Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-09-22
Ghe 6ree Rress.
GEO. w. 4 G. G. BENEDICT,
Edifsrs Sad Prsyrie:srs.
BURLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING SEPT. %, 1865.
The Failure to Relieve Fort Sumter.

The Failure TO Relieve Fort Sumter.
An official statement from Capt. CIV. Fox,
the Assistant Secretary OF the Navy, appears.
giving an account of the plan which, with
the approval of President Lincoln, he enter
ed upon, in order to throw supplies into Fort
Sumter after the Star of the West was turn
back, by the fire from the rebel batteries,
on the 9th of January, 1861. and the causes
wi ich led to the failure of his scheme.
The account of Mr.. Fox is long, and ac-
companied with sundry copies of orders and
instructions. The great points of it are as
follows. From Mr.. Fox's knowledge of
Charleston Harbor and familiarity with na-
val operations, he was satisfied that by means
of small war vessels at the entrance Of the
harbor, a large steamer to carry men and
supplies,-the latter made up in parcels ca
pable Of being handled by the men singly,-
and steam tugs with light draft of water he
could run by the rebel batteries in the night
and reach Fort Sumter IN safety by means
oF the tugs.
His views being made known,
he was sent for to Washing
ton by Lieut. Gen. Scott, and had an inter-
view on the 9th of February. lie says;
Lieut. Gen. Scott approved my plan. and on
the 9TH Of February. introduced me 10 Mr.. Holt,
the Secretary of War, to whom explained the
project. and offered my services to conduct the
pa; ties to the fort. Mr.. Holt agreed to present
the matter to President Buchanan that evening.
The next day, the sth OF February, news was
received Of the election Of Jefferson Davis by the
Montgomery Convention. | called upon General
Scot aud he intimsted to me that probably no
effort would be made to relieve Fort Sumter. He
seemei much disappointed and astouisbed
therefore returned to New York the 9Th Of Feb
ruary.
After the new administration came in, he
had an interview with President Lincoln and
Lieut. Gen. Scott So large additions had
been made in the meantime to the rebel forts
about the harbor. tha. Gen. Scott thought
the plan no longer feasible. With the ap-
proval of the President, Mr. Fox went to
Charleston and obtained an interview with
Major. Anderson in the fort. Major Ander-
SOD saw no possibility of relief. and said that
their supplies would hold out only to the
18th Of April Capt. Fox made no arrange
nlents with Major Anderson for supplying
hiin, and told him nothing ef his plan.
Returning to Washington, and cOmmuni-
eating his view of affairs to the President,
and having his own opinion as to the feari-
bllity of his plan confirmed by Commodores
S;rinebam and Stewart, the President sent
him to New York to make preparations
This was ON the Both of March. While he
found some who had been ready TO aid him
al an earlier day, yet ready and hearty Tor
the work, others from the progress OF events
were disheartened. and declined cooperation.
Some DELAYS were unavoidable. The vessels
for the espedition left New York at different
times from the 9th to the 10th Of April A
heavy gale soon set in, and when the vessels
-part cf them--arrived on the morning of
the 18th, and stood in towards the bar, the
bomhardment Of Sumter was already CON-
menced. The tug boats had not arrived. and
the Powhatan which alone had launches and
mensuitable to carry supplies. had not ap-
reared. 1t afterwards appeared that through
some m'-apprchension of the case the Pow
hatnn, by special order of the President. had
been suddenly ordered to proceed from
! New York to the reinforcement of Fort Pick
ins at Pensacola. All attempts to reach
! Fort Sumter by such means as were avail
able in the heavy swell, before the surrender
of the fort, proved futile. The fire ceased
IN the afternoon, and on the 18th, MaJor
Anderson and the garrison were placed OF
hoard the Baltic, one of the vessels OF the
expedition. to proceed to the North
As proof that no disparagement attached
To himself from the failure of the plan whicf
he bad originated, Captain Fox apPends th'
following letter from President Lincoln;
PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO CAPT. FOX.
wAsurScroS, May 1. 1861.
! u