Lincoln Finds a Fox
From the Editor: As his first order of business, President Lincoln asks his seven cabinet members to give him their opinions about what to do at Fort Sumter. To his dismay, five of the seven recommend that the fort be immediately evacuated. In addition, General-in-Chief Winfield Scott believes that sending reinforcements is now impossible without utilizing a large fleet and over 25,000 men. Secretary of State William Seward is so convinced that giving up Sumter is a good idea, both for political and military reasons, that he has established contact with the three Special Confederate Commissioners who were sent to Washington, and informed them that Sumter would be evacuated. Seward also planted the story in several newspapers without Lincoln’s consent or knowledge. Only Postmaster-General Montgomery Blair is adamant that Sumter must be held. Blair, who represented Dred Scott before the Supreme Court in 1856, and who is the son of longtime Washington power broker Frances P. Blair, introduces Lincoln to his brother-in-law Gustavus V. Fox, and it is Fox, a former Naval lieutenant, who proposes an innovative plan to re-enforce Sumter with small tugs and boats. After some discussion, Lincoln decides to send Fox to Fort Sumter to determine if such a plan is feasible, or if Sumter is, in fact, a lost cause.
March 10 1861 (Sunday)
Yesterday, the steamer Daniel Webster arrived off the Texas coast of Brazos de Santiago, Texas, after a twenty-five day voyage from New York City. Major Fitz-John Porter, Assistant Adjutant-General, in charge of the evacuation of Federal troops, loads “as many infantry as the steamer can carry” on board for passage to Key West, Florida, and instructs the two companies of infantry at Fort Brown to be “held in readiness” should there be extra room.
FORT BROWN, TEX., March 10, 1861.
Capt. [William] B. JOHNS, Third Infantry, Commanding Fort Brown, Tex.: By order of the General-in-Chief [Winfield Scott] I call upon you to turn over the command of this post to the proper officer and unite your companies to those which are to embark on the steamer Daniel Webster. Brevet Major [William H.] French [First U.S. Artillery] is the senior officer to whom you will report. Lieut. [John] W. Alley, acting assistant quartermaster and acting assistant commissary of subsistence, will remain to turn over the property for which he is and may become responsible, and then be ordered to join his company. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F.J. PORTER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
March 11 1861 (Monday)
In Washington, Texas Senator and renowned ‘fire-eater’ Louis Wigfall, who has yet to resign his senate seat, sends a cable to G.T Beauregard, commanding in Charleston, South Carolina: “Believed here that [Major Robert] Anderson [First U.S. Artillery] will be ordered to evacuate [Fort] Sumter in five days.” However, Wigfall warns that the information may have been leaked as a “ruse” to throw us off guard “and enable them to re-enforce.” Wigfall also wires the news to President Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama. “It is believed here in Black Republican circles that Anderson will be ordered to vacate Fort Sumter in five days…. Anderson telegraphed, it is said, that he had no fuel and but fifteen days' provisions.” In the meantime, Beauregard requests additional engineers after Major William H.C. Whiting and Captain William Boggs of the Engineers Corps are “recalled to Savannah by the governor of Georgia.” Beauregard writes: “I find a great deal of zeal and energy around me, but little professional knowledge and experience. I earnestly request the immediate return of the two officers…or that two others of equal ability…be sent me. Probably Capt. [Gustavus W.] Smith, of New York, and Captain [Josiah] Gorgas [Chief of Ordnance] might be induced to come, if a positive rank could be offered to them.”
HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES, Charleston, S.C., March 11, 1861.
Hon. [Leroy] P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: I have taken the earliest opportunity my present duties would permit (yesterday) to make a thorough reconnaissance of the country south of this city to the Stono River and its mouth, to determine what works are required to prevent an enemy from approaching in that direction…. I have selected the sites and ordered the construction of some field works that will, I think, effectually guard those channels of approach; but we must have time and means to complete them. With good assistants (chiefs of Engineers and Ordnance) this could probably be done in about eight or ten days…. Should an enemy succeed in effecting a landing on the Stono River (a very navigable stream), or anywhere else in that direction, I will take a position with all my disposable forces in a very advantageous location I have selected, a little in advance of the Savannah road bridge, leading into Charleston, covering, at the same time, the bridge with a tete-de-pont. From thence I will oppose to the last his direct attack, or take him in flank and rear, to cut off his communication, if practicable…. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G.T. BEAUREGARD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Long time Washington politician F.P. Blair warns President Lincoln that surrender of Fort Sumter is virtually a surrender of the Union. Says Blair: “Compounding with treason was treason.” (1)
2. Major Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, commanding at Fort McLane, N.M.T., reports a “public ox-train of fifteen wagons” was captured by “desperate men” and diverted to be sold in Sonora, Mexico.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. By a unanimous voice vote, Congress ((C.S.) passes a final draft of the proposed constitution. It must now be ratified by five states to become permanent.
2. Braxton Bragg arrives in Pensacola and takes command of all troops in Florida.
March 12 1861 (Tuesday)
George Thomas, recently returned from a twelve-month leave of absence after being wounded by an arrow out West, is assigned to the Second U.S. Cavalry, based at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. Thomas also receives a letter from Major William Gilham of the Virginia Military Institute, offering him the position of “chief of ordnance” for his home state of Virginia. In the letter, Thomas is asked if he is interested in resigning from the service, and if so, what post he would find “acceptable.” Unlike most of his fellow Virginians, Thomas displays no interest in leaving the Union.
NEW YORK HOTEL, March 12, 1861.
His Excellency Governor JOHN LETCHER, Richmond, Va.: I have the honor to state, after expressing my most sincere thanks for your very kind offer, that it is not my wish to leave the service of the United States as long as it is honorable for me to remain in it; and therefore as long as my native State, Virginia, remains in the Union, it is my purpose to remain in the Army unless required to perform duties alike repulsive to honor and humanity. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major, U.S. Army.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Captain Israel Vogdes, 1st U.S. Artillery, still aboard the sloop-of-war U.S.S. Brooklyn, in Pensacola Harbor, is ordered to “re-enforce Fort Pickens.”
2. Fort McIntosh, located near Laredo, Texas, is abandoned by Federal forces.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. By a vote of 87-5, the state of Alabama becomes the first state to ratify the C.S. Constitution. Four more states are needed for the constitution to become permanent.
2. Major-General E. Van Dorn is appointed commander of the Mississippi Army. Col. Wm. Barksdale is appointed asQ.M.G., and Lt. Col. S.G. French as chief of ordnance.
March 13 1861 (Wednesday)
Two days ago, Congressman Frank Blair, Jr., an ardent abolitionist and chief organizer of the Wide Awake militia, pressed Secretary of War Simon Cameron to place Captain Nathaniel Lyon, Second U.S. Infantry, in command of all the troops guarding the Saint Louis arsenal. Lyon, a veteran of ‘Bloody Kansas,’ is seen by Blair as more trustworthy than the current arsenal commander Major Peter Hagner, Ordnance Corps. “Our friends in Saint Louis desire that Captain Lyon may have the command of the troops at the Saint Louis Arsenal, and be charged with its defense, and that Major Hagner be required simply to take charge of the ordnance department.” Cameron moves swiftly and issues orders placing Lyon in “command of the troops and defenses” of the Saint Louis Arsenal. Hagner is not amused. He complains that he has been demoted “without one word of explanation to save the pride of a soldier of twenty-five years' active service.” Hagner asks for an explanation from Secretary Cameron. “Ought not my long service and hitherto good standing in my profession have secured me a hearing before condemnation?”
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST, Saint Louis, Mo., March 13, 1861.
Capt. N. LYON, Second Infantry, Commanding Troops at Saint Louis Arsenal, Mo.: It is not supposed that…the Secretary of War designed you should exercise any control over the operations of the Ordnance Department, and you will not, therefore, regard the officers and men of that branch of the service stationed at the arsenal as forming a portion of your command. The arrangements heretofore made for the accommodation of the troops at the arsenal and for the defense of the place will not be disturbed without the sanction of the commanding general, to whom you will present any considerations touching those subjects you may think worthy of adoption. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[Captain Seth] WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Last week Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker sent a letter to the governors of the seceded states asking them to do all in their power to expedite the transfer of soldiers from local and state militias to Confederate Army units. Louisiana Governor Thomas O. Moore is happy to comply. He promises to transfer his military force “at the earliest practicable moment to the Confederate States,” except for the “four-months' troops” that cannot be transferred. Texas Governor Sam Houston is less than enthusiastic. He has his Secretary of State Eber W. Cave pen the response. Houston believes that Texas, “having severed their connection with the United States,” is now in the “position of a sovereign and independent State.” Houston concludes: “No act of the people since that period, and certainly none anterior to it, has warranted the construction that Texas is other than independent.”
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Austin, Tex., March 13, 1861. Hon. L. POPE WALKER: Your letter…informs his excellency that the President of the Confederate States “assumes control” of all military operations in this State. The inference, therefore, is that Texas is regarded as one of the Confederate State…. While Texas has by the vote of a majority of the people determined to resume once again the nationality with which she parted on becoming annexed to the Federal Union, her position before the world, and especially in relation to the Confederate States, seems to be misunderstood. This may arise from the fact that the Austin Convention…elected seven delegates to the Convention of seceding States at Montgomery…. The object of the Convention was declared to be to provide the mode by which the people of Texas should reassume their complete sovereignty…. There can be no other conclusion…than that, at the time your communication was addressed to his excellency, Texas was not…one of the Confederate States, and, therefore, not…under the "control" of its President…. It also becomes my duty to inform you that his excellency has notified the Convention, whose delegates are accredited to Montgomery, that he does not recognize it as convention of the people of Texas…. There are requirements due the national pride and dignity of a people who have just resumed their nationality which do not sanction the course pursued in annexing them to a new government without their knowledge or consent. His excellency desires me to tender you the assurances of his esteem and consideration. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E.W. CAVE, Secretary of State.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. The Arkansas Secession Convention adjourns without taking any action.
March 14 1861 (Thursday)
Rumors continue to swirl through Washington about evacuation orders for Fort Sumter, allegedly issued by President Lincoln. John Forsyth, a newspaper publisher from Mobile, Alabama, in the city as one of the C.S. Commissioners appointed to establish “friendly relations,” sends an urgent notice to South Carolina Governor Francis Pickens that he “confidently” believes that “Sumter will be evacuated” and that a “Government messenger” is currently on his way to Fort Sumter with orders to that effect. Forsyth’s source for that information is Secretary of State William Seward, who has been in contact through a third party with Forsyth. In addition, Secretary Walker has information that the “Steamers Star of the West, Harriet Lane, Crusader, Mohawk, and Empire City” have been ordered to New York “to carry arms, provisions, and men.” The evacuation rumors also have an impact on the level of activity in Charleston Harbor. Despite excellent weather, Major Robert Anderson reports seeing “only a small party engaged this morning,” raising a parapet near Fort Johnson.
FORT SUMTER, S.C., March 14, 1861.
General [Joseph] G. TOTTEN, Chief Engineer U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.: The news received yesterday by telegraph, to the effect that orders were issued to evacuate this fort, seems to have caused an almost entire cessation of work on the batteries around us. I am not ceasing work on the preparations, although I am taking an inventory of the materials on hand, and otherwise getting ready for such orders should they actually arrive…. Unless otherwise directed I shall discharge my force when the orders for evacuation arrive, and leave with the command, with my assistants, and report to you at Washington. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[John] G. FOSTER, Captain, Engineers
March 15 1861 (Friday)
President Lincoln formally asks his advisors if “under all the circumstances” it is “wise” to “now provision Fort Sumter.” The answer he gets is not promising. Five of the seven members of his cabinet advise against any move to resupply or reinforce the fort, and are in favor of withdrawing the garrison. Secretary Cameron writes, “My mind has been most reluctantly forced to the conclusion that it would be unwise now to make such an attempt.” Of the two dissenters, Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase recommends re-supplying the fort if it can be done without provoking an armed response. Only Postmaster General Montgomery Blair favors holding the fort at all costs. He writes, “Every hour of acquiescence in this condition of things, and especially every new conquest made by the rebels, strengthens their hands at home and their claim to recognition as an independent people abroad.” He concludes, “The evacuation of Fort Sumter when it is known that it can be provisioned and manned will convince the rebels that the administration lacks firmness, and will, therefore, tend more than any event that has happened to embolden them.”
POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 15, 1861.
The PRESIDENT:
SIR: In reply to your interrogatory whether, in my opinion, it is wise to provision Fort Sumter under present circumstances, I submit the following considerations in favor of provisioning that fort…. To the connivance of the late administration it is due alone that this rebellion has been enabled to attain its present proportions…. They for the most part believe that the Northern men are deficient in the courage necessary to maintain the Government…. Doubting the manhood of Northern men they discredit their disclaimers of this purpose to humiliate and injure them. Nothing would so surely gain credit for such disclaimers as the manifestation of resolution on the part of the President to maintain the lawful authority of the nation…. I believe that Fort Sumter may be provisioned and relieved by Captain [Gustavus V.] Fox [U.S.N.] with little risk, and General Scott's opinion that with its war complement there is no force in South Carolina which can take it renders it almost certain that it will not then be attempted. This would completely demoralize the rebellion. The impotent rage of he rebels and the outburst of patriotic feeling which would follow this achievement would initiate a reactionary movement throughout the South which would speedily overwhelm the traitors. No expenses or care should therefore be spared to achieve this success…. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[Montgomery] BLAIR.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Camp Wood, Texas, is abandoned by Federal troops.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Lt. Col. R.E. Lee, 1st U.S. Cavalry, is offered an appointment as brigadier-general in the Confederate Army.
March 16 1861 (Saturday)
Major Robert Anderson notices that activity in Charleston harbor has “resumed with a good deal of activity” after rumors of an impending Federal evacuation had brought on a “partial suspension for two or three days.” He reports that “quite a large party” is now at work near Fort Johnson on “a covered way,” and that “four barbette carriages and guns were landed…at Cummings Point.”
FORT SUMTER, S.C., March 16, 1861.
General Jos. G. TOTTEN, Chief Engineer U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.: Considerable activity is exhibited this morning in the batteries on Morris Island and in the vicinity of the mortar battery on James Island. Three steamers have landed on Cummings Point quite a large number of men, both laboring and military, with three barbette carriages and four guns, either 24 or 32 pounders, and quite a large quantity of supplies…. On James Island the work is confined to the construction of about one hundred and fifty yards of covered way on the beach, connecting the mortar battery and the flank of the line of intrenchments in rear of Fort Johnson, where it comes out on the beach.
I am still engaged in filling up the exterior openings of the first-tier loopholes on the gorge. One-half of the gorge is thus strengthened. I have put the two 10-inch columbiads in good working order. The opening through the masonry wall in rear of the main gate has also been lined with iron plate in such a way that the main gate may not be shaken when the 8-inch howitzer in rear is fired through the opening. I am also clearing the parade of rubbish. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J.G. FOSTER, Captain, Engineers.
Senator Louis Wigfall, continuing his activities in the North, organizes a recruiting station in Baltimore, Maryland. He writes to G.T. Beauregard, “I am induced to believe that it will meet with decided success. By the time an officer can reach here there will probably be one hundred recruits to examine.” He also informs Secretary Walker of his activities. “The feeling in Baltimore is strongly in our favor…. In the event that Virginia will not lead, an effort will be made to take Maryland out and drag Virginia after her. My belief is that Maryland cannot be kept in the Union much longer.” Wigfall has also been in contact with members of the National Volunteers, which is “a military organization of Southern-rights' men” organized in September, 1860, “for the purpose of casting their lot with and battling for the cause of Southern emancipation.” According to Lieutenant Charles K. Sherman, he can muster between 64 and 100 men who drill “almost nightly.”
BALTIMORE, MD., March 16, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, C.S.A., Charleston, S.C.: I have concluded that it would be better not to send the men to Charleston until they were examined. We will then avoid the danger of having to pay the passage money for men not fit for service. I was merely requested and authorized to recruit here for the Army of the Confederate States. I have made arrangements for sending them to you, supposing that you would have use for them, or, if not, that you could have them enlisted and drilled till they were ordered elsewhere…. The recruiting will go on rapidly, and as I determined this morning not to send men before they were examined, I telegraphed you for an experienced officer. The men will be kept together until he comes....Very respectfully,
LOUIS T. WIGFALL.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. The Provisional C.S. Congress in Montgomery, Alabama, officially closes its session. It is scheduled to reconvene on May 13th.
2. The state of Georgia passes an ordinance to “adopt and ratify the constitution of the Confederate States of America” by a vote of 276-0, becoming the second state to do so.
3. Former Southerners residing in Arizona, now a part of New Mexico Territory, vote to secede in a convention held in Mesilla.
4. S.P. Moore is appointed Surgeon-General for the C.S. army.
5. Captain J.C. Booth, Corps of Artillery, is ordered to “proceed at once to Baton Rouge, La.” to assume command of the arsenal.
Sources for Week 11:
1. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals, the political genius of Abraham Lincoln (New York, NY 2005), p. 335.