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 we have been busily employed in putting the fort in a condition of defense, and in landing provisions and other stores. I have made quite as good progress as I could have expected. The steamship Atlantic will be discharged to-day, when I shall send her to New York. The Illinois arrived yesterday, and landed Brooks’ and Allen’s companies, Second Artillery, and a detachment of recruits, so that I have now at this post nine full companies; aggregate about eight hundred and sixty men. I have also sent to Key West for the two infantry companies there. My present command is more than sufficient to repel any assault that may be made on the fort, but the holding the western portion of this island and preventing the rebels making a lodgment on it is of vital importance, and to do so effectually a larger force than I now have is required. If the assistance of the ships could always be insured, my present force might perhaps suffice, but they are constantly liable to be blown off, and may be so for several days, of which an enterprising and numerous enemy might and probably would avail himself. The presence of a large force here also prevents the secessionists from weakening their force, and thus prevents diversion to other places where their presence would be more unwelcome. I propose, as soon as I can put the fort in a defensive state, to throw up field works. No. 1, about one and a half miles from the fort, to be garrisoned by Barry’s battery and two foot companies; No. 2, about the same distance in advance, to be defended by two or three foot companies, leaving five or six for the garrison of the fort. I shall then strongly urge on Captain Adams, commanding the naval forces, the necessity of keeping his ships, or at least two of them, so close to the shore as to be able to rake the island. I have already so requested, and it has been in part complied with, but great reluctance is felt in placing sailing ships so near the shore. It gives me pleasure to state that I have received from the Navy very valuable assistance, which has been cheerfully and cordially rendered.
The work in the fort is progressing rapidly under the supervision of Major Tower and Captain Vogdes. Having now established something like system, I hope very soon to have it in fighting order. Guns are now being mounted, and traverses for the protection of the works and men being made; but there is an immense work to do. Our prospects are daily brightening, and I hope very soon to be in a situation to act both offensively and defensively. My command is in excellent health, and the men cheerful and in fine spirits. With such officers and such men I have nothing to fear from any number of rebels. Although most of my stores have been landed in full view and within range of the guns of Fort McRee, yet no hostile demonstration has been made; all has been quiet. I cannot at all account for their not taking possession of the island during the term of Lieutenant Slemmer’s command, its importance being so great and so evident; nor can I account for their abstaining to take the fort, their number rendering its success almost certain, unless from a reluctance on their part to commence hostilities, or their not being prepared for it. I think their present peaceful attitude arises from a consciousness of our ability to greatly distress them by destroying the navy-yard and by closing the port, while they can only hope to do us partial injury by a long and fruitless bombardment.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN,
Colonel, Commanding.
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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: Since writing my dispatches, I have seen newspaper extracts announcing the secession of Virginia, the taking Fort Sumter and Gosport navy-yard. Should this news be true the security of Key West and Tortugas might be jeopardized. I have therefore countermanded my order for bringing two companies from Key West here, and I shall urge Captain Adams to keep a ship at Tortugas and one at Key West, in position to protect the works at these places.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN,
Colonel, Commanding.
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U. S. TROOP-SHIP ATLANTIC, SANTA ROSA,
April 22, 1861.
Col. H. BROWN, Commanding Military Department of Florida, Fort Pickens :
DEAR SIR: If the news sent to Major Hunt by Colonel Bragg be correct as reported to me by Captain Porter, it becomes necessary to look for means to guard your communications and the most important posts of Key West and Tortugas against a naval enterprise. If the State of Virginia has really rebelled, and surprised the Gosport navy-yard, she has some good vessels, and she will very soon have officers to fight them, as Virginians will follow the fortunes of their native State. I do not think, then, that the two companies ordered up from Key West should now be withdrawn from that place. I think that the Sabine and St. Louis, useless here, should go, one to Key West and one to Tortugas, and be moored in position to aid in the occupation and defense of these harbors. The letter of the President of 1st April, which you bear, and which Captain Adams has seen, gives you full and ample authority to call upon him to make this disposition of his ships.
The expedition under your command embraces the coast and islands of Florida in its scope, and your attention was particularly called to the “even greater importance” of Forts Taylor and Jefferson than of Fort Pickens. The value of all these posts is greatly increased if the news referred to be correct. I would call upon Captain Adams, in virtue of the authority in you vested by the President, to “co-operate” by sending these ships to Key West and Tortugas. The Crusader will be very useful here, the sailing ships there. Here you need steamers, and sailing ships, except as depots, are useless. From his present position it would take Captain Adams half a day in good weather to bring his guns into play, and in bad weather he could not move at all.
The team road should be extended up the island to the landing. The sailors are hard worked and should be spared rowing. The plank between the gate and dock would make the road. Now less than ever would I put this precious material on the Atlantic and Illinois at peril of destruction by a rough, drunken volunteer’s shot. If one of these ships is struck by such a shot, apologies will not restore her. Too little work was done yesterday on ship and shore.
I inclose a copy of your letter of the 17th instant to me, which I handed to Captain Porter indorsed, as you will see. By this I succeeded in stopping him.
I am, very truly and respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. C. MEIGS,
Captain, Engineers, Chief Engineer.
P. S.–This ship, if properly supplied with boats, can sail by 1 p.m. to-day.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA,
Fort Pickens, Fla., April 22, 1861.
Bvt. Maj. L. G. ARNOLD,
Commanding Fort Jefferson, Tortugas:
MAJOR: News has been received here that Virginia has seceded and Gosport navy-yard taken. If so, several large ships have fallen into the hands of the secessionists, and your post may be jeopardized. I shall try to get a ship stationed near to support you, but every effort must be made to strengthen your position as much as possible. Mount all the guns you can, and keep your whole force at work until all is finished that your means may permit.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN,
Colonel, Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA,
Fort Pickens, Fla., April 22, 1861.
Bvt. Maj. L. G. ARNOLD,
Commanding Fort Jefferson:
MAJOR: At my request Captain Adams, commanding the naval forces at this place, has ordered the ship St. Louis to be stationed off your fort in such a manner as to give you necessary aid and protection. He is also required to render you assistance in any manner that you may require, consistently with the safety of his vessel.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN,
Colonel, Commanding.