NEW YORK, March 1,
1861.
DEAR BLAIR:
I just met Russell Sturgis, who has charge of most of the
tow-boats in the harbor, and he informs me that the Charleston authorities have
opened negotiations here for the purchase of two tugs, and that the two
proposed are two of the three I had selected, being the only three really fit
for the work in the whole city. I thought it best to give you this information
at once, as the probability of re-enforcing Fort Sumter except by landing and
capturing their forts will be lessened with such fine boats as I have described
in their possession. Captain Sturgis has put these boats in order,
notwithstanding my plan has the go-by, for we all feel that a severe discussion
must bring it up again.
I met a Navy officer to-day who has just received a letter
from Hartstene. He is captain in the S.C. Navy with the same pay as a U. S.
captain, and has charge of the coast defenses. He thinks he has prevented an
attack upon Sumter so far, but says it will soon be done, and will be a very
sanguinary affair. Paul Hamilton, esq., commands the floating battery now
launched. They have four tugs, which do not amount to much compared to one of
these powerful New York ones.
* * * * * * *
I wrote you last Sunday in full. Write me as soon as
anything definite is done.
Yours,
G.
V. FOX.
Direct your letters care of A. H. Lowery, 77 Nassau street,
and I get them in the morning, otherwise not until p.m. I trust you and the
General will give me a hand in this business. He seems most favorably disposed
towards me.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
1 (Serial No. 1), p. 205
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