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JAMES BUCHANAN IS WARNED OF THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER
JOHN ADAM GLOSSBRENNER (1810 - 1889) James Buchanan's personal secretary from 1860 to 1861; Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, 1850 to 1860; Representative from Pennsylvania 1865 to 1869. Extremely fine content A.L.S. "A.J.G." 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Jan. 19, [1861] in pencil to James Buchanan reporting on the situation at Fort Sumter. He writes, in full: "Two ladies, Mrs. Doubleday and another, (wives of officers in Fort Sumter) tell Mrs. Franklin that Maj. Anderson's force could hold out against any force for three of four days -- but, as there are so few of them, they would necessarily have heavy duty to perform and might become exhausted. When Mr. Hayne returns, would it not be well to send some discreet person who would get to Charleston at least as soon as he does, (either by land or sea,) woh could give immediate notice to the Government of the commencement of an attack? Otherwise the Fort might be lost by the exhaustion of its defenders before it could be reached by you in its aid." Following the secession of South Carolina, John Anderson decided to abandon the federal position at Fort Moultrie and relocated to Fort Sumter where he believed he could mount a stronger defense if attacked. A ship, The Star of the West had already been sent in an attempt to resupply and reinforce the garrison. That ship had been repulsed then days previous to this letter. Another attempt would not be made until Abraham Lincoln assumed office when he sent an expedition headed by Gustavus Fox to attempt to reinforce the federal stronghold, resulting in the First Battle of Fort Sumter and the formal opening of the Civil War. Light soiling, else very good condition.