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VOL. LXV.
[NEW SERIES.]
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 23, 1865.
[PRICE 5 CENTS.]
NO. 224
■0, REPUBLICAN
I k. HAYE8,Kditob and Proprietor
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA-
stT : IlDAY MORNING, SEPT. 23.
READING mattes on every page.
POLiTlGAL HISTORY.
Important Revelations of the
Karly Secret History of
the War.
T HE EFFORT TO RELIEVE SUMTER
Orflcial Report ot the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy.
Letters. Orders and Despatches from
President Lincoln, Gen. Scott, Sec
retaries Welles and Cameron,
and Others.
THE ORDERS GIVEN THE l’OVVIIATAN.
The Gunning Trick Whereby the Object of
the Expedition was Frustrated-
Who Was UcM»on*lblc for Ilic Sur
render of the Garrison,
Etc., Etc., Etc.
WciW'i 'he following document in the Chicago
Tribune. It purport* to have been gent in to the
Nmaie in .March last, in reply to a resolution of
thai body, and to have been returned to the
Hrretary as not included within the terms of the
■nil. It relates to a subject ot popular interest,
and contributes something of value to the history
vl an important era of the civil war:
Navy Department, Feb. 24,1865.
Welles, Secretary oj the Navy ;
mu —As part of your reply to the resolution
of the ••'enate of February 3, i860, in response to
tbe allegations of the Hon. John P. Hale againt
oie in advocating said resolutions, I beg leave to
submit the following statements:
At respoo’s the charge that I gave instructions
Vo inquire into the conduct or business of any
member of either house ct Congress, I have to
jay that there is not the slightest foundation for
it.
In obedience to your orders to cause to be in
vestigated the alleged fraudulent transaction* of
.ill persons amenable to this department, the ser
vices of Coi- Olcott were temporarily obtained.
Thi soiheer is attached to the War Department, is
familiar with such investigation, and enjoys in an
eminent degree the confidence of tbe department.
As you are aware, I forwarded to him all infor
mation, statements, fetters and papers which in
culpated any persons connected with the naval
service. With these in his possession, he was left
p, pursue his inquiries, simultaneously with those
4 he War Department, reporting to this depart
ment when sworn affidavits called for the arrest of
•my parties alleged to be guilty of crime. I had
nothing to do with proposing or fixing the bail
of Franklin C. Smith. I never beard any sum
greater than {20,000 spoken of in the department*
eicepting by his friends, and tbe proposed three
or lour millions. The statement that I had sug-
gested mi,(100 for him is untrue, Tbe duties
Imposed upon me I have endeavored to fulfill to
your satisfaction, and the long continued investi
gation and inquiries to which tbe department has
wen subjected by very able and experienced
Ten, has resulted in the complete vindication of
every member thereof associated with you.
The allegation that I had said that “the Navy
Department organised courts to convict,” Is not
true. I said something like that of the recent
law passed by Congress requiring contractors to
he tried hy courts martial. I want, however,
only t,1 contrast the practical opera'ion of the
systems of courts martial with that of the civil
,urts which previously prevailed. Under one
the sympathy of the triers was more strongly with
ne government than under the other, and hence
ui re convictions would result.
It is proper to add that the change of law
"'to ll introduced the cxmrirlXay system was not
made by Congress on the suggestion of any
one connected with tbe Navy Department. j.t
was drawn up by the Solicitor of the War Be-
[artment, and was adopted with great unanimi-
: y of Congress on due report of the Military
Committee-
I resigned my commission as Lieutenant in
;ie navy after a service of eighteen years and
vcr months, thirteen years and eight months
' which was sea service. This is more service
’■ ! ‘an two Admirals, commanding squadrons ia
the present war, have seen.
The expedition organized for the purpose of
Uking supplies to Major Anderson’s starving
swrison in Fort Sumter, la 1881, has been re
ferred to in the hope of throwing ridicule upon
t and upon me. It is incomprehensible how
the attempt to relieve that heroic band, nm any
fou. could provoke a sneer, nor does the shaft
''"he me. it falls upon the President, under
sanction I acted; it was a patriotic at-
: «ffipt /,./ him, to sustain the national flag, and
l ' 8 “eh was responded to by the nation. Not!
jto has more endeared him to the people,
conduct on that, occasion. -My part
' t- very humble ; but as everything connected
''■tii the subject is of interest and importance,
sul'juin a brief narrative of facts failing within
a >}' knowledge to serve as materials fog the
'indication of the President:
ruiulnin uj Facts Concerning the Attempt
Stud Supplies to Fort Sumter in 1861. 8
•En. , lsfii, whilst in New York, I heard that
ajleautor belonging to M. O. Roberts, was about
tv leave to carry supplies to the garrison of Fort
Winter. When an offioer in the navy, I bad
:;1 uiand of one of the United States mail steam-
eu belonging to the line of which Mr. Roberts
''resident, and, therefore, I believed it possi-
“ l9 for toe to obtain oommand of the vessel desig
ned to take supplies and troops to that Fork—-
' pon visiting the offioa of the company in West
8tre «t, I found that Capt. McGowan had been ap-
P'nnted to the command, and that the steamer
* aE r - a 'ly for sea. After this steamer, named
, t8 [ of the West, had returned from her voyage,
“ mg been turned back by the rebel batteries of
“forrie Island on the l»th of January, I called
f’l “y Wend, (Jeorge W. Blunt, Esq., of New
' and expressed my views os to the eossf-
iuy of relieving the garrison, and the dishonor
„ , w ' juld be justly merited by the government
ess immediate measures were taken to fulfill this
,,, Mr Blunt asked me to eiplain my
* t0 hl “, which I did, as follows :
The Fir^ Plan. *
From the outer edge of the Charleston bar, >0
riU , . ine to Sumter, through the Swash
.. ““ el * tho distance is four miles, with no shoal
POM having less than nine feet at high water —
ia'W'TVrK: sic
base of operatiobi
soldiers and provisions to be oarried to the j steps, if there was any possibility of sending
Charleston bar, in the Collins steamer Baltic; all U out.
the provisions and muni'ions to be put up in
portable packages easily handled by one man; the
Baltic to carry three hundred extra sailors and a
sufficient number of armed launohes, and to land
all the troops at Fort Sumter in one night. Three
steamtugs of not more than Bix feet draftof water,
such as are employed for towing purposes, were
to form part of the expedition, to no used for car
rying in the troops and provisions in case the
weather should be too rough f jr boats.
With the exception of the men of war and tugs,
tbe whole expedition Was to be complete on
board the steamer Baltic, and ita success depend
ed upon the possibility of running past batteries
at night, Which were distant from the centre of
the channel, 1,3U0 yards. 1 depended upon the-
barbette guns of Sumter to keep the channel be
tween Morris and Sullivan’s Islands clear of rebel
vessels at the time of entering.
Mr. Blunt and myself discussed the plan over
a chart, and he communicated it to Charles H-
Marshall and Russell Sturgis, and they all ap
proved it, and Mr. Marshall agreed to furnish
the vessels without exciting suspicion.
Interview with Gen. Scott.
- Keb. 4,. Mr. Blunt came to n;y hotel wiffh a
telegiam from Lieut. Gen. ijpott, requesting
my attendance at Washington. I left the
next day, and breakfasted with the General on
the Gth. At 11 A. M. I met at his office, by
arrangement, Lient. Hall, who had been sent
from Sumter by Major Anderson. In the Gen
eral’s presence we discussed the question of re
lieving Fort Snmter. Lieut. Hall’s plan waa
to go in with a steamer protected by a vessel
on each side loaded with hay., I objected to it
for the following reasons : First, a steamer
could not carry vessels lashed alongside in
rough vaster; and second, in running up the,
channel site would be bow on to Fort Moultrie,
and presenting a large fixed mark, without
protection ahead, would certainly be disabled'/
Lieut. Gen. Scott approved my plan, and on
the 7th of February introduced me to Mr.
Holt, the Secretary of War, to whom I ex
plained the project, and offered my services to
conduct the parties to the fort.
Mr. Holt agreed to present the matter to
President Buchanan that evening. The next
day, the 8th of February, news was received
of the election of Jefferson Davis by the
Montgomery Convention. I called upon Gen.
Scott, and he intimated to me that probably
no effort would be made to relieve Fort Snm
ter. He seemed much disappointed and as
tonished. I therefore returned to New York
on the 9th of February.
The New Administration.
On the 12th of March I received a telegram
from Postmaster-General Blair to come to
Washington. I arrived there on the 13th.—
Mr. Blair having been acquainted with the
proposition I presented to Gen. Scott, under
Mr. Buchanan’s administration, sent for. me
to tender the same to Mr. Lincoln, informing
me that Lieut. Gen. Scott had advised the
President that the fort could not be relieved,
and must be given np. Mr. Blair took me
at once to the White House, and I explained
the plan to the President. Thence we ad
journed to Lieut. Gen, Scott’s office, where a
renewed discussion of tho subject took place,
The General informed the President that my
plan was practicable in February, but that the
increased number of batterie* erected at the
mouth of the harbor since that time rendered
it impossible in March.
Finding that there was great opposition to
any attempt at relieving Fort Snmter, and that
Mr. Biair alone sustained the President in his
policy of refusing to yield. I judged that my
arguments in favor of tho practicability of
sending in supplies would be strengthened by
a visit to Charleston and the fort. The Pr.esi
dent readily agreed to my visit, if the Secretary
of War and Gen. Scott raised no objections.
Capt. Fox's Visit to Charleston.
Both th#3e gentlemen consenting I left Wash
ington on the mb ot Mapcb.and passing through
Richmond and Wilmington, rga^hed Charleston
on the 21st. I traveled the latter part of th£ way
with Mr. Holmes, of California, formerly a mem
ber of Congress from South Carolina, in the days
of Calhoun. At.Florence Station we met Mr.
JCeitt, a member ot Congress from South Caro
lina when that State attempted to secede. He
welcomed Mr. Holmes very warmly, and inquired
With great anxiety whether Sumter was to be
given up. Mr. Holmes arid. “Yes, I know it,”
which seemed to give Mr. Jfeitjt mjjtch satisfac
tion and he,insisted upon knowing hjs authority.
Mr. Holmes said : “I have tbe highest authority
for wnat I say;” and upon Mr. Keittagain ask
ing “Who ?” he leaned toward him. At tbattno-
(ndit the engine whistle gave a screech for start
ing, so that theconversation closed and I lost the
name
At a station niar Charleston, Mr. Huger, for
merly Postmaster under President Buchanan got
into the cars and bad an intervpegr with Mr.
Holmes, during which the same assurances werg
repeated, relative to the certainty of tbe evacua
tion of Fort Sumter. Mr. Huger seemed to be
much depressed with the condition of affairs.
At Chariest?? 1 sought an interview with
Capt- Hartstein, formerly of tb'e UnitedStAtes
Navy, and to him l gtatW mj fipsjre to risif
Major Anderson. Not finding Gen. Heatingsrd
he introduced mo to Gov. Pickens’,To whom I
showed the order under which I acted. After
considerable delay he directed Capt. Hartstein
to take me to Fort Snmter, and whilst the
boat was preparing, 1 had an interview with
Gen. Beauregard.
We reached Fort Sumter after dark and re
mained about two hours. Major Anderson
seemed to think it was. too late to relieve tho
fort by any other means than by landing an
army on Morris Island. He agreed with Gen.
Sco^t than an entrance from the sea was im
possible; bnt 9.9 we looked out upon the water
from the parapet, ft ajeujed very feasible, more
especially as we heard (be oarg of g boat near
the fort, which the sentry hailed, bqt jre (Could
not see her through tbe darkness until she al
most touched the landing. I found the garri
son getting short of supplies, and it wasagreed
that f ifiight report that (he 15Ih of April, at
noon, would he the period, beyond which the fort
rxruld not be held unless supplies were famished.
j gsadg no arrangements with Major Anderson
for reinforcing or supplying the fort, nor did I
inform him of my plan.
Interviews with President Lincoln—Her}. Scftlt
Opposed to any Attempt to Relieve the Fort.
Upon my return I had tbe honor to be called
frequently before the President, and in the pre
sence of different members of his Cabinet, ot
answer the objections presented by tAenft. Gen.
Scott and the military authorities. ' Bat as mv
project simply involved passing batteries with
steamers or boats at night, at right angles to
their line-of j|re, and 1,300 yards distant—a
feat of which the Critgea# way furnished many
safe examples—I maintained tbe proposition,
and suggestedLfcat it Was a naval plan and
should be decided by naval effluent * The Presi
dent asked me if there was a naval officer of
high authority in Washington who would sus
tain me, and if so to bring hiHt to the White
House, I knew that Commodore Striogham
was at that time filling tbe position of detailing
officer in the Navy Department, and I took him
to the President, when, in the presence of Lt.
Gen. Scott, be not only confirmed toy views,
but said that fie had that morning held a con
versation wkh Commodore Stewart, who de
clared that Fort Sumter could easily be Mia-
forced an cPpro visioned by boats at night. As
valuable time was being lost by discussions,
which form no part of this narrative, I repre
sented that so important an expedition re-
On tbe 30th of March the President sent me to
Now York with verbal instructions to prepare for
tbe voyage, bat to make no binding engagements.
After consultation with Mr. Blunt, who through
out had been oi great assistance to me, with his
sdvioe and active co-operation, I met by previous
arrangement, Messrs, ffm. H. Aspinwall end
Charles H. Marshall, for tbe purpose of making
with them preliminary arrangements for the voy
age. Mr. Marshall declined to aid me uppn the
ground that the attempt to relieve Fort fjhmter
would kill the proposed loan and bring on civil
war, and that the people had made up their
minds to abandon Sumter and make the stand
upon Fort Pickens. *
On the 2d of A pril I had not received the writ
ten authority which I expeeted from the govern
ment, and therefore returned to Washington.
President Lincoln's Decision.
Delays whioh belong to the seeret history ot this
period prevented a decision until the af
ternoon of the 4th of April, when the President
sent for me and said he had decided to let tbe ex
pedition go, and that a messenger from himself
would be sent to the authorities of Charleston
before I could possibly get there, to notity them
that no troops would be thrown into Sumter, if
provisions were allowed peacefully to be sent to
the garrison. I mentioned to tho President that
by the time I should arrive in New York I would
have but nine days in which to prepare and pro
vision the vessels and reach the destined point of
637 miles distant. He assured me that I should
best fulfill my duty to my country to make the
attempt The Secretary of the Navy had in com
mission in tbe Atlantia waters of the United
States only the Powhattan, the Pocahontas and
Pawnee. All these he placed at my disposal, as
well as the revenue entter Harriet Lane, and di
rected me to give all the necessary orders. fhe
Powhatan, which had recently returned and gone
out ef commission, was added to the force I
designated, to eDablo me to have her five boats
and crew for landing the supplies. I suggested
to the Secretary of the Navy to plane Commodore
Stringham in command of the 1 aval foroe, but,
Upon consulting with that distinguished officer,
he considered it too late to be successful and
likely to ruin the reputation of the officer who
undertook it then.
Preparations for the Expedition,
I arrived at New York on the oth of April, en
gaged the steamer Baltic of Mr. Aspinwall, who
used every possible exertion to get her ready for
sea, and delivered confidential orders, embraoing
ail my wants, to Col. H. L Soott, Aid to the Gen
eral in Chief, and to Col. D. D. Tompkins, (Quar
termaster.
Col. Scott ridiculed the idea of government
relieving Fort Sumter, and by his indifference and
delay half a day was lost. The recruits that be
finally furnished me were totally unfit to be thrown
into a fort likely to be attacked by the rebels. I
placed the hiring of three tugs in tbe hands of
Russell Sturgis, who labored very energetically,
but he found great difficulty in obtaining from
tbe owners tugs to go to sea. Finally,
these were promised at exorbitant rates, viz: The
Yankee, which I fitted to throw hot water, the
Unole Ben and the Freeborn. The question of
supplies introduced me to Major Eaton, of the
Commissary Departmeut, who •‘thanked trod
that an attempt would be made to relieve Slajor An
derson’s command,” and fiom the eDergetio and
enthusiastic co-operation of this official, the ex
pedition was immediately provisioned for all con
tingencies.
Tbe frigate Powhatan, Capt Mercer, sailed on
the 6th of April, 1861; the Pawnee, Commodore
Rowan, on the 9:h; the Pocahontas, Capt. (jillls,
on tbe 10th; and the Harriet Lane, Capt. Faunce,
on the Stb; the tng Uncle Beu on the 7th; tbe tug
Yankee on tbe Stb; aod the Baltic, Capt Fletch
er, on the eveoing of the Sth, and went to sea at 8
a. m. on the Uth. Tbe officers of the army who
acoomp inied the military force were First Lieut.
E. M. K. Hudson, Second Lieut. Robert 0. Tyler,
and First Lieut. C. IV. Thomas.
Arrived off" Charleston.
Soon arte*’ leaving Sandy Hook, a heavy gale of
wind set in, which continued during the whole
passage. At3 A. M. of the 17 th, ye reached the
rendezvous off Charleston, and communicated
With the Harriet Lane, the only vessel which had
arrived. At <J A. M. the Pawnee was seen stand
ing in. I boarded her aod informed her comman
der of my orders to offer to send in provisions,
ao'd asked ftim to stand ih to the bar with me.—
He replied that hie orders required himto remain
ten miles east of the Light r and awpit tjie Pow
hatan, and that he was not going in there to in
augurate civil war. I then stood in toward the
bar. followed by the Harriet Lane, Capt. Faunce,
who cheerfully accompanied me. As we neared
the land, heavy guns were heard, and the smoke
end shells from the batteries which had just
opened jive on Sumter, were distintly visible. I
immediately stood ,ojjt to inform Capt. Rowan, of
the Pawnee, but met him coming ip. Hp jiqilcd
mo and asked for a pilot, declenpg his inten'fitjn
of standlrg into tbe nafoor and sharing tpe fate
oi his brethren of the army, I went on board and
informed him that I would answer for it that tbs
Government did not expect any such gallant sac
rifice, having settled maturely upon the policy in
dicated in the instructions to Capt, Mercer and,
myself. Y° other naval vessels arrived during
this day, but the gfoimer Nashville, from New
York, and a number ol iiiercuani -ease)*, reached
the bar, and awaited the result of tbe Bombard
ment, giving indications to those inside of a large
naval fleet otf the harbor. Tbe weather contin
ued very bad, with a heavy sea.
Neither the Pawnee nor Harriet Lane bad boats
orheip to curry in supplies. Feeling sure that
tbe Powhatan would "arrive dupipg the night, as
she had sailed from New York two days before
us, I stood out to the appointed rendezvous, and
made signals all night. The morning of the 13th
was thick aDd foggy, with a very heavy ground
■well. The Baltic, feeling her way in, ran
ashore on Rattlesnake 8hoal, but soongotoff
jfithout damage. On account of the very heavy
swell,'"st«a wap Miged to anchor in deep water
several miles outside of th$ Pawpee and Harriet
Lane.
Lieut. Robt. O. Tyler, an officer of very great
zeal and fidelity, though suffering from sea sick
ness, us were most ot the recruits, organized a
boat’s crew and exercised them, notwithstanding
the heavy sea for the purpose of having at least
one boat, in the absence of tbe Powhatan’s, to
fisach Fort Sumter. At 8 A. M. I took his boat.
an.4 id company with Lieut. Hudson, pulled in to
the Pawnee. As we” apprpapheff that vpssel a
great volume ot smoke issued from Fort 8umter,
through which the flash of Major Anderson’s
guns still replied to the rebel fire. The quarters
ot the fort were on fire and moat of our military
and naval officers believed the smoke to arise
from aa attempt to smoke out the garrison with
fire rafts. As it was the opinion of thj officers
fbkt no boats with anv load in them, wonld bave
reached Sumter m this heavy sea, and no tng-
Hric-t an, nay*! attack
qnired time fit its preparation, and that I quired 300 asili
ought to be allowed to <ake the preparatory' attaches, and three toga. The PoeabontM
her oat »nd load her for entering tbe barbor tbe
following night.
First News from the Powhatan.
I now learned for the first time that .CaptBin
Rowan had received a note from Captain Mer
cer, of the Powhatan, dated at New York the
6th, stating that the Powhatan was detached
by orders of “superior authority” from the du- 1
py to vhiph she was assigned off Charleston, '
and had jailed for another destination. J left
New ^fork two days affer.wqrds, iijitiQut qtny iit-
timation qf this change,
Sarrender of tho Fort.
At 2 P, M. the Pocahontas arrived, and 2:30
the flag of Samter was shot away, and not
again raised. A flag of trace was sent in by
Captain GilKs K and arrangements were made
fo place Major Anderson and hit command on
boguj the jjaltic to return North. Tbe fort
was evacuated on Sjjnd*y> the 14th of April.
On Monday, the Ifitb, the staajne? g*bri took
the garrison outside to the steamer Baltic,
which left that evening direct for New York,
where she arrived on the forenoon of the 18th.
My plan for supplying'Port Snmter re
tailors, a full eomptetteot of armed
carried the sailors and launches, and when this
vessel was about to leave in obedience to the
orders of the Secretary of the Navy, two offi
cers, Lieut. D. D. Porter, United States Navy,
and Captain M. C- Meigs, United States En
gineers, presented themselves on board with an
order from the President of the United States,
authorizing the former to take any vessel what
ever in commission and proceed immediately
to the Gulf of Mexico. This order did not
pass through the Navy Department, and was
unknown to the Secretary of the Navy, and
when signed by the President, he was not con
scious that his signature would deprive me of
the means to accomplish an object which he
held to be of vital importance.
In a letter from him which is annexed, he
hastened to affirm that "‘the attempt” to provis
ion Fort Sumter had advanced the cause of tbe
country.
The tug Freeborn was not permitted to leave
New York. The tug Uncle Ben was driven into
Wilmington by the violence of the gale, and sub
sequently captured by tbe rebels The tug Yan
kee reached Charleston Bar a lew hours after the
Baltic had left with Major Andenon on board.
Conclusion. ‘
The convmunications between New York and
Washington having been severed, I applied to
Mr. Aspinwall to obtain for me a small steamer,
with arms and ammunition,to enable me to reach
Chesapeake Bay, where I judged that armed
steamers were very essential. This gentleman
applied to Mr. John Jacob Astor, <fr., who very
generously gave him a check for $.'i,000. With
tnis he procured the tug Yankee, and persuaded
Commodore Breese, Commandant of the New
York Navy Yard, to arm and fit her oiit, and hav
ing received from that officer an appointment as
Acting Lieutenant iu the navy, I left od tbe 26th
for Hampton Roads, where I reported to Csmmo-
dore I’eodergrast of the Cumberland.
The services of the Yankee not oeing required
at this point, I proceeded to Annapolis and offer
ed my vessel to Gen. Butler, who was about
opening communications with Washington. The
General gratefully received the steamer, and sent
me through to the Capital to report to the Presi
dent, and immediately afterwards I received an
appointment in the Navy Department. Annexed
are copies of orders and letters relating to the
narrative which I have submitted.
Very respectfully, G. V. Fox,
Assistant Secretary of tbe Navy.
Correspondence.
CAi'T. FOX TO LIBUT. GBB. SCOTT.
February 8, 1861.
Lt. Gen. 1 Vinjield Scott, United States Army :
Sis: The proposition which I had the honor
to submit to you fully in person is herewith
presented in writing. Lient. Hall and myself
have had several free conferences, and if he is
permitted by tbe South Carolina authorities to
re-enter Fort Sumter, Major Anderson will
comprehend tbe plan for his relief. I consider
myself very fortunate in having proposed a
project which meets the approval of the Gene-
ral-in-Chief, and I ask no reward but the en
tire conduct of the post, exclusive of the armed
vessels- The commander of these should be
peered to co-operate with me by affording
protection and destroying their naval prepara
tions, near the bar, leaving to me, as the au
thor of the plan, tbe actual operations of relief.
I suggest that the Pawnee be immediately sent
to the Delaware Breakwater to await orders.
The Harriet Lane to be ready for sea, and some
arrangement entered into by which tbe requi
site steamer and tugs should be engaged, at
least so for as not to excite suspicion. I should
prefer one of the Collins steamers. They are
now being prepared for sea, and are of suuh
a size and power as to be able fearlessly to run
down any vessel which might attempt to cap
ture ns outside by coup de main. I could quietly
engage one and have her ready to start on
twenty-four hours’ notice, without exciting
suspicion. I shall leave for New-York at 3 P.
M., and any communication previously will
find me at Judge Blair’s. If the Pawnee’s
pivot gun is landed, it should certainly be re-
Wqpnted. Very respectfully, &c..
’ G. V. Fox.
Geti. Scott to Cajtt. Fox.
Headquarters of the Army, )
Washington, March 19, 1861.)
Dear Sir : In accordance wit.i the request
CuPWined in fi. pope of thn Secretary of War to
me, of which I annex' a copy,' I request'that
yon will have the goodness to proceed to
Charleston, S. C., and obtain permission, if
necessary, to visit Fort Sumter, in order to en
able you to comply with the wish expressed in
the Secretary’s note.
please, orj yotfr return, to report accord-
ifigfy. ’ '* *’* *
l remain, With high consideration,
Yoqr most obedient servant,
W in field Soott,
G. V. Fox, Esq.
Order in Relation to the Powhatan.
Executive Mansion, )
Washington, April i, 1865. j
JJept. D. D. Porter will take command of
the steamer Powhatan, pc gpy ^thpr jjpjted
States steamer ready for sea, which he may
deem best fit for the service to which he has
been assigned by confidential instructions of
this date.
411 officers are potptpanded to afford him all
such facilities as be may deem necessary for
getting to sea as Boon as possible.
He will select tbe officers to accompany him.
(Signed) Abraham Lincoln.
Recommended,
(Signed) William H. Seward.
The Powhatan's Mission.
LxRCpTijjfit Mansion, April 1, 1861.
Lieut. L). D. Porter, United Stoles Navy:
Sir : You will proceed 10 New York, and
with the least possible delay, assume command
of any naval steamer available, proceed to
Pensacola harbor, and at any cost or risk pre
vent any expedition from the main land reach
ing Fort Pickens or Santa Rosa Island.
Yop yill exhjbit thjs order to any naval offi
cer at Pensacola, if you deem it necessary, af
ter you have established yourself within the
harbor, and will request co-operation by the
entrance of at least one other steamer.
This order, your object and your destination
will be communicated to no person whatever
until you reach the harbor of Pensacola.
(Signed) Abbapam Lincoln.
toiptnendet),
Sighed) WifiUAM IJ. Seward-
[Enclosure.]
Washington, Exicutiyb Mansion, I
April 1,1861. f
All officers of the army and navy to whom this
order will be exhibited, will aid by every means
in their power tbe expedition under the command
of Col. Harvey Brown, snppiyinghim with men
and material, and co-operating with him as he
may desire.
(Signed) Abraham Lincoln.
A true copy ;
(Signed) M. B. Mams,
“ paptaip of Engineers.
President Lincoln to Captain j\ferqer, of the
Powhattan.
Washington City. April 2,189).
(Confidential.]
Sir : Circumstances render it necessary to
place in oommand of your ship (and fora special
parpose) an officer who is folly informed and in
structed in relation to the wishes of the Govern
ment, aod you will therefore consider yourself
4et*cfced. But In taking this step, the Govern
ment does not in tbs least regent upon your effi
ciency and patriotism; on tbe oontrsry, have tbe
fullest confidence in yonr ability to perform any
dutr required of yon.
<r Hoping soon to be able to give you a bettor
command than tbs one you now enjoy, and trust
ing that you will bave full confidence in the dis
position of the Government toward yon, I r»
main, Ac.,
(Signed) Abraham Lincoln.
Capt. S. Mercer, United States Navy.
A true copy.
(Signed) M. C. Mugs,
Captain of Engineers and Chief Engineer of CoL
Brown’s Expedition.
Order to the Quartermaster in New York.
War Department, Adj’t Genl’s Ofticb, 1
. April 4,1861. f
Sir: By direction of tbe War Department yon
will charter such vessels as Capt. G. Y. Fox, the
bearer of this, may designate, for such times and
with such supplies as he may indicate.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
L. Thomas, Adjutant General.
Col. D. D. Tompkins, Assistant Quartermaster
General, New York.
Gen. Scott to Col. Scott—“Confidential.”
[Confidential.]
Headqr’s of the Army, )
Washington, April 4, I860. 5
Sir : This letter will be handed to you by
Captain G. V. Fox, ex-officer of the navy, a
gentleman of high standing as welt as extra
ordinary nautical ability. He is charged by
high authority herewith the command of an
expedition (under cover of certain ships of
war) whose object is to reinforce Fort Sumter.
To embark with Capt. Fox, you will cause a
detachment of recruits, say about two hun
dred, to be immediately organized at Fort Co
lumbus, with a competent number of officers,
army ammunition and subsistence. A large
surplus of the latter, indeed as great as the
ressels will take, with other necessaries, wilA
be needed for the augmented garrison of Fort
Sumter. The subsistence and other supplies
should be assorted like those which were pro
vided by you and Captain Ward, of the Navy,
for a former expedition. Consult Capt. Box
and Major Eaton on the subject, and give all
necessary orders in my name to fit out the ex
pedition, except that the hiring the vessels will
be left to others. Some fuel mi6t be shipped;
oil, artillery, implemeuts, fuses, cordage, slow
match, mechanical levers, and gins, &c., &c.,
should also be put on board. Consult also, if
necessary, (confidentially,) Col. Tompkins
and Major Thornton.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott.
Lt Col. R. L. Scott, Aid-de-Camp.
Secretary Otmeron’s Instructions to Capt. Fox.
War Department, |
Washington, April 6, 1861.. J
Sir It having been decided to suoeor Fort
Samter, yon have been selected for this impor
tant duty. Accordingly, you will take oharge of
the transports in New York, having the troops
and supplies on board, to the port of Charleston
Harbor, and endeavor, in the first instance, to de
liver the subsistence. If yon are opposed in this,
yon are directed to report the fact to the senior
naval officer of the harbor, who will be instrdet-
ed by the Secretary of tbe Navy to nse his entire
force to open a passage, when you will, if possi
ble, effect an entrance, and place both the troops
and supplies on Fort Sumter.
I am, sir, Ac., Ac.,
Simon CamkrOn, Secretary ot War.
Capt. G. V. Fox, Washington.
Secretary Welles' Instructions to Capt. Mercer,
of the Powhatan.
Capt Samnel Mercer, commanding U. S. Steamer
Powhatan. New York:
Sir:—The United States steamers Powhatan,
Pocahontas, Pawnee, and Harriet Lane will com
pose a naval force under yonr oommand to be
sent to the vioinity of Charleston, S. C., for the
purpose of aiding in carrying out the objects of
an expedition, of which tbe War Department has
oharge.
Toe primary object of the expedition is to
provision Fort Snmter, for which parpose the
War Departmeut will furnish the necessary
transports. Should the authorities of Charleston
permit the fort to be supplied, no farther partic
ular service will be required of tbe foroe under
yonr command, and, after being satisfied that
supplies have been received at tfie fort, the Pow
hatan, Pocahontas and Harriet Lane will return
to New York, and the Pawnee to Washington.
8bould tbe authorities at Charleston, however,
refuse to permit or attempt to prevent vessel
or vessels having supplies on hoard from enter
ing the fiarbqp qf ieqaq peaceably proceeding to
Fort Sumter, you will protect the transports or
boats of the expedition m the object of this mis
sion—disposing of your force in such a manner
as to open the way for their ingress, and afford,
so far as practicable, security to the mcq and
boats, and repelling, by force if neC“M»ry, all ob
structions to provisioning the fort and reinforc
ing it; for iu case of resistance to the peaceable
primary object qf the expedition, a reinforcement
Of the garrison will also be attempted. These
purposed will he under the supervision ot the
War Department, which has oharge of the expe
dition- The expedition has been intrusted to
Capt. G. V. Fox, with whom you will put yourself
in communication, and co-operate with him to
accomplish and carry into effect its object.
You will leave New York with the Powhatan
in time to be off Charleston bar, ten miles dis
tant from aod one east of the lighthouse, on the
morning of the 11th inst,, there to await the ar
rival oj the transport or transports with troops
and storeB. The Pawnee and Pocahontas will be
ordered to join you there at the time mentioned,
and also tbe Harriet Lane, which latter vessel has
beeD placed under the control of this Department
for this service.
Un the termination ot tbe expedition, whether
it be peaceable or otherwise, tbe several vessels
under your command will return to the respec
tive ports as above directed, unless some unfor-
seen circumstances shall prevent.
1 am, Ac., Ac.
(Signed) Gideon Welles,
Secretary ot the Navy.
[Here follows similar orders to Commander
Qillis, of tbe Pooahootas; Commander Rowan,
of the Pawnee; and Capt. Faunce, of the Harriet
Lane.]
President Lincoln to Caption Fox.
Washington, May 1,1861.
Capt. G. V. Fox
Mr Dear Sir : 1 sincerely regret that the, fail
ure of the late attempt to provision Fort Homier
should he foe sourpeof any anuoyaoos to yon.—
The piuoticability of your plan was not, in tact,
brought to a test. By reason of a gale well
known iu advance to be possible, ana not im
probable, the tugs, an essential part of tbe plan,
never reached the ground; while, br on accident,
for whioh you were in no wise responsible, and
possibly I to some extent was, yojj wefe deprived
of a war-vessel, wjtfi her ujeu, which you deemed
of great importance to the enterprise.
1 most cheerfully and 'truthfully declare that
the failure of <he undertaking has no.i lowered
you a particle, while the qualities yoq developed
in tbe effort have greatly heightened you in my
estimation. For » daring and dangerous enter
prise, of a similar character, you would, to-day,
be the men, of all my acquaintances, whom I
would select. You and I both anticipated that
the cause of the country would be advanced by
--•-ing the attempt to provision Fort Sumter,
if it should tail; and it ia no small console
been discovered that be was not Burrat, but a
sutler, who had defrauded the Government out of
eight dollars.
August 4.—Capt. Ryan, the Texan prisoner
gpoken of in recent dispatches, did not escape, a*
reported. The rumor Broke from his leaving the
ears, at Brandy Station, for a drink.
He is supposed ta have been one of the original
His name is Fuller.
August 4, p. ns.—The story of a prisoner being
en route from Texas, in manacles, is untrue. It
originated in tho faet of a veutleman having been
seam Is the smoking ear with aheavy steal watch
ohain on.
August £.—The gentleman referred to in ths
tost dispatch is John H. Surratt.
He was captured in a swamp, in Texas, by s
negro woman, after three days’ stubborn resis
to nee, witboutfood, drink, shelter, clothing, gas,
baths, or ventilation.
Ha expresses himself sorry for what he has
doae, and evinces a perfect willingness to bo
banged at the earliaat convenience of the Govern
ment.
August 6—Capt Ryan, formerly of the rebel
army, baa arrived in Alexandria in irons, from
Texas, and will bo transferred to tho Old Capitol
prison to-morrow.
A few unprincipled sensation reporters bave
tried to circulate a rumor that he is John H. Sur
est, but there is not a word of troth in it.
No further information oan be procured con
cerning this prisoner.
makin
even
.... — console.
tion now to feel that our anticipation ia justified
by the result. K t W*
Very truly, yoqr
A- Lincoln.
Vise nyiterio«s Prtsmaer.
August ’l, 1865, a. m.—A man is on the rail
road oars. It is not known who he is.
August 2, a. m.—He is heavily ironed, bqvjng
handcuff* on hqth ankles,and » flat iron round his
peek-
He is supposed to ha a prisoner.
August 2, p. m.—The prisoner mentioned in
tho last dispatch is from Texas, and says ha is
going to Coney Island.
He has been identified by several persons along
tba route, but none of them know what his real
name* was.
August 3, a. tn.—The prisoner from Texas is
Jbo. H. Surratt,
Ha waa instantly raoognised by the toL-kit.-i.
of . Virginia and Tennessee, who went to stfaool
with him. .
Angnst 3, p- m—Ha has neaped, aad It hae
INDEPENDENCE FOB CANADA.
'- ‘ . 0 ‘ ** ’
A SCHEME OF PEACEABLE SEPARA
TION.
An Officer of Queen Victoria’s House
hold the Author.
The following, entitled “articles of separa
tion to be agreed to between Great Britain and
British North America,” appears in a book,
The Exodns of the Western Nations, the au
thor of which is Lord Bury, Treasurer of the
Queen’s Household:
_ Whereas, the British North American Pro
vinces have increased of late years with great
rapidity, both in point of population aDd
wealth ; and, whereas, it is desirable that the
said Provinces should at some future time as
sume the dignity and undertake the responsi
bility of an independent nation, it is agreed :
Article 1. It shall be lawful at any time for
the Sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland to
give twelve months’ notice to bis subjects in
the new nation colonies, of his intention to
discontinue the exercise of any sovereign
rights over the territories now known as Brit
ish North America, or any part thereof, and tq
reorganize the government of the part so freed
from control as an independent government;
and the Sovereign of Eogkuid shall give such
notice as aforesaid, either by and with the con
sent of the Lords spiritual and temporal and
of the Commons, in Parliament assetnhled, or
at the request of the inhabitants of the Brit
ish North American Colonies, conveyed by an
address from both Houses of their Legislature.
Provided always that the Sovereign of Great
Britain and Ireland shall in no case give such
notice (except at the request of the inhabi
tants of British North America conveyed as
aforesaid,) within clear years afu>- .
termination of tbe present dist-"* “ e
tween the United States and r ’ nn f 0 T be ‘
of America, and - K confederate States
ot America, and ptoyided also that> at the
treaty may grant, by treaty or otherwise, to any
foreign nation, shall be extended as of right to
the other party to this treaty.
Art. 11. It is agreed that the provisions of
the Alien Act, now in force in Great Britain;
shall not extend to natives of the new nation;
and that any inhabitant of the new nation shall
be eligible to sit in tbe Imperial Parliament,
to hold property, and generally to exercise all
the rights of citizenship which may Ho#'be ex
ercised by a native bona s abject of Great Britain.
And it is further agreed that a similar privi
lege shall be extended by the new nation to
native-born or naturalized snbjecta of Great
Britain.
WEDDING, VISITING AND BUSINESS
CARDS of the latest and most fashionable de
signs, printed in the very beet etyle, end at mod
erate prices, at the REUBLICaN JOB PRINT
ING OFFICE, Bay street. tf
Bill Heads, Circulars, Posters, Manifests,
Labels, Receipts, Checks, Ac., printed in tbe
highest style of typographical art, by experienced
workmen, at the loweet price and shortest no
tice, at the REPUBLICAN JOB PRINTING
OFFICE. tf
Candidates hr tbe Cenreitita,
Hon. EDWD. C. ANDERSON.
Hon. BOLOMON COHEN.
Hon. THOMAS E. LLYOD.
,1
1
tinMof fit!- , mai, at
Sactl not,ce > ,herB shall be no
.EAsonable prospect of danger to, or aggres
sion to be sustained by, tbe British North
American provinces,
. Aft*. % The British North American Pro-
vinpea shall, from and after tbe termination of
the notice given as aforesaid by the Sovereign
of Great Britain and Ireland, be known by the
name of--
the perpose of this treaty, says, “the °* Savannah,
new natiom’’) Bycommand of
Art. 6. Fhe new nation shall be entitled to
assume as her national standard the Union
Jack, as adopted by England and Scotland in
the ume of Qneen Anne, with such differ
ence “ may be determined by the Herald’s
College.
Ait. 4. Any fortification, barracks, of other
military work constructed within the British
North American colonies at the expense of
Great Britain, shall be handed over to the new
nation; and any fortification or other military
work wbieh shall have been undertaken by the
Imperial Government, and which, at tbe time
of the giving of the notice mentioned in arti
cle 1, shall be in coarse of construction, shall
be completed at the expense of the Imperial
Government, according to the original esti
mate submitted to foe Imperial Parliament at
the 4me of tbe undertaking of such work,
and shall be paid for either by an annual grant
provided for in tbe English estimates, or by a
sum handed over to the authorities of the new
nation, as may hereafter be agreed upon.
Art. 5. It ia agreed between the contracting
parties, that aa a further mark of good will
toward the new nation, the British Government
may assist the government of the new nation
in the completion of any military or naval
works of defence, which may, at iae time of
the Royal Proclamation of Independence,
have been undertaken by the British North
American Province, with tbe consent of Great
Britain, and which at the time of said Royal
Proclamation may be in progress, by goantw
teeing the interest of any loan which may be
necessary to finish the said wcqks. 1
Art. 6. It is fonder agreed, that all military
or commi$qw»at stores, guns, sums, ammunU
*on am, as may at the time of the royal
proclamation be in any fort or other pliee
within the limits of the British North American
provinces, shall be handed oyer, free of cost,
10 ‘ he toithorities of the new nation.
Art 7. (q order that the new nation may
tar-fis possible free and unincumbered
by debt;, it is agreed that any moneys which
may be doe from the governments of the British
North American eelooiet, to the British ex
chequer, ahaU he remitted. But any guaran
tee whiqh may have been given by tbe Imnerial
government for the due payment of interest on
any moneys expended for any public work or
other purpose, other <han the military works
mentioned in articles 8 and 4, shall be assumed
by the government of the new nation, and naid
»nl its fnnH. ’
ont of its funds.
Art. 8. There
alliance
Headquarters,
Sub- District of Ogeechee,
Savannah, Ga., Sept. 19th, 1865.
GENERAL ORDERS, )
i No. 81. f
Hereafter, until further orders, ths
City Market will be open from 4 o’clock
to 11 o’clock, A. M., Sundays excepted,
and on Saturdays from 4 o’clock to 7
o’clock, P. M.
By Command of
Bvt Maj. Gen. J. M. BRANNAN.
Wm. H. Folk, 1st Lt. and A. A. A. G.
5t
Headq’bs Dist. of Savannah,
1st Division, Dep’t of Georgia,
Savannah, Ga., Sept. 20th, 1865.
GENERAL ORDERS, )
No. 27. (
All persons receiving Permits to ship
Ammunition to this Port under the Reg
ulations promulgated in Circular from
the Secretary of the Treasury of 1st
September, 1865, will be permitted to
sell ammunition to such persons who
have received Permits from the proper
Headquarters to retain Fire Arms, for
Sparling Purposes.
By Command of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. M. BRANNAN.
Will. A. Ooulteb,
3 Bvt. Major, Ass’t Adj’t Gen'l,
Head’qbs. Sub Dist. of Ogeechee, ?
Savannah, Ga., Sept. 16, 1865. f
[CIRCULAR. 1
Any soldier or citizen at this Post
found watering any animal or animals
“within thirty feet of any public pump,
(except under the bluff,) shall be arrested
and fined not less than thirty (30) dol
lars,” and on failing to pay the fine im
posed, will be imprisoned in the city jail
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. M. BRANNAN.
En. A. Pabkjnson, Captain and Street
Commissioner. • 6t
Headquarters Sub District of Ogeecbee, >
Savannah, Ga., Sept 20,1865. )
Circular, I
No. 22. f
On and after this date articles in tbe Public
Market of thiB city will be sold at tbe following
prices. Pet sons violating this order, will be re
ported to this Office and summarily dealt with.
By command of
Brv’t. Maj. Gen. J. M. BRANNAN.
Wm. H. Folk, 1st Lieut, aod A. A. A. G.
Fresh Beef, 1st cut, perfb gQ
Fresh Beef, 2nd cut, per lb 15
Country Dried Beef 25
Country Cured Beef jg
larked Beef 10 to 16
Veal, per lb
Mutton, per lb
Liver, per lb 7
Fresh Pork, per lb
Bass, per lb
Drum, per lb
Fresh Water Trout
Salt “ “
Sheephead
Mullet, large size, per bunch
Mullet, small size, per bunch....
Brim, per bunch of five
Perch, per bunch of five
Suckers
Whiting.
Codfish,per lb
Shrimp, per quart
Crabs, eaqb
Sturgeon, per lb
Sausages, fresh pork
Bacon, per lb, from
Butter, per lb
Clams, per bushel
Cabbages, each, from
Turnips, per bunch
Tomatoes, per quart
Okra, per quart
Sweet Potatoes, per bushel
Iri»h Potatoes,per bushel
Green Cora, each
Water Melons, from
Apples, per bushel
Peache* per bushel
Honey, per ib
Ducks, per pair
Turkeys, per pound
fWnB <« . .<
••••*• »ts »t • «i
Fowls, grown, per lb
Rice Birds, per doz
Half Grown Fowls.
Spring Chickens, per pair
Spring Chickens, ad siae.
Lh a special treaty of
the dew nation, and diplomatic officers of Eggs, per doteo...
to S o££ ,h *“ * ,e "‘ b 7 eich government *
*^( t * 9 ‘ *• agreed between the contraetlne
plrU ?* ,n CMe file new nation shall be
attacked bv en external enemy, Great Britain
Witt eaert her utmost efforts to defend her by nn.
rending to her aeei.tam* money, substitutes, oV ta the ta '
men, in inch manner as may be found condo-
are to the doe carrying oat of the spirit of this
treaty. And it ia farther agreed, that Great
Britaiu shall, use her influence to indoce the
United States of America, and the maritime
nations of Europe, to join her in guaranteeing
toe independence and freedom from attack of
the upw nation.
Art 10. It is agreed that no defferential du
ties 'khall be UnposM by either of the parties to
thii ’treaty, on the import* aad exports of the
other-, aad, generally, that any commercial
privilege wbieh either of the partiee to titit
ae
80
15
25
16
16
15
15
20
49
25
40
40
85
4©
10
15
8
7
40
20 to 25
40 to 50
*2 00
10 to 30
ll>
20
10
$3 00
$1 50
2
16 to 60
U 00
83 00
15
82 00
18
18
18
35
75
60
40
OO
PHOENIX ASSURANCE CO.
OF LONDON,
J NSli BE S_ buildings and goods
j' t • ■ .
ied will also cover"first cta*TBrick" Risks
r cities of this State.
ROBT. HABERSHAM A RONS. Agents.
aaglS eodfim Bay street. Srauunab.
Marine Insurance.
np 1 *® undersigned will cover Goods bv good boats,
X frpm Augusta bere. thence to New York.
jti _ robt. Habersham a sons.
Winchester’s Soap «md
Gandies.
JUST received on coM^mnent, anareortotlotbf
““**“*•' BRADY, HRS * 0*.