Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/422

384 General Scott a communication asking for information as to the means it would require to reinforce Fort Sumter, and on the i5th asked the secretary of war, Mr. Cameron, to give his opinion in writing on the question, &quot;Assuming it to be possible to now provision Fort Sumter, under all the circumstances is it wise to attempt it?&quot; In his answer, delivered March 17th, the secretary of war says: &quot;My mind has been most reluctantly forced to the conclusion that it would be unwise now to make such an attempt. All the officers within Fort Sumter, together with Generals Scott and Totten, express this same opinion. I am therefore of the opinion that the cause of humanity and the highest obligation to the public interest would be best promoted by adopting the counsels of those brave and experienced men whose suggestions I have laid before you.&quot; Two days later, March 17th, President Lincoln directed General Scott to send to Fort Sumter some suitable person who would get accurate information in regard to the command of Maj. Anderson and report the result, upon which General Scott selected Captain G. V. Fox, formerly of the navy, indorsing the order with the note: The within may do good and can do no harm. It commits no one. &quot; On the 2oth a telegram sent to Mr. Toombs, the Confederate secretary of state at Montgomery, from the Confederate commissioners, Roman, Crawford and Forsyth, contained the following cheering intelligence: &quot; If there is faith in man we may rely on the assurances we have as to the status. Time is essential to a peaceful issue of this mission. In the present posture of affairs precipitation is war. We are all agreed.&quot; The next day General Beauregard was informed by telegram from Mr. L. P. Walker, the Confederate secretary of war, that "the probability is if there be any reliance on rumors, semi-official in their character, that Fort Sumter will be shortly abandoned. &quot; It was at this date, March 2ist, that Mr. Seward repeated to the Confederate commissioners through Judge Campbell