- At the outbreak of the war, John Buchanan Floyd was the United States Secretary of War
- He resigned his post on December 29, 1860 and left the northern States to join the Confederate Government
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)
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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
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From Floyd:
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| December 27, 1860 - Secretary John Buchanan Floyd to Major Robert Anderson
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Reports of Maj. Robert Anderson, U.S. Army, of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie, S.C.
[Telegram.]
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Adjutant-General's Office,
December 27, 1860.
Major ANDERSON,
Fort Moultrie:
Intelligence has reached here this morning that you have abandoned Fort Moultrie, spiked your guns, burned the carriages, and gone to Fort Sumter. It is not believed, because there is no order for any such movement. Explain the meaning of this report.
J.B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War
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| December 27, 1860 - Major Robert Anderson to Secretary John B. Floyd
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Click for full-sized scanned image Reports of Maj. Robert Anderson, U.S. Army, of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie, S.C.
[Telegram.]
CHARLESTON,
December 27, 1860.
Honorable J. B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
The telegram is correct. I abandoned Fort Moultrie because I was certain that if attacked my men must have been sacrificed, and the command of the harbor lost. I spiked the guns and destroyed the carriages to keep the guns from being used against us.
If attacked, the garrison would never have surrendered without a fight.
ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery.
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| December 19, 1860 - Secretary John Floyd to Major Robert Anderson
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
DECEMBER 19, 1860.
Major ROBERT ANDERSON, &c., Charleston, S.C.:
I have just telegraphed Captain Foster to return any arms that he may have removed from Charleston Arsenal.
J.B. FLOYD.
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| December 21, 1860 - Secretary John Floyd to Major Robert Anderson
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, December 21, 1860.
Major ANDERSON,
First Artillery, Commanding Fort Moultrie, S.C.:
SIR: In the verbal instructions communicated to you by Major Buell,[1] you are directed to hold possession of the forts in the harbor of Charleston, and, if, attacked, to defend yourself to the last extremity. Under these instructions, you might infer that you are required to make a vain and useless sacrifice of your own life and the lives of the men under your command upon a mere point of honor. This is far from the President's intentions. You are to exercise a sound military discretion on this subject.
It is neither expected nor desired that you should expose your own life or that of your men in a hopeless conflict in defense of these forts. If they are invested or attacked by a force so superior that resistance would, in your judgment be a useless waste of life, it will be your duty to yield to necessity and make the best terms in your power.
This will be the conduct of an honorable, brave, and humane officer, and you will be fully justified in such action. These orders are strictly confidential, and not to be communicated even to the officers under your command, without close necessity.[2]
Very respectfully,
JOHN B. FLOYD.
- ↑ See Buell's memorandum, December 11, 1860
- ↑ This letter delivered to Major Anderson December 23, by Captain John Withers, A.A.G.
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(US Col) Henry Craig
- At the outbreak of the war, Henry Craig was a Colonel of Ordnance in the United States Army
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From Floyd:
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| October 31, 1860 - Colonel H.K. Craig to Secretary John B. Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image  Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
October 31, 1860.
Hon. J.B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: There is at Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, now in course of construction, besides a part of its armament, a considerable quantity of ammunition, &c., and it has been suggested by the Engineer officer in charge of the work that a few small-arms placed in the hands of his workmen for the protection of the Government property there might be a useful precaution. If the measure should, on being communicated, meet with the concurrence of the commanding officer of the troops in the harbor, I recommend that I may be authorized to issued forty muskets to the Engineer officer.
With much respect,
H.K. CRAIG,
Colonel of Ordnance.
[Indorsement.]
WAR DEPARTMENT,
October 31, 1860.
Approved:
J.B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.
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(US Capt) William Maynadier
- At the outbreak of the war, William Maynadier was a Captain in charge of the United States Ordinance Bureau in Washington, D.C.
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From Floyd:
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| December 5, 1860 - Captain William Maynadier to Secretary John B. Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image  Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
Washington, December 5, 1860.
Honorable JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: In answer to your inquiry respecting a rumor of report of the recent landing at Fort Moultrie, S.C., of a large quantity of military stores, such as cannon and boxes of ammunition, I have to state that the rumor or report has no just foundation in fact. The only cannon or ammunition, excepting a few primers, which have been ordered to Fort Moultrie since September, 1859, were four small flank howitzers with their carriages and implements, and one hundred canisters and twenty-five shells for each. These supplies were furnished on requisition from the Engineer Department of 16th October, 1860, as part of the regular armament of the fort, for the flanking caponieres, which were just finished and ready to receive them. They were ordered from the arsenals on the 20th October, 1860, but, being delayed in their and shipment, did not reach their destination till recently.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. MAYNADIER,
Captain of Ordnance.
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| December 20, 1860 - Captain William Maynadier to Secretary John Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
Washington, December 20, 1860.
Honorable JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: The inclosed telegram, purporting to be from Captain J.G. Foster, the Engineer officer in charge of Fort Sumter reached me last night, and gives the first information to this office that the forty old muskets had been issued to the captain. On the contrary, the previous correspondence on the subject indicates that the issue of these muskets has not been and will not be made. On the 31st October last Colonel Craig informed you that the Engineer in charge of Fort Sumter had suggested the placing of a few small-arms in the hands of his workmen for the protection of the Government property there, and recommended that it should be done, provided that it met the concurrence of the commanding officer of the troops in Charleston Harbor. The recommendation was approved, and Colonel J.L. Gardner, then commanding at Charleston Harbor, was duly notified thereof and authorized to direct the issue if it met his approval, and to report the fact to this office. He answered under date of 5th November, 1860, and did not concur in the expediency of the issue. His letter was submitted to you on the 8th November, with the remark by the Colonel of Ordnance that "it is probable the issue has not and will not be made without further orders." No further orders have been given, and no report or other information on the subject has reached this office except the inclosed telegram. That is so indefinite (except as to the fact that Captain Foster has received the forty old muskets) as to be difficult to understand, and, consequently, to answer.[1] It does not state by whom the "little talk" about the issue was had, nor who asks Captain Foster to return the muskets. From all the indications I am doubtful about the genuineness of the dispatch. If answered at all I think the best reply will be: "If you don't want the muskets, return them."
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. MAYNADIER,
Captain of Ordnance.
[Inclosure-Telegram.]
| December 19, 1860 - Captain John Foster to Captain William Maynadier
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Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
CHARLESTON, December 19, 1860.
Captain WM. MAYNADIER,
Ordnance Department:
I received from the arsenal on the 17th forty old muskets ordered to be issued to me November 1. There is some little talk about it, and I am asked to return them. Shall I return them or keep them?
J.G. FOSTER,
Captain, Engineers, U.S. Army.
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| December 21, 1860 - Captain William Maynadier to Secretary John Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
Washington, December 21, 1860.
Honorable JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: All the information called for by the letter of the Honorable B. Stanton, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives and the accompanying resolution of that committed, dated the 18th instant, so far as it is within the purview of the Ordnance Department, will be found in the inclosed statements, viz:
No 1. Quantity and description of ordnance, and arms at each of the forts in Charleston Harbor, viz, at Fort Moultrie, at Castle Pinckney, at Fort Sumter, and at the Charleston Arsenal, with the name and grade of the officer in charge of the arsenal, and the force under his control.*
No 2. Number and description of arms distributed since the 1st of January, 1860, to the States and Territories, and at what price.*
No 3. Arms distributed by sale since 1st January, 1860, to whom sold, and at what price.*
It is deemed proper to state, in further explanation of Numbers 2, that where no distribution appears to have been made to a State or Territory, or the amount of distribution is small, it is because such State or Territory has not called for all the arms due on its quotas, and remains a creditor for dues not distributed, which can be obtained at any time on requisition therefor.
The letter of the Honorable B. Stanton, with the accompanying resolution, is returned herewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. MAYNADIER,
Captain of Ordnance.
* See inclosure to Holt to Stanton, January 3, 1861. Nos. 2 and 3 not found.
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(US Rep) Benjamin Stanton
- At the outbreak of the war, Benjamin Stanton was a Republican Representative in the 36th Congress from the State of Ohio, and the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs
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From Floyd:
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| December 18, 1860 - Clerk J.J. Combs to Secretary John Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS,
December [18], 1860.
Honorable J.B. FLOYD:
SIR: You will oblige me very much by furnishing me the information asked for in the inclosed resolution. I should think myself derelict in my duty to the House and the country if I did not, in the present perilous condition of the country, obtain all the information in my power in relation to its military defenses. The House may call on me any day, as the organ of the Military Committee, for information, and I feel very anxious to be put in possession of reliable information on the subject.[1]
Very respectfully, yours, &c.,
B. STANTON.
[Inclosure.]
| December 18, 1860 - Resolution adopted by the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives
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Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
Resolution adopted by the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, December 18, 1860.
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to furnish the Committed on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives with a statement of the condition of the defenses at Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, and Fort Sumter, the number of men, and the quantity and description of ordnance and arms in each; also, the number and description of arms in the Charleston Arsenal, and what officer has charge of the custody and control of said arsenal, and what force he has under his control to enable him to protect and defend it; also, what number and description of arms has been distributed since the 1st day of January, A. D. 1860, and to whom, and at what price, so far as in his judgment may be compatible with the public welfare.
A true copy from the journal of the committee.
J.J. COMBS, Clerk.
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(US LtC) René De Russy
- At the outbreak of the war, René De Russy was a Colonel in the United States Army
(US) J.J. Combs
- At the outbreak of the war, J.J. Combs was a clerk in the 36th United States Congress on the Committee on Military Affairs
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From Floyd:
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| December 20, 1860 - Colonel René De Russy to Secretary John Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image  Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT,
Washington, December 20, 1860.
Hon. JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: In reply to so much of the resolution of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives,[1] which you have referred to this office, as relates to matters instructed to this Department, I have the honor to present the following report:
In regard to the condition of the defenses at Fort Moultrie, I have to state that, according to the latest report of the Engineer officer having charge of the construction of the defense of the harbor of Charleston, everything practicable has been done to place the work in an efficient condition, and that with a proper garrison it is susceptible of an energetic defense. There were then employed at that work one officer and one hundred and twenty workmen, independent of the regular garrison.
Castle Pinckney was in good condition as regards preparations, and, with a proper garrison, as defensible as it can be made. One officer and thirty workmen were engaged in the repair of the cisterns, replacing decayed banquettes, and attending to other matters of detail.
Fort Sumter, which is entirely surrounded by water, is prepared for the guns of the first and third tiers, many of which are mounted, and the rest may be on short notice. The working force is now engaged in putting in the embrasures of the second tier, which have been left out till recently on account of an apprehended settlement of the work. One officer and one hundred and fifteen workmen were employed at this work at the date of the last report. Of all the fortifications in the harbor of Charleston, Fort Sumter must be looked upon as by far the most important, and it is now in condition, as regards its state of preparation, to resist any attack that will be made upon it, provided it be furnished with a proper garrison.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.E. DE RUSSY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Engineers, Commanding.
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From Floyd:
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| December 18, 1860 - Clerk J.J. Combs to Secretary John Floyd
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Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS,
December [18], 1860.
Honorable J.B. FLOYD:
SIR: You will oblige me very much by furnishing me the information asked for in the inclosed resolution. I should think myself derelict in my duty to the House and the country if I did not, in the present perilous condition of the country, obtain all the information in my power in relation to its military defenses. The House may call on me any day, as the organ of the Military Committee, for information, and I feel very anxious to be put in possession of reliable information on the subject.[1]
Very respectfully, yours, &c.,
B. STANTON.
[Inclosure.]
| December 18, 1860 - Resolution adopted by the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives
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Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
Resolution adopted by the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, December 18, 1860.
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to furnish the Committed on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives with a statement of the condition of the defenses at Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, and Fort Sumter, the number of men, and the quantity and description of ordnance and arms in each; also, the number and description of arms in the Charleston Arsenal, and what officer has charge of the custody and control of said arsenal, and what force he has under his control to enable him to protect and defend it; also, what number and description of arms has been distributed since the 1st day of January, A. D. 1860, and to whom, and at what price, so far as in his judgment may be compatible with the public welfare.
A true copy from the journal of the committee.
J.J. COMBS, Clerk.
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(US Capt) Horatio Wright
- At the outbreak of the war, Horatio Wright was a Captain of Engineers in the United States Corps of Engineers
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| December 24, 1860 - Captain Horatio Wright to Secretary John Floyd
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ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, December 24, 1860.
Respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War for his information, and with the earnest request that the instructions solicited by Captain Foster may be promptly given.
H.G. WRIGHT,
Captain of Engineers, in charge.
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(indorsement)
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| December 24, 1860 - Captain Horatio Wright to Secretary John Floyd
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 Click for full-sized scanned image Union Correspondence, etc.
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, December 24, 1860.
Respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War for his information, and with the earnest request that the instructions solicited by Captain Foster may be promptly given.
H.G. WRIGHT,
Captain of Engineers, in charge.
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(indorsement)
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| December 26, 1860 - Captain Horatio Wright to Secretary John Floyd
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ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, December 26, 1860.
Respectfully referred to the honorable Secretary of War, and his attention urgently called to the within report as one of great importance.
H.G. WRIGHT,
Captain of Engineers, in charge.
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(indorsement)
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