Brevet Lieutenant-General Winfiled Scott to Gustavus V. Fox, March 19, 1861

Head Qrs. of the Army

Washington, March 19, 1861

Dear Sir:

In accordance with the request contained in a note from the Secretary of War to me, of which I annex a copy, I request that you will have the goodness to proceed to Charleston S.C. and obtain permission, if necessary, to visit Fort Sumter, in order to enable you to comply with the wish expressed in the Secretary's note.

Please, on your return, to report accordingly.

I remain, with high consideration, your

most obedient servant.

Winfield Scott

G. V. Fox, Esq^r.

SOURCES: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 10