War of The Rebellion
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series I, Volume I
Alexander H. Stephens (pg. 207)
Correspondence, etc. - Union / Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Fort Sumter, S.C. March 17, 1861
To: General Jos. G. Totten, Chief Engineer U. S. Army, Washington, D.C:
General: The unusual activity observed and reported yesterday morning in the
surrounding batteries was due to preparations for receiving some distinquished
persons who visited them in the afternoon. It is supposed that this was Vice-
President STEPHENS (ALEXANDER H.), of the so-called Southern Confederacy.
Three rounds were fired from all the batteries on Morris Island, except No. 1, apparently
as much for practice as for saluting, for most of the guns not pointed in this direction
were shotted. This firing enabled me to detect the positions and approximate calibers
of the guns in these batteries.
(Sketch of the batteries and information on each follows, which is not being copied).
J. G. Foster, Captain of Engineers
Walter H. Stevens, (pg. 282)
Correspondence, etc. - Confederate / Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Hdqrs. Provisional Army Confederate States
Charleston, S.C., March 26, 1861
To: Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:
Sir: The Department letter of the 21st has been received, and I inclose
you herewith the copy of the letter I have thought proper to address to Maj.
Robert Anderson, with whom I am personally well acquainted. His answer
will be communicated to the Department as soon as received, and I have no
doubt it will be satisfactory. Mr. Lamon left here last, saying that Major
Anderson and command would soon be withdrawn from Fort Sumter in a
satisfactory manner. I am, however, progressing with my offensive and
defensive batteries, which will all be finished and armed tomorrow night or
day after. I find great difficulty for want of an ordnance officer, in properly
organizing the armament, &c., of said batteries. I have this day had assigned
to me for that duty Lieutenant Rutledge, South Carolina Navy, who I hope will
be of assistance to me in that department.
As aleady telegraphed, CAPT. W. H. STEVENS, of the Engineers, is not
at present required here. He might be usefully employed at Savannah if not
wanted elsewhere, or I may soon have need of him for the defenses of the
sea coast of South Carolina, which I may have to order hereafter.
Four of the Drummond lights ordered for this harbor have this day arrived,
with the required instructions, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. No
operator could be sent with them. I have procured the welcome and generous
services of Professor Riddle, of New Orleans, postmaster, would be happy
to give his assistance in a like manner for the six sent there, two of which
might be sent to Pensacola or some other harbor. With four here we shall
have enough now.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G.T. Beauregard
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Walter H. Stevens (pg. 407)
Correspondence, etc. - Union / Operations in Florida
Headquarters Department of Florida
Fort Pickens, Pensacola, May 13, 1861
To: Lieut. Col. E.D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General:
From: Harvey Brown, Major, Second Artillery, Colonel Commanding
Letter mentions Captain Wood arriving, accompanied by CAPTAIN STEVENS,
of the Engineers, came to the wharf, where he met him.
Walter H. Stevens (pg. 611)
Correspondence, etc. - Confederate / Operations in Texas and New Mexico
Galveston, March 8, 1861
To: Hon. W. H. Ochiltree:
>From S. Sherman, Commandant of Galveston.
(Only last paragraph pertains to Stevens, which follows):
Allow me to call your attention to LIEUTENANT STEVENS, late of the
United States Engineer Corps. He has resigned his commission, and now
offers his services to the State of Confederacy. He has served upwards of
ten years as Lieutenant, and in 1862, by the Army Regulations, he will be
entitled to a captaincy. He is now aiding me in super-intending the placing
of our battery.
In great haste, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. Sherman.
P. F. Stevens (pg. 33)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Headquarters Provisional Army, Charleston, S.C., April 27. 1861
To: Brig.-Gen. Cooper, Adjutant-General, C. S. A.
From:G. T. Beauregard, Bridgadier-General, Commanding.
(Letter consists of 5 pages, where Beauregard is commending sodliers
and officers. Only listing the info about Stevens here):
To MAJOR STEVENS, of the Citadel Academy, in charge of the Cummings
Point batteries, I feel much indebted for his valuable and scientific assistance,
and the efficient working of the batteries under his immediate charge.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G.T. Beauregard
P. F. Stevens (pg. 43, 45, 46)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Headquarters Artillery, Sullivan's Island, Fort Moultrie, April 16, 1861
Report of Lieut. Col. Wilmot G. Se Saussure, South Carlolina Army, commanding Artillery.
To: Brig.-Gen. James Simons, Commanding Morris Island.
(Report consists of 4 pages, in which Stevens is mentioned 3 times)
Pg. 43:
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the reports of Maj. P. F. STEVENS, of
the Citadel Academy, assigned under the Special Orders No. 8, from Headquarters
Provisional Forces, to the Iron and Point batteries at this post, of Capt. George B.
Cuthbert, commanding Palmetto Guard, by which corps the above batteries were manned,
and of Capt. J.G. King, commanding Marion Artillery, by which corps the Trapier battery
was manned. These several reports contain the events connected with the bombardment
and fall of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, on Friday, 12th, and Saturday, 13th instants,
so far as the above-named batteries and corps were engaged.
Pg. 45:
The Iron battery, of three 8-inch columbiads, and the Point battery, of three mortars,
two 42-pounders, and one 12-pounder rifled cannon, were manned by the Pametto Guard,
Capt. George B. Cuthbert. These two batteries were assigned to the supervison of Maj.
P. F. STEVENS.
Pg. 46:
To Maj. P. F. STEVENS, of the Citadel Academy, I but do justice in saying that by
example, by forethought, by energy, by his skill much of the success from this post was
achieved. He is entitled to most honorable mention and to the highest praise.
P. F. Stevens (pg. 55)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Palmetto Guard Emcampment, Morris Island, April 17, 1861
Report of Capt. G. B. Cuthbert, Palmetto Guard, South Carolina Infantry.
To: W. G. De Saussure, Colonel, Commanding Battalion of Artillery.
(Report consist of 2 pages, only the paragraph with Stevens follows):
The posts of the officers of the Palmetto Guard were as follows: Captain Cuthbert
commanded and directed the fire of the Iron battery; First Lt. Holmes, assisted by
Lt. Armstrong, of the Citadel Academy, commanded the mortar battery; Second Lt.
Brownfield commanded and directed the fire of the 42-pounders; Captain Thomas, of
the Citadel Academy, with a squad of the Palmetto Guard, had charge of the rifled
cannon' to Major STEVENS was assigned the post of superintending the working of
all these batteries, and he was so recognized; Lt. Buist acted as gunner to No. 3
columbiad during the greater part of the engagement, aiming many of his shots very
accurately.
Lt. Holmes, Brownfield, and Buist behaved throughout the conflict with distinquished
courage and gallantry. MAJOR STEVENS, Captain Thomas, and Lt. Armstrong, by their
coolness, bravery, and skill, gave the highest evidence of their military training.
P. F. Stevens (pg. 61)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Headquarters Provisional Forces, Charleston, S. C. April 13, 1861
To: Major D.R. Jones, Adjutant-General of Provisional Forces, Charleston, S. C.
From: James Chesnut Jr., Aide-de-Camp; A. R. Chisolm, Lt.-Col. and Aide-de-Camp;
and John L. Manning, Aide-de-Camp.
(In letter they only "mention" MAJOR STEVENS, battery, twice, not Stevens, himself.
#1. They landed in the rear of Major Stevens battery. #2. Mentioning directing their course
to where they stood, at Major Stevens battery)
P. F. Stevens (pg. 183)
Correspondence, etc. - Union / Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Fort Sumter, S. C., February 23, 1861
To: Col. S. Cooper, Adjutant-General
From: Robert Anderson, Major, First Artillery, Commanding
(Stevens is mentioned in an inclosure with the letter, only stating:
MAJOR STEVENS repaired to the Morris Island batteries).
P. F. Stevens (pg. 192)
Correspondence, etc. - Union / Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Fort Sumter, S. C., March 9, 1861
To General Jos. G. Totten, Chief Engineer U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.
From: J. G. Foster, Captain, Engineers.
General: Soon after I closed my letter for the mail yesterday, and while two
officers were getting ready to bear a letter from Major Anderson demanding an
explanation, and officer from Cummings Point, MAJOR STEVENS, came with
a white flag and a letter from the commanding officer, Colonel Gregg, offering an
ample aplogy. It appears that in practicing at drill the fact of one of the guns being
shotted was forgotten, and hence the occurrence.
(the rest of the letter, has nothing to do with Stevens, so not included here).
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. G. Foster
P. F. Stevens (pg. 273)
Correspondence, etc. - Confederate / Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Headquarters Morris Island, S. C. March 8, 1861
To: The Chief of Staff of Bridadier-General Beauregard:
Sir: I am informed by MAJOR STEVENS that a shot was accidently fired from
the iron battery this morning, which struck Fort Sumter. MAJOR STEVENS was
practicing with blank cartridges, and does not know how a shot got in. He does not
suspect that it was put in by any man intentionally. MAJOR STEVENS is about to
go with a flag to Fort Sumter to explain the accident.
I have to request that General Beauregard will forward this note for the information
of the commander-in-chief.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Maxcy Gregg,
Colonel First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Commanding on Morris Island
P. F. Stevens (pg. 47)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Cummings Point, Morris Island, April 13, 1861
Reports of MAJOR P. F. STEVENS (of bombardment and evacuation of Fort Sumter)
To: Lt. Col. De Saussure, Commanding Battalion Artillery
Colonel: I have the honor to report that yesterday morning, about 4 o'clock, a shell
having been fired from Fort Johnson, according to instructions I manned my batteries,
and following Captain King's battery, opened fire on Fort Sumter from the mortar battery,
which was continued unabatedly night and day until the order was today given to cease
firing. The Iron battery and the 42-ponder batteries opened their fire during all yesterday
and once during last night, when an alarm was given that re-enforcements were endeavoring
to enter the fort. At 5 o'clock this morning the fire was resumed from the Iron and 42-pounder
batteries, in conjunction with the fire of the mortar battery.
At about 7:30 a.m. Lieutenant Armstrong, in charge of the mortar battery, reported to
me that he had thrown a shell which broke into the roof of Fort Sumter about the southwest
angle and exploded therein. He immediately pointed out the spot, from which the smoke
of the explosion had not yet ceased to issue. The smoke from this point continued to
arise and increase in volume, until about 8 o'clock the flame broke out, and soon enveloped
the south roof. I immediately ordered my batteries to quicken their fire, and a rapid volley
was poured from all my batteries (mortars and heavy guns) for nearly three-quarters of an
hour. I think the fire from every battery under my command was most ably directed, and
contributed greatly to increase and spread the flames, which soon spread from roof to roof,
causing the explosion of shells and hand grenades on the different parapets and greatly
injuring the works. The fire having partly expended its fury, my fire was slackened by your
order, and continued very much at the rates prescribed in orders until about 1 o'clock, when
the flagstaff of Fort Sumter fell, seemingly shot away. The fire was then stopped by order of
the commanding general, and not resumed from my batteries, Major Anderson subsequently
having surrendered, about 2 p.m.
It is impossible for me to particularize the individual officers or men who behaved well
during this action; but I think great credit was due to the effective fire of guns directed by
officers and men, who, with the exception of the officers of the Military Academy, had never
until two or three weeks since undertaken to manage artillery. Captain Cuthbert, of the
Palmetto Guard, assisted by Lt. Buist, had especial charge of the Iron battery with its
three 8-inch columbiads; Lt. Armstrong, of the South Carolina Military Academy, assisted
by Lt. R. Holmes, of the Palmetto Guards, had charge of the three 10-inch mortars of the
Point battery; Lt. T. Sumter Brownfield, of the "Guard" had charge of the 42-pounders, and
Capt. J. P. Thomas, of the Citadel Academy, had command of the Blakely rifled cannon.
For some two hours yesterday, a heavy fire was directed against my batteries, but with
very little effect, and absolutely no lost of life. The Iron battery was struck several times
with little damage, the balls glancing and making little impression. Several shots were
split, upon striking the same. Early in the day one heavy shot struck the upper end of the
shutter of embrasure No. 2. The plates of boiler-iron composing the same were considerably
bent, or rather indented, by the blow, even splitting the plate through. The shot, however, was
completely turned, and no real damage would have been experienced had it not been for a
flaw in the lever-arm which maneuvered the shutter. This lever, to sustain a heavy weight as
a counterpoise to the shutter, and having a large flaw (not before seen) just in the bend of the
arm, was broken by the jar of the blow. The shutter was afterwards propped up, and the fire
of the gun continued with great effect this morning. The sand battery was a most effectual
screen for the guns it covered, and is absolutely uninjured by the fire of Fort Sumter. The
rifled cannon being but limitedly supplied with ammunition could do little, but its few shots
were skillfully directed by Captain Thomas.
I have the honor, sir, to congratulate you upon the share in this great success and victory
to which the troops under your command are entitled. Very respectfully,
P. F. STEVENS, Major, Commanding Point and Iron Batteries
P. F. Stevens (pg. 48)
Operations in Charleston Harbor, S. C.
Superintendent's Office, Citadel Academy, April 18. 1861
Reports of MAJOR P. F. STEVENS (of bombardment and evacuation of Fort Sumter)
To: Major D. R. Jones, Adjutant-General.
Major: Upon my return to this post I found the accompanying letter, which had
been written to me by Capt. G. B. Cuthbert during my temporary absence from
Morris Island.
Sergeant Bissell did not exactly "cripple the gun of the left casemate," as a
subsequent examination has proven, but Lt. Col. De Saussure stated to me that
Captain Seymour had informed him that our fire was so severe against the casemates
bearing on my batteries that the men were driven out; and this fact is confirmed by my
own observations - that the fire from said casemates ceased about 2 o'clock on Friday,
and was never renewed, although on Saturday my glass showed me some men in one
of the casemates about to fire, as I thought. Immediately I ordered two 42-pounders and
Bissell's 64-pounder to fire at the casemate, and the men within disappeared from sight.
Added to the names of Phillips and Campbell as working in the magazine, I must
mention McLane and Macbeth, working in the shell magazine. To my knowledge McLane
never left his magazine from the firing of the first shell to the surrender of the fort. The
Captain is a little in error in attributing the accident to the shutter of the middle gun in
the Iron battery to the recoil of the gun. In my report to Lt. Col. De Saussure you will
find it correctly attributed to a shot from Fort Sumter. I most cheerfully agree with the
Captain in his praise of gallant conduct of the men who came for the tools and materials
to repair the broken lever, but I would not find detract from their praise in mentioning that
the heavy weights of the shutter and its counterbalance again deranged the lever-bar, so
that during Saturday's engagements it was necessary to prop up the shutter, and fire with
it thus open the whole day.
The incident alluded to in reference to Mr. Lining, the judge-advocate of the Seven-
teenth Regiment, was as follows; Mr. Lining was erecting the flag of the Palmetto Guard
on the traverse in rear of the Iron battery when the first shot from Fort Sumter passed
within a few feet of him. The captain, thinking the position too exposed for the flag,
directed it to be transferred to the traverse on the right (at least that is my impression).
Certainly Mr. Lining removed the flag, amid the rush and hiss of several balls flying near
him, plauted it securely on the traverse to the right, and descended amid the plaudits of
his comrades. In all respects, save what I have here mentioned, I fully indorse Captain
Curhbert's communication, and am obliged to him for the facts recalled to my memory.
There is one somewhat remarkable incident which I beg leave here to record. On
Thursday evening our camp was thrown into considerable excitement by the report
that the demand was to be made for the surrender of the fort, and when it was reported
that a white flag had been sent to Fort Sumter our batteries were all manned, and the
men in eager ecpectation were watching the fort. I was standing on the traverse closing
the left flank of the Iron battery. A number of our men were around me. Suddenly the
United States flag on Fort Sumter was seen to split in tow distinct parts, dividing from
the front edge to the back just along the lower extremity of the "Union." I remarked to
the men around me, "I wonder if that is emblematical?" Several remarked that it appeared
ominous. For several moments the flag flew in this condition, when it was hauled down
and another flag raised in its stead.
Very respectfully,
P. F. Stevens, Major and Superintendent, Citadel Academy
Back to Stephens/Stevens Records/Documents
Compiled by:
Jackie Shepherd
Tom Stevens -E-Mail: stevetho@datastar.net