On January 2, 1861, as commander-in-chief of the Georgia militia, Governor Brown issued an order to Col. A. R. Lawton, commanding the First volunteer regiment of Georgia, at Savannah, which opens with these words, deserving quotation as ably stating the reasons and justification for the occupation of Fort Pulaski:
Sir: In view of the fact that the government at Washington has, as we are informed upon high authority, decided on the policy of coercing a seceded State back into the Union, and it is believed now has a movement on foot to reinforce Fort Sumter at Charleston, and to occupy with Federal troops the Southern forts, including Fort Pulaski in this State, which, if done, would give the Federal government in any contest great advantage over the people of this State; to the end, therefore, that this stronghold, which commands also the entrance into Georgia, may not be occupied by any hostile force until the convention of the State of Georgia, which is to meet on the 16th inst., has decided on the policy which Georgia will adopt in this emergency, you are ordered to take possession of Fort Pulaski as by public order herewith, and to hold it against all persons, to be abandoned only under orders from me or under compulsion by an overwhelming hostile force.
There was an enthusiastic rivalry among the militia companies at Savannah for the honor of this service. Colonel Lawton selected details from the Chatham artillery,
