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28 January 1861
Porter, N. B., fl. 1861
to Governor Francis W. Pickens
South Carolina senate confirmation for cavalry officers William De Saussure and Nathan G. Evans.
GLC09195
12 February 1861
Sears, Thomas, fl. 1861
Two Virginians offer to fight in the army of South Carolina, which had already seceded, "to show to the Rest that we are sincere in what we say and in the cause of... the Southern confederacy." With an autograph endorsement by Pickens.
GLC09196
Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805-1869
to the House of Representatives
Informs the legislature of J. W. Hayne's confidential mission to negotiate with Buchanan over the right to reinforce Fort Sumter. "The letter of the President...asserts in plain terms, his right to send reinforcements, and I cannot disconnect this...
GLC09197
15 March 1861
to L. P. Walker
South Carolina Army units to be received into the Provisional Confederate Army. The "Convention...shall adopt the necessary ordinance for their transfer to the Confederate States. They will...be fully prepared & equiped to serve the country at any...
GLC09198
30 March 1861
Potter, J. Sturgis, fl. 1861
A Boston entrepreneur suggests that machinery for knitting hosiery be adapted to cotton thread. "All of the labor except a man to manage the carding machines, could be better done by female slaves than any other. There is a cotton factory in your...
GLC09199
30 April 1861
Beauregard, G.T. (Gustave Toutant), 1818-1893
General Beauregard supports Colonel R. W. Habersham's submitted plan for enlisting planters' help to provide grain and hay for army livestock. "I think the above suggestions of Col. Habersham of so much importance, that I have the honor to enclose...
GLC09200
29 June 1861
to Colonel Richard H. Anderson
Detailed instructions on how he expects Colonel Anderson to command the defense of the Charleston harbor. "If any great emergency should arise, I am determined to hold this fortress at all hazzards, as it is the key of the harbor, and is essential...
GLC09201
30 June 1861
to Captain Stephen Dill Lee
Writes about sending troops to Virginia. "Capt. Walker has a company of about seventy-five men who are prepared as he says to be mustered into service...to fill up the vacancies in the 7th Regt...you are authorized to furnish them with the ordinary...
GLC09202
18 June 1861
Alston, Charles Jr., fl. 1861
Informs Governor Pickens that his constituents believe too many troops have been sent to Virginia, leaving the seacoast vulnerable. Senator Alston says "something ought to be done for our own Sea Board for they do not think that the troubles of...
GLC09203
13 June 1861
Manigault, Gabriel E., fl. 1861
Suggests furnishing privateers with captured guns. "Frequent applications are made at the Ordnance Office by persons wishing to fit out privateers, for guns to arm their vessels...this is one of the most economical and effectual modes of carrying on...
GLC09204
11 October 1861
DeSaussure, Wilmot Gibbes, 1822-1886
Detailed report from the secretary treasurer of South Carolina on finances, supplies, audits, etc. "...only Eighty three thousand dollars of accounts have been audited since I left Richmond. This delay is criminal..." With autograph endorsement...
GLC09205
circa December 1861
to the South Carolina Legislature
"The public mind has in some degree over-estimated the essential importance of our cotton to England & France - in supposing that if deprived of it they would be forced to interfere in this contest with our enemies. They will be governed solely by...
GLC09206.01
1861-1865
[Letter fragment]
"...Why these appointments should cause such excitement amongst the junior officers in Fort Sumter I am at loss to understand."
GLC09206.02
20-29 December 1861
to Christopher G. Memminger
Criticizes General Ripley's failure to report troops sent from South Carolina and requesting arms. "[Ripley's] proper place is in Fort Sumter & Moultrie & to command the batteries - and he is suited to nothing else...when I had Beauregard there...
GLC09207
circa October - November 1862
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
[Confederate Goverment document]
Document containing clerical copies of correspondence over conscription in South Carolina written by Jefferson Davis; Governor Francis W. Pickens and the Executive Council; James Chestnut, Jr.; and G. W. Randolph. "Four Regiments to be accepted for...
GLC09208
9 March 1863
Boham, Milledge L., 1813-1890
to General Pierre G. T. Beauregard
Defends his decision to suspend an earlier state militia reserve call-up, saying that the untrained militia are inefficient and would be more valuable planting crops at home. Supports his opinion with extracts from telegrams sent to General...
GLC09209
12 March 1863
to Governor Milledge L. Bonham
Replies to Bonham's defense of 9 March 1863. "I was fully alive to the sacrifices and hardships which a call on your militia must entail, ...but at the same time, I have regarded the alternative consequences that might be involved without the...
GLC09210
3 January 1863
Bragg, Thomas, 1810-1872
Requests specific information on troops in South Carolina state militia service who are "subject to military duty under the Conscripts Acts," to counter assertions of preferential treatment published in other states' newspapers. With newspaper...
GLC09211
9 January 1863
to Thomas Bragg
Replies to Bragg's "interrogatories." "With the view to counteract the unfounded assumption that this State has hitherto failed to furnish to the common service her full quota of troops, I beg to add that it appears...this State had contributed to...
GLC09212
5 June 1863
Echols, William H., fl. 1863
to Major D. B. Harris
Unfulfilled requisitions to the South Carolina government for slaves "leaves the Capt almost entirely without laborers and consequently without the means of carrying on satisfactorily the work expected to be done" for coastal defense. With autograph...
GLC09213
28 April 1863
Harris, D.B., fl. 1863
Responds to complaints that the impressed slaves are idle. "Requisitions have from time to time been made upon the State authorities for slave labor, not for the purpose of harassing the planters or interfering in their business, but, for the...
GLC09214
Explains "the seven or eight negroes he [Senator Mazyck] speaks of were idle a few days, they were detailed for contingencies in the city,...and variously employed on small jobs." With autograph endorsement signed by Harris.
GLC09215.01
29 April 1863
to Governor Bonham
About complaints that the impressed slaves are idle. "Nothing is known of this matter at these Hd Quarters."
GLC09215.02
24 April 1863
Replies to Beauregard's forwarded report by William Echols of 20 April 1863. "I have directed Col. Shannon to call on two Divisions...for the month of May, which I hope will enable the Engineer to complete the works, as the cultivation of the...
GLC09216
20 April 1863
Details the lack of slave laborers supplied during March and April. General Beauregard forwards the report to Governor Bonham with comment. "It is probable that sooner or later a still more determined attack on Charleston will be made & it is of...
GLC09217
3 April 1863
Arthur, B.F., fl. 1860-1863
To General Johnson Hagood
Bonham's secretary asks General Hagood to investigate "a lad of 14 years of age...having run away from his mother, and joined Co. 'G' Nelson's Battalion" and to refuse the boy's enlistment if he is that young.
GLC09218
27 August 1863
[Emergency proclamation]
Emergency proclamation empowering agents to seize slaves for military labor. "I must rely on my Countrymen...in the speedy discharge of this duty. Planters may be assured, that the true way to serve their own interests is to do what they can to...
GLC09219
18 August 1863
Forwards clerical copy of Major William Echols's report of 16 April 1863 to Major D.B. Haris, "List of Negroes received month Jul 1863."
GLC09220
10 August 1863
Hayne, J.W., fl. 1863
Summarizes the history of the policy resolutions to defend Charleston. "...at any cost of life or property...they would prefer a repulse of the enemy, with the entire city in ruins, to an evacuation or surrender on any terms whatever." Quotes...
GLC09221
26 July 1863
Answers another compaint about idle "negores," he requests Governor Bonhma to "require all reports and rumours officially communicated to you, should be made in writing, in order that you may refer the communication to me when of sufficient...
GLC09222
16 October 1863
Seddon, James
Responds to resolutions passed by the South Carolina General Assembly, which feels burdened by the Confederate government's taxation and impressment of slaves for military labor. "[I]t has been the studious effort of the Department to temper its...
GLC09223
5 October 1863
to James Seddon
Copying an urgent telegram from General Beauregard. "If two thousand (2000) or three thousand (3000) small arms called for by my Chief of Ordnance from Col. Gorgas be not furnished I must disband several six months regiments lately called out."...
GLC09224
6 October 1864
Melton, James, fl. 1864
List of General and Field Officers in the Provisional Army from the State of South Carolina who have died whilst in Service.
Compiled through June 1864. Forwarded by Melton to the adjutant and inspector general of South Carolina. Among those listed are brigadier generals Bernard Bee, who gave "Stonewall" Jackson his nickname; Maxcy Gregg; and Micah Jenkins. Autograph...
GLC09225
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