The Genesis of the Civil War. The story of Sumter, 1860-1861

Front matter

THE GENESIS OF THE CIVIL WAR THE STORY OF SUMTER 1860-61 ' ■■■ i 6.PT iFMJMAN SEYMOUI l*T U E UT. G. W. SNYOE R I3.' I I EUTJ EFT C.DAVIS. 2H0 LIEUT. R. K. MEADE. Corp . "i" En-i n i : Co i ' I.*1 (Vi tilleiy ! , leui i , i1 .1 ■ IJEJI I HA. MAJ. ROB! AN I FOSTER lVAi'tl ..'■■' Corp THE Genesis of the Qivil War THE STORY OF SUMTER 1860-1861 BY SAMUEL WYLIE CRAWFORD BREVET MAJOR-GENEKAL, U. S. A., A. M„ M. D.. LL. D. NEW YORK Charles L. Webster & Company Copyrighted, 1887, By S. W. CRAWFORD. (All rights reserved.) PRESS OF Jenkins & McCowan, 224 CENTRE ST., H.y. V

Preface

. A tragic story is easily told. Battle pictures are not hard to paint with words or brush. It is more difficult to trace with accuracy the beginning of revolutionary movements, for these are from their very nature secret, and hidden from the common view, and often the more carefully concealed in proportion to their importance. It has been my pleasure and my purpose to seek into these hidden things. In these pages I have undertaken to touch the spring of a fresh impulse, and to unfold the story of those events which led to the great national struggle between the North and the South in the war for the union of the States. I had a singular introduction to the scenes which ushered in the mighty conflict. It was this: "Adjutant-General's Office, "Washington, September 7, 1860. "To Assistant-Surgeon S. W. Crawford, U. S. A., " Newport, R. I. "The Secretary of War directs that you proceed forthwith to Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, and report for duty to the com manding officer of that station.

Answer. " Respectfully, your obedient servant, "W. A. Nicols, ' ' Adjutant-General. The manner of transmitting this command was unusual. In those early days the telegraph was not always used for the ordi nary business of the War Department. The imperative terms of the one I had just received added to my appreciation of its importance. At the moment of its reception I was at breakfast with some friends at Newport, R. I., where I was enjoying a short respite from frontier service. Leaving the table at once, I was soon on my way to Charleston. As I journeyed,

PREFACE.

. VI there was time for earnest reflection as to the cause which had so suddenly interrupted my visit and sent me to the far South in a sickly season. The heat was intense, and seemed to grow more and more oppressive after we passed the Potomac. Our train had reached South Carolina, and was crossing the Santee River. I had fallen into a reverie, when I was aroused by a conversation directly behind me. The words spoken gave me my first intima tion of the emergency that had called me so suddenly from my vacation. The stranger said : " There is no use denying it, and the papers cannot suppress the facts. The yellow fever is in Charleston, for the doctor at that fort in the harbor has just died of it." The speaker was a typical Southerner, and he spoke with a good deal of emphasis. So I was on my way to take the place of an officer of my corps who had died at his post, in attendance, possibly, on an epidemic of yellow fever.

My position at the moment was that of an officer of the medical staff of the army, with the rank of captain of cavalry, and I was now called upon to face new responsibilities. I approached them with grave apprehensions. It was after dark when the train reached the city near which I was to be stationed. The streets were almost deserted, and I found my way to the chief hotel with some difficulty, to find few signs of life there. A rather dogmatic clerk and a sleepy negro were the only persons on duty. The clerk suggested, as I regis tered my name: " You are an officer of the army to be stationed in this harbor —No?" I replied in the affirmative. "Where have you come from ?" "From Newport, R. I.," I replied. " Don't you think you had better go down to-night ?" he said to me, in rather a marked way.

"It is five miles or more; what means of conveyance is there?" I asked. "I have never been here before in my life." " None, that I know of," he replied; " the steamers stop run ning after 3 o'clock, but you might get a negro to row you over in a skiff. It is dangerous to stay here." " No," I replied, " that is out of the question. I shall remain over night here."

PREFACE.

. VII " If you do," replied the clerk, " you will be one of the few people in this house." I remained all night. In the morning I proceeded to Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island. I had only just entered the fort, when a message from the commanding officer summoned me to the bedside of the servant of his household. He had attended upon the deceased medical officer and was now stricken, as was believed, with the same disease. The general thought was that the officer himself had died of yellow fever. Recollection of the scourge of 1856, which so seriously affected Charleston, was still fresh in the minds of everyone. Fortunately there was no yellow fever. The epidemic changed to one of "broken bone fever," or "dengue." It affected the entire community, but without fatal results in any case. I was one of the few medical men in the vicinity.

This brought me into friendly and rather close relations with the com munity. Thus my being hurried away from Newport was turned to great account. This accident and sudden transfer to Fort Moultrie gave me a favorable opportunity of noting, studying and commenting upon the social and political phases of the secession movement, just as it began to take shape immediately after Mr. Lincoln's election. At this distance from the mighty events of those days, the value of the associations I was fortunate enough to have with those who were planning the first strokes of disunion can readily be appreciated. The records are uniformly silent upon most of these grave events. The files of the War Department, in the letters and reports of Major Anderson, and in the admirable and almost daily communications and journal of Captain J. G. Foster, the senior engineer, contain a wellnigh complete record of the events in their special military relations to Forts Moultrie and Sumter.

But any connected record of the great political complications, decisions and actions that influenced the Government is wholly wanting. There are few documents in the State Department, or in any of the others, which give authentic information as to the minor details of the early features of the struggle with secession. Cabinet councils keep no minutes. The only record of its action that can be reached is when some Cabinet officer defends before another generation matters which cannot be spoken of at the time of their occurrence. Much was done

PREFACE.

. VIII orally, and to such an extent was this carried that the important instructions of the Secretary of War to Major Anderson on the 7th of December, 1860, instructions involving to a greater extent than any other the question of peace or war to the country, were carried to him by Major Don Carlos Buell verbally. Not only executive officers, but whenever it could be done, statesmen and soldiers, seemed to avoid any record. Therefore it is that per sonal observation and inquiry at the time becomes of such vital value in writing the history of the early hours of the controversy, which finally provoked civil war. Besides constant associations with leading Southern people in the city of Charleston during those days, I was in almost daily attendance upon the convention which passed the Ordinance of Secession, until its doors were closed to all but the members.

I kept a general record of the events as they transpired, as far as it was possible for me to do so. I did it for the purpose of embodying at some future time, in such a narrative as this, the events which constituted so important an era in the history of the country. The story has never been told, save in fragments. Volumes have been written about the battles which followed the intellectual combat which provoked the war. Statesmen, philo sophers and laymen have given utterance to much that occurred after the clash of arms began. But the connected story of the beginning, and a picture of what the combat was about, have never yet been presented in consecutive form. As the medical officer of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter, I was brought into close relations with Major Anderson, and was a part of the beginning and end of our first combat with secession at Sumter.

The Major often spoke to me of his anxieties, and of the difficulties which surrounded him. With him I saw the first and the last shot sent against that fort that aroused the country to war. Besides personal association with and a study of the secession movement at its very initiative, I have, through years of inquiry, at both the North and the South, reached documents and con clusions of great importance. I have studied and here presented them with much care. We are far enough away from the preju dices of that period to deal dispassionately with them. I have called my work "The Genesis of the Civil War," and advisedly It is not intended to embrace a recital of the long train of those predisposing causes, which sprang into life at the formation of

PREFACE.

. IX the Government and developed into a fatal antagonism with the growth of the nation, but rather those of an immediate and exciting nature, which, precipitated by the secession of South Carolina and proceeding unchecked in their course, finally from logical and irresistible conclusion plunged the country into war. In a spirit of what I have meant to be judicial fairness, I have written ideas, stated facts and compiled documents in these pages, to which, with every consciousness of the imperfection of my work, I invite the best judgment of my countrymen. S. W. Crawford, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, April 12, 1887. CONTENTS. PAGE Preface v

Chapter I

United States Property in the Harbor of Charleston — Description of the Forts and their Armament — Their Defenseless Condition — Social Relations between the Officers a 'id the People of Charleston

Chapter II

Extra session of Legislature to appoint Presidential dectors — Governor Gist's message urging action, in prospect of political change — Action of Legislature — Caucus — Feeling in the State— Action of United States Judge Magrath — Resignation of District-Attorney and Collector — Provides a bill for calling a Convention and to arm the State —Regular session of Legislature — Governor's messages and recommendations — Feeling in the State -Washington Light Infantry offer their services 9-20

Chapter III

Political situation at Washington — The Cabinet — Their individual political views — The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Cobb, determines to withdraw from public life in case of Mr. Lincoln's election — Views of General Cass, the Secretary of State — Judge Black — Mr. Holt, the Secretary of War— Mr Floyd — The President determines to reinforce the Forts in Charleston Harbor — Action of Assistant Secretary of State Trescot — Southern Members of Cabinet consult — Assistant Secretary of State writes, asking Governor Gist to write to the President — Reply of the Governor — President sends a copy of his Message by the Assistant Secretary to Governor Gist, who is uninfluenced by it— South Carolina delegation arrive in Washington -The arrival of the Assistant Secretary with the President's Message, anticipated by telegram from Washington 21-35 CONTENTS. XII page

Chapter IV

President recognizes condition of things -His message of 3d December 1860— Its reception by his Cabinet- Resignation of Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Cobb, who is succeeded by Mr. Thomas, of Maryland— Effort to preserve the military status in Charleston Harbor — South Carolina delegation wait upon the President — Their interview — Written statement left with the President — Understanding of the delegation, of what was accomplished — Their impression — Explanation of Messrs. Miles and Keitt to the South Carolina Convention, of the understanding after Anderson's movement to Fort Sumter — Governor of South Carolina claims that the Government at Washington was pledged — Major Anderson not informed of it — Return of Assistant Secretary of State from Charleston— His interview with the President — General Cass, Secretary of State, urges reinforcement of the forts — President declines — Resignation of the Secretary, who seeks to with draw it — Declined by the President, who tenders to Judge Black, the Attorney-General, the position of Secretary of State 36-44

Chapter V

South Carolina Convention meets at Columbia — Organizes — Speech of President Jamison — Character of the Convention — Its composition — Relations to previous conventions— Committee to draft an ordinance of Secession appointed— Adjournment to Charleston- Impatience of the people— Assembles at Institute Hall— Enthusiasm — Session of the Convention — Its proceedings bearing upon the public property in the harbor— Various resolutions adopted with reference to the Government at Washington — Committees appointed to report ordinance for Convention to form a Southern Confederacy— Chancellor Inglis, of Chesterfield, reports Ordinance of Secession— Passed unanimously— Governor and Legislature invited to be present at Institute Hall to witness the signing of ordinance— Great enthusiasm as procession passed— Hall crowded —Ordinance signed by every member— President announces the State of South Carolina an independent commonwealth— Quiet adjournment— Excitement of the people

Chapter VI

Colonel Gardiner at Moultrie-Makes requisition for Ordnance Stores -Issue made-Excitement in consequence -Telegrams to Washington-Relieved by Major Anderson-Sketch of a letter of Anderson to War Department, 24th of November-Importance of this letter-Force under Anderson- Work going on-Attempt to enroll workmen-Correspondence with War Department on the subject 56-67 CONTENTS. XIII PAGE

Chapter VII

Letter of War Department declining to reinforce— Feeling in Charleston that forts would be taken — Anderson's views — Letter to R. N. Gourdin and to his rector at Trenton, N. J. — Sand-hills around the Fort— Refusal of the Government to allow him to reduce them — Importance of Sumter — Instructions of War Department to Anderson by Major Buell — Substance of his interview with Anderson — Buell's order given to Anderson -Criticism on itfrom Buell himself — Further instructions from President not to make a desperate defense— Force of engineer workmen sent to Pinckney — Muskets sent to Pinckney and Sumter on Foster's requisition — Excitement in consequence — Action in Charleston and Washington — Muskets returned 68-78

Chapter VIII

F. W. Pickens elected Governor of South Carolina — His character and history — Sends Major D. H. Hamilton, confidential messenger, to the President — His letter demanding Fort Sumter — Interview with President — Assistant Secretary of State interferes — Consults Senators Davis and Slidell — Letter withdrawn— President sends General Cushing to Governor Pickens — Failure of his mission -Governor establishes the guard-boat between Moultrie and Sumter — His orders— Press of the State urge the seizure of the forts 79~9'

Chapter IX

Work pushed on at Moultrie— Anderson dissatisfied with flanking defenses —Reports to Washington — Urges importance of Sumter — Requests permission to occupy it — Armament of Moultrie — Its defenses —Aggressive feeling of the people— Armament of Castle Pinckney — Work upon Fort Sumter— Ready for its guns — Guard-boat appears, and report made to Washington — Anderson's orders — His understanding of them — Not informed of any understanding—His private letters — Change in Anderson's manner — Determines to move his command to Fort Sumter 92-101

Chapter X

Major Anderson moves his command from Moultrie to Sumter on December 26, 1860 — Excitement produced — Crowds come to the Island — Threats in consequence of movement— Governor sends Commissioners to Major Anderson— Orders Major Anderson to return — His refusal — Details of the interview — Commissioners return to Charleston — Raising the flag on Fort Sumter— The ceremonies , 102-1 r2 CONTENTS. PAGE

Chapter XI

Seizure and occupancy of the forts in the harbor by the State — Lieutenant Meade at Castle Pinckney— United States Custom House occupied by the State — Lieutenant Snyder sent on a special mission to the Governor — Interview— Memorandum of the Governor — Colonel Huger — State guard over the arsenal — Seizure and occupancy of the arsenal — Seizure of Fort Johnson — Location of sites for batteries to control the entrance to the harbor — Star of the West battery located — The Governor reports his action to the Convention 1 13-125

Chapter XII

Restricted means of the garrison — Anderson assumes definite position — His opinions — Does not now ask for reinforcement — His letter of January 6— Reasons for his movement to Sumter — Personal views in his private letters to a friend in Charleston, and to his former rector at Trenton, N. J. — Action of the engineer laborers — Increased activity in the harbor — Lights put out — Accidental notice of sailing of the Star of the West — Large force of workmen landed— Arming of fort pushed rapidly on — Short rations— Officers go to Fort Moultrie for their private effects— Threatened with arrest— Return to Sumter — West Point graduates sent to assist the men -Forts permanently occupied — Action of Board of Pilots- Governor issues proclamation forbidding entrance of any vessel bearing aid or supplies to the garrison— His instructions to his officers at Moultrie and the arsenal 126-130

Chapter XIII

Washington— Effect of Anderson's movement —False report of reinforcement—Telegram of Governor— Reply of Secretary of War Commissioners appointed by Convention— Arrive in Washington —President appoints day to receive them— Arrangement made by agent of South Carolina— News of Anderson's movement changes the relations— Statement in detail of agent of the State— President urged to restore the status— He declines— Anderson's movement without his orders-Secretary of War telegraphs to Anderson- Anderson's reply confirming report— President's action— Cabinet convened-Discussion— Copy of order by Major Buell sent for— South Carolina Commissioners— Interview with the President— They transmit their letter of authority from the Convention- Demand explanation of Anderson's movement -President receives Commissioners-Promises reply-President submits draft of letter to his Cabinet, who are divided in opinion-Northern members threaten resignation-No conclusion reached- Secretary of War Floyd tenders his resignation-Correspondence with the Presi- CONIENTS.

XV PAGE dent— Secretary Of State, Judge Black, determines to resign if letter is sent — President informed — Interview with Judge Black — Question of personal honor urged by the President— Commits draft of letter to Judge Black, who comments upon it —President's letter to Commissioners— Their action — Mr. Trescot, the agent of the State, interviews the President— Subsequently sees Mr. Hunter, of Virginia— Offers through him that the State would withdraw from the forts if the President would withdraw Ander son from Sumter — President declines — Attorney-General Stanton's opinion — President yields, and sides with the Union sentiment. . . 140-161

Chapter XIV

Lieutenant-General Scott — His character and relations to the administration— Confidence of the people in him — His "Views" volunteered to the Secretary of War — Their peculiar character- Published without consent or knowledge of the President — President's surprise — Regards the Views as likely to be used to excite the people in the cotton States — No practicable plan proposed — President believed it impossible to garrison all the forts — His duty, as he viewed it— General Scott comes to Washington — Secretary of War does not agree with him — President's policy in contradistinction to that of General Scott — Feeling in the country that Fort Sumter should be relieved — Propositions from private sources — General Scott persists in his design and recommendation to reinforce Fort Sumter — President agrees and General Scott objects to plan proposed — Later, again urges reinforcements to Sumter— Feeling of the people — Voluntary expeditions offered — President's determination to send reinforcements in a ship of war overruled — Finally determines to send an officer to Anderson with certain inquiries — General Scott recommends a mercantile steamer — Star of the West substituted for United States sloop of war Brooklyn — Preparation for her voyage — Meantime, Anderson reports himself safe — Sailing of the Star of the West — Details of the voyage and arrival 162-186

Chapter XV

Council of the officers upon the firing upon the Star of the West — Their individual opinions— Major Anderson writes to the Governor — His threat to close the harbor to all vessels — Sends Lieutenant Hall, under a white flag, with letter to Governor — Scenes in Charleston— Reply of Governor, who avows the act — Council of officers reconvened — Anderson determines to send messenger to Washington— Lieutenant Talbot and the writer his messengers to Governor informing him of his change of purpose — Safeguard given to Talbot through the State —Governor sends messengers CONTENTS. XVI PAGE to Major Anderson, asking delivery of Fort Sumter to State- Interview— Governor's letter— Officers, reassembled in Council, reject the demand of Governor— Statement of messenger -Reply of Anderson to his letter— Upon Anderson's suggestion, matter referred to Washington —Lieutenant Hall selected as messenger by Anderson, Hon. J. W. Hayne by the Governor— His special instructions— Departs for Washington l87-!97

Chapter XVI

Preparations for defense actively pushed on— Guns mounted — Anderson reports fifty-one guns in position on 21st January — Heavy Columbiads mounted as mortars on the parade— Scarcity of material felt— Arrangements made to receive and transmit the mails— Four hulks of vessels sunk in the ship channel— Want of fresh provisions— State Secretary of War sends supply voluntarily — Provisions returned by Anderson — Erroneous statements made — Non-payment of contractor, cause of interruption of supply — Deficiency in small stores -Many workmen leave the fort— Efforts to dissatisfy those who remained — Return of Lieutenant Talbot from Washington— Approbation of the officials encourages the men— Anderson's forbearance to fire upon the Star of the West battery fully approved by the President — Letter of Secretary of War Holt— Not the purpose of the Government to reinforce him at present — If necessary, they would be sent upon his application -Presence of the women and children embarrass the garrison — Anderson applies for permission from the Governor to send them to the North— Permission granted — Women and children depart — Relations between the Government and the State more clearly defined — Governor assembles an Ordnance Board— Objections made — Recommendations; lines for defense — Sites for batteries suggested — Great activity displayed — Lighthouse at Morris Island removed — Anderson's caution against attempt of friends to throw in supplies — Progress of enemy's work reported by Captain Foster — Anderson reports his diminished supplies — The envoy of the Governor opens negotiations with the Government 198-212

Chapter XVII

Secretary of War J. B. Floyd— His relations to the President— His early position— Sympathy with the South— The De Groot claim — Action of the Secretary— Claim refused— Abstraction of the Indian Trust bonds— Substitution for them of bills drawn on Secretary of War— Violation of the law— House of Representatives appoints a committee to investigate and report, at instance of Secretary of Interior— Exonerates that officer— Secretary of War implicated -President requests his resignation— Resigns on 29th December— Previous order of Secretary to transfer heavy ord- CONTENTS. XVII PAGE nance to Southern forts yet unfinished— Excitement in Pittsburg, Pa. - President notified— Countermands the order— Transfer of small-arms to the South in 1859— Investigation by House of Representatives— Committee on Military Affairs relieve him from any criminal intent— Secretary of War, upon return to Richmond, claims credit for the act— Subsequent appointment in the Confederate army 213-217

Chapter XVIII

Envoy of Governor of South Carolina arrives in Washington— Informal and unofficial interview with the President— Informs the President of his mission verbally— Action of Southern Senators— Their communication— Envoy complies with (heir request, and withholds his communication temporarily— Proposes arrangement with the President, to whom this correspondence is sent — President's reply through his Secretary of War — Able letters of Secretary, who makes known the purpose of the President — President declines to make any arrangement — Will reinforce Major Anderson, should he require it — Senators again address the envoy, and oppose any collision upon the part of the State until their States were ready— Fort Sumter as "-property "—Correspondence with President sent to Governor Pickens— Reply of his Secretary of State, Judge Magrath — Reviews and criticizes it — Insists upon knowing the position of the Government — Demands surrender of Fort Sumter — President's reply to be at once communicated, when Governor would decide upon his course — Envoy to return 218-225

Chapter XIX

Envoy Hayne presents his letter to the President — Subsequently addresses President directly— Comments upon the letter of Secretary of War - Receives further instructions, and communicates as special envoy — Offers to make compensation for Fort Sumter — Comments upon the President's letter to the Southern Senators — Justifies the firing upon the Star of the West — Able response of Secretary of War for the President — Fort Sumter as "property " — Answers propositions of envoy — Right of "eminent domain " cannot be asserted — No constitutional right in President to " cede or surrender " Fort Sumter— Right to send reinforcements "unquestionable " — President will send them, if necessary — Fort held as property and for no unfriendly purpose — Envoy replies directly to the President, and leaves Washington — His letter — The President declines to receive it — Letter returned to Colonel Hayne by mail. 226-234

Chapter XX

President embarrassed by Major Anderson's "truce "—Determines to respect it— Considers that his instructions should have guided CONTENTS.

XVIII page Major Anderson— Upon departure of the envoy, new expedition resolved upon — Members of the Cabinet interested in relief to Sumter — Letter of Judge Black, Secretary of State, to Lieutenant-General Scott— General Scott does not respond — Later, Judge Black addresses the President; reviews the situation —Urges decision of some policy in regard to Sumter — Ex-President John Tyler, a Commissioner from the Peace Convention of Virginia, arrives in Washington— President sends his Secretary of State, in anticipation of his visit, to call upon him — The interview — President declines to become a party to proposed agreement — Transmits message to Congress on January 28, with the resolutions of the Virginia Convention — Congress ignores his recommendations — Subject dropped — Commissioner to South Carolina presents Virginia resolutions to the Legislature — Coldly received — Governor Pickens opposed — General Assembly declines to enter into negotiations — Commissioners continue their efforts — Ex-President Tyler telegraphs to Governor Pickens — Explains position of the President — Reply of Governor — Reports of interviews to relieve Sumter— Reports also of its immediate seizure by the State— Governor telegraphs to Montgomery, asking that a commander-in-chief be appointed— Meeting of Cabinet in Washington to determine upon plan of relief to Sumter— Details of plan— Additional proposition of Captain G. V. Fox — Its detail — General Scott approves prepar ations made — President changes his mind— He determines to respect the appeal made by Virginia— Will not precipitate a crisis — Astonishment and disappointment of General Scott— His subsequent letter to the incoming President— President Buchanan's statement — Captain Fox again urges his plan 2TX-2t,\

Chapter XXI

President Buchanan's views as to the coercive powers of the Government—Congress meets— President's message of December 2— Review of the political situation— Recommendations— Denies any danger to Southern rights— No right as President to decide relations between Government and State— Secession not the right of a State— Congress no constitutional right to coerce State attempting secession— Recommends "explanatory amendment," recognizing property in slaves and their protection in the Territories— Message disappoints Southern leaders— Congress neglects to act- President sends special message on January 8— Reiterates his position and views— Reasons for not reinforcing Major Anderson —Jefferson Davis's opinion of the message— Senate refuse to confirm Collector for Charleston, S. C. -Crittenden amendment- Endorsed by the President-Amended by wholly different resolu tion— Original proposil ion defeated— Peace Convention of Virginia -Efforts to effect a settlement -Series of amendments offered- CONTENTS.

XIX PAGE Propositions made — Mr. Crittenden adopts a proposition in preference to his own — Senate rejects it — Cotton States pass ordinances of Secession — Seize the public property — Congress relies upon time and the incoming administration 252-258

Chapter XXII

Delegates from cotton States meet at Montgomery, Ala. — Form a provisional Congress — Executive, legislative and judicial departments formed — The United States of America "a foreign country" — The establishment and organization of the " Government " — Acts passed — Assumes control of the "questions and difficulties" existing with the General Government — Nature of the Government — General Convention not competent to exigency — Declares itself a provisional Government at first — Exercises all power — Governor Pickens seeks counsel of Jefferson Davis — His reply — Writes again on the 20th of January — His letter — Governor Pickens consults the Governor of Georgia — His reply — Threatened attack upon Sumter — Mr. Robert Toombs urges against the attack, except with sanction of "our joint Government " — Reply of Governor Pickens — Recommends the appointment of a commander-in-chief — Counsels that the "Congress" should indicate jurisdiction — His views and arguments — Thinks on 12th of February that he is prepared to take Fort Sumter — Asks if he shall await orders, or act himself — Jefferson Davis — Provisional President of new Government— Appoints a general officer for Charleston—Governor applies for a "skilled engineer " — Captain Whiting sent — His adverse report— Work at Cummings Point pushed steadily on 250-272