John C. Robinson to Gideon Welles, April 22, 1861

Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.: DEAR SiR: Please inform the War Department that I sent a detachMh ment from my command, with two pieces of artillery, to take possession \ of Fort Carroll last evening. They were sent by the U.S. surveying schooner Howell Cobb, which happened to be lying at the dock of this post. I also wrote by her to the commissary of subsistence in New York to send me three months’ additional supplies. I send this under cover to Mr. Ruger, as I am afraid to communicate this intelligence through the regular channel, on account of the sudden and unaccountable change of sentiment in the city of Baltimore. The Department has been informed of the resources of this place, and must act on what they already know of my condition.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,