Letter

Harvey Brown to Braxton Bragg, April 17, 1861

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA,

Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG, Commanding Troops of “Confederate States near Pensacola, Fla. :

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have arrived at this post, and that I shall, unless assailed, act only on the defensive, and make only such disposition of my forces as is necessary to protect them from any enemy, foreign or domestic. I have also to inform you that no movement of the troops of my command or of United States vessels in this vicinity will have any other than a defensive object, unless we shall — unhappily be compelled to act offensively, repelling aggression against the flag, persons, or property of our country.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HARVEY BROWN,
Colonel, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 3. } Hpgrs. DEP'? OF FLORIDA,
Extract. Fort Pickens, April 18, 1861.
Fort Pickens is hereby announced as the headquarters of the Department of Florida:
* * * * * * *
By order of Colonel Brown:
Editor's Notes
From: Operations on the Pacific Coast, Pt. 1. Location: Fort Pickens, Fla.. Summary: Harvey Brown informs Braxton Bragg of his defensive stance at Fort Pickens, pledging to protect Union forces and property unless forced to act offensively.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 50, Part 1 View original source ↗