MONTGOMERY, April 10, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington Government to supply Fort Sumter by force you will at once demand its evacuation, and if this is refused proceed, in such manner as you may determine, to reduce it. Answer.
L. P. WALKER.
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CHARLESTON, April 10, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
The demand will be made to-morrow at 12 o’clock.
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General.
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MONTGOMERY, April 10, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
Unless there are special reasons connected with your own condition, it is considered proper that you should make the demand at an earlier hour.
L. P. WALKER.
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CHARLESTON, S.C., April 10, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER:
The reasons are special for 12 o’clock.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
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HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES,
Charleston, S.C., April 10, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:
SIR: I have the honor to transmit copies of a set of complimentary resolutions, and of a resolution placing all the forces that may be called into service in this State under my orders, passed by the Convention of the State of South Carolina.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
P.S.–I am doing all in my power to prevent re-enforcements by barges to Sumter to-night or to-morrow night.
G. T. B.
[Inclosure.]
Resolved, That this Convention approves of the action of the governor, in placing the forces for the military defense of Charleston under the command of General Beauregard, and that he be authorized to call into the field immediately such number of the volunteer regiments, raised under the act of assembly, as General Beauregard may require for the operations under his control; the whole force to be placed under the command of General Beauregard, or such other general officer as may be ordered to the same command by the authorities of the Confederate States of America.
[Adopted Monday, April 8, 1861.]
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Resolved, That this Convention, on behalf of the people of this State, repose entire confidence in the eminent professional skill, courage, and sound judgment of Brig. Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard, and in the intelligent and efficient co-operation of the various members of his staff, and other assistants, military and naval, and respectfully tender to them, and to the various forces in the service, and individuals designated, the thanks of the State for their successful efforts thus far, to protect the honor and interests of the State.
Resolved, That if Fort Sumter shall fall into the hands of our present Government, and the harbor of Charleston should be relieved from all hostile occupation or obstruction, although without any actual conflict of arms, such result will be not the less achieved by our forces aforesaid, and their wise and effective operations.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be communicated to General Beauregard, with a request that he extend them to the various regiments, battalions, and separate companies, and to his staff and assistants, in such form and manner as he shall judge expedient.
[Adopted Monday, April 8, 1861.]
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MORRIS ISLAND, S.C., April 10, 1861.
Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding, Headquarters Provisional Forces, Charleston, S. C.:
MY DEAR GENERAL: There are two 4-pounder pieces here, with their limbers. There is a caisson in the city. There is also ammunition. These guns are very light, and belong to the Citadel Cadets, who are, I believe, instructed in their use. Put horses to it, and it will make a most excellent addition to our force against a landing. I regard this as very important, and the sooner it is carried out the better.
I learned this morning, with surprise, that the Dahlgren had been dismounted at Sullivan’s Island, my countermand of your orders not having been forwarded, as it seems. In this case it must either be sent over here or at once remounted in its former position; the latter is, of course, the quickest. I think Stevens’ iron battery and the two 42s a sufficient fire on the gorge. I send this up by Captain Jones, who returns immediately.
Very respectfully,
W. H. C. WHITING,
Major, Engineers.
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STEAMER GORDON,
Off Sumter, S.C., April 10, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD:
DEAR GENERAL: I have had under my charge during the night, in addition to my three steamers, the Charleston. The Seabrook came down about 8 o’clock and received orders, but I knew nothing of her during the night. She did not obey my orders. This morning I saw her anchored away to the southward. The Catawba has been all night in the offing. It is my opinion that Sumter can be relieved, by boats from vessels outside of the bars, on any night as dark as the last, or, if we have to take it, you had better be making a beginning. If a vessel of war is placed off each bar, when Sumter opens I will lose all my steamers, as there will be no escape for me. Therefore, before firing, these steamers should be called in. If the steamers are to guard the entrances, please send them down before dark, that they may be positioned. Yesterday I looked into Bull’s Bay, at Stono, and saw nothing.
Excuse my bad writing, my hands are so cold, and my light is so bad that I can scarcely see. I have ordered the Charleston up.
Respectfully,
H. J. HARTSTENE.
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HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES.
Charleston, S.C., April 10, 1861.
Maj. W. H. C. WHITING, Engineers, Morris Island, S. C. :
DEAR MAJOR: Your note of this day from the wharf has just been handed to me. I have just ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Ripley to put that Dahlgren gun in position between the wharf and extreme westerly point of Sullivan’s Island, to fire on the landing of the westerly face of Sumter and its postern. I have ordered those two additional 24-pounders to be sent forthwith to Cummings Point. Do the best with them, and caution Colonels Gregg and De Saussure to be on the lookout to-night. To-morrow morning’s sun must see us victorious.
Yours, truly,
G.T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S.C., April 10, 1861.
General R. G. M. DUNOVANT,
Commanding Sullivan’s Island, S.C.:
MY DEAR GENERAL: Please tell Colonel Ripley I have received his letter of this day to Major Jones. I appreciate all the difficulties he refers to, but this is one of those moments when the word impossible must be ignored, for the fate of Anderson and Sumter depends upon the result of this night’s firing. Captain Hartstene and the naval officers are of opinion that the barges can pass our batteries in a dark night, hence we must be prepared to fire on their landing place, which will be the western face and postern of Sumter, not seen by any of our guns. Captain Hartstene is going to light up the entrance of the harbor with floating light-wood fires, and our Drummond lights must be set in active operation as soon as the alarm of “boats are coming” is given. Up to that time they must be kept ready for operations.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S.C., April 10, 1861.
General R. G. M. DUNOVANT, Sullivan’s Island, S.C.:
DEAR GENERAL: From all the information we can receive it is probable that the attempt to relieve and provision Sumter will be made to-night in barges, through, probably, the Swash Channel. I have sent verbal orders to Ripley a moment ago to endeavor to put forthwith that dismounted Dahlgren gun (now on the Sullivan Wharf) in position near the extreme end of said island, and then to construct a hasty parapet in front of it. Its main object is to enfilade the landing of the western face of Sumter, and the postern in that angle, for that is where the disembarkation is going to take place. Will you see at once to the execution of these instructions? Then I wish Captain Hamilton to mark out the best position for his battery, just outside of said western point of Sullivan’s Island, for the same purpose as that already indicated by me for the Dahlgren gun, and to let me know when he will require a steamboat to report to him for that object. He must be careful to put his battery as near the point as practicable, so as to avoid the heavier fire of Sumter.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.