Abraham Lincoln efforts to reinforce Fort Sumter, Prior to the Civil War, Note to Secretary of Navy

A significant Lincoln discovery: A handwritten note to the Sec. of the Navy about Union efforts to reinforce Fort Sumter just before the start of the Civil War! 

Abraham Lincoln. Handwritten note signed, "A. Lincoln," on a card 2" x 3 y;", [Washington, March¬April, 1861?] to the Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "Sec. of the Navy, please see Mr. Williams, who can give some informa [tion] about the defenses [of] Charleston." Burned at the lower margin, costing several letters and darkening Lincoln's signature and the word "Charleston." This same note is described in the writings of Abraham Lincoln, in March of 1861?

Tipped to the lower margin of an engraved portrait of Lincoln. This note survived the fire that destroyed Gideon Welles' home in Hartford, CT. The fire was started by an eight-year-old-girl who was using a candle to explore the attic in Welles' home. This is a major Lincoln discovery and a significant statement about Union efforts to reinforce Fort Sumter. Lincoln paid considerable attention to Major Robert Anderson's difficult position as commander of Fort Sumter. Lincoln requested that each member of the Cabinet provide an opinion regarding this issue and most thought it to be unwise to make such an attempt because it would initiate civil war. Welles was against it for both military as well as political reasons but he and many others agreed that all the other forts in the Gulf area should be reinforced immediately. Lincoln did finally decide to try and re-supply the fort by notifying Governor Pickens of Charleston, South Carolina that an attempt would be made to supply Ft. Sumter with provisions only and if it met no resistance there would not be any additional troops, arms or ammunition sent. The supply ship was turned away when it was fired upon. Without fresh supplies and considerable reinforcements Ft. Sumter was unable to withstand the bombardment that began on April 12 and surrendered to Confederate General Pierre Beauregard on April 14,1861. An interesting and important item

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