The National tribune., 1907-02-14

cola Observer gives this account Of
Commodore Armstrong; conduct:
When Col. Lomax demanded the
| surrender of the Navy Yard, Commo-
dore Armstrong said that he had served
his country faithfully all his life: that
he loved the old flag, and had protected
It in sunshine and in storm: that his
| heart was bleeding because Of the dis
| fractions Of his country: that he was q
| native Of Kentucky, which had no
navy, and, therefore, he knew not
where he should go to make q liveli-
hood in his declining years: that he had
no adequate force to make resistance,
his own life than to destroy the lives
of his countrymen. He then said that
he 'relinquished his authority to the
representatives Of the Sovereignty Of
Florida"
Siemmer Summoned to Surrender.
Lieut.. Slemmer in his official report
gives this vivid and concise account Of
what followed his occupation Of Fort
Pickens:
"On my arrival I found that there
was not single embrasure shutter in
the fort. I caused some to be con-
structed. and others to be taken from
Fort McRes to supply the deficiency
Just after retreat four gentlemen (three
in military clothing) presented them
selves at the gate and demanded admit
lance as citizens of Florida and Ala
bama. They were told that by order
no person was permitted to enter the
fort. They then asked to see the COM
manding officer. I Immediately went
to the gate, accompanied by Lieut.. GIL
man. Mr.. Albert, Engineer of the Yard,
presented Capt. Randolph, Maj. Marks
and Lieut.. Rutledge. After pause.
Capt. Randolph said, We have been
sent to demand o paaceabic surrender
Of this fort by the Governors OF Flori-
da and Alabama" To which replied
that I was here under the orders of
the President Of the United States, and
by the direction of the General-in-C Chief
of the Army; that / recognized no right
of any Governor to demand surren-
der of United States property; that my
orders We're distinct and explicit. They
Immediately withdrew
"At IL o'clock at night the men were
paraded and told off to the different
batteries in anticipation of an attack.
slow-matches lighted, with lanyards and
port fires in hand ready to fire. No
signs of an attack: night very dark and
rainy. We still labored on the 18th,
strengthening our position, and at night
throw out Sentinels beyond the glacis.
Men stood at the guns as on the night
previous. Night very dark and rainy.
On the night Of the 18th body of some
10 men We're discovered evidently recon-
noitering. A shot was fired by them.
which was returned by the Sergeant
They then retreated. Nothing more
could be seen of the party that night.
On the 14th nothing of interest trans
pired. Men by this time almost worn
out with labor. standing guard, and at
the batteries day and night, for we an
ticipated an attack at any moment.
"On the 18th Col. Chase, command
ing the forces Of Florida. accompanied |
by Commander Farrand, late of the u.
s. Navy. asked for a consultation, at
which Col Chase read me the following |
letter
Headquarters Pensacola District,
Jan. 10, 1861.
" Lieut. A. ]. Slemmer, U. S. Army, |
Commanding Fort Plckens, Harbor
of Pensacola:
'Sir-I have full power from the
Governor of Florida to take possession |
of the forts and Navy Yard, etc, in this |
harbor. I desire to perform this dutyi
without the effusion of blood. You can
towards this desirable result. |
and, in my judgment. without sacrifice
of the honor Of yourself or your gal. |
liant officers and men. Now, as Com
missioner on the part of the Governor
of the State of Florida, / request the
surrender of Fort Pickens and the pub
tic property it contains into my hands,
to be held subject to any agreement
that may be entered into between the
commissioners of the State of Florida
and the Federal Government at Wash
ington. I would not counsel you to do
aught that was dishonorable; on the
to do that which will secure
for you the commendation of all Chris
lian gentlemen; and II you refuse ana
hold out, for whom do you consent that
blood shall flow-the blood of brethren?
not for the deadly enemies
TO the assaulters, for they are not such,
but brethren of the same. race. If the
Union, now broken, should be recon-
Fort Pickens and all the pub
lie property passes peacefully under
Federal authority. IF a Southern Con-
separates itself from the
Union, would it not be worse than folly
10 attempt the maintenance of Fort
Pfckens or any other fortified place
within its limits?
"Listen to me, then, beg you, and