John G. Foster to Jos. G. ToTrEn, January 12, 1861

General Jos. G. ToTrEn, Chief Engineer U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: The sudden resolution to send a joint commission to Washington enables me to write only a few lines to tell you that my operations are going steadily on. Seventeen guns are now mounted on the barbette tier, and in good working order. Four of these are columbiads. Owing to the breaking of the tr uck, we did not accomplish much yesterday beyond hoisting carriages to the terre-plein (upper). My force is gradually growing less and ‘less, owing to the fears of the approaching conflict among the men. By to. night I may not have more than a dozen men for work. This is unavoidable, because it will not do to force the fearful or seditious men to remain. I shall, however, get nearly all

_ the guns up before all leave. Yesterday a commission came from Governor Pickens to summon this fort to surrender. It was composed of General Jamison, Secretary of War, and Judge McGrath, Secretary of State of South Carolina. They subsequently (during the conference with us) moderated the matter somewhat, so as to have it understood that their demand was not to alter the present status. The major proposed to send a joint commission to Washington, which is accepted this morning, and Lieutenant Hall leaves for this purpose.

I received a dispatch from Mrs. Foster, after her arrival in Washington, which I understood to mean that I had to my credit there $15,000. This gives me great satisfaction, for I was becoming embarrassed for

_ wantof funds. You can rely tig my doing all that I can to secure

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this work, and to strengthen the defense. I am most efficiently supported by Lieutenants Snyder and Meade, who are exerting themselves to the utmost, and I hope the Department will give them full credit for their zeal and efficiency. PaO

The temper of the people of this State is becoming every day more bitter, and I do not see how we can avoid a bloody conflict. I wish, therefore, to say to you that nearly all of my papers and vouchers are in my office in town, whence I have not been permitted to remove them, All of my personal effects are in the house that I occupied on Sullivan’s Island, with the exception of some few things that I have here. The suddenness of the movement over here did “not permit me an opportunity to remove anything, and my active operations in the matter did not incline the authorities in my favor so as to permit me to remove anything afterwards. I shall, however, endeavor to leave everything relating to my responsibilities and accounts in as good order as possible. You must excuse my referring to these matters, “whieh are partly per-— sonal, because if we are attacked, it may be by overpowering numbers, and I have made up my mind to defend the work, as far as I am concerned, to the last extremity… The main ship channel was closed yesterday morning by sinking four hulks across it, upon the bar. Last night a good deal of work was done on Fort Moultrie to defile it from the fire of this fort. There is a large steamer outside of the bar, apparently a man-of-war.

The health of the command is good, and their spirits excellent. In haste.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,