—Major-General Sandford tendered the whole of the First Division New York State Militia to the Commander-in-Chief, to be ready for service in an hour’s notice.
—Colonel Hayne, a Commissioner of South Carolina to Washington, was received by the President, and demanded the withdrawal of the garrison of Fort Sumter. He was requested to submit a written demand.
—The United States Coast Survey schooner Dana, was seized by the Florida State authorities.—The World.
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TUESDAY 15
Slippery, misty, foggy day. Good skating for the boys this morning in the street. A general impression seems to prevail that that [sic] the troubles of the Country are going to be healed some way, nobody can tell how. But there is a determination manifestly abroad that this Government shall not be broken up and that it will be defended and maintained at all hazzards and all costs. This determination on the part of the Administration and the whole United North seems to be felt by all. No particular news today. Spent the evening at Home reading first. Presidents Levee this Season, take little interest in them now.
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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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WAR DEPARTMENT, January 15, 1861.
To his Excellency JOHN W. ELLIS,
……………Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh:
SIR: Your letter of the 11th instant, addressed to the President of the United States, has by him been referred to this Department, and he instructs me to express his gratification at the promptitude with which you have ordered the expulsion of the lawless men who recently occupied Forth Johnston and Caswell. He regards this action on the part of your Excellency as in complete harmony with the honor and patriotic character of the people of North Carolina, whom you so worthily represent.
In reply to your inquiry whether it is the purpose of the President to garrison the forts of North Carolina during his administration, I am directed to say that they, in common with the other forts, arsenals, and public property of the United States, are in the charge of the President, and that if assailed, no matter from what quarter or under what pretext, it is his duty to protect them by all the means which the law has placed at his disposal. It is not his purpose to garrison the forts to which you refer at present, because he considers them entirely safe, as heretofore, under the shelter of that law-abiding sentiment for which the people of North Carolina have ever been distinguished. Should they, however, be attacked or menaced, with danger of being seized and taken from the possession of the United States, he could not escape from his constitutional obligations to defend and preserve them. The very satisfactory and patriotic assurances given by your Excellency justify him, however, in entertaining the confident expectation that no such contingency will arise.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOLT,
Secretary of War ad interim.
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FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,
January 15, 1861.
SIR: In consequence of the secession of this State and the seizure of the forts and arsenals in other Southern States. I have moved my command to Fort Taylor, and shall defend it to the last moment against any force attempting to capture it. I have four months’ provisions and 70,000 gallons water, but we cannot stand a siege against any organized army, and therefore should be re-enforced immediately. Two vessels of war should be stationed here to protect the entrance to the harbor and prevent a landing beyond the range of my guns. Mail facilities having ceased through Florida, all orders for this post should be sent via Havana from New York through the American consul.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. BRANNAN, ……..
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding.
Maj. GEORGE DEAS,
……….Assistant Adjutant-General, Dept. of the East, Troy, N. Y.
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—Judge Smalley delivered a charge to the grand jury of the Federal court in New York, specifying what overt acts constitute treason. (The Evening Post of the 14th of January contains this charge in full.)
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MONDAY 14
Something of a snowstorm today. Tonight is more like rain freezing as it falls. The walks are a glade of ice. There appears to be a more hopeful feeling abroad today in reference to the affairs of the country. The Govt is geting into the hands of Union men. The Cabinet is now composed entirely of that class. Genl Dix taking the place of Thomas. His first assistant (Clayton) has also resigned to save himself from being turned out. It is rumored today that all “seceders” are to be turned out if they do not resign their posts in the different Depts. Spent the evening next door, Mr Bartletts, clerk in State Dept.
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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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FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,
January 14, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report that in consequence of the recent seizure by unauthorized persons of several forts and arsenals in the Southern States, I have placed my entire command in Fort Taylor for the purpose of protecting it. I shall, until orders from the General Government to the contrary, defend it to the best of my ability with the scanty force (forty-four men) at my disposal. I inclose a copy of a communication I addressed direct to the Adjutant-General on December 11, 1860, to which I have received no reply; also a copy of a letter from Capt. E. B. Hunt, Corps of Engineers, in charge of Fort Taylor. As mail facilities have entirely ceased between Key West and the North, I would suggest that any orders for me be forwarded from New York City, via Havana, to the care of the American consul.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. BRANNAN, ……
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D.C.
.
[Inclosure No. 1.]
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KEY WEST BARRACKS, FLA.,……
December 11, 1860.
SIR: The present condition of affairs in this State indicates very clearly that Florida by the act of her people, will secede from the Federal Government. I have reliable information that as soon as the act is committed an attempt will be made to seize upon Fort Taylor. I therefore request instructions what I am to do–endeavor at all hazards to prevent Fort Taylor being taken or allow the State authorities to have possession without any resistance on the part of my command? These instructions are absolutely necessary now, as it may be too late after the State secedes to receive any, in consequence of communications being cut off from the seat of Government.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. BRANNAN,…….
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding.
Col. S. COOPER,
…………..Adjutant-General U. A. Army, Washington City, D. C.
.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
.
FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,……….
January 12, 1861.
SIR: In consequence of the disordered state of public affairs, of the reported seizure of various neighboring forts and arsenals, of my own lack of means for maintaining a secure guard of this most important fortification, and of the near approach of the discharge of most of my enrolled mechanics and laborers, I deem it my duty to call upon you to make [secure] the military custody of Fort Taylor, and to adopt such measures for its security as you shall deem proper. I shall heartily cooperate in my appropriate capacity as an officer of Engineers, and shall in a few days complete all the defensive preparations now required. I would, therefore, hereby ask you at once to assume the military command of Fort Taylor. I shall by letter of this date ask Captain Craven, of the Mohawk, to consult with you and give his aid for this object.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.,
E. B. HUNT,
Captain, Engineers.
Capt. J. M. BRANNAN,
……….First Artillery, Commanding Key West Barracks.
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FORT CASWELL, N. C., January 14, 1861.
SIR : I most respectfully wish to state that the party of citizens who occupied this post has left this day. Mr. Hedrick, who signed receipts to me for the ordnance stores, has returned them to me in good order, except what he expended.
……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
F. DARDINGKILLER,
Ordnance Sergeant, U. S. Army.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1861.
It has been a fine winter day. M. this morning stood at 12. Went to church with wife and boys. Heard a Mr Black of Covington K.Y. a near relative of Mr Sec’y Black. He has evidently mistaken his occupation. Wrote a letter this evening to Col. Paine and took it to the P.O. Walked fast down and back without stoping. It took 28 minutes exactly. Requested the Col. to stop in Elmira for Julia as he is coming to Washington. Wife has been reading “Partons Life of Jackson” aloud and it is now 11 o’clock and time to go to bed (rather later than common).
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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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—Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, sent to Washington for a balance of $3,000 due him as late Minister to Russia. The Department adjusted his accounts by sending him a draft on the Charleston Sub-Treasury, the money in which has been seized by the State.
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