The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-05-17
How the Cb,yairy Make War.

ItOn DuUUUy CNTOUCCte. WEltiuH VI
board the Sabine, off Pensacola, un
lder date Of April 90, gives details o
the recent unsuccessl al attempt OF
the part of the rebels to get possess
lion of Fort Pickens by bribery
Lieut.. Slemmer, having bad his sus
Ipicions aroused by the frequent pas
sage Of letters AID papirs between
the Fort and Warrington, gave or.
ders that all such communications
must be stopped. The very mex,
day a roll OF papers was cent ovel
from Warrington to a Sergeant
which Lieut.. Slemmer opened and
examined. lie was rewarded fot
his trouble by finding a note inclosed
making vague offers to the man il
be would bctray his trust. A watch
was act over the Sergeant, and tbs
next day another package came over
addresse to the same man, and
having this note inclosed:
"What jackass you are. again renew
my offer OF position, with Lieutenant
commission, and all your pay two fold that
that rs due you from the federal government
Also TO Flynn. Flynn. II you will help US
along to save bloodshed, can offer any
private IN the company $500, and any non
commissioned officer s 700, together with
a guarantee OF future promotion as high or
( higher as he now stands. Every man who
will take upon themselves TO give us the
fort without bloodshed, and save the lives
OF your garrison, Will he well pai1--all back
lpay-s500 for the privates, S 900 for non.
commissioned officers, and a commission in
the Confederate army. This offer by
authority. [ would not offer it Otherwise
You, as a friend. believe will trust me-
! We MUST and WILL have the fort. but it's
not worth one drop OF blood: but # It cost
s, 200 lives, we must and will haveit. Fill
it full OF federal troops if you will, yet we
must and will have it. Don't be dam d
fool. When aud where can see youl
will 90 over Tonight, and viii take a cock.
tail If you say so. Answer FIRST opportunity.
Yours, ETC., H."
The same day (April 10y Lieut.
,Slemmer received private in;orma'
ton that the troops on the opposite
sde were making preparations, pro
viding boats, &c, and intended to
come that night or the next. He
addressed a note to
Capt Adams, commanding the
squadron, informing him Of the fact,
and requesting re inforcemonts A
storm prevented the VIZ ndoue rom
going out the hirbor that night. and
he had the S rgeart strictly watched.
Just at this critic !. moment 9 .pt.
Adams received Information from
Washington to reinforce the fort,
and Immediately complied with
Lieut., Srnmer'a rcquisition, and on
he morning. OF April II, the latter
sent the Ordnance Sergeant referred
to on board the SIbjne, derming it
unsafe to keep him at pckcns even
| il geod man, subject to the inha
iences around him
Ga the morning Of the 10Th Of
April, private OF SIemm r's com,
pany made the following statement:
q vas on the pjc&et "a ,rd last
night. Daring the night | saw a
small boat approach the beach. |
stepped back to SEQ what it was
about. when man came before me.
Il brought my musket to a charge
and ordered him to halt lie said
"Don't shoot; ana friend" H.
then began 10 talk to me, and to ash
about the tort. While he waa talk
ing, three others came mp hehind
me. They asked me many qnes
lions about the number OF men. &c
about the flank defense, and whether
the guns could not ha spiked, &c
They said they would give any MAI
plenty OF money it he would onl,
spike the flank defense guns. AN,
asked when | would be on pickle
guard again; told them on Mon
day night. They said, I'VE vii
be over and ready" AS they wer,
going away one OF them said to me
"low are you off for money in tn,
fort?" said, I'VE have not beer
paid for six months" lie then pu
a roll Of bills in my hand, and said
"Give that to them" He then CAV
me a roll of bills amounting to sixt,
dol ars, which | now have in ny
possession ,"
/ After making this statement h
gave the $50 to Slemmer. The gal
liant Lieutenant declared that it wa
only when he saw these evidences o
intentions to briso his men to spik
his flank defense guns, ani TINS oh
tain possession of the fort, he Le
lleved it necessary to call for re.en
, forcements.