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The foregoing is a correct report of what occurred at the consultation of the officers named; but we do not consider it as embodying our opinion in full as to the advisability of abandoning the work, as called for by the
Commanding General, in a letter a copy of which is embraced in the foregoing proceedings.
Accompanying the foregoing report was this additional paper:
General,—We have the honor to report that in compliance with your instructions we visited
Fort Sumter yesterday afternoon, made a careful examination of its condition, and held a consultation with a portion of its officers.
In addition to our answers to certain questions propounded at that consultation we beg leave to state that, in our opinion, it is not advisable to abandon the fort at this time.
On the contrary, we think it should be held to the last extremity.
How long it may hold out is now only a matter of conjecture; but there are many elements of defence within the fort, in its present shattered condition, which, if properly used, may enable a resolute garrison to hold it for many days.
The question of its abandonment, whenever it may arise, we respectfully suggest should be determined by the
Commanding General, and not left to the discretion of the
Commander of the fort.
We have the honor to be, General, very respectfully yours,
Incomplete, though sufficient in many respects, as was this hurried examination of
Sumter, it confirmed
General Beauregard in his determination already taken, that the fort should not be evacuated.
He therefore approved the conclusions arrived at by
Colonels Gilmer and
Harris, and began his arrangements accordingly.
The Artillery Department, he considered, had accomplished its task in the defence of that post—the entrance-gate of
Charleston Harbor—and it now devolved upon the infantry arm of the service, aided by labor, ‘the pick, spade, and shovel,’ to perform the part required of them, until, if possible, other heavy guns could be mounted, under cover, amid the ruins that still bade defiance to the combined attacks of the land and naval forces of the enemy.
It was a grave responsibility to assume, but
General Beauregard resolutely took it upon himself; and thus, through him and those who defended
Sumter, does its record remain, from
Rhett to
Elliott, from
Elliott to
Mitchel and
