Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-05-18
The Attempt to Get Possession of Fort
Piekens by Bribery.

A correspondent of the Washington Sun.
day Chronicle, writing on board the Sabine,
of Pensacola, under date of April 20, gives
details of the recent unsuccessful attempt to
get possession of Fort Pickens by bribery
Lieut. Slemmer, having had his suspicion
aroused by the frequent passage of letters
and papers between the Fort and Warning.
ton, gave orders that oil such communications
must be stopped. The very next day roll
Of papers was sent over from Warrington to
q sergeant. which Lieut.. Slemmer opened
and examined. He was rewarded for his
trouble by finding q note inclosed, making
vague offers to the man il be would betray
bis trust. A watch who sent over the ser
geant, and the next day another package
came over, addressed to the same man, aud
having this note inclosed:
"What jaekass you are. again renew
my offer of position. with lisutenant's
commission, aud oil your pay two-fold that is
due you from the Federal Government Also
TO Flynn. you will help US along to save
bloodshed, can offer any private in the com.
pany $500, and any non'commssioned officer
$1,000, together with guarantee of future
promotion as high, or higher, as he now
stands. Every man who will take upon him.
self to give US the Fort without bloodshed,
aud save the lives OF your garrison, will be
paid-all back pay, $500 for the privates,
$1,000 for n-commissioneG officers, and o
commission in the Confederate army. This
l do offer by authority. ! would not offer it
otherwise. You, as friend, believe will
trust me. We must and will have the Fort,
but tits not worth one drop OF blood but if
it cost 5000 lives we must and will have it,.
Fill it full OF Federal troops if you will, yet
We must and will have it. Don't be dam'd
fool. When and where can see you will
60 over tonight, and will take o cocktail, if
you say so.
Answer first opportunity. Yours, &c. B."
The same day (April 10y, Lieutenant Slem.
mer received private information that the
troops on the opposite side were making pre-
paratioDs, provisiug boats, &C., aud intended
to come that night or the next. He imme'
dately addressed note 10 Capt. Adams,
commanding the squadron, Informing him o:
tha fact, and requesting reinrorcemsnts. A
storm prevented the Wysudo.ts from going
out the harbor that night, but Lieut.. Stem.
mer kept his men in position during the
night, and had the sergeant strictly watched.
Just at this critical moment Capt. Adams
received Information from Washington to
reinforce the fort, and Immediately complied
with Lieutenant Slemmer's requsiliou, and
on the morning of April IL the latter sent
the ordinance sergeant referred to on board
the Sabine, deeming it unsafe TO keep him at
Pickens even if good man, subject TO the
influences around him.
On the morning of the 18th Of April pri'
vate OF Slenmer's company made the follow.
ing statement
IL was on picket guard last night. During
the night saw small boat approach the
beach, stepped back to see what it was
about, when map came before me. i brought
my musket to a charge, aud ordered him to
halt. lie said, "Dont shoot, am friend.
lie then began to talk to me, and to ask
about the fort. While he was talking, three
Others came up behind me. They asked me
many questions about the number Of men,
&C., about the flank defence, and whether the
guus could not be spiked. &c. They said
they would give any man plenty Of money if
he would only spike the flank defence guns,
and asked when would be on pi:ket guard
again. l told them on Monday night. They
said, We will be over and ready AS they
were going away one of them said to me-
How are you of for money in the fort 2
He then put roll Of bills 10 my hand, and
said, 'Give that TO them He then gave me
roll OF bills amounting to sixty dollars,
which now have 10 my possession"
After making this statement be gave the
$50 to Slemmer. The gallant Lieutenant
declared that it was only when be saw these
evidences of intention TO bribe bis men 20
spike his flank defence guns. and thus obtain
possession of the fort, he believed it ns:essa'
ry to call for reinforcements.