel Cunningham, 418; Colonel Kershaw, between 300 and 500–in all, 2,000, exclusive of artillery. Orders have been issued for all the batteries to be in readiness, but with the exception of Colonel Gregg’s I find great confusion in the new re-enforcements.
Very truly, yours,
W. H. G. WHITING.
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MORRIS ISLAND, S.C.,
April 11, 1861—4 p.m.
[General BEAUREGARD:]
GENERAL: We are ready, perhaps, to open fire, but we are not ready to support it. For God’s sake have this post inspected by yourself, or some one else competent, before you open fire. I am alone here, as you know, and heretofore have been exclusively occupied with the construction of batteries. De Saussure complains that he has not men enough to work his guns for any length of time, and Kershaw’s force is “helter skelter,” having just arrived. Cunningham’s is but little better. Both are badly supplied with cartridges. A full and efficient staff is needed. There are no regulars here at all. I can say but little now. The general agrees with me in begging you to examine this position.
W. H. G. WHITING.
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Charleston S. C., April 11, 1861.
Maj. W. H. C. WHITING,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Morris Island, S. C.:
MAJOR: Your letter and note of this day are just received. Things always appear worst at first sight when not perfect. We cannot delay now. I think you will have all day to-morrow to organize. I am, however, surprised that Lieutenant-Colonel De Saussure should not have men enough, when ten days ago I told him to call for any number he might require. General Simons must supply that deficiency; but I am of the opinion that two thousand Americans ought to beat, on favorable ground, twice that number of troops landing. Remember New Orleans.
Moreover, to-morrow you will have another regiment. I send you Captains Winder and Allston, and two of the best men as clerks from Winder’s company. Call on Colonel Cunningham for one or more men from his regiment as clerks. Major Trapier has been ordered as chief engineer on Morris Island, to relieve you of that duty. Colonel Gregg has more ammunition than you can all require.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
P. S.–My duties are so important here I cannot leave at present, but will be with you when the fighting commences.
G. T. B.
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HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
April 11, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD:
DEAR GENERAL: I inclose the within that you may see what General Bonham offers. His command is confined to the volunteer regiments, ordered into service under a bill to raise ten thousand volunteers in reserve. Three of his regiments are ordered here now. One difficulty I apprehend in his command is that General Dunovant will object, perhaps, to his command over him; but this is nothing, if you desire Bonham to command the whole as major-general. Yet, under the resolutions of the Convention, reporting to you for orders as commander of all, confirmed by myself, I will order him to report to you, with all his staff, and make a special order for him. Perhaps he might be of great service in bringing all into one command for you, and I know he would fight like a true soldier. Besides, he has knowledge, derived from actual service in Mexico, and stands high in the State. But, general, you must candidly say if it is suitable to you, for at this critical juncture I desire to do nothing but what is agreeable to you.
With great esteem, yours, truly,
F. W. PICKENS.
[Inclosure.]
CHARLESTON, S.C., April 11, 1861.
Governor PICKENS:
SIR: Three regiments of the division of the South Carolina Volunteers, of which you have been pleased to appoint me major-general have been ordered into the field. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully, to ask the command of those troops, together with such as may be associated with them. Having learned that the Convention of the State has made General Beauregard commander of all the State troops which have been or are likely to be ordered into service in and about Charleston Harbor, I take pleasure in saying I will cheerfully report to that able and distinguished officer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. L. BONHAM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Division of South Carolina.
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HDQRS. PROV. ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
Charleston, S.C., April 11, 1861.
His Excellency Gov. F. W. PICKENS, Charleston, S. C.:
SIR: I inclose you herewith the copy of the orders referred to in your letter of this morning. The copy of this day’s instructions, relative to the harbor lights, &c., have already been communicated to you.
With regard to your suggestion, relative to the application of Major General Bonham for service under my orders (an application which adds so much to the high reputation of that gallant and distinguished officer), I beg to state that they cannot at present be carried into effect; but, as soon as sufficient force shall have been collected on Morris Island or elsewhere to form two brigades thereat, I shall be most happy to accept his proffered services.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE, April 11, 1861.
Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD:
DEAR SIR: In corroboration of the information which I am told you have already received, Captain Davenport, of the pilot-boat Palmetto, reports that he saw the Harriet Lane this afternoon, making towards this city with speed, until within about fifteen miles of the bar, when she “hove to.” That then he was about two miles from her, when he distinctly recognized her. He says he has no doubt about her identity, as he knows her well.
I am, dear sir, respectfully yours,
D. F. JAMISON.
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HEADQUARTERS, CHARLESTON, S.C., April 11, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, C. S. A. :
SIR: I am in receipt of your two communications of 8th instant, and note contents. In reply to the suggestion of your Department of “the necessity of calling at once for three thousand volunteers, to be drilled, equipped, and held in instant readiness to meet any requisition from this Department,” I have to say the necessary orders have been issued to carry out the same as far as this State is concerned. One regiment, containing twelve companies, will concentrate as soon as practicable at Columbia, to be there quartered, drilled, and prepared for orders to move to any point desired. Two companies of this regiment will be drilled as artillery, and two other full regiments are ordered to hold themselves in readiness for immediate service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. PICKENS.
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GENERAL ORDERS,
NO. 13
HDQRS. PROVISIONAL FORCES,
Charleston, S. C., April 11, 1861.
I. Brig. Gen. James Simons, S.C. V., having been ordered into service by the governor of the State, and having reported to the brigadier-general commanding for duty, is assigned to the command of the forces on Morris Island, whither he will repair without delay and assume the command.
II. Maj. W. H. C. Whiting, Corps of Engineers, C. S. A., is appointed acting assistant adjutant and inspector general of the forces on said island, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. He will report to Brigadier-General Simons.
By order of Brigadier-General Beauregard:
D. R. JONES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.