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 is now actually in the possession of Lieutenant Slemmer. This noble fidelity should be rewarded, but the kind of reward I am not prepared to yet recommend. The design was to spike the flank casemate howitzer, and then to take the work by escalade. I have no doubt but that other soldiers of Lieutenant Slemmer’s garrison were tampered with, and I fear in one or two cases successfully, but have not yet had time to investigate the affair.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN,
Brevet Colonel, Commanding.
[Inclosure.]
FORT PICKENS, FLA., April 18, 1861.
To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters of the Army:
SIR: Having had my suspicions aroused by letters passing to and from Fort Pickens and the village of Warrington, I issued orders that no letters or packages should be sent from or received at the post except those passing through my hands. Subsequent to this a roll of papers came from Warrington, addressed to Ordnance Sergeant E. H. Broady. Upon opening them a letter fell out, of which the following is a copy:
BROADY: You are without exception the dam’dest fool I have the pleasure of knowing. Bragg will give you a dam’d sight better berth than you have, and besides, you will be on the right side. Don’t be a jackass always. Look at Gardner—see his position. I have authority for offering you a like commission. Answer me. Where can I take you a cocktail? My regards to Flynn. Come over and see me. I can assure you that permission to visit your wife, and in a capacity she will be more than glad to find you in, will be granted you. No humbug. Come over.
Yours,
B.
I kept this letter, determining to watch the sergeant and intercept other letters. The next day another roll of papers came to the same address, out of which the following note was obtained:
What a jackass you are. I again renew my offer of a position with a lieutenant’s commission and all your pay twofold that is due you from the Federal Government. Also to Flynn. If you will help us along to save bloodshed, I can offer any private in the company $500, and any non-commissioned officer $1,000 too, with a guarantee of future provision as high or higher as he now stands. Every man who will take upon themselves to give us the fort without bloodshed, and save the lives of your garrison, will be well paid—all back pay, $500 for the privates, $1,000 for non-commissioned officers, and a commission in the Confederate army. This, Broady, I offer from authority. I would not offer it otherwise. You as a friend I believe will trust me. We must and will have the fort, but ’tis not worth one drop of blood; but if it cost 5,000 lives we must and will have it. Fill it full of Federal troops if you will, yet we must and will have it. Don’t be a dam’d fool. When and where can I see you? I will go over to-night, and will take a cocktail if you say so.
Answer first opportunity.
Yours, &c.,
B.
The same day I received private information that the troops on the opposite side were making preparations, preparing boats, &c., and intended to come over that night or the next. I immediately addressed a note to Captain Adams, commanding the squadron, informing him of the fact, and requested re-enforcements. A storm prevented the Wyandotte from coming out the harbor that night. I kept my men in position, keeping a strict watch on the sergeant. Nothing occurred. The next day I received a letter from Captain Adams, of which the following is a copy:
U. S. FRIGATE SABINE,
Off Pensacola, April 11, 1861.Lieut. A. J. SLEMMER,
Commanding Fort Pickens, Fla.:SIR: You have stated in your communication to me of the 10th instant, that from information received through private hands you have reason to believe that the safety of the fort depends on its immediate re-enforcement. Will you be pleased to lay this information in full before me? So many unfounded rumors have been in circulation to this same effect that it is necessary to be cautious, and my orders are positive not to land re-enforcements unless the fort is actually attacked or preparations are making to attack it. Should your information be such as to justify it, I will have re-enforcements landed as soon as practicable when the state of the sea will admit of boats landing outside the harbor and at night, as you recommend.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. A. ADAMS,
Captain, Senior Officer Present.
A storm prevented the steamer Wyandotte from returning to the squadron that night. On the morning of the 12th I made the following answer:
FORT PICKENS, FLA., April 12, 1861.
Capt. H. A. ADAMS, Commanding Squadron off Pensacola Harbor:
SIR: In reply to your communication of the 11th instant, I have to state the information I received is through varied sources, and all to the same effect, viz, that the troops were preparing to embark for this island, and that boats and material were ready at the navy-yard to start at any moment; that the intention was to land either last night or the night before. The weather having been such these nights that they could scarcely cross unless very determined, they may be expected at the first favorable opportunity. I have deemed my information of such importance that for the last two nights my men have been placed at the guns in readiness to repel an attack. My men and officers are much fatigued, and I deem it absolutely necessary that the fort should be re-enforced immediately. Provisions should also be landed while there is yet time to do so by the Wyandotte.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SLEMMER,
First Lieutenant, First Artillery, Commanding.
On the night of the 12th instant, Captain Adams having received instructions from the Navy Department, Captain Vogdes landed with his company and the marines from the vessels, and relieved me from the command of the post. On the morning of the 11th instant I sent Ordnance Sergeant Broady on board the frigate Sabine, as I deemed it very unsafe to keep him in the fort, even if a good man, subject to the seductive influences I knew to be at work upon him. On the morning of the 13th instant a private of my company, G, First Artillery, Owen McGarr, came to me and made the following statement:
I was on picket guard last night. During the night I saw a small boat approach the beach. I stepped back to see what it was about, when a man came before me. I brought my musket to a charge and ordered him to halt. He said, “Don’t shoot; I am a friend.” He then began to talk to me and ask about the fort. While he was talking three others came up behind me. They asked me many questions, asking me about the number of men, &c., about the flank defense, whether the guns could not be spiked, &c. Said they would give any man plenty of money if he would only spike the flank defense guns. Asked when I would be on picket guard again. I told them on Monday night. They said, “We will be over and ready.” As they were going away one said to me, “How are you off for money in the fort? “‘ I said, ” We have not been paid for six months.” He then put a roll of bills in my hand and said, ” Give that to them.”
He then gave me a roll of bills, in amount sixty dollars. I have it now in my possession. There are evidences that the intention was to bribe my men to spike the flank defense and thus obtain possession of the fort.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
A. J. SLEMMER,
First Lieutenant, First Artillery.