John G. Foster to Joseph G. Totten, March 22, 1861

General Jos. G. ToTTEn, Chief Engineer U.S. Army; Washington, D. 0.:

. GENERAL: Everything appears to be quiet this morning in the batteries around us. Night before last the South Carolinians put down

again the buoy that had been taken up a few nights before from its

position, about half a mile to the east of this fort. It appears, how_ ever, that it was not replaced in the former position, but placed upon _ the opposite side of the channel.

Last night a special messenger, Mr. Fox, arrived from Washington, and came down to the fort under the escort of Captain Hartstene, for_.merly of the United States Navy. After a confidential interview with

“Major Anderson, he left immediately for Washington.

With respect to this fort, I have filled all the loophole openings o the first tier with solid stone. All the openings are now closed, wit the exception of five near the ends of the gorge, which had been partially filled with a 9-inch brick wall. I am now completing the filling of these with lead concrete.

Tam also building traverses in front of the hospital, which is on the first floor of the quarters, and in front of the ordnance storeroom, to shield them from shells from Fort Moultrie.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,