Try the O.R.
HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S. C., April 10, 1861.
"General R. G. M. DUNOVANT,
Commanding Sullivan's Island, S. C.:
MY DEAR GENERAL: Please tell Colonel Ripley I have received his letter of this day to Major Jones. I appreciate all the difficulties he refers to, but this is one of those moments when the word impossible must be ignored, for the fate of Anderson and Sumter depends upon the result of this night's firing. Captain Hartstene and the naval officers are of opinion that the barges can pass our batteries in a dark night, hence we must be prepared to fire on their landing place, which will be the western face and postern of Sumter, not seen by any of our guns. Captain Hartstene is going to light up the entrance of the harbor with floating light-wood fires, and our Drummond lights must be set in active operation as soon as the alarm of "boats are coming" is given. Up to that time they must be kept ready for operations.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding."
"HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S. C., March 15, 1861.
Honorable L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the three telegrams of the 13th and 14th instants.* I telegraphed an answer to-day.
Major Whiting has this day reported for duty. Captain Northrop informed me a few days ago that he had informed you he could not at present accept the commission offered him. I would at present have no need of him. I have ordered the Drummond-light operator to be here forthwith, for his services will be required as soon as the apparatus arrives. After instructing two or three persons here he might be sent to New Orleans."
"HDQRS. PROVISIONAL ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,
Charleston, S. C., March 26, 1861.
Honorable L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:
SIR: The Department letter of the 21st has been received, and I inclose you herewith the copy of the letter I have thought proper to address to Major Robert Anderson, with whom I am personally well acquainted.+ His answer will be communicated to the Department as soon as received, and I have no doubt it will be satisfactory. Mr. Lamon left here last night, saying that Major Anderson and command would soon be withdrawn from Fort Sumter in a satisfactory manner. I am, however, progressing with my offensive and defensive batteries, which will all be finished and armed to-morrow night or the day after. I find great difficulty, for want of an ordnance officer, in properly organizing the armament, & c., of said batteries. I have this day had assigned to me for that duty Lieutenant Rutledge, South Carolina Navy, who I hope will be of assistance to me in that department.
As already telegraphed, Captain W. H. Stevens, of the Engineers, is not at present required here. He might be usefully employed at Savannah if not wanted elsewhere, or I may soon have need of him for the defenses of the sea coast of South Carolina, which I may have to order hereafter.
Four of the Drummond lights ordered for this harbor have this day arrived, with the required instructions, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. No operator could be sent with them. I have procured the welcome and generous services of Professor Gibbes, of Charleston College, for the purpose of instructing a proper person here in their use. I have no doubt that Professor Riddle, of New Orleans, postmaster, would be happy to give his assistance in a like manner for the six sent there, two of which might be sent to Pensacola or some other harbor. With four here we shall have enough now.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD"
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David Upton