U. S. ENGINEER OFFICE,
Savannah, January 28, 1861
GENERAL: I arrived here this evening from Fort Clinch. I left that post in charge of Mr. James A. Walker as fort keeper. A copy of my instructions to him is forwarded herewith.
Previous to leaving Fernandina I received verbal assurance from a member of the governor’s council that the property at Fort Clinch would not be disturbed by the State, and that the work would be allowed to remain in the charge of the United States fort-keepers in statu quo. On my arrival here I found that the authorities of the State of Georgia had taken possession of all the works under my charge iu the State, and had formally assumed the control of Oglethorpe Barracks. I forward herewith a copy of a letter addressed to me by Colonel A. R. Lawton, of the Georgia troops. Ordnance Sergeant Burt having refused to surrender, his storeroom was taken possession of, and on his reporting to me I gave him orders to make no further resistance. Both Ordnance Sergeant Walker, late at Fort Pulaski, and Ordnance Sergeant Burt are now at the barracks, where they are permitted to remain. My command having been forcibly interrupted, I can give them no further orders, and must leave the disposition of them to headquarters.
……….Very respectfully,
WM. H. C. WHITING, ……..
Captain of Engineers.
General J. G. TOTTEN, Chief of Engineers.
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[Inclosure]
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SAVANNAH, January 28, 1861.
Captain WHITING, U. S. Engineers:
SIR: I am instructed by the governor and commander-in-chief of the State of Georgia to take possession of Oglethorpe Barracks, in the name of the State of Georgia, and in your absence from this city possession has been taken. The occupants will not be disturbed at present, and you will please consider yourself at liberty to occupy, with your employés, such apartments as are necessary for your convenience while you are closing up your business here. The steamer Ida and appurtenances have also been taken possession of under the same authority. This, I believe, includes all the property held by you in the State of Georgia, as military engineer of the United States, but does not include any light-house property.
You have been already notified, informally, that Forts Pulaski and Jackson had been occupied by the troops of the State of Georgia under my command.
……….Very respectfully,
A. R. LAWTON,
Colonel, Commanding.