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

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Montgomery, March 9, 1861.

Brig. Gen. P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston:

GENERAL: Your report of the 6th instant has been received at this Department. What you have done and what you propose to do is approved. Push forward your contemplated works with all possible expedition, especially with the view to prevent the re-enforcement of Fort Sumter. This must be prevented at all hazards, and by the use of every conceivable agency. Fort Sumter is silent now only because of the weakness of the garrison. Should re-enforcements get in, her guns would open fire upon you.

There is information at this Department–not official, it is true, but believed to be reliable–that five or six United States ships are in New York Harbor all ready to start.

The United States steamer Pawnee has left Philadelphia suddenly for Washington, fully provisioned and ready to go to sea, and it is probable that the effort to re-enforce Sumter may be made by sending in men in whale-boats by night. Should this plan succeed and the garrison be re-enforced sufficiently to stand an assault the attempt may be made to fight their way up by five or six war vessels.

In his report to this Department Major Whiting suggested the possibility of re-enforcements by land. Upon examining the map it occurs to me that this possibility might be accomplished in two ways: First, at the south of Morris Island there is an inlet which connects with Schooner Creek, and affords a water communication in the rear of all our works directly up to Fort Sumter. The creeks are, however, very winding, and probably if taken in hand at once could easily be obstructed by sinking flats or boats. Second, Stono River affords, I should think, an entrance to vessels of from eight to twelve feet draught, which may land troops on James Island, or go through a cut known as James Island Cut. Neither method, I take it, would be practicable if any troops were on James Island; but in the absence of them a sudden rush might possibly avail.

These suggestions are made without special knowledge, and are submitted for your consideration.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War.

CHARLESTON,
March 6, 1861.

President DAVIS, Montgomery:

MY DEAR SIR: I inclose you, according to promise, a statement showing the strength of the volunteer division of South Carolina. Some of the regiments are commanded by highly accomplished graduates of our military academies, and some by officers of the Palmetto Regiment. It is altogether a superb body of troops, and I think will give a good account of themselves by their acts.

Under the skillful conduct of General Beauregard the works here are likely to be put promptly in the best possible condition to prevent re-enforcements. The danger to be feared is that light-draught vessels, barges, or boats in the night may be sent in through the two middle channels, known as the Overall and North Channels; but you doubtless get fuller information than I can give you on these points.

Mr. Miles has doubtless apprised you of my readiness to enter the service of the confederation in the capacity you indicated. I say to you, however, frankly, that I should like to see my brigadiers in the field with their commands, or so many as may be needed, and be there myself with my present rank. If raising General Beauregard’s rank a grade does not embarrass you, I would cheerfully report to him. The exhibition of skill, promptness, and energy by General Beauregard is highly gratifying to the authorities here.

I am, very sincerely and truly, yours,

M. L. BONHAM.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS, STATE  OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
March 6, 1861.

M. L. BONHAM,
Major-General, Commanding Volunteer Forces of S. C.:

GENERAL: The number of companies organized and received under the act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860, is one hundred and four–in the aggregate amounting to 8,835, rank and file, constituting ten regiments of ten companies each. The force is divided into four brigades, constituting one division.

Respectfully,

S. R. GIST,

Adjutant and Inspector General of South Carolina.

FORT SUMTER, March 6, 1861.
(Received A. G. O., March 9.)

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U. S. Army :

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that a very large re-enforcement was landed last night at Cummings Point and bivouacs near No. 10. This morning it was marched out of sight, around the point of the island. Yesterday the three other guns were mounted in No. 10, thus completing its armament of four heavy pieces. They continued working yesterday at the places mentioned in my report, and are still so occupied to-day. A party has also been at work this morning on the Fort Moultrie glacis. Everything indicates activity and determination.

I had the honor to present in No. 58 my opinion of the strength of the army which will be necessary to force an entrance into the harbor. The presence here, as commander, of General Beauregard, recently of the U.S. Engineers, insures, I think, in a great measure the exercise of skill and sound judgment in all operations of the South Carolinians in this harbor. God grant that our country may be saved from the horrors of a fratricidal war!

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

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FORT SUMTER, S.C., March 6, 1861.

General Jos. G. TOTTEN,
Chief Engineer U.S.. Army, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that during the day, and especially towards night, unusual activity was observed among the South Carolinians around us. Several steamer loads of men were landed on Cummings Point. The number was greater than the arrangements for shelter, apparently, for I observe quite a large number grouped about their bivouac fires this morning. Their suffering must have been considerable during the night, for the weather suddenly changed from the warm temperature of the preceding days to a high degree of cold for this climate, the wind blowing fresh from the north.

I learn that portable hot-shot furnaces have been furnished to several, and probably all, of the batteries. The mortar battery on James Island, south of Fort Johnson, is armed, but the number of mortars is not ascertained. The magazine in the flank of this battery is also finished. The mortar battery on Sullivan’s Island, west of Fort Moultrie, is also armed.

All the batteries on Morris Island are armed. The guns range from 32-pounders down, with the exception of the iron bomb-proof, which is (I think, from all reports and observations) armed with 8-inch columbiads–three of them.

The raft does not meet expectations. It is being covered with railroad strap-iron instead of the T rail. This has a cross-section of about three-fourths or one inch by two inches or two and a half inches. They are now ironing the top portion, the front not being yet commenced. Two 8-inch columbiads are lying on the wharf ready to be put on board. I do not think this floating battery will prove very formidable.

We have not yet received the inaugural address of President Lincoln, although it is reported from town that it is coercive in its character, and that much excitement prevails.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Captain, Engineers.

HDQRS. OF THE
CONFEDERATE STATES
OF AMERICA,
Charleston, S. C., March 6, 1861.

GENERAL ORDERS,
No. 1.

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I. By virtue of authority from the War Department, Confederate States of America, bearing date Montgomery, March 1, 1861, and of authority of the Department of War, State of South Carolina, bearing date March 3, 1861, the undersigned assumes command of all the troops—Regulars, Volunteers, and Militia—on duty in and near Charleston Harbor.

II. The following appointments are announced on the staff of the brigadier-general commanding: Capt. D. R. Jones, as assistant adjutant general; Capt. Stephen D. Lee, of the regular artillery service of the State of South Carolina, as acting assistant quartermaster-general and acting assistant commissary-general; Capt. S. Wragg Ferguson, of the regular infantry service of the State of South Carolina, as aide-de-camp; First Lieut. Joseph J. Legaré, of the regular engineer service of the State of South Carolina, as private secretary.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

FORT SUMTER, S.C., March 5, 1861.

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that parties are working to-day on the mortar battery at Fort Johnson, which they are making higher and stronger, and on the Morris Island batteries, numbered on Captain Seymour’s sketch Nos. 1, 9, and 10. They are filling the embrasures in this last battery, in which we see that one gun has been placed. They are also at work on the covered way connecting Nos. 9 and 7.

I presume, from the movements around us yesterday, that Brig. Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard assumed command and made an inspection of the forts, &c., in this harbor, which are garrisoned by the South Carolina troops.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

WASHINGTON CITY, March 5, 1861.

General L. POPE WALKER,
Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:

DEAR SIR: Judge Clay asked me before he left here to telegraph and write to Governor Moore any matters of importance. This was before the formation of the Provisional Government at Montgomery. Nothing has occurred since that request to justify a special dispatch, and now it appears to me that if there should be movements of troops or ships which come to my knowledge it would be better to send them to you. I shall do so on learning anything of importance in a reliable way. I may send the dispatch in a letter to Richmond to be telegraphed from there, or I may send it from here, as circumstances dictate.

The inaugural undoubtedly means war, and that right off. I have never doubted as to Lincoln’s views, and nothing would have changed them but the secession of the border States, who have not acted.

Mr. Crawford is here, and will proceed to execute the duties of his mission as soon as the new Secretary of State is installed. This will bet I suppose, to-morrow morning at furthest.

I was present last evening at a consultation of Southern gentlemen, at which Messrs. Crawford, Garnett, Pryor, De Jarnette, of Virginia, and Wigfall, of Texas, were present. We all put the same construction on the inaugural, which we carefully went over together. We agreed that it was Lincoln’s purpose at once to attempt the collection of the revenue, to re-enforce and hold Fort Sumter and Pickens, and to retake the other places. He is a man of will and firmness. His Cabinet will yield to him with alacrity, I think. Seward has, of course, agreed to the inaugural, and the pretenses of his conservatism are idle.

We believe that these plans will be put into execution immediately. I learn five or six United States ships are in New York Harbor, all ready to start. The United States steamer Pawnee came here the other day suddenly from Philadelphia, fully provisioned and ready to go to sea.

I understand that it is spoken of in Army circles to re-enforce Sumter by sending in men in whale-boats by night. This will probably be attempted in the first instance. After the garrison is re-enforced sufficiently to stand an assault, then the attempt may be made to fight the way up by five or six war vessels. Simultaneously or prior to this will be the change of programme at Pensacola by the United States, Pensacola being a point of infinitely more importance. Considering this and the evident purpose announced in the inaugural, would it not be expedient to prevent anything in the shape of dispatches, letters, or messengers from going to Slemmer or the other United States officers or men at Pensacola? By this you will have the advantage of knowing the movements from this point before the Government officers at Pensacola.

We shall endeavor to get hold of movements as soon as possible, and to advise you. Of course we labor under great difficulties in procuring early intelligence.

There is a general concurrence in the opinion that if any attack is made on Sumter it should be by order of the Government of the Confederate States and not by South Carolina alone.

Very truly yours,

L. Q. WASHINGTON.

Will you please show this letter to the Hon. Mr. Perkins, Secretary of the Navy?

I fear the present Virginia Convention will not pass an ordinance of secession unless a collision or war ensues; then public feeling will force them to it. There is a majority of old Federal submissionists, who got in by pretending to be resistance men.