My Dear Brother:--I am so much in the woods here that I can't keep
up with the times at all. Indeed, you in Washington hear from New
Orleans two or three days sooner than I do. I was taken aback by
the news that Governor Moore had ordered the forcible seizure of
the Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at or near the mouth of the
Mississippi; also of Forts Pike and Wood, at the outlets of Lakes
Bogue and Pontchartrain. All these are small forts, and have rarely
been occupied by troops. They are designed to cut off approach by
sea to New Orleans, and were taken doubtless to prevent their being
occupied, by order of General Scott. But the taking the arsenal
at Baton Rouge is a different matter. It is merely an assemblage
of store-houses, barracks, and dwelling-houses, designed for the
healthy residence of a garrison, to be thrown into one or the other
of the forts in case of war. The arsenal is one of minor importance,
yet the stores were kept there for the moral effect, and the garrison
was there at the instance of the people of Louisiana. To surround
with the military array, to demand surrender, and enforce the
departure of the garrison, was an act of war. It amounted to a
declaration of war and defiance, and was done by Governor Moore
without the authority of the legislature or convention. Still,
there is but little doubt but that each of these bodies, to assemble
next week, will ratify and approve these violent acts, and it is
idle to discuss the subject now. The people are mad on this
question.

"I had previously notified all that in the event of secession I
should quit. As soon as knowledge of these events reached me, I
went to the vice president, Dr. Smith, in Alexandria, and told him
that I regarded Louisiana as at war against the federal government,
and that I must go. He begged me to wait until some one could be
found to replace me. The supervisors feel the importance of system
and discipline, and seem to think that my departure will endanger
the success of this last effort to build up an educational
establishment. . . . You may assert that in no event will I forego
my allegiance to the United States as long as a single state is
true to the old constitution. . . .

"Yours,
"W. T. Sherman."

And again:

"Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy,}
"Alexandria, January 18, 1861. }
"Dear Brother:--Before receiving yours of the 6th, I had addressed
a