March 29, 1861 (Good Friday)

News of the day concerning Fort Sumter:

From Tulane University, Dept. of History, "The Cabinet Meets" -- with Commentary, March 29, 1861.


Civil War Daily Gazette:  "Lincoln Polls Cabinet, Orders to Ready the Ships."

This was included in the article above:  "Confederate Secretary of War LeRoy Pope Walker, writing to General Beauregard, commander of rebel forces in Charleston, ordered that all communication between Fort Sumter and Washington be stopped...."


Hat tip Seven Score and Ten:  "Charleston Anxious," March 29, 1861.

"We have no expectation that Fort Sumter will be evacuated on Saturday.  The delay is worrying the people here greatly... Governor Pickens says he is ready for a fight...."

From The American Civil War, "Diary of Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball,"  March 29, 1861.

"...Things are just the same in regard to the Fort.  Anderson is now to be starved out.  All this time he has been allowed to furnish himself from the Market with fresh Provisions, -- which is carrying out Scripture "feeding our enemy, and doing good to those who do evil to us...."

From The American Interest -- The Long Recall, Friday, March 29, 1861:

"It appears that there will soon be an audience to the current struggles.  A report from a New York Times correspondent dated March 10 claims that the French and English governments have sent a fleet of war steamers towards the United States.  The exact mission of the fleet is unknown.  There is also speculation that Spain is preparing to send ships, as well."

And finally, from Daily Observations from The Civil War, "Diary of William Howard Russell -- White House State Dinner," March 28, 1861.

"I was honored today by visits from a great number of Members of Congress...the cold shoulder is given to Mr. Lincoln, and all kinds of stories and jokes are circulated at his expense."  (He goes on to describe the State Dinner and then his activities afterwards.)