Yancey, William L., 1814-1863 to Francis Pickens
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07087 Author/Creator: Yancey, William L., 1814-1863 Place Written: Montgomery, Alabama Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 February 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22.6 x 13.7 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that South Carolina should not attack Fort Sumter without the orders of the Confederacy, since such an action would lead to confusion and panic. "I have been informed...that the troops in Charleston Harbor will assault Fort Sumpter within a day or two...South Carolina if prepared should have done so when the whole matter was under her control. Now that the responsibility has been transferred or taken by the Confederate States...if the Fort shall be assaulted without order of the Executive of the Confederate States, it will produce a confusion, an excitement, an indignation and astonishment here in the Confederate Congress that will tend to break up the new government." A private letter. Though the stalemate over Fort Sumter was heating up at this time, an attack did not come until weeks later, under the orders of the Confederacy.
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