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

Post image for Governor Pickens:— Castle Pinkney and Fort Moultrie Taken

Governor Pickens:— Castle Pinkney and Fort Moultrie Taken

December 28, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Charleston, December 28, 1860.

Hon. D. F. JAMISON, President of the Convention :

SIR: As the Convention sent for me yesterday, to be informed upon important business, I take the occasion to say that, under my order, Castle Pinckney was taken last evening, and the United States flag hauled down and the Palmetto banner run up in its place. And I also ordered a detachment from an artillery regiment to occupy Sullivan’s Island; and if it could be done without any immediate danger from mines, or too great loss of life, to take Fort Moultrie and to run up the Palmetto flag, and put the guns in immediate preparation for defense. I have now full possession of those two forts. I considered the evacuation of Fort Moultrie, under all the circumstances, a direct violation of the distinct understanding between the authorities of the Government at Washington and those who were authorized to act on the part of the State, and bringing on a state of war.

I therefore thought it due to the safety of the State that I should take the steps I have. I hope there is no immediate danger of further aggression for the present.

Respectfully,

F. W. PICKENS.

Post image for Charleston arsenal surrounded.—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

Charleston arsenal surrounded.—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

December 28, 2010

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

CHARLESTON, December 28, 1860.

Capt. WM. MAYNADIER,
Ordnance Bureau:

A body of South Carolina military now surround the arsenal outside, however of the inclosure, but denying ingress or egress without  countersign. The officer in command disclaims any intention of occupancy, and the United States flag is undisturbed. I await instructions.

F. C. HUMPHREYS.

Post image for “… for the present we are treated as enemies.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

“… for the present we are treated as enemies.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

December 28, 2010

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

.

FORT SUMTER,
S.C., December 28, 1860.
(Received A. G. O., January 1, 1861.)

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to send herewith a copy of a memorandum received to-day from the governor of South Carolina, in reply to a message from me, which shows that for the present we are treated as enemies. I sent my post-adjutant this morning with a message to the commanding officer of Fort Moultrie asking by what authority he held possession of that work, and desiring to know whether he would make any opposition to my sending for some property, public and private, left there. He replied to my first question that he held that post by authority of the sovereign State of South Carolina, and in obedience to the orders of the governor. To the second, that his orders were not to permit public property of any kind to be removed on any pretext whatever; that he was directed to take an inventory of the same, and to send it to the governor; that he would with pleasure assist in recovering and restoring all private property that was left. This decision about the public property shows that South Carolina is acting in this matter also toward us as if we were her enemy. The amount of public property thus left is not great, as I merely retained enough to prevent my movement from being suspected. He requested Lieutenant Hall to say that at a general meeting of the officers, the military move I made was unanimously pronounced to have been one of consummate wisdom; that it was the best one that could have been made, and that if I had not effected it things would have been very different. Speaking of his own position, he remarked that the guns of Fort Sumter looked into his guns, and said that he ought not to have been ordered to fire upon me, because if I returned his fire he would be compelled to retire to the sand hills. There were yesterday two regiments to guard the island. The remark about his orders looks like an intention to attack me here. I must confess that I feel highly complimented by the expression of such an opinion (from those most deeply affected by it) of the change of position I felt bound to take to save my command and to prevent the shedding of blood. In a few days I hope, God willing, that I shall be so strong here that they will hardly be foolish enough to attack me. I must confess that we have yet something to do before, with my small force, I shall feel quite independent, as this work is not impregnable, as I have heard it spoken of.

Trusting that something may occur which will lead to a peaceful solution of the questions between the General Government and South Carolina,

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

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

P. S.–I do not feel authorized to reply to the memorandum of the governor, but shall regret very deeply his persistence in the course he has taken. He knows not how entirely the city of Charleston is in my power. I can cut his communication off from the sea, and thereby prevent the reception of supplies, and close the harbor, even at night, by destroying the light-houses. These things, of course, I would never do, unless compelled to do so in self-defense.

[Inclosure.–Copy of memorandum from Governor Pickens.]

HEADQUARTERS, December 28, 1860.

In reply to Major Anderson’s request, made this morning verbally through First Lieutenant Snyder, from Fort Sumter, I hereby order and direct that free permission shall be given to him to send the ladies and camp women from Fort Sumter, with their private effects, to any portion of Sullivan’s Island, and that entire protection shall be extended to them. It is also agreed that the mails may be sent over to the officers at Fort Sumter by their boats, and that all the ladies of Captain Foster’s finally shall be allowed to pass, with their effects and the effects of any kind belonging to Captain Foster, from the Mills House to Fort Sumter, and the kindest regard shall be paid to them. Of course, Lieutenant Meade’s private effects can be taken possession of; but for the present there shall be no communications of any other kind allowed from the city to the fort, or any transportation of arms or ammunition, or any supplies, to the fort; and this is done with a view to prevent irregular collisions, and to spare the unnecessary effusion of blood.

F. W. PICKENS.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – December 27, 1860

A Diary of American Events – December 27, 1860

December 27, 2010

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

—A meeting of the citizens of Pittsburgh, Pa., was held, to give expression to the public indignation created by the removal of ordnance to the Southern forts. General William Robinson presided. Resolutions were adopted, declaring loyalty to the Union, deprecating any interference with the shipment of arms under government orders, however inopportune or impolitic the order might appear; deploring the existing state of things in connection with the administration of important deportments of the public service, so as to have shaken confidence in the people of the free Slates; that, while Pennsylvania is on guard at the Federal capital, it is her special duty to look to the fidelity of her sons, and in that view call on the President as a citizen of this Commonwealth, to see that the public receive no detriment at his hands. It behooves the President to purge his cabinet of every man known to give aid and comfort to, or in any way countenancing the revolt of any State against the authority of the constitution and the laws of the Union.—Evening Post, Dec. 28.

—“Captain N. L. Coste, U. S. R. Service, in command of the cutter William Aiken, betrayed his vessel into the hands of the State authorities of South Carolina.

“The crew, on being notified of the position of Captain Coste, under the State ordinance concerning the customs, promptly volunteered to remain under his command as an officer of South Carolina under that ordinance.”

(See Statement of Lieutenant Underwood, N. Y. Times, Jan. 9, 1861.)

—A meeting was held this evening at Richmond, Va., to give expression of opinion on the present crisis. Several speeches were made, favoring prompt secession measures, and others advocating a resort to negotiation.—Herald, Dec. 29.

—The Governor of South Carolina is tendered the services of troops from Georgia, Alabama, and different portions of Carolina.

Post image for “Many things convinced me that the authorities of the State designed to proceed to a hostile act.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

“Many things convinced me that the authorities of the State designed to proceed to a hostile act.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor

December 27, 2010

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

FORT SUMTER, S.C., December 27, 1860.
(Received A. G. O., December 31.)

COLONEL: I had the honor to reply this afternoon to the telegram of the honorable Secretary of War in reference to the abandonment of Fort Moultrie. In addition to the reasons given in my telegram and in my letter of last night, I will add as my opinion that many things convinced me that the authorities of the State designed to proceed to a hostile act. Under this impression I could not hesitate that it was my solemn duty to move my command from a fort which we could not probably have held longer than forty-eight or sixty hours, to this one, where my power of resistance is increased to a very great degree. The governor of this State sent down one of his aides to-day and demanded, “courteously, but peremptorily,” that I should return my command to Fort Moultrie. I replied that I could not and would not do so. He stated that when the governor came into office he found that there was an understanding between his predecessor and the President that no re-enforcements were to be sent to any of these forts, and particularly to this one, and that I had violated this agreement by having re-enforced this fort. I remarked that I had not re-enforced this command, but that I had merely transferred my garrison from one fort to another, and that, as the commander of this harbor, I had a right to move my men into any fort I deemed proper. I told him that the removal was made on my own responsibility, and that I did it because we were in a position that we could not defend, and also under the firm belief that it was the best means of preventing bloodshed. This afternoon an armed steamer, one of two which have been watching these two forts, between which they have been passing to and fro or anchored for the last ten nights, took possession by escalade of Castle Pinckney. Lieutenant Meade made no resistance. He is with us to-night. They also took possession to-night of Fort Moultrie, from which I withdrew the remainder of my men this afternoon, leaving the fort in charge of the overseer of the men employed by the Engineer Department. We have left about one month’s and a half of provisions in that fort; also some wood and coal and a small quantity of ammunition. We are engaged here to-day in mounting guns and in closing up some of the openings for the embrasures–temporarily closed by light boards, but which would offer but slight resistance to persons seeking entrance. If the workmen return to their work, which I doubt, we shall be enabled in three or four days to have a sufficient number of our guns mounted, and be ready for anything that may occur.

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

ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Col. S. COOPER,

Adjutant-General.

Post image for “Orders to spike the guns, cut down the flagstaff, and burn the carriages.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

“Orders to spike the guns, cut down the flagstaff, and burn the carriages.”—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

December 27, 2010

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

FORT SUMTER, S.C., December 27, 1860.

Col. R. E. DE RUSSY,
Commanding Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that yesterday evening Major Anderson removed his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, leaving a guard with me, with orders to spike the guns, cut down the flagstaff, and burn the carriages of those guns that point towards Fort Sumter. This was done. To-day I went to town to negotiate a draft on New York to pay off the men employed on Fort Moultrie. I saw  that an attack was to be made somewhere to-night and also that it would not be safe for me to go to town again for some time.

Returning, I brought my family to Fort Sumter, as all guard was withdrawn. At about 4 o’clock a steamer landed an armed force at Castle Pinckney, and effecting an entrance by scaling the walls with ladders, took forcible possession of the work. Lieutenant Meade was suffered to withdraw to this fort.

Soon after dark two steamers landed an armed force at Fort Moultrie, and took forcible possession of that work. While in town the Palmetto flag was hoisted on the custom-house and saluted. Two companies were ordered to surround the arsenal. The movement of Major Anderson was made upon a firm conviction that an attack would be made, and that Fort Sumter would be seized first. In haste.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Captain of Engineers.

[Indorsement. ]

DECEMBER 31, 1860.

Read the within to Lieutenant-General Scott this morning.

H. G. W.

Post image for “Anderson has opened the ball.”—A Diary From Dixie

“Anderson has opened the ball.”—A Diary From Dixie

December 27, 2010

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.,The American Civil War

December 27th.—Mrs. Gidiere came in quietly from her marketing to-day, and in her neat, incisive manner exploded this bombshell: “Major Anderson¹ has moved into Fort Sumter, while Governor Pickens slept serenely.” The row is fast and furious now. State after State is taking its forts and fortresses. They say if we had been left out in the cold alone, we might have sulked a while, but back we would have had to go, and would merely have fretted and fumed and quarreled among ourselves. We needed a little wholesome neglect. Anderson has blocked that game, but now our sister States have joined us, and we are strong. I give the condensed essence of the table-talk: “Anderson has united the cotton States. Now for Virginia!” “Anderson has opened the ball.” Those who want a row are in high glee. Those who dread it are glum and thoughtful enough.

A letter from Susan Rutledge: “Captain Humphrey folded the United States Army flag just before dinnertime. Ours was run up in its place. You know the Arsenal is in sight. What is the next move? I pray God to guide us. We stand in need of wise counsel; something more  than courage. The talk is: ‘Fort Sumter must be taken; and it is one of the strongest forts.’ How in the name of sense are they to manage? I shudder to think of rash moves.”

¹ Robert Anderson, Major of the First Artillery, United States Army, who, on November 20,1860, was placed in command of the troops in Charleston harbor. On the night of December 26th, fearing an attack, he had moved his command to Fort Sumter. Anderson was a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the Black Hawk, Florida, and Mexican Wars.

Post image for A Letter to Stephen A. Douglas from DNC Chairman August Belmont.

A Letter to Stephen A. Douglas from DNC Chairman August Belmont.

December 26, 2010

A Few Letters and Speeches of the Late Civil War by August Belmont (DNC Chairman)

To The Hon. S. A. DOUGLAS,

Washington, D.C.

New York, December 26, 1860

My Dear Sir,—I have not written to you during all the troubles which have overtaken us since the unfortunate result of the election.

You, whose patriotic heart beats warmly for our beloved Union, must feel deeply the terrible situation into which we have been thrown by fanatical sectionalism.

I did not like to add to your anguish by any expressions of the dark forebodings with which I look to the future. I cannot, however, refrain from expressing to you my warm and heartfelt admiration for the able and patriotic position which you have taken on Mr. Crittenden’s propositions.

In giving to them your support, and in voting for the restoration of the Missouri compromise line to be carried out to the Pacific, you have given an example of heroic and patriotic self-denial which entitles you to the gratitude of the whole American people.

I have heard your conduct commended in the warmest terms by those who opposed your nomination and election during the late campaign.

Your friends are proud to see the man of their choice rise above every other consideration but that of devotion to the Union, and regret only that your noble example has not yet been followed by any of the leaders in whose hands are now the destinies of the Republic. If your propositions, which I have read with great interest, or those of Mr. Crittenden, could but receive the unanimous-support of the Senatorial committee of thirteen, the Union might be saved, otherwise I cannot see one ray of hope.

The Republican leaders seem utterly blind to the dangers which they have begirt us all with, and though a few of the more conservative ones hold out fair promises, I do not believe that the party intends making any concessions.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – December 26, 1860

A Diary of American Events – December 26, 1860

December 26, 2010

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

—Fort Moultrie was evacuated tonight. Previous to the evacuation, the guns were spiked and the carriages destroyed by fire. The troops have all been conveyed to Fort Sumter. Major Anderson states that he evacuated the fort in order to allay the discussion about that post, and at the same time strengthen his own position.—(Doc. 7.) The evacuation of the fort commenced a little after sundown. The men were ordered to hold themselves in readiness, with knapsacks packed, at a moment’s notice; but up to the moment of their leaving had no idea of abandoning the post. They were reviewed on parade, and were then ordered to two schooners lying in the vicinity, where they embarked, taking with them all the necessaries, stores, &c., requisite in their evacuation.

Several trips were made during the night, and a great part of the provisions and camp furniture were transported under cover of night. The brightness of the moon, however, afforded but slight concealment to their movements, and in one of the trips, Lieutenant Davis in command, a schooner full of soldiers and baggage passed directly under the bow of the guard-boat Nina. The officer who made the statement expressed himself to be ignorant whether the watch on board the Nina discovered the movement or not; at all events, he said, they did not signify any cognizance of the fact.—(Doc. 8.)—Charleston Mercury, Dec. 28.

—Messrs. Barnwell, Orr, and Adams, the Commissioners appointed by South Carolina to treat with the Federal Government, arrived in Washington to-day. This evening they have held a consultation with a few friends, among whom was Senator Wigfall, of Texas.—Boston Post, Dec. 27.

—In the Convention at Charleston, Mr. Rhett offered the following ordinance;

First.—That the Conventions of the seceding slaveholding States of the United States unite with South Carolina, and hold a Convention at Montgomery, Ala., for the purpose of forming a Southern Confederacy.

Second.—That the said seceding States appoint, by their respective Conventions or Legislatures, as many delegates as they have representatives in the present Congress of the United States, to the said Convention to be held at Montgomery; and that on the adoption of the Constitution of the Southern Confederacy, the vote shall be by States.

Third.—That whenever the terms of the Constitution shall be agreed upon by the said Convention, the same shall be submitted at as early a day as practicable to the Convention and Legislature of each State, respectively, so as to enable them to ratify or reject the said Constitution.

Fourth.—That in the opinion of South Carolina, the Constitution of the United States will form a suitable basis for the Confederacy of the Southern States withdrawing.

Fifth.—That the South Carolina Convention appoint by ballot eight delegates to represent South Carolina in the Convention for the formation of a Southern Confederacy.

Lastly.—That one Commissioner in each State be elected to call the attention of the people to this ordinance.

Post image for Removal of Garrison to Fort Sumter.—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

Removal of Garrison to Fort Sumter.—Operations in Charleston Harbor.

December 26, 2010

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

FORT SUMTER S. C.,
December 26, 1860—8 p.m.
(Received A. G. O., December 29.)

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have just completed, by the blessing of God, the removal to this fort of all of my garrison, except the surgeon, four non-commissioned officers, and seven men. We have one year’s supply of hospital stores and about four months’ supply of provisions for my command. I left orders to have all the guns at Fort Moultrie spiked, and the carriages of the 32-pounders, which are old, destroyed. I have sent orders to Captain Foster, who remains at Fort Moultrie, to destroy all the ammunition which he cannot send over. The step which I have taken was, in my opinion, necessary to prevent the effusion of blood.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General.

[Telegram. ]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Adjutant-General’s Office, December 27, 1860.

Major ANDERSON, Fort Moultrie:

Intelligence has reached here this morning that you have abandoned Fort Moultrie, spiked your guns, burned the carriages, and gone to Fort Sumter. It is not believed, because there is no order for any such movement. Explain the meaning of this report.

J. B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.

[ Telegram. ]


CHARLESTON, December 27, 1860.

Hon. J. B. FLOYD, Secretary of War:

The telegram is correct. I abandoned Fort Moultrie because I was certain that if attacked my men must have been sacrificed, and the command of the harbor lost. I spiked the guns and destroyed the carriages to keep the guns from being used against us.

If attacked, the garrison would never have surrendered without a fight.

ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery.

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