—A large Union mass meeting was held at Portland, Me., this evening; Chief Justice Shepley presided, and the meeting was addressed by many of the ablest speakers of all parties. Union resolutions were passed.
—A correspondence between Senator Toombs, of Georgia, and Fernando Wood, mayor of New York, relative to the seizure of arms by the police of that city, creates comment and surprise.—(Doc. 26.)
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AUGUSTA ARSENAL, GA., January 25, 1861.
SIR : I have the honor to report that this post was surrendered to the authorities of the State of Georgia on a demand made by the governor in person, backed by a very superior force of the military of the State. The company of Second U. S. Artillery stationed here is under orders for New York, and as we are required to evacuate the post as soon as practicable, I would respectfully recommend the immediate discharge of the detachment of Ordnance, and would request that four or six months’ leave of absence be granted to me. It may be well in making the application for leave of absence to say that I have had none for fourteen years, with one exception, which I did avail myself of. Full and complete receipts will be taken for all the public property in my charge.
…………I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. GALT,
Military Storekeeper of Ordnance.
Col. H. K. CRAIG, Ordnance Office, Washington, D. C.
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HEADQUARTERS FORT MONROE, VA.,
January 25, 1861.
Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS, Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that in compliance with instructions from the General-in-Chief, Captain Vogdes’ company (A, First Artillery) left this post yesterday between 4 and 5 o’clock p.m. to embark on board the U. S. sloop-of-war Brooklyn. A return of Captain Vogdes’ command is herewith transmitted. I also inclose copies of orders issued by me relative to Captain Vogdes’ movement.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. DIMICK,
Lieut. Col., Second Artillery, and Bvt. Col, Comdg. Post.
[Inclosure]
ORDERS NO. 13,
Extract.
HEADQUARTERS FORT MONROE,
January 23, 1861.
In compliance with instructions from the General-in-Chief, Capt. L Vogdes, First Artillery, will embark with his company (A, First Artillery), filled to the maximum by attached men from the other companies of this post, on board the sloop-of-war Brooklyn, as soon as the commanding officer of that ship reports himself in readiness to receive him. The following number of privates will be detailed from the companies at the post, to be attached to Captain Vogdes’ company, viz: From Company C, First Artillery, 5; from Company B, Second Artillery, from Company L, Second Artillery, 6; from Company F, Third Artillery, 6; from Company K, Third Artillery, 5; from Company D, Fourth artillery, 6; from Company L, Fourth Artillery, 6.
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The assistant commissary will furnish this command with three months’ provisions, it being all that can be transported on the Brooklyn. Fifteen thousand rounds of musket-ball cartridges will be issued. Four mountain howitzers and two 12-pounder field howitzers will be taken, with such a supply of ammunition, not to exceed one hundred rounds for each gun, as can be supplied from this post and arsenal.
Bvt. Second Lieutenant Whittemore, Second Artillery, will proceed with the command.
Sealed orders received from the General-in-Chief have been furnished Captain Vogdes, to be opened when at sea.
By order of Colonel Dimick:
T. J. HAINES, Adjutant.
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THURSDAY 24
There was a little snow last night and this morning it rained and the streets were in an awful condition. I did not go to the office until 10 o’clock. No news stirring. Was down at the “National” this evening. It seems to be filling up, as do all the Hotels. People seem less excited than they did, but await the events of the next month with much solicitude, but confidence is in a great measure restored and the Govt is expected to go on as usual. The Presidents Peace policy is generaly approved of as best for the time being.
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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.
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—The Charleston Mercury continues the publication of anonymous incendiary appeals, intended to stir up the people to an attack on Fort Sumter. One, headed “Fort Sumter, the Bastion of the Federal Union,” concludes with these words:
“No longer hoping for concessions, let us be ready for war, and when we have driven every foreign soldier from our shores, then let us take our place in the glorious Republic the future promises us. Border southern States will never join us until we have indicated our power to free ourselves—until we have proven that a garrison of seventy men cannot hold the portal of our commerce. The fate of the Southern Confederacy hangs by the ensign halliards of Fort Sumter.”
—The Toronto Leader, the Government paper of Canada, this morning says it is in a position to announce in the most positive terms that it is the intention of the English Government to acknowledge the independence of the Southern Confederacy as soon as it is formed.
—The London Times, in an article on the disunion movement in America, asserts that the United States cannot “for many years be to the world what they have been.”—(Doc. 25.)
—An effort was made by the New York police to seize a quantity of fire-arms which were known to be shipped on board the steamer Montgomery. While the officers were searching on board for the arms, the captain ordered the vessel’s fasts to be cut, and she steamed away from the pier, scarcely giving the policemen time to jump ashore. The five hundred muskets found on board the schooner Caspian were returned to the captain, the authorities being satisfied that the vessel was bound to Carthagena.—Chicago Tribune.
—The United States arsenal at Augusta, Ga., was surrendered to the State authorities, upon the demand of Governor Brown.—Baltimore Sun, Jan. 25.
—The Catawba Indians of South Carolina offered their services to Governor Pickens, and were accepted.—Times, Jan. 25.
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Honorable John D. Ashmore, Member of Congress from South Carolina, asks if he has the Right to the Franking Privilege, now that South Carolina has passed an Ordinance of Secession.
Anderson, S. C., Jan. 24, 1861.
My Dear Sir,—I have in my possession some one thousand to twelve hundred volumes of ” public documents,” being my proportion of the same as a member of the thirtysixth Congress. They were forwarded me in mail-sacks and are now lying in my library. Since the date of the ordinance of secession (December 20,1860) of South Carolina I have not used the franking privilege, nor will I attempt to do so without the special permission of the Department To pay the postage on these books, etc., would cost me a large sum, and one I am not prepared to expend. The books are of no use to me, but might be to my constituents, for whom they were intended, if distributed among them. Have I the right to frank and distribute them under existing relations? If so, please inform me. Having said that I have not used the franking privilege since the 20th December, I need hardly add that I shall not do so, even on a “public document,” unless you authorize it.
I am, with great respect,
Truly and sincerely yours,
J. D. Ashmore.
Hon. Horatio King,
Acting Postmaster-General.
(Answered on January 28th.)
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AUGUSTA ARSENAL, GA., January 24, 1861.
SIR : I have the honor to report that the arsenal was surrendered this morning to the governor of Georgia upon honorable terms, herewith inclosed.
……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ARNOLD ELZEY,
Captain, Second Artillery.
Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
(Inolosure.)
AUGUSTA ARSENAL, GA., January 24, 1861.
His excellency the governor of Georgia having demanded the United States Arsenal at Augusta, commanded-by Capt. Arnold Elzey, Second Artillery, U. S. Army, the following terms are agreed upon, to wit:
1st. The flag to be saluted and lowered by the United States troops.
2d. The company to be marched out with military honors and to retain its arms and company property.
3d. The officers and soldiers to occupy quarters until removed beyond the limits of the State, and to have the use of the post transportation to and from the city and in the neighborhood, and the privilege of obtaining supplies from the city.
4th. The public property to be receipted for by the State authorities and accounted for upon adjustment between the State of Georgia and the United States of America.
5th: The troops to have unobstructed passage through and out of the State, by water, to New York, via Savannah.
JOSEPH E. BROWN,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the State of Georgia.
ARNOLD ELZEY,……
Captain, Second Artillery, Commanding Augusta Arsenal.
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FORT SUMTER S.C., January 24, 1861.
Col. S. COOPER; Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: The storm continued until about daylight this morning. It is still cloudy, but the wind has abated sufficiently to enable our boat to take our mail over to Fort Johnson. I have written to our beef contractor in reference to furnishing us with beef, and also such vegetables as the doctor may deem suitable. The purchase of the latter will, I hope, under existing circumstances, be allowed. A letter has also been written to the agent of the New York line of steamboats about transporting our women and children to New York, where, I hope, the quartermaster will see that they are made comfortable. They will probably leave early next week.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.
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WEDNESDAY 23
United States troops are quietly being brought here and are now quartered in different parts of the City. The President is undoubtedly informed of all the movements of the Traitors, and preparations are being made for the reception of any such visitors. The conspiracy has its ramifications through all the departments without a doubt. Men receiving pay from the Govt (as Clerks &c) but ready to turn against it at a moments warning. I can hardly hope that that [sic] all will be well six weeks hence. Heaven grant that it may be. Was at Willards an hour tonight.
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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.
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HEADQUARTERS FORT JEFFERSON, TORTUGAS,
January 23, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report for the information of the General-in-Chief that I found on my arrival here, notwithstanding the energetic, well-directed, and highly-commendable efforts of Captain Meigs, the Engineer in charge, that Fort Jefferson could not be successfully defended from a judiciously-planned and concerted attack with a formidable force without having each front of the work and each bastion armed with artillery.
By the advice of Captain Meigs I dispatched the steamer Joseph Whitney, with Captain Meigs, Engineers, and Lieutenant Benson, Second Artillery, to Key West, where there is an abundance of guns and munitions, with a letter to Captain Brannan, commanding Fort Taylor, directing him to confer with Captain Meigs, and to send me such guns, &c., as Captain Meigs might deem necessary for the immediate defense of Fort Jefferson, in order that the honor of the Government and the defense of both forts might be maintained.
I am happy to report that Captain Meigs has returned from Key West in the steamer Joseph Whitney with six 8-inch columbiads and four field pieces and an ample supply of ammunition, which, with the two field pieces I brought from Fort Independence, will enable me as soon as they are in position to make a strong defense, most probably to hold this important position–the key of the Gulf–against any force that is likely to be brought against it.
I herewith inclose a copy of Captain Meigs’ report, and I will here take occasion to express my high sense of the services of Captain Meigs to render this fort defensible.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
L. G. ARNOLD,
Brevet Major, U. S. Army, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS,
Asst. Adj. Gen., U.S. Army, Headquarters Army, New York City.
[Inclosure.]
ENGINEER OFFICE, FORT JEFFERSON,
Harbor of Tortugas, U.S., January 23, 1861.
SIR: I have to report that I returned this morning on board the steamer Joseph Whitney, towing the Horace Beale, loaded with guns and ammunition, which I obtained from Fort Taylor. Lieutenant Benson, in whose charge you had placed the steamer, rendered me valuable assistance in embarking the heavy materials. Captain Maffit, of the U.S. steamer Crusader, to guard against every possible contingency, kindly convoyed us from Key West.
I recommend that one 8-inch columbiad be placed in the first right-curtain casemate on the right and left of bastions A, C, and E; one flanking gun in the casemate next the curtains in each bastion.
The artillerymen will be able to disembark and transport the guns and ammunition, and from the laborers of the Engineer Department all needful manual aid will be afforded. Two mules belonging to the Engineer Department are also at your service, if useful. A casemate gun and sling cart are on board the brigantine. A truck and wheelbarrow are in the Engineers’ park. The guns, I believe, can all be in place by to-night.
The Mohawk, which at my request came here on our arrival at Key West, will, I doubt not, if you desire it, remain here until the guns are in place; after which it would hardly be necessary to detain her, so far as the safety of this work is concerned, if she has other duties of importance to look after. Her presence, however, would, if she is not urgently needed elsewhere, be only a prudent and proper precaution.
I am, very respectfully and truly, your obedient servant,
M. C. MEIGS,
Captain, Engineers, Eng. in charge of Fort Jefferson.
Maj. L. G. ARNOLD,
Commanding Fort Jefferson.
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