The National tribune., 1892-05-19
Chronological Record of Operations
from Dec. 20, go, to Feb, q, 81.
FIT. MOULTRIE EVACUATED
Forts, ArSenals and Property
Seized by the Rebels.
GEN. TWIGGS TREACHERY.
United States Steamer Star OF
the West Fired Upon.
Compiled from the Official Records of the War;
1860.

Dec 90-The Ordinance of Secession adopted
bv the South Carolina Convention at Charles
ton. s. c.
states troops at Fort Mouitrie were transferred
b Fort Sumter. At ?. m. Maj. Anderson re-
ported that the removal was completed. de
left guard in charge of Capt. j. G. Foster
who under his direction, spiked the guns, cut
down the Gag-staff, and burnt the gun carriages
Re says that, in his opinion, the evacuation
was necessary TO prevent efuslon OF hloou
that he was convinced that the authorities
OF the State designed to proceed to a hostile
set" and that under this impression he could
act hesitate; that it was my solemn duty to
move my command from fort which we could
not probably have held longer than as to 6O
hours to this one Fort Sumter), where my
mower of resistance is increased to a very great
degree"
Dec 2T-Castle Pinckney, with all the
property it contained, was forcibly taken pos
session Of by the troops of South Carolina
shout O'Clock p. m, an entrance being effected
By scaling the wall at the circular bastion by
Eeans of ladders. Lieut. L. K. Meade. Corps
Of Engineers, in charge. made no resistance.
&c was suffered to Join Maj. Anderson at Fort
sumter-Fort Moultrie was forcibly taken
possession of soon after dark by armed force
Of South Carolinans, landed from two steamers.
Dec. 30.-At 1890 a. M. Col. John Cunning
ham, 18th S. c. Militia, acting under lnstruc-
tions of the Governor of South Carolina, de-
manded an immediate surrender of the United
States Arsenal at Charleston and the delivery
to him of the keys and contents of the arsenal
magazines. etc. Mai. f. c. Humphreys Mill
tary Storekeeper of Ordnance complied with
the demand, "solemnly protesting against the
illegality of this measure in the name OF my
Government" He was granted the privilege
Of saluting the flag and taking ii with him, and
his command IA enlisted mem were permitted
IN he
received from the War Department. The issue
of arms, ammunition, accouterments ETC., from
the stores seized was Immediately commenced
by the authority Of the State of South Caro-
lima
1861.
Jan. 1.-The following military departments
were in existence: California, Lieut.-Col. Benj.
l. Beall: East Maj.-Gen. John E. Wool; New
Mexico, Col. T. T. Fauntleroy; Oregon, Col. u
Wright; Texas. Bvt. Maj Gen. D. E. Twiggs;
Utah, Col. P. st. George Cooke; West, Brig
Gen. w. s. Harvey.
State troops.
Jan. 3.-Fort Pulaski. Savannah Harbor,
Ga, was seized by the State troops, under COM
Inand of Col. A. R. Lawt0n.-The Secre-
tary Of War. J. Holt, declined to furnish Hon.
David Clopton, u. C., with the plat and plan
OF the magazine at Mount Vernon arsenal,
Ala, as requested by letter Of Dec. %, 1850.
l. - -
Ala, commanded by Capt. J. i. Reno, was
seized at daylight by four companies of vclun-
teers from Mobile, Ala
Jan. 5.-Forts Morgan and Gaines were
seized by the order Of tia Governor Of Alabama
and occupied by the State troops The Gov
ernor in q letter to the President Of the United
States, in explanation Of his selling these forts
and arsenal at Mount Vernon. says that his
purpose was 70 avoid ana net provoke HOSTILE
ties between the State and the Federal Govern
nent, and that he will continue to hold them
Eubject to tie control Of the convention of the
people 10 assemble on Jan. Z
jan. 5-l2.-The steamer Star Of the West
started from New York with 200 men, re-
eruits from depot, TO reinforce the garrison
OF Fort Sumter. The expedition was under
the command Of Lieut. Charles r. Woods. 9Th
Inf About midnigh; on the Sth Of January
the steamer arrived of Charleston Harbor, and
at daylight, Jan. g. crossed the bar and steamed
up the main ship channel. When within one
EBd three-fourths miles of Forts Sumter and
Moultre, Ere was opened from a masked bat
terry near the north end of Morris Island and
On land from the Star about fve-eighthg Of a
mile. Finding it impossible to reach Fort
Santer, the bar was recrossed. The IRE from
the battery was kept up as long as the steamer
was within range. The expedition returned,
reaching New York Harbor the morning Of
Jan. ~
Jan. 6-The United StatesArsenal at ApaIach-
icola, Fla, seized Nv State troops commanded
by Col Dunn. The arsenal was in charge Of
Ordnsnce-Serg't E. Powell, United States Army.
Jan. Port Marion, ST. Augustine, Fla, |
seized by State troops. The fort was in charge
Of Ordnance Sergt Henry Douglas. United
States Army.
Jan. 9.-Ordinance Of Secession adopted in
Mississippi OF War, ]. Holt,
declined TO furnish Senators ID. J.. Yulee and
S. z. Mallory information as TO the numerical
force Of the troops In garrison and the amount
OF arms, heavy and small, and ammunition,
fixed and loose, at the various forts and arsen-
ais IN that State.-Fort johnson, n C.,
seized by party Of armed citizens from Smith
vile, but it was shortly afterward restored,
snd al public property returned in good order
70 Ordnance-Serg't James Reilly, United States
Army, in charge.
Jan. 10.-Fort Caswell N C., seized by
party Of citizens from Wilmington and Smith |
vile. They held possession until the 18th, |
when they left, returning to Ordnance-Serg't |
y. Dsrdingkiler, United States Army in |
charge. all the ordnance stores in good order
few stores had been expended |
nance Of Secession adopted in Florida-
The ordnance detachment from Charleston
Arsenal reached Augusta Ca Arsenal. The
arrival Of the force added much to the excite |
ment in Augusta, and was very near producin
serious difficulties, the people believing il TO |
be reinforcement TO the command |
A. ). Siemmer, LIST Art, under special instruc- |
lions received from the General in Chief re. |
moved his command (z6 strong, Co G, lst Art |
from Barrancas Barracks to Fort Pickens |
Pensacola Harbor, Fla. During the transfer |
Capt Otway II. Psrryman, United States Navy, |
OF the Myandotie, turned over 10 Lieut. Stem |
mer 80 ordinary seamen without arms or equip |
menta- He subsequently obtained 30 muskets |
and bayonets from the Maynard. -The |
United States Arsenal and barracks at Baton |
Rouge, La, surrendered at y. m upon the /
demand of the Governor of Louisiana, backed /
by a force of GOO men. Under an agreement /
entered into between Gov. Moore and Brevet |
Maj. J. a Haskin, LIST Art, commanding the |
officers and enlisted men were permitted to take |
their personal effects, infantry armament camp /
and garrison equipage and 20 DAYS rations. |
They were required to move within 80 hours. |
Jan. l.-Ordinance of Secession adopted in |
Aiabama.--For.sJ jackson and Saint philip |
seized by detachment of Louisiana militia. |
under the command of Maj. Paul E. Theard, |
by order Of the Governor of Louisiana Ord |
nance-serg't ii. Smith. U. S. Army, was in |
charge of the forts.--The surrender OF Fort /
Sumter demanded Of Maj. Anderson by the |
Governor Of South Carolina and refused.
Jan. l2.-Barrancss Barracks, Forts Barran- |
cas- and hcRea, and the Magyar at Penss- /
cola were seized by State troops The gur. /
render Of Fort Pickeus was demanded verb |
ally by Capt Randolph, in the names of the /
Governors of Florida and Alabama-The /
Governor Of North Carolina ad vised the Presi- |
dent OF the United States that on receiving |
information Of the seizure of Forts johnson |
and Caswell by troops and persons resident in |
That vicinity, he bad Immediately issued /