“Jefferson Davis is sorely disappointed with [u] President Buchanan for allowing the Federal seizure of Fort Sumter in violation of a pledge, and he questions why the President has chosen to escalate tensions.” -Wednesday, January 9, 1861
"I feel pity...for the Executive of the United States...Sorrowful, indeed, is the position of that Executive...when he must turn to the Senator from New York [Republican Preston King] to protect him.. . ...when the peace of the country was at stake, when all men who love the Government we inherit from our fathers looked anxiously to a peaceful solution, why...did he not then call upon them for the means by which peace may be restored to South Carolina?... Thus he might have turned the threatening brow of civil war away. Then we should not have stood as we do to-day, waiting hourly for what the telegraph may bring, to decide whether we have peace or war in our land." Jefferson Davis,
U.S. Senator From Mississippi ————————————————————— Hon. Humphrey Marshall on the crisis. Hon. Humphrey Marshall, of Ky., has written a letter, taking the ground of "fighting in the Union." He concludes thus:
‘ I am willing to afford all reasonable time to the people of the free States to reconsider, to counsel together, to determine finally, and to act. I would prefer that Kentucky would arm, if need be, until her sons present their whole body in a vast military array; until her hills upon the frontiers are crowned with an unbroken line of entrenchments; until her homesteads are only magazines of war, and her hearth-stones are fiery retorts for the manufacture of deadly missiles, before I would either pull down the stars and stripes from her flag, or pronounce her retirement from the Union, into which she was introduced as the first child of the Revolution.
’ If we cannot have this Union and our rights in it, after negotiation — if disunion must come, then let us pick up our household gods, but let us not try to found a new Troy at Lati — Let us stand by Kentucky and keep the vestal fire of the old Independence — the true spirit of the old compact sacred within her walls, as the guidon for a new alignment of patriotism. The urn which bore the ashes of Virginia recalled the senses of her father — the torn banners of our republic may yet be a sufficient sign to the American people to wake them from madness, and to restore them to order and to virtue. —————————————————————- War news from Charleston.
The Charleston Mercury of Monday furnishes the following items of military news there:
‘ Yesterday afternoon, when copies of our special dispatches from Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Washington, reached Fort Moultrie, the glad tidings they contained were greeted by the garrison with buzzes that made the welkin ring. We fancy that the benighted folks in Fort Sumter were rather puzzled to know what their Palmetto neighbors were cheering at.
’ The Surgeon-General returns his grateful thanks to the ladies of Charleston for the continued supplies they are daily sending to his department. To the ladies of Columbia he also tenders his best thanks for several boxes of sacks, bandages and lint.
The Surgeon-General yesterday visited the hospitals in the harbor, and found that among upwards of twelve hundred volunteers, there is no case of sickness. An order from the Quartermaster's Department acknowledges the receipt from the country of twenty-four quarters of beeves, a crate of vegetables, and fresh meat, bed slips, &c.; some of them sent by ladies. ————————————————————— Volunteering in South Carolina.
The Columbia (S. C.) Guardian, of Sunday, has the following description of the style in which the State troops are volunteering for service:
‘ In conformity to orders from headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, the 23d Regiment paraded on Saturday, for the purpose of raising three volunteer companies--one from the Independent Volunteer Battalion, and one each from the upper and lower battalions of the regiment. It speaks well for the patriotism of the District that this regimental parade was one of the largest we have seen.--After arriving on the field, the Governor's orders were read by Major Wood. Brigadier General Wallace then addressed the regiment, expressing his high gratification at the large turn-out. He spoke some time upon the existing state of affairs, but said that it required no urging upon the men before him to respond to the call of the Governor. At the close of his remarks he claimed the privilege of being enrolled as the first volunteer. He was followed by Col. Lorick, Maj. Wood and Adjutant Peck, who also enrolled their names.
’ The order was given for volunteers to march four paces to the front, and was responded to most handsomely. Capt. Casson promptly tendered his command of 120 men to the Colonel, and was accepted as the company from the Volunteer Battalion. Lieut. Brennan, commanding the Emmet Guards, whose whole command had also marched to the front, in some appropriate remarks, tendered his corps. The Richland Guards, Capt. E. F. Bookter, numbering 100 rifles, also tendered his company. Thus there were more companies than could be accepted from the Volunteer Battalion. When it is remembered that this battalion has already two companies — over 200 men — in Charleston, it must be taken as the strongest evidence that the officers and men composing it are not merely holiday soldiers, but prepared — aye, eager — to be called into active service, in defence of their State.
The two remaining companies from the upper and lower battalions were made up without difficulty. The first-named had more volunteers than were necessary, and the latter had already an efficient company, raised by Dr. Ray, besides those who volunteered on the field. Richland District has done her duty nobly. With a voting population of about one thousand five hundred, she has this day on duty, and waiting orders, not less than one thousand men. What district will beat her. —————————————————————- Hoisting the United States flag at Fort Sumter.
One of the men who recently returned from Fort Sumter details an incident that took place there on Major Anderson taking possession. It is known that the American flag, brought away from Fort Moultrie, was raised at Sumter precisely at noon on the 27th ult., but the incidents of that "flag raising" have not been related. A short time before noon Major Anderson assembled the whole of his little force, with the workmen employed on the fort, around the foot of the flag-staff. The national ensign was attached to the cord, and Major Anderson holding the end of the lines in his hands, knelt reverently down. The officers, soldiers and men clustered around, many of them on their knees, all deeply impressed with the solemnity of the scene. The chaplain made an earnest prayer — such an appeal for support, encouragement and mercy as one would make who felt that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." As the earnest, solemn words of the speaker ceased, and the men responded Amen, with a fervency that perhaps they had never before experienced, Major Anderson drew the "Star Spangled Banner" up to the top of the staff, the band broke out with the national air of "Hail Columbia," and loud cheers, repeated again and again, were given by the officers, soldiers and workmen. ———————————————————— Movement of U. S. Troops.
A detachment of United States Dragoons, unmounted, reached here yesterday afternoon, at one o'clock, per Northern Central Railway, for the U. S. Cavalry Barracks, Carlisle, Pa., on route for Harper's Ferry, where they will remain subject to the orders of the Secretary of War. They numbered 64 men, including rank and file, and notwithstanding they are nearly all recruits, yet there are a number of experienced military men amongst them.--Lieut. Jones was in command, with Orderly Sergeant Wm. Kelly, and Sergeants McGee and O'Brien. They were accompanied by several buglers, but marched through the streets without music, and bore the impress of real soldiers. Blankets were folded in their knapsacks, and with the heavy overcoats strapped above, they looked like men ready for the practical operations of war. They left here in the 4 o'clock. Western train, and during their brief stay in the Monumental City were visited by a number of our military. Balt. American. —————————————————————- Sources: The Daily Dispatch: January 9, 1861. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. January 9, 1861. https://digital.library.unt.edu/.../metadc30807/m1/291/ ————————————————————- Events leading up to January 9, 1861: -80+ years of sectional tensions between northeastern and southeastern states over tariffs, states rights/popular sovereignty, federal power over new territories and most recently, the practice of chattel slavery. -1857 - Massive Financial Collapse And panic hits Northeastern banks triggered by the sinking sinking of the S.S. Central America carrying 30,000 pounds of gold destined for northern banks.
-A new “Republican” political party is formed with a platform of federal control of new territories, diminishing popular sovereignty, and enforcing new tariffs “by force”, which are all usurpations of the U.S. Constitution. -The increasing federal debt has lead to a proposed drastic increase in Tariffs that disproportionately effect agricultural southern states as the 48% Morrill Tariffs.
-Radical Republican Leader Thaddeus Stevens, sponsor of the Morrill Tariff, stated: “the Tariff would impoverish the southern and western states, but that was essential for advancing national greatness and the prosperity of [northern] industrial workers.”
-Southeastern states have minority representation in the U.S. Congress due to the 3/5ths rule, which does not allow negro persons to be fully counted for representation.
-Southeastern “Cotton states” protest tariffs, and the fact that these agricultural state are already paying ~75% to 85% of the federal budget with little to none returned in support for infrastructure.
-1859 - John Brown and 18 accomplices began their illegal invasion of Virginia, and murder spree at Harper’s Ferry Virginia, financed by northeastern “abolitionists”.
-November 1860, Abraham Lincoln is selected as U.S. President with a minority of the popular vote and was not even on the ballot in 10 states, with a pledge to institute the new party’s platform, by force if necessary. -The seven “cotton states” that are most impacted by the new 48% Morrill Tariffs begin secession proceedings citing historical causes, tariffs and the federal government’s usurpation of the “voluntary compact” called the U.S. Constitution.
-U.S. President Buchanan begins deliberations over payment for federal properties with South Carolina representatives and is informed that garrisoning troops at Fort Sumter would be considered and act of war. -December 8th, The South Carolina Delegation delivers a written agreement or “armistice” to U.S. President Buchanan, promising not to attack the remaining forts garrisoning U.S. troops in the sovereign state of South Carolina, with the understanding that the U.S. will not attempt to reinforce them. -U.S. President Buchanan extended the December 10th “armistice” to all states considering secession.
-December 12th, U.S. President Buchanan’s armistice agreement that “there would be no reinforcement coastal fortifications” was now extended to all states considering secession until March 4, 1861. -December 13th, The “Southern Manifesto” was published In Montgomery Alabama. Twenty-three House members and seven Senators from southern states make a public announcement, "a manifesto which urged secession and the organization of a Southern Confederacy."
-December 16th, South Carolina legislature elects Francis Wilkinson Pickens Governor. In his inaugural address he cited the sectional election, northern states violations of the Constitution and that South Carolina will open her ports to the world and advocate free trade, (Without the U.S. 48% Morrill Tariffs) and that South Carolina “acceded to the Constitution alone, and will secede alone of necessity.”
-December 17th, “Convention of the People of South Carolina”, South Carolina’s Secession Convention opens, the Convention passed a unanimous resolution to secede from its voluntary compact with the union. -December 20th, Delegates to the South Carolina Convention unanimously vote to secede by adopting 169 - 0 an "Ordinance To Dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States United with her under the Compact Entitled 'The Constitution of the United States of America.'
-December 21st, Incoming U.S. President Lincoln sends a “confidential” letter to Democrat Francis P. Blair, Sr., Representative Elihu B. Washburn, and General Winfield Scott, regarding his plan to break US President Buchanan’s armistice and instigate war on American state’s immediately after inauguration.
-December 23rd, South Carolina’s Rep. William Porcher Miles confirms the December 10th armistice with U.S. President Buchanan and that Fort Sumter is abandoned property In Charleston Harbor, now sits unoccupied.
-December 26th, U.S. Major Robert Anderson violates U.S. President Buchanan’s December 10th armistice with South Carolina’s Representatives, and Governor, by illegally seizing Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, (Act of War)
-December 28th, In response to U.S. Major Andersons illegal seizure and occupation of Fort Sumter, Cadet Riflemen and the Palmetto Guard, with a detachment of City Police, were detailed to take charge of the Arsenal in the city of Charleston, and a line of patrols was established around the walls.
-December 30th, Colonial John Cunningham of the South Carolina militia was officially ordered by Governor Francis Pickens to seize control of the Charleston Arsenal.
-January 1st 1861, Political Resignations Begin, Labors expose US. Maj. Anderson’s subversion, U.S. Blockade of Charleston Harbor expected (Act of War).
-January 2nd, Gulf state Governors and local officials order State Guard Troops, Local Militias and Police to secure or seize coastal forts, armories, and powder magazines.
-January 4th, Governor A.B. Moore ordered Alabama Militia to seize three installations in the state, the arsenal at Mount Vernon, Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, in preparation for secession.
-U.S. President Buchanan responded to Major Anderson’s breach of the “compact” or Armistice of December 10th, by justifying it as a “military necessity” to occupy Fort Sumter, and blaming possible “Mob” violence. -Rumors that the steamer “Harriet Lane”had been hired and dispatched, with supplies and 150 reinforcements for U.S. Major Anderson at Fort Sumter. (Act of War)
-January 5th, A caucus of U.S. Senators from seven Southern states meet in Washington, D.C.. The Senators from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas discuss an orderly secession, independence and a “confederation of states.”
-January 7th, U.S. Congressional Committee “on the part of the boarder states” proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure chattel slavery, and the interstate slave trade, is made “permanent and irrevocable” in all states “loyal to the union”…
-January 8th, The Steamer “Star of the West” has been hired by President Buchanan to invade Charleston Harbor with 150-200 reinforcements and supplies for Fort Sumter, in violation of the December 10th Armistice. (Act of War)
-January 9th, The Steamer “Star of the West” arrives at Charleston with supplies and reinforcements for Fort Sumter and attempts to invade the Harbor but, is unable to navigate the channel. (Act of War)… South Carolina forces fire warning shots, block the channel, and the ship is ordered to retreat. --Mississippi votes to join South Carolina in secession and independence from the Union.
