Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-09-04

turDeu; ana that the WITHDRAWAL OF the
letter was great relief to the President,
who is most earnestly anxious to avoid an
issue with the State or IFS authorities, and
think has encouraged his disposition to 60
as far as he can in this matter.
ANDERsoNs OCCUPATION OF FORT SUMTER.
South Carolina troops having been order
ed by Pickens to the forts in Charleston
harbor, two days after Andersor's oecuna-
ton Of Fort Sumter, sBrigadier General
Simons informed Piclzens that the Rebel
forces had beer placed in untenable posi-
tons, inasmuch as Sumter commanded all
the other forts, Simons recommended the
calling of council of war to decide upon
this question, but Pickens refused, writing
as follows:
HEADQUARTERS. January 2, 1861.
" ST-Your extraordinary report received
last night, and have only to say that do
not pretend that the orders and disposition
of the forces in Charleston harbor are at all
perfect OF beyond the criticism of military
rule. But, in the first place, there was
when ! came to the city distinct pledge
of faith between the Government at Wash
ington Ctalxe note of tIis Mr.. Buchanan)
and those who had right to speak for
South Carolina, that everything in the har-
Dor and all the forts should remain precise
~ as they then were, and that there should
be no increase Of force or any reinforce
ments sent from abroad until our commits
sioners presented themselves at Washing
ton and made regular negotiation for the
forts. | acted with confidence upon this
pledge. Suddenly we were surprised from
the step taken by Maipr Anderson, now
acknowledged and proclaimed by the late
Secretary of War (Floyd, namely to be in
open violation of the faith of the Govern
ment. He abandoned Fort Moultrie and
burnt and spiked the guns, and the first re-
port was that he destroyed Ford Molltrie.
He translerrad the garrison to Fort Sr.rator,
which, of coarse, was the strong and COM
handing position. had thus suddenly to
take immediate steps to try and prevent
the further destruction of public property,
and with this view I ordered the oceupa-
ton of Sullivan's Island, but not to occupy
Fort Moultrie unless it could be done with
out too much loss, and to reconnoitre and
ascertain If there were mines as reported.
They found none, and to put out the fire
and prevent further destruction they oc-
cupied the fort. And the same grounds
were taken as to Castle Pinckney."
In another letter Pickens refused to
''yield to any council of war" Neverthe-
less council was held January 8, at which
the following recommendations were made
by Colonies Gwynne, White, Trapier and
Manigault:
eve are unanimously and decidedly Of
the opinion Notwithstanding all other
methods of attack on that fortress whether
by surprise, by open assault, or by strata
GEM as uncertain in their results, and as,
even if successful, involving probably much
sacrifice of life-our dependence and sole
reliance must be upon batteries Of heavy
ordinance, at the least until deep impress
sion has been made upon the garrison, in
its morale as well as in its physique, by an
bombardment and caDnonade of
many hours duration. When this impress
sion shall have been made, and demand
for surrender refused, are of opinion that,
with its battlement mutilated, its embra-
sures beaten in, and its garrison weakened
by casualties and disheartened by surround
ing circumstances, this strong fortress
would fall with comparative ease before an
party"
The letter of instructions given by
Pickens to Col. Hayne, who conveyed to
Washington the formal demand for the
of Fort Sumter, was as follows:
You are now instructed to proceed to
Washington, and there, in the name of the
Government of the State Of South Carolina,
inquire of the President of the United
States whether il was by his order that
troops of the United States were sent into
Il - 10 H.,
Sumter II he avows that order, you will
then Inquire whether he asserts right to
introduce Troops of the United States with
IN the limits OF this State, to occupy Fort
Sumter; and you with in case of his avowal.
inform him that neither will be permitted.
and either will be regarded as his declara-
ton Of war against the State of Sonth
Carolina. "The possession can
not become now matter of discussion or
negotiation. You will, therefore, require
from the President of the United States a
positive and distinct answer to your demand
or the delivery Of the fort. And you are
further authorized to give the pledge of the
State to adjust all matters which may be |
md are, in their nature, susceptible of val
Iation in money in the manner most usual, |
md upon the principles of equity and JUS |
ice always recognized by independent ma i
ions, for the ascertainment of their rights |
md obligations in such matters"
LATER DEVELOPMENTS
The thread of events is next resumed
lnder Mr.. Lincoln's administration, in a
furious document by Pickens, entitled |
ecret Cabinet History in Reference to Fort
sumter 1t is dated State of South Car
lima, Headquarters, August Sd, 1861 The
blowing is an extract:
. l know the fact from Mr. Lincolns init
nate friend and accredited agent Mr.. La
non, that the President of the United
states protested desire to evacuate Fort
sumter, and he (Mr. Lincoln) actually
wrote me, after his return to Washington,
hat he would be back in few days to aid
n that purpose. Major Anderson was in
uced to expect the same thing, as his notes
o me prove, | know the fact that Mr.. Fox. |,
# the United States Navy. after obtaining
ermission from me, upon the express
of former gallant associate in
he navy, to visit Major Anderson for paci-
C purposes, planned the pretended at
empt to relieve and reinforce the garrison
y feet, and that Major Anderson pro-
ested againstit. | now believe that was all I
scheme, and that Fox's disgraceful expe-
ition was gotten up in concert with Mr..
lincoln merely to delude the Northern
ublic into the belief that they intended to
lstain and protect Major Anderson, when ,
/ fact they decided to do no such thing,
nd acted with the deliberate intention to
It the garrison perish, that they might 2
hereby excite the North, and rouse them /
!, mite in this unholv and unnatural war
y which the desperate and profigate lea 4
ers of an infatuated and iawless party
light crafty their vengeance and lust Of d
over over the ruins Of their country, and
mid the blind passions of a maddened peO- N
Ie. "
It should be remembered that this last