The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-20
SECRET HISTORY OF FORT SUMTER
From the Special Correspondent Of the sw York Times
STEAMSHIP SARAeossA, Sunday, Aug. 4, 1867.

From the Special Correspondent of the isw York Times
STEAMSHIP SARAeossA, Sunday, Aug. 4, 1867.
As we sailed out of the harbor of Charleston,
last evening, the setting sun Lit up with glow and
glory the shapeless mass that aoas Fort Sumter,
the most wonderful spot on the continent stood
| long on the deck OF the steamer, surveying with
the eye and the glass this historic pile 1t aWoke
strange emotions. It recalled with vivid impress
the last time looked upon it, when, on t1e Itn OF
| April, 1868, I was in the Ironsdes with dupont,
while ho and Rogers, and Drayton tine brave
saior-souls since gone to the Shades), ana Anmen,
hell with the iron fleet, and spent their fury on
Snmter, and retired discounted. 1t raised Garner
thoughts, too-thoughts of the time when, on
| that other April morning, six years agone oiowas
of fair women gathered on the battery yonoer 70
applaud with passionate hearts the assault OF ten
| thousand on the little starving garrison. FINALLY,
it swept the memory down through the events OF
| that marvellous four years siege, Unparalleled IN
military annals; and not till the historic mound
had faded to mere speck on the horizon QUO re-
tire from the taffrail, meditating many thngs.
During my sojourn in South Carolina, certain
persons of consideration in the State, knowing
that had occupied myself somewhat with the
history of the war, and that designed other Ia
in my hands great mass Of documents relating
to the initial movements of the war In South Caro-
lima; the secret histov of the transactions res
pecting Fort Sumter; the negotiations thereanent
with Washingon; the i1f 5s whoe
record Of the Confederate defence against the sue
cessive attacks made upon the fort. Ihese docu-
ments are OF the highest importance, bringing TO
light, in some cases, things hitherto mo from
knowledge, and in others supplying interesting
connecting links between things known, but false
| ly correlated. They are entirely too voluminous
for publication in any other than historical form
but have thought to occupy my mind aur7ng the
passage to New York in throwing into form few
Of the points brought to light by this new mass of
documentary evidence
The Convention of South Carolina passed the
ordinance OF secession on the Goth OF December,
1860. It has never been known that any action
was contemplated by the State authorities, preyl-
GUS to that event, looking 10 the possession by by
until two days afser the passage OF the ordnance
OF secession to wit, on the ed OF December, that
| the Convention appointed Commission, compos,
| ed Of Messrs. r. w. Barnwell, j.. ID. ADAMS anu
James L. Orr, to proceed to Washington to treat
with the Government Of the United States con-
cerning the relations between the two partles
| But there is o chapter Of secret history earlier
| back than this Three days before the Conven-
| ZION passed the ordinance Of secession and while
it was yet deberatng, to wit, on the 17th OF De-
| cember Gov. F. w. Pickens, he that was porn
insensib,e to fear" (and also, as it would appear
| insensible to honor), wrote letter 10 Presdent
| Buchanan requesting to be allowed 70 occupy
Fort Sumter, and stating that otherwise ne would
not sanswer for the consequences. Ihls letter ls
of 80 much historical importance that shall give
~ ''~''-' COLUMBIA, December II, 1860.
[Strictly Confidential
NV DEAR SIR With q sincere desire to pre-
vent collision Of force, have thought proper 70
address YOU directly and truthfully on points OF
| deep and immediate interest.
I am authenticity informed that the forts IN
| Charleston harbor are now being thoroughly pre-
pared to turn, with effect, their guns upon the
| interior and the city. Jurisdiction was ceded by
this State expressly for the purpose OF external
defence from foreign invasion: and not with any
view that they should be turned upon the state.
In an ordinary case Of mob rebellion, perhaps II
might be proper to prepare them for sudden out
| break. But when the people OF tho State, IN
sovereign convention assembled, determine TO re-
sumo their original powers OF separate ana lnoe-
pendent sovereignty, the whole quesuen Is cnangI
ed, and it is no longer an act OF rebellion. l
therefore most respectfully urge that all work on
the forts be put stop to for the present. and that
no more force may be ordered there.
The regular Convention Of the people OF the
State Of South Carolina, Legally ana properly P
celebrating upon the gravest and most momen.
tous questions and the excitement OF the great
| masses Of the people is great, under a sense OF
deep wrongs and profound necessity OF DONG
something to preserve the peace and salety OF Tue
State.
To spare the efusion Of blood, which no human
power may be able to prevent, earnestly beg your
immediate consideration OF oil the points cau
your attention to. 1t ID not lmPropaple tnat, un-
der orders from the Commandant, OF perhaps from
the Commander-in- Chief Of the Army, the altera-
ton and defences Of those posts are progressing
without the knowledge Of yourself or the secreta-
ry Of War. ., =,
nnblic arms. am informed, was turned over, very
properly, to the keeping and defence OF State
| force, at the urgent request OF the governor OF
South Carolina. would most respectfully, and
from sincere devotion to the public peace, re-
ouest that you would allow me to send smal
force, not exceeding twenty-five men and an omcer,
to take possession of Fort Sumter Immediately,
in order to give feeling Of safety to the commu-
nifty. There are no United States troops IN that
whatever o1y dGpp 1Se
lately employed to put the guns IN order. II Fort
Sumter could be given to me as Governor, UNDER
permission similar to that by which the Governor
was permitted to keep the Arsenal, with the gntea
States arms, in the city OF Charleston then tnink
Of safety; and as the Coayention is now in 3i f9,l
authority, it strikes that it could be done WITH
nerfect propriety. need not go into particulars,
for urgent reasons will force themselves readiiy
upon your consideration.
II something of tho hind be not done, 1 CANNOT
answer for the consequences.
send this by private and con6denhat gentle
man. who is authorized to confer with MIR. Tres
colt fully, and to receive through him any answer
You may think proper TO give to this.
Most respectfully, yeSrs u trpEy; S,cpr,s
To the President of the United States.
There are several things that deserve to be
noted in regard to this Letter, The private ana
confidential gentleman whom i WAS sent tho to
Voc ohincyfoD was n onrtaln Id. d. dalullLQu, WuO
signs himself "Major First Regiment South oaro1
lima Volunteers The MIR. Trescott with whom he
is authorized to confer fully" Was ct this time
Assistant Secretary OF State OF the o41Seo otates
Cass having the 18th December given up in dls. q
gust the portfolo of the State Department. the
Secretary was now Jerry Black From letter
now before me, from Major Hamilton to Governor
ceeded 10 Washington with the utmost hasfei
that he arrived there on the goth December that ne
sourht and procured private interview with Presl-
dent Buchanan, through the aid OF Mr: W. d.
Trescott; that the letter was read III taelr pres
ence, and that to Major Hamiton's request that sp
answer was desired at the earliest moment
possible, Buchanan replied that on answer
would be returned on the following day,
| the 21st. In the meantime, however. Mr. LIES
colt bee, alarmed at the contents OF the letter
General Mcqueen, the three that evening tele-
eraphed Gov. Piekens for authority to withdraw
the letter. This wns Immediately given, and on
the morning of the 2lst Mf, Trescott receiV
missive mis- i've back from Mr.. Buchanao. The motive
for this action on the part Of MIR: Trescott and
Gems. Bonham and Mcqueen would be left in OBJ
scurity were it not for letter of the former to
Gov. Pckens, explaining fully the reasons that
nrompted them. This letter, which is dated
washington, Dec. 81" lets at tho same time
stream Of light into tho recessess OF Buchsnars
mind. It is too long for insertion here; but may
epitomiZe it.
II tells Gov. Pickens that the withdrawal OF the
letter was 'smost opportune"
That President Buchanan had removed Colonel
Gardiner, (the predecessor Of Major Andesronh
from command OF Fort Moultrie, 'for carrying
ammunition from the arsenal at Charleston"
That Buchanan had refused to send reinforce
ments to the garrison there. That he had "ac-