Letter
Quincy A. Gillmore to H. Pinckney Walker, August 22, 1863
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
In the Field, Morris Island, S. C., August 22, 1863—9 p. m..
H. PINCKNEY WALKER, Her Majesty’s Acting Consul, Charleston, S. C.:
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, soliciting an interview on behalf of the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty in Charleston.
It is presumed that your. object in seeking this interview has reference to the recent throwing of shells into the city of Charleston from my lines, and that you desire to obtain a suspension of the bombardment to enable Her Majesty’s subjects to leave the city.
As a compliance with your request at this time would materially interfere with operationsin which I am engaged, I must
respectfully
decline to grant it, but shall endeavor to secure to Her Majesty's
subjects in Charleston the full benefit of such an interview, by suspending the bombardment of the city until 11 p. m. to-morrow,
until which hour no further firing upon the city need be apprehended.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
subjects in Charleston the full benefit of such an interview, by suspending the bombardment of the city until 11 p. m. to-morrow,
until which hour no further firing upon the city need be apprehended.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Editor's Notes
From: Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida, Pt. 1. Location: In the Field, Morris Island, S. C.. Summary: Q. A. Gillmore declines a full suspension of the Charleston bombardment but temporarily halts fire until 11 p.m. to accommodate British consul H. Pinckney Walker's request for civilian safety.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 28, Part 1
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