The Real Cause of the U.S. Civil War

Steve Hurlbut to Abraham Lincoln, March 27, 1861


Page 4


I was at liberty to state to him that

my object was to ascertain and re-

port the actual state of feeling in the

City and State. Our conversation was

entirely free and confidential.

He is now the only man in the City of

Charleston who avowedly adheres

to the Union.

Colonel Grayson formerly Collector and in

Congress George S. Bryan James W.

Gray and a very few others stood

out in favor of Union until within three

weeks, but they have surren-

dered and at this day Fort Sumpter

is the only spot where the U. States have

jurisdiction and James L. Petigru

the only Citizen loyal to the Nation.

I also saw many of the leading Spirits

upon the other side. Wm. D. Porter Pres.

of State Senate , A. H. Brown, member of the

State Convention, Wm. H. Trescott & others

formerly intimate acquaintances.

I saw many representatives of the

Mercantile interest some heavy Impor-

ters & Jobbers, others engaged in forward-

ing & commission business enough

at all events to be fair representatives

to my mind of these several classes.

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Hurlbut Letter Page 4