War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“Federal troops are said to be moving” (Operations in Florida – Confederate Correspondence)

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Private.] . . . . . . . . . . .[STATE OF FLORIDA,] . . . . . . . . EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 10, 1861. Hon. JNO. C. McGEHEE, President of the Convention: SIR: The inclosed dispatch has this morning reached me, and I hasten to transmit it through you to the Convention. [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Fort Johnston Returned to Federals—The Secession of North Carolina

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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 [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Secretary of War denies information request of Senators from Florida—Operations in Florida

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WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 9, 1861. Hons. D. L. YULEE and S. R. MALLORY: GENTLEMEN: In reply to your note of the 2d instant I have the honor to state that the interests of the service forbid that the information which you ask should at this moment be made public. Very, &c., J. HOLT, Secretary [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“They came to my door at the time above stated and demanded the keys of the magazine of me. I told them I would not give up the keys to any person with my life.”—The Secession of North Carolina

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FORT JOHNSTON, N. C., January 9, 1861–9 o’clock a. m. SIR : I have the honor to report herewith that this post has been taken possession of this morning at 4 o’clock a. m. by a party of the citizens of Smithville, N. C. They came to my door at the time above stated and [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Star of the West — Operations in Charleston Harbor

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FORT SUMTER, S.C., January 9, 1861. (Received A. G. O., January 12.) Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant General: COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith the correspondence which took place to-day between the governor of South Carolina and myself in relation to the firing by his batteries on a vessel bearing our flag. Lieutenant Talbot, [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Barrancas Barracks and Fort Barrancas Threatened.—Operations in Florida

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BARRANCAS BARRACKS, FLA., January 8, 1861. SIR: There are rumors that the citizens of Florida and Alabama intend taking possession of the fortifications in this harbor. They have already taken those at Mobile and Savannah. I am stationed with one company (G, First Artillery) at Barrancas Barracks, having also Fort Barrancas in charge. There are [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“I need not suggest the danger to Florida and Alabama that must result from permitting a strong force to get possession of these forts.” (Operations in Florida – Confederate Correspondence)

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[STATE OF ALABAMA,] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 8, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM M. BROOKS, President of the Convention of the State of Alabama: In reply to a verbal communication from the body over which you preside, made by one of its members, I make the following statement: My information in regard to Pensacola is that Governor Perry, [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

An early organization of a Confederate Government – Confederate Correspondence

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WASHINGTON, January 7, 1861. JOSEPH FINEGAN, Esq. [Tallahassee, Fla.]: MY DEAR SIR: On the other side [following] is a copy of resolutions adopted at a consultation of the Senators from the seceding States, in which Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida were present. The idea of the meeting was that the States should [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Star of the West sailing to Charleston — Confederate Records

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WASHINGTON, Tuesday morning, January 8, 1861. His Excellency F. W. PICKENS, Governor of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.: The Star of the West sailed from New York on Sunday with Government troops and provisions. It is said her destination is Charleston. If so, she may be hourly expected off the harbor of Charleston. LOUIS T. WIGFALL.

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Senators from Florida remind Secretary of War of request concerning US forces in Florida—Operations in Florida

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SENATE CHAMBER, January 7, 1861. Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR: SIR: We addressed a letter to your Department a week past, asking certain information interesting to be known to us in connection with our public duty, and not having received a reply we beg leave to call your attention to it, and to ask as early [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Operations in Florida—”Upon reflection I decided that the only alternative for me was to deliver the keys, under protest…,”

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SAINT AUGUSTINE, EAST FLORIDA, January 7, 1861. SIR: I am obliged to perform what is to me a painful duty, viz, to report to the Chief of Ordnance that all the military stores at this place were seized this morning by the order of the governor of the State of Florida. A Company of volunteer [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Captain Wm. H. C. Whiting: “I cannot be responsible for property of the charge of which I have been forcibly deprived.” (The Secession of Georgia)

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U. S. ENGINEER OFFICE, Savannah, January 7, 1861. GENERAL : I have to report that on the 3d instant, being at Fort Clinch, I received a telegram from my clerk informing me that troops of the State of Georgia were moving to occupy Fort Pulaski, by order of the governor. I replied by telegraph, directing [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Order from the Governor of Florida to seize the Chattahoochee Arsenal

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U.S. ARSENAL, CHATTAHOOCHEE, FLA., January 6, 1861. SIR: I have the honor herewith to inclose a copy of the order given to Colonel Dunn, the commander of the troops which took possession of this arsenal. I telegraphed this morning to you. ……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. POWELL, Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“I would be pleased to receive advice as to what disposition I shall make of myself and men.”—Operations in Florida

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QUINCY, FLA., January 6, 1861. SIR: I beg leave to state that I telegraphed this morning from Chattahoochee, and finding that I could get no answer, I came to this place and thought probably I might get an answer from you by writing from here. I informed you that the Florida troops had taken possession [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“My position will… enable me to hold this fort against any force which can be brought against me…,” Operations in Charleston Harbor

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FORT SUMTER, S.C., January 6, 1861. Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General: COLONEL: Through the courtesy of Governor Pickens I am enabled to make this communication, which will be taken to Washington by my brother, Larz Anderson, esq. I have the honor to report my command in excellent health and in fine spirits. We are daily adding [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

D. L. Yulee: “The occupation of the navy-yard will give us a good supply of ordnance and make the capture of the forts easier.”—Operations in Florida—Confederate Correspondence

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WASHINGTON, January 5, 1861. JOSEPH FINEGAN, Esq., or Col. GEO. W. CALL [Tallahassee, Fla.]: MY DEAR SIR: The immediately important thing to be done is the occupation of the forts and arsenal in Florida. The naval station and forts at Pensacola are first in consequence. For this a force is necessary. I have conversed with [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The Secession of Alabama and Mississippi

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Mobile, January 5, 1861. DEAR SIR: I have been superseded by Colonel Todd, of the Militia of Alabama, and he took and receipted for all the property belonging to the Ordnance Department and fort. I wait for orders from the Adjutant-General. ……….I am, very respectfully, S. PATTERSON, Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army. The ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“… the interests of the service in the present condition of affairs forbid the publication.”—The Secession of Alabama and Mississippi

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WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 3, 1861. Hon. DAVID CLOPTON, House of Representatives: SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, asking for the plat and plan of the magazines at Mount Vernon Arsenal, Alabama. In reply, I have to say that I would cheerfully comply with [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies