Harvey Brown to Erasmus D. Keyes, April 19, 1861

Lieut. Col. E. D. KEYEs, Secretary to the General-in-Chief, Washington, D. O.:

COLONEL: I respectfully report for the consideration, and I hope for i the approval, of the General-in-Chief the reasons inducing me to urge on Captain Meigs and Lieutenant Porter a delay in forcing an entrance into the harbor of Pensacola. Aware of the desire of the Government that a ship should be placed there, and knowing that I was opposing the wishes of Captain Meigs, nothing but a profound sense of its necessity would have induced interference on my part; but, believing if the actual state of th:s post at this time were known that no such instructions would have been given, I did not hesitate to express my views and wishes in the case.

As I have already reported to you, I found this post in the worst possible condition for hostilities—the batteries out of order; some of the largest and most important guns dismounted; the necessary traverses and other protections for the troops unprepared ; the garrison deficient; the subsistence nearly exhausted ; the ammunition (except powder) not sufficient in important articles for one day’s service; a total want of Engineer, Quartermaster, and Ordnance tools and implements, and the fort in a complete state of confusion, all requiring the labor of every man in it; the steamer Atlantic lying here with large supplies of indispensable stores, which can only—without extreme inconvenience, involy- ing great time and labor—be landed within range of the guns of Fort McRee, and the vital importance of getting these stores ashore, rendered, in my judgment, delay in encountering hostilities of the utmost importance, and any act of ours provoking, or I may say assuredly and certainly causing it, to be premature and unwise.

Time with us is everything, and I can see but little injury accrue from

‘ delay.. I cannot and will not see the flag of my country fired on without

returning the fire, and I am desirous not to be placed in this category until I am able efficiently to defend myself and assail the enemy, which now I cannot do.

I desire that my remarks on the condition of the fort may not be considered as reflecting in the slightest degree on my predecessors i in command. To Lieutenants Slemmer and Gilman too much praise cannot be awarded for their energy, zeal, and perseverance in keeping this post— a truly forlorn hope—and I trust they will receive the reward their gallantry merits. To Brevet Major Tower, of the Engineers, and Lieutenant Whittemore very great praise is due for associating themselves voluntarily with Slemmer in the day of his darkest hour, and for their efficiency in assisting the defense. Captain Vogdes had been in command but a few days, and had done everything during that time that his means permitted.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,