FORT JOHNSTON, N. C.,
January 10, 1861–11 o’clock a. m.
SIR: I respectfully wish to state that the party of citizens who took possession of Forts Johnston and Caswell yesterday has perceived their error. It seems that they were not sustained by the people which brought them into it, or caused them to create such an act of violence against the Federal Government. They were the leaders of a few fanatics in Wilmington, who sent a dispatch to this place that the Department had ordered the revenue cutter forward with troops to garrison Forts Johnston and Caswell, and that they should take possession of the forts before the Federal troops should arrive; that they would assist them with both men, money, and provisions. They failed to do so.
Then they came to both me and Sergeant Dardingkiller and asked us to take back the public property. I answered, Yes; if there was none of it broken, or none of the ammunition expended. It was returned in good order. As they deprived me of all quick communication with the Department, so that I might receive instructions how to act, I thought to do as I did. I wanted to go to Wilmington to telegraph this business to the Department, but when they found I was going on the schooner’ that runs between here and Wilmington as a passenger boat, the passengers chartered the boat from the owners to prevent me from going. I hope that the conduct of me and Sergeant Dardingkiller will be approved by the Department, as we took the responsibility of taking the stores back for the best interest of the public service.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES REILLY,
Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington City, D. C.
be approved by the Department, as we took the responsibility of taking the stores back for the best interest of the public service.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES REILLY,
. Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington City, D. C.
No. 2.
Reports of Ordnance Sergeant Frederick Dardingkiller, U. S. Army, of
the first seizure of Fort Caswell.
FORT CASWELL, N. C., January 11, 1861. SIR : I have the honor to report herewith that this post is reoccupied by a party of citizens from Wilmington and Smithville. They took possession at 7 o’clock on the night of the 10th instant. The individual who represents them as commanding officer is a Mr. Hedrick, from Wilmington – he has signed receipts to me for all the ordnance stores at the post, and is using such of them as he needs.
I would have used every effort to communicate this matter to the Department before this, only that Sergeant-Reilly was pleased to write on the night of its occurrence. Please send me instructions how I am to act, and if I am to receive what portion of the stores that is left ; and how I am to expend the property they have destroyed, in the event of my receiving the stores back.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FREDERICK DARDINGKILLER, Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
FORT CASWELL, N. C., January 14, 1861. SIR : I most respectfully wish to state that the party of citizens who occupied this post has lett this day. Mr. Hedrick, who signed receipts to me for the ordnance stores, has returned them to me in good order, except what he expended.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
F. DARDINGKILLER,
Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-Gen,eral, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
No. 3.
Extract from annual report of Capt. John G. Foster, U. S. Engineers,
dated October 1, 1861. (Seizure of Fort Macon.)
This work was taken possession of by the troops of the State of North Carolina about the middle of April. It was at that time in bad repair;
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