The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-20

Signs! NOulQ ne nave Deon 2Dle W soy, 90 he
does in his book, that sit was difficult to imagine
that South Carolina would be guilty Of the base
perhdy OF attacking any Of these forts and that she
had always strenuously denied that such was her
intention" when he knew that the Governor OF
that State had demanded the surrender OF Fort
Sumter and had enforced his demand by the state
ment that such was the excitement of the masses
OF the people that something OF the kind be not
done ne (the Governor) would not answer tor the
consequences ?"
No.! These are "damned spots that must
"out Of the old mans memory, and out, If possi-
BILE, from the book of history.
There is another point that is worthy OF note in
the letter of MIR. Trescott It states referring to
the withdrawal OF Gen. Cass from the Cabinet,
that Buchanan had accepted the resignation OF
the Oldest, most eminent and highest member OF
his Cabinet rather than consent to send addi-
tional force" to the forts in Charleston Harbor.
On this same subject Buchanan says in his book:
"Of this resignation and the circumstances pre-
ceding and following it we forbear to speak.
What generous forbearance!
III.
We now como to another stage of the history y
that was being made in Charleston Harbor. On
Christmas night Major Anderson suddenly dis
turbed the status" by removing from Fort Moul-
trie to Fort Sumter-an act which MIR. buchanan
avows eflled him with astonishment and regret.
The documents in my possession embrace series
OF interesting orders snd reports covering the
m ltary steps taken by the authorities OF South
Carolina for the occupation Of the other forts In
the harbor well as the operations for the reduc-
tion Of Fort Sumter.
In an order dated Charleston, December "a,
Gov. Pickens commands one Col. Pettgrew to as
semble the washington Light Infantry and the
Meagher Guards at the Citadel, and take mea-
sures for occupying Castle Pinekney., On the
same day he orders LieutenaEt-C Colonel DeSaus-
sure, with 200 mon, to take possession or Suill-
vans Island. He adds: 'You are to act with the
greatest discretion and prudence, and TO let IT be
known that you take possession in tho name OF the
Governor Of South Carolina, and in consequence
Of the extraordinary movements executed last
night in relation to Fort Mouitrle'-whicn OF OF
Of Fort Sumter. Two days afterward, AL the
heavy guns toward Fort Sumter" are "to be put IN
the best condition, with full supply OF ammuni-
tion-the fort to be defended to tho last extreml-
ty." Then, on the 1st Of January, 1851, Major
General schnierle, Second Division South Carolina
Militia" (imagine what an immense creature ne
must have beenJ is ordered to take command OF
all the forts and works. and he is directed to call
into requisition and council the valuable AID and
cooperation of Brigadier- Gee slmons, VINO
must also have been q second god OF war.
Thus far all had been well, but Simons sudden
" recalcitrated He had been spying round to
see what Pickens' plan OF defence and onence was,
and came to the conclusion that it was all wrong,
and ON this same 1st Of January sends :" the
Governor report the reverse Of compi,- to
that personage's strategio acumen. He "cannot
sacrifice to matter of etiquette questions and is
sues of such momentous Importance as now sur
round u.s." And he then proceeds to make mlnce-
meat Of the Governors dispositions. Are not the
lines Of communication, your E1cenency, ,-"those
lines of communication which are tho prime con-
sderations OF General-directly within the
range and effective power OF Fort Sumter is not
Fort Monltre wholly untenable And even u our
people should retire to the sand hills, what is to
be expected of an unequal contest between discl-
plined veteran troops and raw militia who never
saw battle ?" AS for Fort johnson, "a few shells
from the enemy at Fort Sumter will compel US TO
retire from our position, and Morris isand pat,
matter, your E1celency, is this: 81 feel it my
duty, under all the circumstances above mention
ed to express my conviction Of the inexpedienoy
Of commencing actual hostilties on our side,
[that's what you had beon proposing, is it, Mr;
state With raw undisoipined troops" &c:
'Deferentially and with great, diffidence, l
recommend that skillful and educated military
man be selected for Major General-in Chief (which
was rough both on Pickens and the excellent
Schnierle, and that you lay matters before coun-
Gil of wer." Moreover Simons reinforces his con.
illusions by the Endorsement OF the Board OF
Ordnance" But Pickens, assuming the attitude
of Lochiel when he says: "False Wizard avaunt,
reioins: 'sThe conclusions OF that report con-
sider would be to order the troops from Fort
Moultrie and sullivan's Island and Pinckney, and
to abandon the attempt to keep out reinforce
ments and, in fact, to yield without struggle
every point, and thus break down the spirit OF our
people and cover our cause with mpecihty anu No
probable ruin. shall do no such thing nor shall
yield to any council Of war" &c. And to smons
this ,o.,
"HEADqUARTKRs, January 2, 1851.
'S1R: Your extraordinary report received las5
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 or beyond the
r111o P1t m
there was when came to the city, distinct
pledge OF faith between the Government at Wash
tneton [take note of this MIR. Buchanan and those
who had right to speak for South Carolina, shat
everything in the harbor and all the forts should
remain precisely as they then were, and that there
shonld be no increase Of force or any reinforce
ments sent from abroad until our Commissioners
presented themselves at Washington and made
regular negotiation for the forts. acted with
confidence upon this pledge. Suddenly we were
surprised, from the step taken BY Major AnaeFsen,
secretary of War Floyd, namely,) to be in open
yioiotion Of the faith Of the Government. He
ala. .doned Fort Moultrie and burnt and spiked
the guns and the first report was that he de-
stroyed Fort Moultrie. He transferred the garri-
son R gu@te wheh oa on Ssd ihus sad ade
denly to take immediate steps to try and prevent
the further desertion Of public property, and with
this view I ordered the occupation of Sullivan's
Island, but not to occupy Fort Moultre unless 1t
could be done without too much loss, and to re-
eonaoitre and ASCERTAIN if there were mines as re-
ported They found z Put oa. s R5e
fort. And the same grounds were taken as to CAS-
tie Pnckney.
[Then follows detailed justification Of his mill
tafy measures.
1t was well known and readily felt, % you state,
that ou1 troops were raw and Inexperienced but,
under all the circumstances, had no alternative
left but to do what has been done. And II we are
to occupy no place because our troops are raw ana
inexperienced, thon we will have to aoandon the
State for the same reason, il forces that are regu
lar are ordered to invade it, We calculated that
il we were weak 30 were our enemies, TO o GER
tain extent. Their regular force is not strong
enough to admit Of immediate division or trans
fer. They would be compelled to call for volun-
teers also, in the progress Of events, and, with
the feeling in the country, there would be no great
difficulty In this operation. The question was
not whether we could maintain our position IN
Charleston Harbor with tho certainty Of assistance
and reinforcements being thrown in Immediately,
but whether in the present peculiar state OF tho
country, and with weak garrison as to numbers,
who are incapable of being divided, or any detach-
ment being sent from it to occupy any post their
guns might drive US Eom-whothsr, under all
these circumstances, We were capable of maintain
ing our position for the present, so as to pre-
vent reinforcements, and to sustain the direct
at Washington, hoping that every day might
change events, so as to enable us to protect the
State in the attitude she has assumed of imme-
diate independence.
?. w. PICKENS.
After this matters seem to have worked more
smoothly, for Schnierle is suddenly reported I'M
we'll, and Simons, who had urged the importance
Of "a skilled and educated military m %an,a was az
6im. Then, on tho 9th Of January, we havo an
order from Pickeps, commanding Col, Gwynn,
White and Trapier, Engineers, and Col. Manigault,
Ordnance Officer, to come together Immediately
and consider and report the most favorable plan
for operating upon Fort Sumter, SO as to reduce
that fortress, BY batteries or other means in our
possession" On the 10th these officers reply,
submitting plan, from which ! may make an
sEtract;
1--WE are unanimously and decidedly Of the
opinion misunderstanding ALL other methods Of
attack upon that fortress lwhother by surprise, by
open assault, or by strategem), as uncertain in
their results, and as, even if successful, involving
probably much sacrifice Of life our dependence
and sole reliance must DO upon batteries of heavy
OF 1.o, hoo