Fort Sumter, S. C, March 7,1861.
Hon. General John A.
Dix, Washington, D. C., — Thank you — many thanks to you — for your whole-souled
letter
of March 4. One such letter is enough to make amends for a life of trial
and of discomfort.
I regret that the change of administration deprives the
country of your services and of those of Mr. Holt. I felt, while you two were
members of the Cabinet, that, whenever I should need assistance, it would be
sent promptly and in full force.
My position is not a very enviable one; but still, when I
consider how God has blessed me at every step I have taken here, I have not the
least fear of the result. I have written to the department very fully, and the
administration now know my opinion, and the opinion of each individual officer
of this command, of the strength of the force necessary for forcing an entrance
into this harbor.
You speak of the disgraceful incidents developed in your
report to Congress. I had already read some of your correspondence, and was
shocked at the developments they made. The faithful historian of the present
period will have to present a record which will sadden and surprise. It would
seem that a sirocco, charged with treachery, cunning, dishonesty, and bad
faith, had tainted the moral atmosphere of portions of our land. And, alas! how
many have been prostrated by its blast!
I hope that, ere long, we shall see symptoms of restoration,
and that a healthier wind will recover some of those who have given way to the
blast. A long life of honest devotion to every duty, moral and social, may
cause their course to be forgiven, but it cannot be forgotten.
The South Carolinians arc on the qui vive to-night—why,
we know not. They have four guard-boats in the stream instead of the usual
number of late — two. I cannot believe, though, that General Beauregard, lately
of the Engineer Corps, would make an attack without having given formal notice
of his intention to do so. My rule is, though, always to keep a bright lookout.
With many thanks, my dear General, for your most kind and
welcome letter, I am, as ever, your sincere friend,
Robert Anderson.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 8-9
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