James Simons to Abner Doubleday, April 21, 1861

‘ Sullivan’s Island, April 21, 1861.

Magor: I have the honor to report that on Tuesday morning, April

_ 9, in obedience to orders from your headquarters, I came down to Sullivan’s Island attended by the following members of my staff: Maj. N. G. Evans, 8. ©. A., adjutant-general; First Lieut. Warren Adams, §. C. O. A., and Second Lieut. Robert Pringle, 8. C. A., aides-de-camp;

Maj. W. D. De Saussure and Capt. J. D. Bruns, special aides-de-camp.

_ Information having been received which led us to expect a determined effort on the part of the United States Government to re-enforce Fort Sumter, I at once made all the necessary preparations to prevent, if possible, the success of this attempt. The batteries in process of erection at the eastern extremity of the island were rapidly pushed to

completion. Colonel Pettigrew had already taken precautions against 36 OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, §&. C. [Cnar. I.

a surprise by establishing a picket guard on Long Island and by doubling the sentries on Sullivan’s Island.

On the morning of the 11th I reviewed the entire forces under my command, Colonel Pettigrew’s regiment of rifles occupying and defending the eastern third of the island with the assistance of the Charleston Light Dragoons, and the German Flying Artillery in charge of a field battery attached to his command, and Colonel Anderson’s regiment of the First Infantry being held in readiness to act as a reserve or to be thrown on any point where their services were required.

It affords me sincere gratification to record that, although happily Colonel Pettigrew’s regiment was not called into action, and had little share in the perils and honors of the recent engagement, their patient endurance of every privation, and their prompt and cheerful response to every call of duty during a long-continued service, entitle them to unqualified commendation. I may add that as soon as they heard the sound of our guns, twenty-four members of the regiment of rifles went down under fire to the floating battery, their boat narrowly eseaping being sunk.

Colonel Anderson’s regiment of regulars also deserve special notice for the good order, spirit, and energy which have universally characterized the command. Three companies of his regiment, Captain Martin’s, Captain Butler’s, and Lieutenant Valentine’s, were detached for duty as artillerists under Lieutenant-Colonel Ripley, and for their share in the bombardment I would respectfully refer you to the report of the lieutenant-colonel commanding the batteries.

The defenses of Fort Moultrie and the preparation of the gun and mortar batteries above and below this post seemed to me to be complete and satisfactory. For this no small measure of praise is due to the sagacity, experience, and unflagging zeal of Lieut. Col. R. 8. Ripley, commanding First Battalion Artillery, who was assigned to duty under my command on the 2d day of January last, when Fort Moultrie was generally considered untenable. The suggestions made by this officer in his reports respecting the defenses of the fort have in almost every instance been carried out, and their value has been triumphantly illustrated by the severe test to which they were subjected in the recent engagement. The guns which were used against Fort Sumter were the same which Major Anderson spiked and burned when he abandoned Fort Moultrie.

On the night of the 11th, as hostilities were shortly expected to commence, I made the following disposition of my staff: Major Pagan, Lieutenant Adams, and Lieutenant Pringle to be stationed between Fort Moultrie and Captain Butler’s battery, to carry orders to and from these posts and to the brigade of infantry ; Major De Saussure to attend me personally, and Captain Bruns to be on detached service at Captain Hallonquist’s mortar battery, where he rendered efficient aid during the whole bombardment. Major Evans, who had been confined to his bed by sickness for some days, joined me soon after the battle commenced, and then, as always, exhibited the highest qualifications for the duties of his arduous and responsible post. Iam gratified to record that my entire staff acquitted themselves well, and their services to me during the campaign have been invaluable. Although most of them had but little military experience, they have spared no pains to acquaint themselyes with the duties of their office, and have, without exception, performed them intelligently, cheerfully, and with dispatch.

During the bombardment, I observed specially the behavior of the troops at Fort Moultrie, and at Captains Butler’s and Hallonquist’s mortar batteries. At all these posts the energy and spirit displayed _ alike by officers and men could not be surpassed, I believe, by any troops inthe world. The enfilade, Dahlgren, and floating batteries had also a prominent place in the picture, but 1 must again refer to the reports of the officers commanding these batteries.

I am pleased to mention that Ex-Governor J. L. Manning, Hon. W. P. Miles, and Capt. Samuel Ferguson, S. C. A., aides-de-camp to Brigadier-General Beauregard, brought orders to me from the brigadier-general commanding during the hottest of the fire. Major De Saussure, of my staff, carried information for the Ordnance Department in regard to the short supply of Dahlgren sheils under a brisk fire.

As soon as the white flag was displayed from Fort Sumter on the 13th I sent Captain Hartstene, C. S. N., Captain Calhoun, S. C. A., and Surgeon Lynch, C. 8. N., to ascertain whether Major Anderson had surrendered. These officers reported on their return that they had been preceded by some members of your staff.

For the details of this action, which has terminated so happily for the glory of our arms and for the honor and safety of South Carolina, I would respectfully refer you to the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Ripley, and to the reports of the officers under his inmediate command.

Rk. G. M. DUNOVANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding South Carolinw Army. Maj. D. R. JONEs, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Report of Brig. Gen. James Simons of operations against Fort Sumter.

HEADQUARTERS, MORRIS ISLAND, April 23, 1861.

GENERAL: I have the honor respectfully to inform you that the report of Lieutenant-Colonel De Saussure, commanding the battalion _ of artillery, with the reports of commanders of batteries at this post _ of the late action of the 12th and 15th instants with Fort Sumter, have _ this moment been handed to me, and as you are already apprised of my communication of yesterday to Assist. Adjt. Gen. D. R. Jones, this will furnish the reason for my delaying the present address. I have little to add to the minute and circumstantial detail which has been so carefully and minutely furnished by these officers. I add my confirmation to the commendation of the coolness, perseverance, and steady zeal of all those who were actively engaged in the action, to whom particular as well as general reference has been made in those reports.

The firing commenced on the signal designated in your General Orders _ No. 14, section 4, of date the 11th instant, and conformed substantially to the requisitions of General Orders No. 9, of date the 6th instant, both as regards the objects, and the times and the intervals of firing, and the

only departure from the rigid compliance with those orders was done by

my orders at 11.10 a. m. on the 13th instant, by which, through Colonel gfall, whom you had sent to me as a special aid the night before the ement, I authorized battery commanders to increase the frequency eir fire, but with express directions that the fire should not be so rent as to waste ammunition. This was continued until 1.30 p. m., the flag of Fort Sumter fell, but whether by fire or by a ball from atteries did not then appear. It was certain the colors were not hauled down. I became certain afterwards, on a visit to Fort Sumter, that the flagstaff was shot away, for it bore the marks of many balls. Only two shots were fired from our batteries on this island after the flag fell. I suspended the firing, however, and-en a consultation with ExGovernor Manning, Colonel Chesnut, and Colonel Wigfall, members of your staff, I sent Colonel Wigfall, accompanied by Private Gourdin Young, of Palmetto Guard, with a white flag to Fort Sumter to inform Major Anderson that Lobserved his flag was down, and to inquire whether he would surrender to you. Colonel Wigfall, with great gallantry and his accustomed indifference to danger, accompanied as I have mentioned, proceeded in a boat in the midst of the continued fire from our batteries other than at this island. Before he reached Fort Sumter I distinctly saw the flag of Fort Sumter flying on the northeast corner of the fortress, but very much masked by the gable of the quarters and the smoke and flame. It was too late to recall Colonel Wigfall, and he accomplished his mission. Soon after he reached the fortress a white flag was substituted for that lately put up, and the firing ceased on both sides. The firing of Fort Sumter had continued after the flag had fallen.

At 2.15 p. m. Colonel Wigfall returned and announced that Major Anderson surrendered unconditionally to Brigadier-General Beauregard, of the C.S. Army. The announcement was received with the greatest enthusiasm, and Colonel Wigfall and Private Young were borne from the boat in triumph by the troops. Colonel Wigfall, accompanied by Ex-Governor Manning, Colonel Chesnut, and Captain Chisolm of your staff, then proceeded to report to you.

In the afternoon, before sundown, a boat from the fleet was brought to by a shot from Lieutenant-Colonel Lamar’s battery, and landed Lieutenant Marcy, U. S. Navy. He asked me if I would give him permission to go to Fort Moultrie to inquire whether Major Anderson had surrendered, and whether he and his command could be taken out of the harbor by a vessel of the fleet, or a merchant vessel with them, or by their boats. I replied that so far as it was necessary to go to Fort Moultrie to learn whether Major Anderson had surrendered, I could, and did, give him the information, and so far as the removal of Major Anderson’s command out of the harbor was concerned, we could furnish the requisite transportation, but that the commanding general of o army was at hand, and that he would be communicated with, and that Lieutenant Marcy could have the answer at 9 a.m. the next day, at the same place. I sent Capt. Ben. Allston to you before dark with a dispatch to this effect, under the signature of Major Whiting. Subsequent oe were managed by yourself or under your direction and control.

Besides the batteries actively engaged in the action, I cannot too highly commend the other batteries on the channel. The untiring zeal, watchfulness, and eagerness of the oflicers and men of the commands to -participate in the defense of their country must fill the hearts of their fellow-citizens with the liveliést emotions of gratitude and pride.

I felt constrained to refuse permission to Capt. A. J. Green, of Columbia Artillery, and his gallant corps to open fire on Fort Sumter, alth he solicited permission to participate in the contest. Whilst the credit — of the battle will necessarily be more permanently associated with those who managed the instruments of warfare, I cannot conclude this report without inviting your attention to the infantry. In the midst of the greatest exposure to the most inclement weather, many hundreds bivyouacking in the open air without any covering, many more sheltered wide burrows in the sand hills, not a murmur of complaint escaped OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, 8. C.

during the thirty-three hours of the conflict; but with steady gaze on _ the fleet, which was ranged outside the harbor, plainly visible to the _ naked eye, they were ready to resist any hostile demonstration and repulse the invader, whilst their brave comrades of the batteries were engaged in driving the enemy from his strong fortress in our harbor. Commendation from one like myself, entitled from my education and training to no military consideration, is only valuable because it is honest and sincere. In this sense you will permit me, general, to thank you for the assist- – ants which your wisdom and kindness assigned to aid me in ny difficult ‘and trying position. I am almost unwilling to distinguish between them, but the genius and the highest order of intellectual culture of Major Whiting, joined to his indefatigable and untiring energy, sleeplessly exercised both night and day, have entitled him at my hands to the most grateful eulogium.

Claiming no credit for myself, but only the desire to serve my country, I will urgently pray you, general, to pardon in myself all deficiencies which the newness of my situation and the suddenness of my assuming this post may have caused me to develop.

I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,