Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-09-07
Pickens refused-writing as follows;
"HEADoUARTERs, January Q, 1851.


"Sir: Your extraorG mary report receiv.
ed last night, and have only to say that
do not pretend that the orders and disposi
tion of the forces in Charleston barbor are
at all perfect or beyond the criticism of mil
itary rule. But, in the first place. there was
when l came to the city distinct pledge of
faith between the government at Washing
ton take note of this, Mr.. Buchanan and
those who had a right to speak for South
Carolina, that everything 10 the harbor, and
all the forts should remain precisely as they
then were, and that there should be no in
crease of force or any reiniorcements sent
from abroad until our commissioners pre-
sented themselves at Washington and made
regular negotiation for the forts. l acted
with confidence upon this pledge. Sudden
ly we were surprised from the step taken
by Major Anderson, now acknowledged and
proclaimed by the late Secretary of war
(Floyd, namely, to be in open violation of
the faith of the government. He abandon.
ed Fort Moultre and burnt and spiked the
guns, and the first report was that he de-
stroyed Fort Moultrie. He transferred the
garrison to Fort Sumter, which, of course,
was the strong and commanding position.
had thus suddenly to take immediate steps
to try and prevent the further destruction
OF public property, and with this view l or
dered the occupation of Sullivan's Island,
but not to occupy Fort Moultrie unless it
could be done without 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 de-
struction they occupied the fort And the
same grounds were taken as to Castle Pinck-
ney."
In another letter Pickens refused to "yeld
to any council of war" Nevertheless q
council was held January 0, at which the
following recommendations were made by
Colonels Gwynne, White, Trapier and Mani
gault;
1--WE are unanimously and decidedly of
the opinion Understanding all other meth
DDS of attack upon 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
ordnance, at least until deep impression
has been made upon the garrison, in its mo-
rate as well as in its physique, by on inces-
SAINT bombardment and cann0nade of many
hours duration. When this impression
shall have been made, and a demand for
surrender refused, we are of opinion that,
with its battlement mutilated, it embrasures
beaten in, and its garrison weakened by
casualties and dishe6rtened by surrounding
circumstances, this strong fortress would fall
with comparative case before an assaulting
party"
The letter Of instructions given by Pickens
to Colonel Hayne, who conveyed to Wash
ingto the formal demand for the surrender
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 it was by his order that troops of
the United States were sent into the harbor
of Charleston to reinforce Fort Sumter. If
he avows that order, you will then inquire
whether lie asserts right to introduce
troops of the United States within the limits
of this state, to occupy Fort Sumter; and
you will, in case of his avowal, inform him
that neither will be permitted, and either
will be regarded as his declaration of war
against the state of South Carolina.
* The possession cannot become
now O matter of discussion or negotiation.
You WILL therefore, require from the Presi-
dent of the United States positive and dis
tinct answer to your demand for the delive
ry of the fort. And you are further author
lied to give the pledge of the state to adjust
all matters which may be and are, in their
nature, susceptible of valuation in money,
in the manner most usual, and upon, the
principles of equity and justice always re-
cognised by independent nations, for the
| ascertainment of their rights and obligations
in such Matters"