Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

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

January 6, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

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 of the arsenal, and my force being so weak I was unable to offer any resistance.  I mailed a copy of the governor’s order, &c., this morning at Chattahoochee, but finding that it would not be forwarded on account excitement—they have taken all the public property in spite of all I could do–I refused giving up the keys, but the governor telegraphed to the commanding officer to insist on the delivery of the same, and I was compelled to give them up. I would be pleased to receive advice as to what disposition I shall make of myself and men.

……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. POWELL,
Ordnance Sergeant, U.S. Army.

Capt. W. MAYNADIER, Washington, D.C.

Post image for “The news from the South is bad as it can well be.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“The news from the South is bad as it can well be.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

January 6, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SUNDAY 6

It has been said that “there are no Sundays in revolutionary times” and this has been a dark and anxious day. The Members of Congress have been together in small companies trying to agree upon some plan that will satisfy all sides. The news from the South is bad as it can well be. It looks as tho the North must prepare for a fight. If nothing but a fight will satisfy the South they can have one probably if it comes to Govt or no Govt.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – January 6, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 6, 1861

January 6, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—A meeting of citizens, irrespective of party, was held at Chicago, Ill., this evening. The resolutions adopted express love for the Union; regard every attempt to rend it as the basest treason and most insane folly; regard the Constitution of the United States as forming a union between the people of the several States, and intended to be perpetual; and every attempt by a State to secede or annul the laws of the United States, is not only usurping the powers of the general Government, but aggression upon the equal rights of the other States; that peaceable secession, if possible, must necessarily be a matter of agreement between the States, and until such agreement is made, the existing Government has no choice but to enforce the law and protect the property of the nation; that in view of what is now transpiring in the Southern States, of threats to prevent the inauguration of a President, constitutionally elected, it is incumbent upon the loyal people of the several States to be prepared to render all their aid, military and otherwise, to the enforcement of the Federal laws; that Major Anderson deserves the thanks of the country for the course pursued by him.—Evening Post, Jan. 8.

—A company of marines was put into Fort Washington, on the Potomac, 14 miles south of Washington city.

—Forty tons of shot, shell, and powder, were forwarded from New York city by Adams’ express for New Orleans; reported to be destined for Mexico, but believed to be for Louisiana.

—Several volunteer companies of Washington were on parade, and upon dismissal were directed to carry their guns to their homes with forty rounds of ball-cartridges each.

—The Alabama and Mississippi delegations in Washington held a conference, and telegraphed to the Conventions of their respective States, to advise immediate secession, as they consider that there is no prospect of a satisfactory adjustment. A caucus of Southern senators at Washington advocated separate and immediate secession.—Times, Jan. 7.

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

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

January 6, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

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 to the strength of our position by closing up embrasures which we shall not use, mounting guns, &c. The South Carolinians are also very active in erecting batteries and preparing for a conflict, which I pray God may not occur. Batteries have been constructed bearing upon and, I presume, commanding the entrance to the harbor. They are also to-day busily at work on a battery at Fort Johnson, intended to fire against me. My position will, should there be no treachery among the workmen, whom we are compelled to retain for the present, enable me to hold this fort against any force which can be brought against me, and it would enable me, in the event of a war, to annoy the South Carolinians by preventing them from throwing supplies into their new posts except by the out-of-the-way passage through Stono River. At present, it would be dangerous and difficult for a vessel from without to enter the harbor, in consequence of the batteries which are already erected and being erected. I shall not ask for any increase of my command, because I do not know what the ulterior views of the Government are. We are now, or soon will be, cut off from all communication, unless by means of a powerful fleet, which shall have the ability to carry the batteries at the mouth of this harbor.

Trusting in God that nothing will occur to army a greater number of States than have already taken ground against the General Government,

I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Operations in Florida

January 6, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

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. 8. Army.

Capt. W. MAYNADIER, Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

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[Inclosure.]

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STATE OF FLORIDA, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Tallahassee, January 5, 1861.

SIR: Reposing special confidence in your patriotism, discretion, and integrity, I hereby authorize and empower you to raise a company of picked men and proceed to the Apalachicola River and seize and possess the arsenal, arms, ammunition, stores, buildings, and other property now in the possession of the General Government, and retain the same subject to my orders. You are requested to act with secrecy and discretion. You are further authorized to call out the Seventh Regiment Florida Militia for all aid in its power to render that you may deem necessary to retain occupation of said arsenal.

M. S. PERRY.

By the governor State Florida:
T. S. VILLEPIGUE, Secretary of State.

Post image for “He said he was going to show me what a convention was like.”—Sarah Bradford

“He said he was going to show me what a convention was like.”—Sarah Bradford

January 6, 2011

The American Civil War,Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

January 6th, 1861.—This morning we went to Mount Zion to hear Mr. Blake preach. It is a treat to listen to his sermons, he uses such beautiful language and he explains the passages of Scripture he reads, so clearly that it really stays in our minds and we remember. All ministers do not do this. Today he spoke so earnestly of the representatives of the people of Florida, now in convention assembled in Tallahassee. He spoke of the heavy responsibility resting on them; of the high compliment paid them by the people of Florida, in trusting them with an issue of such paramount importance. He said we, none of us knew which way was best; we must trust in God and do good. We must remember that our strength cometh from on high and the way to gain that strength is to pray to the Lord, for He has said “knock and it shall be opened unto you. Ask and ye shall receive.” Of course I cannot tell it as he spoke it, but it made every one feel solemn and as if some share of the responsibility rested on each one of us.

Mr. Blake took dinner with us and Eddie came with him. He is just the shyest little boy. When the company were all gone Father told me to ask Lulu to get me ready to go with him to town next morning. He said he was going to show me what a convention was like. I was so happy at the thought of going and my heart fell when Mother said: “Surely, Dr. Bradford, you are not going to take the child away from school?” (Mother does not like us to miss any time) but Father said, “Yes, I am going to take her with me in the morning, this is history in the making, she will learn more than she can get out of books and what she hears in this way she will never forget.” I am so glad. I am so excited I cannot hold my pencil steady but I must write this down.

Operations in Florida

January 6, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

CHATTAHOOCHEE, January 6, 1861.

The arsenal has been taken possession of by the State this morning, 7 o’clock. My forces too weak to defend it. I have refused keys of magazine and armory. Answer, with instructions.

E. POWELL,
U. S. Arsenal.

Captain MAYNADIER,
Chief Ordnance Department.