U. S. S. PAWNEE
Off Arsenal, Washington, April 19, 1861
To: Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy
SIR : In a communication dated off Cape Henry, April 10, I informed the Department that this ship was at sea in obedience to an order from the Department dated April 5, and delivered to me April 9 at Norfolk.
On the morning of the 12th instant, at 7 o’clock, I was off Charleston Harbor as near the position assigned me as the badness of the weather would enable me to judge.
On approaching the harbor a small paddle-wheel steamer approached, which proved to be the Harriet Lane. A boat was sent from her with a communication addressed to the senior naval officer present, which I opened and found to be a copy of dispatch from the Navy Department, dated April 5, addressed to Captain Samuel Mercer, commanding U. S. S. Powhatan.
Captain Fox, of the transport Baltic, came on board and showed his instructions. He informed me that it was his intention to attempt to reach Fort Sumter in boats laden with provisions, and asked for such force as I could give him. I immediately gave the necessary order to have the launch and one of the cutters ready and armed for the purpose. In the meantime the Baltic and the Harriet Lane stood in toward the bar; soon, however, the Baltic came out again. On her return Captain Fox reported that the forts and batteries in Charleston were firing on Sumter. Captain Fox repaired on board this ship, after which I got underway and stood in and anchored on the outer edge of the Swash Channel.
Fort Moultrie, Cumming’s Point, Fort Johnson, and the sand and floating batteries were all playing on Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter returned the fire in the most spirited manner. Captain Fox left this ship intending to make the attempt to land the provisions early the next morning; made all preparations to protect him. The next morning he grounded on Rattlesnake Shoal, which delayed the expedition till the following night. Early the same morning a schooner passed close to us, and suspecting her to belong to Charleston and passing thus near us to see what we were doing, I brought her to anchor after firing three or four shots across her bows. She proved to be the _____ of Philadelphia, laden with ice. I at once determined to use her for the purpose of transferring both men and provisions, and after counseling with Captain Fox he coincided with me in the plan.
This arrangement had scarcely been determined upon before a dense smoke issued from the weather side of Fort Sumter; for some time it was thought to be some floating fire craft dropped down against the walls to annoy and prevent the accuracy of Major Anderson’s fire. In two hours flames appeared above the ramparts on the opposite side of the fort from our position. At noon, or a little later, a body of flames curled far above the ramparts. We then became satisfied that the fort was on fire and feared that the gallant major and his little band would suffer severely. At this time the Pocahontas came in, and her commander, at my request, came on board this ship and joined our council. I related to him all the circumstances and what preparations we had made for the purpose of throwing provisions into the fort, and, delivering the copies of orders I had received, I placed myself under his order as senior officer present.
At about 2 o’clock the flagstaff on Fort Sumter was shot away, and we witnessed the sad spectacle of the fall of our flag, which we were so impotent to assist. In vain we looked for its reappearance over the fort; instead of this, the firing from Sumter became more and more weak, and at length ceased entirely.
Lieutenant Marcy was immediately after dispatched in a boat with a flag of truce to Cumming’s Point to ascertain whether Major Anderson had surrendered or not, and to make proposals for bringing him and his officers and men away in our vessels. The answer brought from General Simons, in command at Cumming’s Point, was that Fort Sumter had surrendered and that a reply to the proposition in regard to Major Anderson and his command would be given the next morning at the point where Lieutenant Marcy had already held communication with General Simons. All other communication with the authorities of Charleston was held by Commander Gillis, the senior officer present.
On Monday evening, the 15th instant, after assisting to transfer Major Anderson’s command, with their luggage and stores, on board the Baltic, I took my departure for Cape Henry, the Pocahontas and Harriet Lane preceding me.
Very respectfully, etc.,
S. C. ROWAN, Commander, U. S. Navy