NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
January/February 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, January 16, 1861.
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE VERY LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
FORT SUMPTER NOT TO BE REINFORCED.
The Cost of the War Becoming Onerous.
Unconditional Withdrawal of Troops from Charleston Demanded.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.—Personal friends of the President say it is absolutely decided not to reinforce Fort Sumpter, because sending more troops there would tend to produce irritation, and reinforcements are unnecessary.
The South Carolina Commissioners now here are exceedingly conciliatory.
A telegraph was received from Gov. Moore by Senators Fitzpatrick and Clay, saying that the ordinance of secession, unconditional and immediate, has passed.
The militia field officers for the District of Columbia, recently appointed, were commissioned to-day by the President. It has been decided to send Mr. Holt’s name to the Senate for Secretary of War, to-morrow, and A. B. Greenwood, of Arkansas, now Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for Secretary of the Interior. He is a decided Union man.
The Charleston papers say that a resolution was adopted on Monday, in the Legislature, requesting the Bank of South Carolina to advance $150,000 for military contingencies, and the Bank has signaled its willingness to comply. The above item of $150,000 is merely for contingencies. The whole expenditure for military purposes, already incurred, amounts to $1,400,000.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.—It is understood that the South Carolina agents now here demand the unconditional evacuation of Fort Sumpter, with a view to avoid the shedding of blood. The Administration has not yet considered the proposition.
