Fort Moultrie, S. C., December 19, 1860.
Col. H. E. DE HUSSY, Commanding Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army,

....There is another thing which I propose to do, and of which I write to you in season, so that if you disapprove it you can have time to forbid it. I propose to connect a powerful Daniels battery with the magazine at Fort Sumter, by means of wires stretched across under water from Fort Sumter to Fort Moultrie, and to blow up Fort Sumter if it is taken by an armed force, and after Lieutenant Snyder and my men have time to escape from it. I propose, also to use the same battery to fire small mines around Fort Moultrie, and to explode a large mine placed in the sand hills. All of these last preparations may seem to be unnecessary, and I hope they may prove to be so in the end, but there are very strong probabilities that they may be required, and, at any rate, I regard a complete state of preparations as the surest safeguard against attack.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. G. FOSTER, Captain, Engineers. ]

p5

[The armament of the fort was mounted and supplied with maneuvering implements; machicoulis galleries, splinter-proof shelters, and traverses were constructed; the openings left for the embrasures of the second tier were filled with brick and stone and earth, and those in the gorge with stone and iron and lead concrete; mines were established in the wharf and along the gorge; the parade was cleared, and communications opened to all parts of the fort and through the quarters.] Foster

p62

[On our arrival at Fort Sumter we were met by Dr. Crawford, surgeon of the fort, who directed us to avoid the wharf; as it was in danger of blowing up at any moment from its mines. The doctor conducted us into the presence of Major Anderson, on the opposite side of the fort from the wharf, we entering the fort through an embrasure.] Confederate representatives.

p170

[We are preparing a few mines in front of and to the right and left of the entrance of our work.] Anderson

p172

[Yesterday I completed the mines in the wharf and the preparations for firing them.] Foster

p216

[Two fougasses, of 12 feet diameter, charged with 50 pounds of powder, are placed against the foot of the scarp wall, one in the center of each half gorge. Two mines, charged with 25 pounds of powder, are sunk in the wharf 40 feet apart.] Foster

p252

[And I also ordered a detachment from an artillery regiment to occupy Sullivans Island; and if it could be done without any immediate danger from mines, or too great loss of life, to take Fort Moultrie and to run up the Palmetto flag, and put the guns in immediate preparation for defense.] Pickens

p276

[Dispatches just received from Washington, of the highest authority, speak of mines in Fort Sumter, and a purpose to destroy it and the garrison rather than be taken.] Walker

p279

[it would be proper to afford Major Anderson and his men a safe conduct out of the harbor; but before this is done you must feel perfectly assured that there are no mines laid with trains within the fort.] Walker

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David Upton