troops if not occupied by State troops. My own opinion from the lights before me was that there might be great danger of such an occurrence, and in case Fort Pulaski should be strongly garrisoned by Federal troops and our State should seced, it might cost us the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of our bravest citizens, besides, much treasures, to dislodge them, while if permitted to remain they would command the entrace to Savannah and be a meance and reproach to the State. I did not doubt that the State would secede, and I therefore considered the question one of the greatest importance. I heard respectfully and at full length all that the military men had to say on the subject. The differed in opinion. Those considered the best authority nearly all oposed the immediate occupation of the fort by the State troops. One of them said to me: "If you make possession of the fort, and there is one spark of vitality left in the Federal Government, it will shell you out in ten days". After manture reflection, however, I was satisfied that duty and safety to the State required for the present its occupation by State troops. I therefore said to the officers present, "I take the responsibility, and I direct the immediate occupation of the fort". I then directed the adjutant-general to issue the following orderes, which he did, to wit;

HEADQUARTERS Georgia MILITIA,
Savannah, January 2, 1861.

To. Colonel A. R. LAWTON,

Commanding First Volunteer Regiment Georgia Volunteers, Savannah:

SIR: The Governor and commander-in-chief directs you to detail 125 men, or more if necessary, from your command, with the suitable number of officers, including one or more medical officers, to occupy immediately until further orders Fort Pulaski, at the month of Savannah River. Arrangements for the comfort and subsistance of the command have been made, and you will cause one of the military officers (subaltern) to be detailed, to act as quatermaster and commissary, to take charge of the public stores, and issue and account for them under the regulations that will be furnished to him. It is desirable that a portion of your men should be relieved in such numbers, and at such times as you may determine, to be replaced by new drafts of equal strength, care being taken that the relief be made at the fort and does not exceed at any time one-half the command, that the greatest number on duty may be of those somewhat experienced in military duty. Additional supplies of any kind that may become absolutely necessary from time to time will be obtained by requisition made by the quatermaster and commissary, countersigned by the commanding officer, upon Mr. John Cunnigham, of Savannah, who has been appointed military purveryor.

Each man should carry with him a knapscak or valise containing a change of clothing, one iron spoon, one knife, one frok, one tin cup, one clothes brush, one shoe brush, one box blacking, and one comb and brush.

In conclusion, the commander-in-chief relies upon your military knowledge and skill for the discreet exercise of the service involved in this order fort the maintenance of discipline and for the care and accountability of the public now in the fort and to be sent there. The occupancy of the fort will be made under your personal direction, and you are desired to remain until the proper order and system are established. This done to your satisfaction, you will visit and inspect the fort and command as often as practicable, at least twice a week.

By order of the commander-in-chief:

HENRY C. WAYNE,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS Georgia MILITIA,

Savannah, Ga., January 2, 1861.

Colonel A. R. LAWTON,

Commanding First Regiment Georgia Volunteers, Savannah:

SIR: In view of the fact that the Government at Washington has, as we are informed upon high authority, decided on the policy of coecing a seceding State back into the Union, and it is believed now has a movement on foot to occupy with Federal troops the Southern forts, including Fort Pulaski, in this State, which, if done, would give the Federal Government in any contest great advantages over the people in this State:

To the end, therefore, that this stronghold, which commands also the entrance into Georgia, may not be occupied by any hostile force until the convention of the people

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