It said that Col. Lamon, the President’s envoy to Charleston, declined to exercise the discretionary power with which he was clothed, and issue the order to Major Anderson for the evacuation of Fort Sumter. He returned to Washington and reported the facts respecting the straitened condition garrison to the President, who on Friday at an early hour summoned the Cabinet to hold a consultation on the subject. Their deliberations led to a confirmation of the determination of the government to abandon the fort. The order will be communicated to Major Anderson, and the garrison will evacuate Fort Sumter as soon as the vessel to convey them away arrives in Charleston harbor. At last accounts the garrison had supplies sufficient for a few days only.
Contradictory reports as to the designs of the government with reference to Fort Pickens have been circulated for some days past. The republican journals assert that the fort is to be reinforced – indeed it is announced that both troops and supplies have already been landed. Our correspondents from Washington, however, state that the Southern Commissioners, and also conservative men of the border States, have been assured that no attempt would be made to relieve the fort – that the military status of that post would not be disturbed. It is furthermore stated that the reports in the republican journals are put in circulation solely for the purpose of influencing the coming elections in New England.
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA
Background: Col. Lamon
Ward Hill Lamon was a personal friend and law partner of Abraham Lincoln who served as Lincoln’s self-appointed bodyguard during his presidency. He was sent to Charleston in March of 1861 to confer with Major Anderson, though the exact scope of his authority is unclear.