Confederate first actions/preparations:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Montgomery, March 16, 1861.
Capt. J. C. BOOTH,
Corps of Artillery, Commanding Baton Rouge Arsenal:
CAPTAIN: Issue with all possible dispatch to General Braxton Bragg, commanding forces at Pensacola--
One thousand 8-inch columbiad shot; two thousand 8-inch columbiad shell; four thousand 42-pounder shot; two thousand 24-pounder shot; one thousand 18-pounder shot; one thousand 12-pounder shot; fifteen hundred 10-inch shell (columbiad shell, if possible); one hundred and thirty-eight 24-pounder spherical case, strapped; one hundred and forty-seven 24-pounder grape-shot stands; seventy-nine 18-pounder grape-shot stands; eighty-eight 8-inch grape-shot stands; one hundred and fifty 8-inch columbiad cartridge bags; fifteen thousand priming tubes; two thousand port-fires; five hundred pounds slow match; four thousand friction tubes; fifty thousand musket buck and ball cartridges (percussion).
Have made and issued to General Bragg as above, with all possible dispatch--
Two thousand 8-inch cartridge bags for columbiads; two thousand 42-pounder cartridge bags; two thousand 32-pounder cartridge bags; one thousand 24-pounder cartridge bags; one thousand 12-pounder cartridge bags.
By order of the Secretary of War:
GEO. DEAS,
Acting Adjutant-General.
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GENERAL ORDERS, No. 4.
HDQRS. TROOPS CONFEDERATE STATES,
Near Pensacola, Fla., March 18, 1861.
The commanding general learns with surprise and regret that some of our citizens are engaged in the business of furnishing supplies of fuel, water, and provisions to the armed vessels of the United States now occupying a threatening position off this harbor.
That no misunderstanding may exist on this subject, it is announced to all concerned that this traffic is strictly forbidden, and all such supplies which may be captured in transit to such vessels, or to Fort Pickens, will be confiscated. The more effectually to enforce this prohibition, no boat or vessel will be allowed to visit Fort Pickens, or any United States naval vessel, without special sanction.
Col. John H. Forney, acting inspector-general, will organize an efficient harbor police for the enforcement of this order.
By command of Brig. Gen. Braxton Bragg:
ROBERT C. WOOD, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Montgomery, March 19, 1861.
Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG,
Commanding Troops near Pensacola, Fla.:
SIR: Capt. G. W. Lee, of Atlanta, who will present you this letter, is in command of a company of volunteers from Georgia. This company, consisting of one hundred men, chiefly artisans, is exclusive of the quota which has been required from that State, and the Secretary of War desires you will cause the officers and men to be mustered into service and assigned to duty.
The requisition for the 5,000 troops for your command, mentioned in the communication from this office of the 14th instant, is now being rapidly filled. The several commands will be pushed forward with the least practicable delay, and may be shortly expected to report to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General.
P. S.--I take occasion to inform you that the Government has accepted the services of a battalion of Louisiana Zouaves, to consist of not less than four hundred or more than five hundred men, with a proper proportion of commissioned and non-commissioned officers, to serve in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States for a period of twelve months or during the war, unless sooner discharged. One hundred and fifty men of this battalion will be immediately sent to your command, and the remainder of this battalion will follow a few days after.
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MOBILE, March 21, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER:
The sloop Isabella, laden with stores mostly for officers of the United States Navy at Pensacola, was seized last night by the acting mayor, and at the request of General Bragg.
W. J. HARDEE,
Colonel First Regiment Infantry.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. O.,
Montgomery, March 25, 1861.
Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG,
Comdg. Provisional Forces, Pensacola Harbor, Fort Barrancas :
SIR: In reply to your communication of the 21st, I am instructed by the Secretary of War to state that the Provisional Forces called into the service of the Confederate States for the defense of Pensacola Harbor are as follows: 1,000 infantry from Georgia; 1,000 from Alabama; 1,000 from Louisiana; 1,500 from Mississippi, and 500 from Florida, making in all 5,000 infantry. The organization of companies will be Such as may be furnished by States, but the number of privates should not fall below fifty per company. Should the companies come singly, or organized into battalions or regiments before muster into service, they will be received with such officers as have been furnished by the State, medical officers excepted. The field officers are either elected by the companies or appointed by the respective governors. Such medical officers as may be required for the troops of your command you are authorized to employ under contract. The battalion of Louisiana Zouaves, mentioned in my communication of the 19th instant, will be mustered as they arrive, including the officers who accompany them.
I inclose a brief of the organization of a regiment of infantry and a company of artillery and cavalry of the C. S. Army, as fixed by law.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General.
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MONTGOMERY, March 29, 1861.
General BRAXTON BRAGG, Pensacola:
Your communication of the 27th received.(*) Do you propose or prefer an increase of force beyond the five thousand ordered, and to what extent?
S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General.
(*) Note: Not found. Entered in Confederate archives as "Plan of Attack on Ft. Pickens"
On March 31, 1861, Bragg actually reports he has:
General Staff 17
1st Alabama 46 Officers and 762 Men
Georgia volunteers 4 Officers and 106 Men
Louisiana Zouaves 5 Officers and 95 Men
Total Infantry: 55 Officers and 963 Men