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

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Operations in Florida

January 23, 2011

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

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 23, 1861.

Hon. J. HOLT,  Secretary of War:

SIR: I proceeded to Pensacola, Fla., pursuant to orders received from the General-in-Chief, with dispatches to Commodore Armstrong, U. S. Navy, commanding the navy-yard at that place, and agreeably to your request submit the following statement respectfully to your notice:

On my arrival at Pensacola I, as soon as the light of day would permit, went to the beach (having learned on the cars when about twenty miles from the city that the yard had been surrendered, and that two vessels—the Wyandotte and Supply–of the U. S. Navy, were in the harbor) to make a signal to Captain Berryman, of the Wyandotte, in order to place in his hands the dispatches intended for Commodore Armstrong, the latter being a prisoner of war. I there found no sign of a naval vessel, and leaned that they were distant some seven miles. I then returned to the hotel, and after having arrived on the porch, where I had been only a few minutes, I was arrested by two persons, who said they were authorized by Colonel Chase to arrest me. They carried me to the latter’s house, where I was brought before the colonel, in the presence of some six or eight persons, and requested, or rather demanded, to surrender my dispatches, which I refused to do, as my dispatches were for Commodore Armstrong. Colonel Chase then said he would allow me to deliver them to Commodore Armstrong in the presence of Captain Randolph, then in charge of the navy-yard for the State of Florida. I proceeded to the yard in company with three troopers belonging to the State troops, and saw the commodore, who received my dispatches sealed, and they, still sealed, were demanded from him by Captain Randolph, who opened them and then forwarded them to Colonel Chase. I remained at the yard all of one day, having been placed on parole of honor not to communicate with any officer of the United States Government either at the forts or at the yard, but learned from reports and what I saw that the fort occupied by the United States had been re-enforced by some thirty or more sailors belonging to the navy-yard. The yard had been surrendered, and all the officers, with the marine guard, had been placed on their parole, and the latter had been placed on board of the Supply, to be conveyed to New York. The yard, as also Fort Barrancas, was occupied by State troops, and Fort McRee was to be occupied so soon as troops should arrive.
I left on the 15th instant, and was given by Colonel Chase the following, in order to allow me a safe passage through the country:

HEADQUARTERS PENSACOLA DISTRICT,
January 15, 1861.

Lieut. J. S. Saunders, of the Ordnance, is under parole to me, and is free to go to any part of the country he desires; and this is his safe-conduct for that purpose.

WM. H. CHASE,
Colonel, Commanding Forces of Florida.

I have the honor to remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. S. SAUNDERS,
Brevet Second Lieutenant, Ordnance, U. S. Army.

“He declares his intention to take possession of the arsenal…,”—The Secession of Georgia

January 23, 2011

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

HEADQUARTERS AUGUSTA, GA., ARSENAL,
January 23, 1861—1 o’clock p. m.

SIR: I am just officially informed by the governor of Georgia, now in Augusta, supported by a superior military force, that Georgia having resumed exclusive sovereignty over her soil, it has become his duty to require me to withdraw. the troops under my command at the earliest practicable moment from the limits of the State. He declares his intention to take possession of the arsenal, and proposes to receipt for the public property and account for the same on adjustment between the State of Georgia and the United States of America. He further declares that the retention of the troops upon the soil of Georgia after remonstrance is, under the laws of nations, an act of hostility, claiming that the State now is not only at peace but anxious to cultivate the most amicable relations with the United States Government, and that an answer from me to his demand is required at 9 o’clock a. m. to-morrow. An immediate answer to this communication is-respectfully requested.

……..Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ARNOLD ELZEY, …….
Captain, Second Artillery, Commanding.

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

Post image for “It is my wish, if the weather prove favorable, to ship the families in the Saturday steamer, or the first one after that day.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

“It is my wish, if the weather prove favorable, to ship the families in the Saturday steamer, or the first one after that day.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

January 23, 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 23, 1861.
(Received A. G. O., January 27.)

Col. S. COOPER Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith a copy of the reply of the Hon. D. F. Jamison to my letter to him about supplies for this garrison and the removal of our women and children, and also a copy of my acknowledgment of the Same. I am highly gratified at the courtesy and proper tone of this reply.

The storm which was raging yesterday has continued with unabated severity up to the present moment, and has put a stop to all outdoor work, both with the South Carolinians and ourselves. It is now raining and blowing so heavily and the bay is so rough that I shall not venture to send our boat to Fort Johnson for the mail. Should the storm abate so that I can send our letters off in time for the evening mail I shall send them over. I see by the Coast Survey map that Maffitt’s and the Swash Channel are not the same. I was led into that mistake by an old pilot, who told me that Maffitt’s Channel was formerly called the Swash. I will thank you to be pleased, therefore, to erase the words “Swash or” in my letter to the honorable Secretary of War dated the 21st instant, and also to change the word “enfilade” into “defilade,” where in the same letter I am describing the work which has been recently executed at Fort Moultrie. [Corrections were made in the text.]

I am, colonel, very respectfully, &c.,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

[Inclosure No. 1.]

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
Charleston, January 21, 1861.

Maj. ROBERT ANDERSON:

SIR. In offering to permit you to purchase in this city, through the instrumentality of an officer of the State, such fresh supplies of provisions as you might need, his excellency the governor was influenced solely by considerations of courtesy; and if he had no other motive for refusing to any of your garrison free access to the city to procure such supplies, he would have been moved by prudential reasons for the safety of your people, in preventing a collision between them and our own citizens. As to the manner of procuring your supplies, his excellency is indifferent whether it is done by the officer referred to, or whether your market supplies are delivered to you at Fort Johnson by the butcher whom you say you have before employed. It is only insisted on that the supplies, if sent, shall be carried over in a boat under an officer of the State who takes to Fort Johnson your daily mails. His excellency desires me to say that he willingly accedes to your request as to the women and children in Fort Sumter, and that he will afford every facility in his power to enable you to remove them from the fort at any time and in any manner that will be most agreeable to them.

I am, sir, respectfully, yours,

D. F. JAMISON.

[Inclosure No. 2.]

FORT SUMTER, S. C., January 22, 1861.

Hon. D. F. JAMISON,
Executive Office, Department of War, Charleston:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 21st instant, and to express my gratification at its tenor. I shall direct my staff officer to write to the contractor in reference to his supplying us with beef, and will communicate with you as soon as the necessary preliminaries are arranged, in order that you may then, if you please, give the requisite instructions for carrying them into effect. Be pleased to express to his excellency the governor my thanks for the kind and prompt manner in which he gave his consent to the proposed transfer of the women and children of this garrison. As there are on Sullivan’s Island the families of two of our non-commissioned officers, with their furniture, &c., and also a quantity of private property (including some musical instruments–not public property) belonging to this command, which the first commander of Fort Moultrie, Colonel De Saussure, sent me word he had collected and placed under lock and key, it will be necessary to permit the two non-commissioned officers to go to the island to assist in moving their families, &c. The lighter, it occurs to me, which will be needed to take the families to the steamer, had better go to the island for the property there before coming for the women and children here. As we are all very desirous of guarding against causing any unnecessary excitement, it will afford me great pleasure to have everything done in the most quiet way possible. I shall, consequently, cheerfully govern myself, as far as possible, by the views and wishes of his excellency in reference to this matter, and will be pleased to hear from you what they are. It is my wish, if the weather prove favorable, to ship the families in the Saturday steamer, or the first one after that day.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Post image for “If no compromise is made, then nothing but a large force will ensure the Inauguration of Mr Lincoln…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“If no compromise is made, then nothing but a large force will ensure the Inauguration of Mr Lincoln…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

January 22, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1861.

The fact there exists an extensive conspiracy to break up the Government, one of long standing, is growing more apparent every day. The Secession of Virginia and Maryland is a part of the program and the securing of this City accomplishes the desired end. Nothing but concessions on the part of the north will prevent the secession of those States. If no compromise is made, then nothing but a large force will ensure the Inauguration of Mr Lincoln on the 4th March. The next month must settle a great question for this country.

______

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 22, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 22, 1861

January 22, 2011

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

—Sherrard Clemens of Va. made a strong Union speech in the House of Representatives to-day.—(Doc. 24.)

Post image for Fort Sumter “… was not taken, and is not held, with any hostile or unfriendly purpose towards your State, but merely as property of the United States.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

Fort Sumter “… was not taken, and is not held, with any hostile or unfriendly purpose towards your State, but merely as property of the United States.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

January 22, 2011

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

WAR DEPARTMENT Washington, January 22, 1861.

Hon. BENJAMIN FITZPATRICK,
Hon. S. R. MALLORY, Hon. JOHN SLIDELL:

GENTLEMEN: The President has received your communication of the 19th instant, with the copy of a correspondence between yourselves and others, “representing States which have already seceded from the United States, or will have done so before 1st of February next,” and Col. Isaac W. Hayne, of South Carolina, in behalf of the government of that State, in relation to Fort Sumter, and you ask the President “to take into consideration the subject of the correspondence.” With this request he has complied, and has directed me to communicate his answer.

In your letter to Colonel Hayne of the 15th instant, you propose to him to defer the delivery of a message from the governor of South Carolina to the President, with which he has been intrusted, for a few days, until the President and Colonel Hayne shall have considered the suggestions which you submit. It is unnecessary to refer specially to these suggestions, because the letter addressed to you by Colonel Hayne, of the 17th instant, presents clear and specific answer to them. In this he says: “I am not clothed with power to make the arrangement you suggest, but provided you can get assurances with which you are entirely satisfied that no re-enforcements will be sent to Fort Sumter in the interval, and that the public peace will not be disturbed by any act of hostility toward South Carolina, I will refer your communication to the authorities of South Carolina, and withholding the communication with which I am at present charged, will await further instructions.”

From the beginning of the present unhappy troubles, the President has endeavored to perform his executive duties in such a manner as  to preserve the peace of the country and prevent bloodshed. This is still his fixed purpose. You, therefore, do him no more than justice in stating that you have assurances (from his public messages, I presume) that, “notwithstanding the circumstances under which Major Anderson left Fort Moultrie and entered Fort Sumter with the forces under his command, it was not taken, and is not held, with any hostile or unfriendly purpose towards your State, but merely as property of the United States, which the President deems it his duty to protect and preserve.” You have correctly stated what the President deems to be his duty. His sole object now is, and has been, to act strictly on the defensive, and to authorize no movement against the people of South Carolina unless clearly justified by a hostile movement on their part. He could not have given a better proof of his desire to prevent the effusion of blood than by forbearing to resort to the use of force under the strong provocation of an attack (happily without a fatal result) on an unarmed vessel bearing the flag of the United States.

I am happy to observe that in your letter to Colonel Hayne you express the opinion that it is “especially due from South Carolina to our States, to say nothing of other slaveholding States, that she should, as far as she can consistently with her honor, avoid initiating hostilities between her and the United States, or any other power.” To initiate such hostilities against Fort Sumter would, beyond question, be an act of war against the United States.

In regard to the preposition of Colonel Hayne, “that no re-enforcements will be sent to Fort Sumter in the interval, and that the public  peace will not be disturbed by any act of hostility towards South Carolina,” it is impossible for me to give you any such assurances. The President has no authority to enter into such an agreement or understanding. As an executive officer he is simply bound to protect the public property go far as this may be practicable, and it would be a manifest violation of his duty to place himself under engagements that he would not perform this duty either for an indefinite a limited period. At the present moment it is not deemed necessary to re-enforce Major Anderson, because he makes no such request, and feels quite secure in his position. Should his safety, however, require re-enforcements, every effort will be made to supply them.

In regard to an assurance from the President “that the public peace will not be disturbed by any act of hostility toward South Carolina,” the answer will readily occur to yourselves. To Congress, and to Congress alone, belongs the power to make war, and it would be an act of usurpation for the Executive to give any assurance that Congress would not exercise this power, however strongly he may be convinced that no such intention exists.

I am glad to be assured from the letter of Colonel Hayne that “Major Anderson and his command do now obtain all necessary supplies, including fresh meat and vegetables, and, I believe, fuel and water, from the city of Charleston, and do now enjoy communication by post and special messenger with the President, and will continue to do so, certainly until the door to negotiation has been closed? I trust that these facilities may still be afforded to Major Anderson. This is as it should be. Major Anderson is not menacing Charleston, and I am convinced that the happiest result which can be attained is that both he and the authorities of South Carolina shall remain on their present amicable footing, neither party being bound by any obligation whatever, except the high Christian and moral duty to keep the peace, and to avoid all causes of mutual irritation.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. HOLT,

Secretary of War.

Post image for “I cannot restrain myself when talking with these fireeaters and Traitors.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“I cannot restrain myself when talking with these fireeaters and Traitors.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

January 21, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

MONDAY 21

Mr Yulee was in my room today and asked me if I thought it best to “coerce” the seceding states. I told him that I thought it best to protect the public property. But says he that is coercion in the opinion of the seceding States. I told him that it mattered little what the opinions of the Pirates and Freebooters were who now controled those states. The danger of a collision was imenent, but it soon passed off. I cannot restrain myself when talking with these fireeaters and Traitors. Weather delightful today, was down at the Hotels, bot a “Times,” read an hour to wife.

______

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 21, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 21, 1861

January 21, 2011

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

—Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, withdrew from the Senate at Washington to-day. The ordinance of secession having passed the Convention of his State, he felt obliged to obey the summons, and retire from all official connection with the Federal Government.—(Doc. 23.)

At the Brooklyn, N. Y., navy yard, the entire force was put under arms, and held in readiness to act immediately, through some apprehension of an attack by an organized force of persons in sympathy with secession. The guns of the North Carolina were shotted, and a portion of the Brooklyn city military was mustered to cooperate.—Herald, Jan. 22.

—The Georgia State Convention resolved, unanimously:

“As a response to the resolutions of the Legislature of the State of New York, that this Convention highly approves of the energetic and patriotic conduct of the Governor of Georgia in taking possession of Fort Pulaski by the Georgia troops; that this Convention request him to hold possession of said fort until the relations of Georgia with the Federal Government shall be determined, and that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of New York.—Times, Jan. 22.

—Wendell Phillips addressed the Twenty-eighth Congregational Society in Boston this afternoon on the “Political Lessons of the Hour.” He declared himself to be a disunion man, and was glad to see South Carolina and other southern slave States had practically initiated a disunion movement. He hoped that all the slave States would leave the Union, and not stand upon the order of their going, but go at once. He denounced the compromise spirit manifested by Mr. Seward and Charles Francis Adams with much severity of language; and there was an occasional stamping of feet and hissing, but no outbreak. Mr. Phillips was escorted home by a few policemen, and a great crowd pushing about him.—Springfield Republican.

—A Union meeting was held to-night at Trenton, N. J., Thomas J. Stryker, Cashier of the Trenton Bank, in the chair.

The Committee on Resolutions reported, deploring the state of the country; recommending, as a means of settling differences, the adoption by the people of the Crittenden resolutions, or some other pacific measure; with such modifications as may be deemed expedient; recommending the Legislature of New Jersey to pass a law to take a vote of the people, yes or no, on the Crittenden resolutions; approving of the course of Virginia in appointing a Commission to go to Washington, and recommending the New Jersey Legislature to do the same.

Speeches were made by Judge Naar, C. W. Jay, and others.

Post image for Acting Post-master General… for now.—Horatio King

Acting Post-master General… for now.—Horatio King

January 21, 2011

Turning on the Light: A Dispassionate Survey of President Buchanan's Administration, From 1860 to its Close, by Horatio King

P. O. Dept., Jan’y 21, 1861.

My Dear Sir,—Yours of the 19th inst. is received.

I presume I shall continue to act as P. M. G., as I have been doing since the 1st inst. I do not anticipate that any appointment will be sent to the Senate at least for the present.

I cannot see that there is much if any improvement in the state of things. Yet if the Republicans would only present some reasonable proposition, and vote upon it with anything like unanimity to show that they were willing to do something, it would at once take the wind out of the sails of secession in all the border States, and this would dampen the ardor of the rebels . . . further South.

Very resp’ly and truly yours,

Horatio King.

Nahum Capen, Esq., P. M., Boston, Mass.

Post image for “You are designated to embark with your company on board the sloop-of-war Brooklyn to re-enforce Fort Pickens…”—Operations in Florida

“You are designated to embark with your company on board the sloop-of-war Brooklyn to re-enforce Fort Pickens…”—Operations in Florida

January 21, 2011

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

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, January 21, 1861.

Bvt. Col. JUSTIN DIMICK,
Lieut. Col., Second Artillery, Commanding Fort Monroe, Va.:

SIR: The General-in-Chief directs that you embark, after arrangements with the commander of the sloop-of-war Brooklyn, one company of the First Artillery with at least three officers, with arms, a good supply of ammunition, and as much subsistence, not exceeding four months’ supply, as the Brooklyn may be willing to receive. Fill up the company to the maximum standard by transfer. Some spare arms should go with it. Issue, or if there be time purchase and ship, a good supply of desiccated vegetables. Superscribe the inclosed sealed orders with the name of the captain designated by you. They are not to be opened until he is at sea.

I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. THOMAS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S.–Put on board, if possible, six field howitzers with their carriages and equipments and one hundred rounds of ammunition.

L. T.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, January 21, 1861.

[Capt. ISRAEL VOGDES,].

First Artillery, Fort Monroe, Va. :

SIR: You are designated to embark with your company on board the sloop-of-war Brooklyn to re-enforce Fort Pickens, of which you will become the commander as well as of other forts and barracks which it may be in your power to occupy and defend with the co-operation of any naval commander or commanders at hand, although it is understood that Fort Barrancas and probably Fort McRee are already in the hands of the seceders. It is probable that the Brooklyn may be obliged to land you outside the harbor, but it is hoped not so far from Fort Pickens as to be beyond the protection of its guns if the debarkation should be opposed. Of course, the company will be first landed to cover the supplies which are intended for the fort,. The Brooklyn will touch at Key West. Deliver the accompanying letter to Captain Brannan, and desire him to communicate freely with Major Arnold, who sailed eight days ago from Boston to occupy Fort Jefferson, giving him intelligence of your movement, and the intention to re-enforce both Forts Taylor and Jefferson with a company each, hoping and believing that the latter is in the possession of the major.

The General-in-Chief, by whose direction I write, has every confidence in the zeal and ability of the officers of the First Artillery.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

L. THOMAS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S.–You are to understand that you are not to attempt any reoccupation or recapture involving hostile collision, but that you are to confine yourself strictly to the defensive.

L.T.

P. S.–The guns, &c., if it has been found possible to get any on board, are intended for Fort Jefferson.

L. THOMAS.

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