Colonel A. R. Lawton, HEAD QUARTERS, GEORGIA MILITIA, Commanding 1st Regt. Georgia Vols., Savannah. Sir: The governor and commander in chief directs you to detail one hundred and twenty-five men, or more if necessary, from your command, with the suitable number of officers, including one or more medical officers, to occupy immediately, until further orders, Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah river. Arrangements for the comfort and subsistence of the command have been made, and you will cause one of the military officers to be detailed to act as quarter master and commissary to take charge of the public stores, and issue and account for them under the regulations that will be furnished to him. Additional supplies of any kind that may become necessary from time to time, will be obtained by requisition made by the quarter master and commissary, countersigned by the commanding officer, upon Mr. John Cunningham of Savannah who has been appointed military purveyor. Each man should carry with him a knapsack or valise containing a change of clothing, 1 iron spoon, 1 knife, 1 fork, 1 tin cup, 1 clothes-brush, 1 shoe-brush, box of blacking, comb and brush. It is desirable that a portion of your men should be relieved in such numbers and at such times as you may determine, to be replaced by new drafts of equal strength; care being taken that the relief be made at the fort, and that it does not exceed at any time one-half the command, that the greatest number on duty may be of those somewhat experienced in military duty. In conclusion, the commander in chief relies upon your military skill and knowledge for the discreet exercise of the service involved in this order, for the maintenance of discipline, and for the care and accountability of the public property now in the fort, and to be sent there. The occupancy of the fort will be made under your personal direction, and you are desired to remain until proper order and system are established. This done to your satisfaction, you will visit and inspect the fort and command as often as practicable, at least twice a week. By order of the commander in chief, HENRY C. WAYNE, Adjutant General. The necessity for this prompt and manly action on the part of the executive, subsequent events soon demonstrated; and every act in the grand drama which followed, proved conclusively that this dignified, high-toned course had not been too early adopted on behalf of the Empire State of the South. The important events transpiring in the harbor of the sister city of Charleston, the recent overt acts and acknowledged intentions of the Federal government, the manifest tendency of events to one grand conclusion, the clear conception of the issues involved, and the calm resolve at every cost to maintain the dignity and the sovereignty of Georgia, the necessity for immediate preparations, by every means at command, to brave the war of races, and stem the political storm which had been brewing for many years, and the unanimity of feeling upon the great questions of liberty, equality, constitutional rights, property and honor at stake, combined to awaken the deepest anxiety in the public mind, and to engender among the volunteer companies of Savannah a generous rivalry, an acknowledgment of responsibility, a perfection of organization, and a readiness for action, at once most marked and praiseworthy. For several months previous, unusual activity was observed among them. Accessions to their ranks occurred at every meeting. The closest attention was bestowed upon drill and equipment, and the consequence was, that at this most important juncture, the 1st Regiment Georgia Volunteers-always distinguished for its proficiency and the reliability of its membership—now presented the appearance and the characteristics of a body of regulars trained for the field, rather than of a volunteer organization of state militia. The presence of the governor in Savannah, and the knowledge that the early occupation of Fort Pulaski by state forces was under serious consideration, awakened the liveliest interest. Prompt was the response of the volunteer companies detailed by their colonel for the execution of this important order. During the long and bloody months, fraught with dangers and privations, which marked the continuance of the noblest and most heroic struggle for independence ever recorded in the history of nations, Savannah has never been called upon to blush for the honor, the valor, or the patriotism of her sons. She sent them forth generously, and those who returned, came bringing their shields with them. Their blood has crimsoned the soil, and hallowed the recollections of almost every memorable battle fought in defense of the Southern Confederacy. The order for the occupation of Fort Pulaski was issued late on the evening of the second, and early on the morning of the third of January, 1861, detachments from the Chatham Artillery, Captain Claghorn, the Savannah Volunteer Guards, Captain Screven, and the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, Captain Bartow, numbering about one hundred and twenty-five men, under the command of Colonel Lawton, embarked on board a steamer, and at twelve o'clock м. the same day took formal possession of Fort Pulaski in the name of the state of Georgia. No resistance was encountered, as the fort was then in local charge of simply an ordnance sergeant and one or two assistants. The following is believed to be a correct roll of the officers and members of the Chatham Artillery who were ordered to Fort Pulaski on the morning of the third of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-one : The battery of the Chatham Artillery, consisting of two twelve-pounder howitzers, and four six-pounder guns, all bronze, accompanied this detachment, and was at an early moment posted at the most available points in the fort. A second steamer, transporting the baggage of the command, arrived a little later in the day. The fact of the occupation of the fort was communicated by Col. Lawton in the following dispatch to the governor who was still in Savannah. To his Excellency, J. E. Brown, Governor, etc., etc. FORT PULASKI, January 3, 1861. Sir: I have the honor to report to you that the troops under my command reached Cockspur island in safety, and took formal possession of Fort Pulaski about 12 o'clock M. to-day without meeting with any obstacle. The second steamer, containing our baggage and supplies, has not yet arrived, and we are necessarily in very great confusion. I am forced to write this dispatch on the head of a drum. On steaming down the river this morning, I ascertained with regret, that certain unauthorized persons had taken possession of the U. S. revenue cutter Dobbin, and are now exercising control over her in the waters of Georgia. However much we may applaud the sentiment which induced this act, it seems to me inconsistent with the position assumed by the commander in chief, and the authority by him conferred on me, that any such possession of property should be permitted except on proper authority first given. I have, therefore, felt it to be my duty to take possession of this vessel, and have her towed to Savannah to be subject to your directions in the, premises. Had I been disposed to remand the cutter to the U. S. officers formerly in charge of her, it would not have been possible, as I am informed that they have left the state of Georgia. I sincerely regret that such embarrassing questions are presented by unauthorized persons at this critical moment. I will be pleased to learn your decision in the premises. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. R. LAWTON. |