WASHINGTON, D. C., February 15,1861.
SIR: In compliance with your letter of this date, I have the honor to submit the following complete report of the surrender of the United States Arsenal at Augusta, Ga.:
On the morning of the 23d of January, ultimo, I received from the governor of Georgia, then in Augusta, backed by a superior force of State troops, numbering some six or seven hundred, a verbal demand of the arsenal, which I refused. Shortly after came through his aide de-camp a written demand in the following terms, the substance of which was telegraphed by me to the War Department, to wit:
AUGUSTA, January 23, 1861.
SIR: I am instructed by his excellency Governor Brown to say to you that, Georgia having seceded from the United States of America and resumed exclusive sovereignty over her soil, it has become his duty to require you to withdraw the troops under your command, at the earliest practicable moment, from the limits of the State.
He proposes to take possession of the arsenal, and to receipt for all public property under your charge, which will be accounted for on adjustment between the State of Georgia and the United States of America.
He begs to refer you to the fact that the retention of your troops upon the soil of Georgia after remonstrance is, under the laws of nations, an act of hostility, and he claims that the State is not only at peace but anxious to cultivate the most amicable relations with the United States Government.
I am further instructed to say that an answer will be expected by to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock.
……..I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY R. JACKSON,
Aide-de-Camp, &c.
About 1 o’clock on the night of the 23d of January, ultimo, I received from the War Department the following reply to my telegram, to wit:
Washinton, January [23, 1861.]
Capt. ARNOLD ELZEY,
……….Second Artillery, Commanding Augusta Arsenal, Ga.:
The governor of Georgia has assumed against your post and the United States an attitude of war. His summons is harsh and peremptory: It is not expected that your defense shall be deeper. If forced to surrender by violence or starvation, you will stipulate for honorable terms and a free passage by water with your company to New York.
J. HOLT,
Secretary of War.
To have resisted such a force, then ready to attack me, with my kbowledge of large re-enforcements at Savannah and Atlanta, ready to come up by rail at a moment’s warning, would have been desperation in my weak position. I therefore directed my adjutant to address and convey the following note in reply to the governor’s demand:
HEADQUARTERS AUGUSTA ARSENAL,
January 24, 1861.
Col. H. R. JACKSON, A. D. C.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I am directed by Captain Elzey, commanding this post, to say, in reply to the demands of the governor of Georgia, made through you yesterday, requiring in to withdraw his command beyond the limits of the State, he begs to request an interview with his excellency the governor for the purpose of negotiating honorable terms of surrender at as early an hour this morning as practicable.
……….I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
J. P. JONES,
Lieutenant, Second Artillery, Post Adjutant.
About 10 o’clock of the same morning (24th) the governor, accompanied by his staff and Brigadier-General Harris, commanding the troops, rode up to my quarters and were received by me, when the following honorable terms were agreed upon and executed, to wit: (see inclosure to report of January 24, 1861)
……….I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ARNOLD ELZEY,
Captain, Second Artillery.
Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U. S. Army.
Mrs. Brown wrote to her husband, on February 15th, from Utica, New York:
