Francis Wilkinson Pickens

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Francis Wilkinson Pickens was the Governor of South Carolina when that state became the first to secede from the U.S.A.

A cousin of Senator John C. Calhoun, Pickens was born into the culture of States Rights, and became an ardent supporter of nullification (refusal to pay federal import tariffs) when he served in the South Carolina house of representatives, before being elected to Congress and then the state senate.

Antebellum

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Service Record

December 26, 1860 - April 14, 1861: Operations in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina Dispatches
At the outbreak of the war, Francis Pickens was the Governor of the State of Carolina


These dispatches were compiled with primary source materials from The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Chapter 1)

CONTENTS

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(US Maj) Robert Anderson
  • At the outbreak of the war, Robert Anderson was a Major in the United States Army commanding two half-full companies of United States Artillery troops
To Pickens: From Pickens:
December 29, 1860 - Governor Francis Pickens to Colonel John Cunningham

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Reports of and correspondence with Ordnance Storekeeper F.C. Humphreys, U.S. Army, in reference to seizure of Charleston Arsenal.

HEADQUARTERS,
CHARLESTON, S.C.,
December 29, 1860.

SIR: In the morning, after reporting yourself to Major-General Schneirle, and informing him of this order, you are directed to get from him a detachment of select men, and in the most discrete and forbearing manner you will proceed to the U.S. Arsenal in Charleston, and there demand in my name, its entire possession, and state distinctly that you do this with a view to prevent any destruction of public property that may occur in the present excited state of the public mind, and also as due to the public safety. You will then proceed to take, in the most systematic manner, a correct inventory of everything in said arsenal, and the exact state of all arms, &c.

You will read this order to Captain Humphreys, who is the United States officer at the arsenal.

I do not apprehend any difficulty in giving up the same, but if refused, then you are to take it, using no more force than may be absolutely necessary, and with the greatest discretion and liberality to Captain Humphreys, who is at perfect liberty to remain in his present quarters as long as it may be agreeable for himself, and he is requested to do so. Report as soon as possible to me.

F.W. PICKENS.

to Colonel JOHN CUNNINGHAM.


(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE


January 9, 1861 - Major Robert Anderson to Governor Francis Pickens

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Union Correspondence, etc.

FORT SUMTER, S.C., January 9, 1861

To his Excellency the GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA:

SIR: Two of your batteries fired this morning upon an unarmed vessel bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by South Carolina against the Government of the United States, I cannot but think that this hostile act was committed without your sanction or authority. Under that hope, and that alone, did I refrain from opening fire upon your batteries. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask whether the above mentioned act-one, I believe, without a parallel in the history of our country or of any other civilized government-was committed in obedience to your instructions, and to notify you, if it be not disclaimed, that I must regard it as na act of war, and that I shall not, after a reasonable time for the return of my messenger, permit any vessels to pass within range of the guns of my fort. In order to save, as far as in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg that you will have due notification of this my decision given to all concerned. Hoping, however, that your answer may be such as will justify a further continuance of forbearance upon my part,

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE)


January 9, 1861 - Governor Francis Pickens to Major Robert Anderson

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Union Correspondence, etc.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Headquarters, Charleston, January 9, 1861.

Major ROBERT ANDERSON,
Commanding Fort Sumter:

SIR: Your letter has been received. In it you make certain statements which very plainly show that you have not been fully informed by your Government of the precise relations which now exist between it and the State of South Carolina. Official information has been communicated to the Government of the United States that the political connection heretofore existing between the State of South Carolina and the States which were known as the United States had ceased, and that the State of South Carolina had resumed all the power it had delegated to the United States under the compact known as the Constitution of the United States. The right which the State of South Carolina possessed to change the political relations which it held with other States under the Constitution of the United States has been solemnly asserted by the people of this State in convention, and now does not admit of discussion. In anticipation of the ordinance of secession, of which the President of the United States has received official notification, it was understood by him that sending any re-enforcement of the troops of the United States in the harbor of Charleston would be regarded by the constituted authorities of the State of South Carolina as an act of hostility, and at the same time it was understood by him that any change in the occupation of the forts in the harbor of Charleston would in like manner be regarded as an act of hostility. Either or both of these events, occurring during the period in which the State of South Carolina constituted a part of the United States, was then distinctly notified to the President of the United States as an act or acts of hostility; because either or both would be regarded, and could only be intended, to dispute the right of the State of South Carolina to that political independence which she has always asserted and will always retain. Whatever would have been, during the continuance of this State as a member of the United States, an act of hostility, became much more so when the State of South Carolina had dissolved the connection with the Government of the United States. After the secession of the State of South Carolina, Fort Sumter continued in the possession of the troops of the United States. How that fort is at this time in the possession of the troops of the United States it is not now necessary to discuss. It will suffice to say that the occupancy of that fort has been regarded by the State of South Carolina as the first act of positive hostility committed by the troops of the United States within the limits of this State, and was in this light regarded as so unequivocal that it occasioned the termination of the negotiations then pending at Washington between the Commissioners of the State of South Carolina and the President of the United States. The attempt to re-enforce the troops now at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of the forts within the waters of this State, which you abandoned, after spiking the guns placed there, and doing otherwise much damage, cannot be regarded by the authorities of the State as indicative of any other purpose than the coercion of the State by the armed force of the Government. To repel such an attempt is too plainly its duty to allow it to be discussed. But while defending its waters, the authorities of the State have been careful so to conduct the affairs of the State that no act, however necessary for its defense, should lead to an useless waste of life. Special agents, therefore, have been off the bar to warn all approaching vessels, if armed or unarmed, and having troops to re-enforce the forts on board, not to enter the harbor of Charleston, and special orders have been given to the commanders of all forts and batteries not to fire at such vessels until a shot fired across their bows would warn them of the prohibition or the State. Under these circumstances, the Star of the West, it is understood this morning attempted to enter this harbor, with troops on board, and having been notified that she could not enter, was fired into. The act is perfectly justified by me. In regard to your threat in regard to vessels in the harbor, it is only necessary to say that you must judge of your own responsibilities. Your position in this harbor has been tolerated by the authorities of the State, and while the act of which you complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct which you propose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be reconciled with any other purpose of your Government than that of imposing upon this State the condition of a conquered province.

F. W. PICKENS.

(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2)


February 13, 1861 - Captain John Foster to General Joseph Totten

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Union Correspondence, etc.

FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 13, 1861.

General JOS. G. TOTTEN,
Chief Engineer U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that since the date of my last letter, the 11th, very little, apparently, has been done by the South Carolinians around us. The weather yesterday was quite pleasant, and a relief of some of the troops on Morris Island took place. I saw about 150 land, and was told that about the same number went away. A large number of negro laborers were likewise taken to the city, leaving only a small number at work on the parapet of the field work on Cummings Point.

This work appears to be nearly completed, and ready to open fire. In the iron bomb-proof are three heavy guns, believed to be, and from all reports are, 8-inch columbiads. The three guns farther to the left [our left] are probably 24 or 32 pounders. Those still farther to the left bearing on the channel and crossing their fire with the guns of Fort Moultrie, are of the same caliber. There is at least one gun in this position, and probably two. I cannot see them from the parapet on account of an intervening sand hill, but I saw a gin at work at the position of one of the guns. Fort Morris and the light-house battery have probably been strengthened.

One mortar was landed at Fort Johnson, and, it is reported, placed in the new battery to the south of Fort Johnson. Fort Moultrie has changed very little of late. A new flagstaff was erected a few days since, and the new State flag hoisted thereon. It is not a handsome or pleasant flag to look at, being a dark-blue ground, with a white palmetto and crescent thereon. At a distance it is not unlike a black flag, with the piratical emblem [head and cross-bones] upon it.

In this fort the preparations continue with unabating activity. The open spaces which were left for the second-tier embrasures, and filled in with a brick wall after we entered the fort, were the weakest points to resist battering. I have had them re-enforced in various ways, some with a solid wall of stone flagging, others with irons and lumber, and others with earth packed in between two partitions of scantling and boards. This work is not yet completed. The cement and bricks gave out some time since. In a few days, however, I shall have these as secure as necessary.

The next step will be to secure from breaching fire the loopholes windows and piers between them on the gorge. I am preparing to plate the main gate with half-inch iron, to construct fougasses on the gorge and upon each face, and to make more complete arrangements for using shells and grenades over the parapet. Yesterday I completed the mines in the wharf, and the preparations for firing them. I also cut down the brick coping of the parapet on the gorge in front of one of the guns, so as to allow it to be depressed so as to sweep the end of the wharf. Upon trial it answered the expectations, and this morning the embrasure thus formed is being enlarged a little, so as to allow the canister [in bags] to strike nearer and sweep more of the wharf.

The guard-boats were unusually active last night, and rather trouble-some, too, for one of them, improving upon their ordinary tricks of running slowly past the fort at night with lights out, and close in to the fort, suddenly turned and headed directly in towards the fort. When very close our sentinel fired. The boat then sheered off and went out towards the bar. Loud voices and noises, as of riotous conduct, are reported as being heard on board.

If it should happen that supplies are sent to us by the Government, would it not be well to include cement and bricks enough to form some embrasures on the second tier?

I propose, if it meets your wishes, to write every day, if only a line, so that you may know if there is any interruption of the communication.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J.G. FOSTER,
Captain, Engineers.

P.S. - Please excuse the half sheets, for our paper is getting scarce.

(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2)


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(CS Capt) John Cunningham
  • At the outbreak of the war, John Cunningham was a Colonel of the 17th South Carolina Militia Infantry
To Pickens: From Pickens:
December 29, 1860 - Governor Francis Pickens to Colonel John Cunningham

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Reports of and correspondence with Ordnance Storekeeper F.C. Humphreys, U.S. Army, in reference to seizure of Charleston Arsenal.

HEADQUARTERS,
CHARLESTON, S.C.,
December 29, 1860.

SIR: In the morning, after reporting yourself to Major-General Schneirle, and informing him of this order, you are directed to get from him a detachment of select men, and in the most discrete and forbearing manner you will proceed to the U.S. Arsenal in Charleston, and there demand in my name, its entire possession, and state distinctly that you do this with a view to prevent any destruction of public property that may occur in the present excited state of the public mind, and also as due to the public safety. You will then proceed to take, in the most systematic manner, a correct inventory of everything in said arsenal, and the exact state of all arms, &c.

You will read this order to Captain Humphreys, who is the United States officer at the arsenal.

I do not apprehend any difficulty in giving up the same, but if refused, then you are to take it, using no more force than may be absolutely necessary, and with the greatest discretion and liberality to Captain Humphreys, who is at perfect liberty to remain in his present quarters as long as it may be agreeable for himself, and he is requested to do so. Report as soon as possible to me.

F.W. PICKENS.

to Colonel JOHN CUNNINGHAM.


(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE


(CS BG) G.T. Beauregard
  • At the outbreak of the war, G.T. Beauregard was a Brigadier General commanding the Provisional Confederate States Army
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS) David Jamison
  • At the outbreak of the war, David Jamison was the President of the South Carolina Convention
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS) Louis Wigfall
  • At the outbreak of the war, Louis Wigfall was a recruiting agent with the Confederate States Army
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(SC AG) Isaac Wayne
  • At the outbreak of the war, Isaac Hayne was the Attorney General of the State of South Carolina
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS PC) John Tyler
  • At the outbreak of the war, John Tyler was elected to the Provisional Confederate Congress
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS POTCS) Jefferson Davis
  • At the outbreak of the war, Jefferson Davis was elected the first and only President of the Confederate States
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS PC) Howell Cobb
  • At the outbreak of the war, Howell Cobb was the President of the Provisional Confederate States Congress
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS SoW) LeRoy Walker
  • At the outbreak of the war, LeRoy Pope Walker was the Confederate States Secretary of War
To Walker: From Walker:
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(CS PC) John Forsyth
  • At the outbreak of the war, John Forsyth was a representative in the Provisional Confederate States Congress and a Special Commissioner to the United States
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS) H.P. Brewster
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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(CS BG) Milledge Bonham
  • At the outbreak of the war, Milledge Bonham was a Major General in the Provisional South Carolina Army
To Pickens: From Pickens:
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Misc.
  • Miscellaneous correspondence to or from Francis Pickens
Description: Dispatch:
Memorandum to Robert Anderson
December 28, 1860 - Memorandum from Governor Pickens

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Union Correspondence, etc.

HEADQUARTERS, December 28, 1860.

In reply to Major Anderson's request, made this morning verbally through First Lieutenant Snyder, from Fort Sumter, I hereby order and direct that free permission shall be given to him to send the ladies and camp women from Fort Sumter, with their private effects, to any portion of Sullivan's Island, and that entire protection shall be extended to them. It is also agreed that the mails may be sent over to the officers at Fort Sumter by their boats, and that all the ladies of Captain Foster's family shall be allowed to pass, with their effects and the effects of any kind belonging to Captain Foster, from the Mills House to Fort Sumter, and the kindest regard shall be paid to them. Of course, Lieutenant Meade's private effects can be taken possession of; but for the present there shall be no communication of any other kind allowed from the city to the fort, or any transportation of arms or ammunition, or any supplies, to the fort; and this is done with a view to prevent irregular collisions, and to spare the unnecessary effusion of blood.

F.W. PICKENS.

(To view this page in its Source Category, click HERE)


Post-War Career

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Family

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Notes


Sources