EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 15, 1861.
The honorable SECRETARY OF WAR:
MY DEAR SIR: Assuming it to be possible to now provision Fort Sumter, under all the circumstances is it wise to attempt it? Please give me your opinion in writing on this question.
Your obedient servant,
[A. LINCOLN.]
_______
Papers marked “Answer” and as inclosures “A” — “H” are filed with the President’s inquiry; they were probably submitted to the Cabinet March 15, 1861. See Answers and Documents on Relief of Fort Sumter.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Montgomery, March 15, 1861.
Brig. Gen. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S.C.:
GENERAL: Dispatches just received from Washington, of the highest authority, speak of mines in Fort Sumter, and a purpose to destroy it and the garrison rather than be taken. Foster, the Engineer, might be a good guarantee, if kept in the fort.
Give but little credit to the rumors of an amicable adjustment. Do not slacken for a moment your energies, and be ready to execute any order this Department may forward.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. P. WALKER,
Secretary of War.
MONTGOMERY, ALA., March 14, 1861.
Hon. S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy :
SIR: The port of Apalachicola is without any means of defense, having only two hundred muskets and sixty rifles; no artillery of any kind. The commercial importance of the city may make it more than a point of ordinary interest to the United States Government, if they intend to enforce the collection of the revenue.
The citizens of the city are organized into four volunteer companies, which comprise about two-thirds of the people capable of bearing arms. They are under apprehension that the city and property therein is in danger.
I beg to call your attention to the fact, and request that some means of protection may be afforded us if there is a probability of hostilities. The men can be raised there, it we had the guns.
Yours, respectfully,
D. P. HOLLAND.
MONTGOMERY, March 14, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
Steamers Star of the West, Harriet Lane, Crusader, Mohawk, and Empire City ordered to sail from New York last night. Said to carry arms, provisions, and men. Destination not known.
L. P. WALKER.
[Copies to General Bragg, Pensacola; Captain Jones, Fort Morgan; Major Duncan, Forts Jackson and St. Philip.]
FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,
March 13, 1861.
Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters of the Army, Washington City:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that everything is quiet at Key West to this date, nor do I apprehend any attack on this fort until perfectly-organized force is raised. Flags of the Southern Confederacy have been raised upon the stores of various citizens. I doubt if any resident of Key West will be allowed to hold office under the Federal Government unless supported by the military and naval forces. We are on terms of friendship with the best portion of the citizens, and hope there will be no collision.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. BRANNAN,
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding Post.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, March 12, 1861.
Captain VOGDES, U. S. Army,
On board U. S. sloop-of-war Brooklyn, lying off Fort Pickens
SIR: At the first favorable moment you will land with your company, re-enforce Fort Pickens, and hold the same till further orders. Report frequently, if opportunities present themselves, on the condition of the fort and the circumstances around you.
I write by command of Lieutenant-General Scott.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS.
PROVISIONAL ARMY
CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S.C.,
March 11, 1861.
.
.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala. :
SIR: I have taken the earliest opportunity my present duties would permit (yesterday) to make a thorough reconnaissance of the country south of this city to the Stono River and its mouth, to determine what works are required to prevent an enemy from approaching in that direction, either to throw re-enforcements during the night into Fort Sumter, through the Stono River, Folly River, or Light-house Inlet, and their numerous and intricate branches (see Bache’s maps of Charleston Harbor and adjacent coast and country), or to attack Charleston. I have selected the sites and ordered the construction of some field works that will, I think, effectually guard those channels of approach; but we must have time and means to complete them. With good assistants (chiefs of Engineers and Ordnance) this could probably be done in about eight or ten days; but Major Whiting and Captain Boggs (two most reliable and efficient officers) have been recalled to Savannah by the governor of Georgia, and I am again left to my own resources. Their absence fills me with care and grief, for other very important matters demand my attention; in fact, a great deal in the way of organization remains still to be attended to. I find a great deal of zeal and energy around me, but little professional knowledge and experience. I earnestly request the immediate return of the two officers just named, or that two others, of equal ability, if they can be procured, be sent me. Probably Capt. G. W. Smith, of New York, and Captain Gorgas might be induced to come, if a positive rank could be offered to them. Should an enemy succeed in effecting a landing on the Stono River (a very navigable stream), or anywhere else in that direction, I will take a position with all my disposable forces in a very advantageous location I have selected, a little in advance of the Savannah road bridge, leading into Charleston, covering, at the same time, the bridge with a tete-de-pont. From thence I will oppose to the last his direct attack, or take him in flank and rear, to cut off his communication, if practicable.
With regard to my letter of the 12th, referring to my present commission in the Confederate service, I desire to state that should my application to be appointed in the Regular service, instead of the Provisional one, occasion any embarrassment to the President, I desire it to remain unnoticed; and, moreover, should he at any time consider it necessary for the good of the service or safety of the country to send here an officer of more experience than myself, I hope he will do so without hesitation, as I care more for the success of our arms and of our cause than for the honor of being in command here, and I would serve under the orders of such a commanding officer with the same zeal and activity as at present.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
P. S.–Your letter of the 9th instant has just been received. Its remarks are answered in the above letter.
G. T. B.
ORDERS,
No. 1
PENSACOLA, FLA.,
March 11, 1861.
I. In compliance with Special Orders No. 1 from the War Department, Confederate States of America, dated at Montgomery, Ala., March 7, 1861, Brigadier-General Bragg assumes the command of all troops in the service of said States in the vicinity of Pensacola. His headquarters will be at Fort Barrancas.
BRAXTON BRAGG,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
WASHINGTON, March 11, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding Army Confederate States, Charleston, S.C.:
Believed here that Anderson will be ordered to evacuate Sumter in five days. Was certainly informally agreed on in Cabinet Saturday night. May have been done as ruse to throw you off your guard and enable them to re-enforce.
LOUIS T. WIGFALL.
WASHINGTON, March 11, 1861.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Montgomery, Ala.:
It is believed here in Black Republican circles that Anderson will be ordered to vacate Fort Sumter in five days. An informal conclusion to this effect was arrived at Saturday night in Cabinet. Anderson telegraphed, it is said, that he had no fuel and but fifteen days’ provisions.
LOUIS T. WIGFALL.
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