Here is an exciting one page ALS – all in the hand of Lieut. Col. (later General) Roswell S. Ripley.  Ripley was in command of Fort Moultrie after Union Colonel Anderson “escaped” to Fort Sumter.  IT WAS FROM THIS FORT JUST A FEW DAYS LATER THAT THE VERY POWDER BEING REQUISITIONED WOULD BE USED TO FIRE ON FORT SUMTER!  Very rarely do we see anything from Fort Moultrie at this historic time!  Ripley is writing to Col. Manigault who was in charge of Ordnance.  


                                                                                                                                            “Head Quarters Fort Moultrie
                                                                                                                                                                  March 23rd, 1861

                                    Colonel,

                                                     I have to request that you will send to Capt. Haleunquist’s Battery, 
                                    One hundred yards of quick match and 10 pounds measured powder in addition 
                                    to the amount heretofore required.  Much of these articles heretofore supplied 
                                    have been expended in filling fire primers at Fort Moultrie. 

                
                                                                        In haste very respectfully

                                                            Your Obdt. Servt.

                                                                                                                                                    R. S. Ripley

                                                                          Lt. Col.”

At the bottom Col. Manigault’s A.A.G. has written:

“Ordered from Citadel, Mch 23/61 -  W.G.G.”

A wonderful historic piece from Charleston and the start of the Civil War 150 years ago.