James Armstrong to A. J. SuemMeEr, January 11, 1861
Lieut. A. J. SuemMeEr, U. S. Army, Commanding at Fort Pickens, Fla.:
Sir: In reply to your communication of this date, I have to state that.the U. 8. storeship Supply was sent to Fort Pickens by my order merely to convey the provisions you required and to return to this navy-yard. The Supply is not a yessel of war, and having been sent to this station on the special service of conveying stores and coal to Vera Cruz for the vessels of the home squadron stationed there, it is m duty to dispatch her to that port at the earliest moment practicable, in conformi with the orders I have received from the Navy Department, from which orders I cannot deviate further.
The steamer Wyandotte may be retained, for the purpose of co-operating with you, until further orders.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Commandant,
The Wyandotte and Supply remained at anchor under the fort that
night. Captain Berryman sent me during the evening thirty muskets
some difficulty from the navy-yard. He also had for me some musket
ace which were promised me from the yard, as my supply was
imited.