118. ON THE LOOKOUT FOR UNION SHIPS ON THE GEORGIA COAST 1861 Fine content A.L.S. of William Hazzard, 2pp. 4to., West Point, St. Simons Island, Ga., May 6, 1861 to the Governor of Georgia advising him that "...The Planters on St. Simons island have organized themselves into a company which some factions have applied the epithet to, of the Buckshot Scout, & honored me with the appointment of Leader. Two of our number are appointed sentinels to look out from their residences, which commands an extensive Sea view, & report any suspicious sails, or Steamers in the offing -- Saturday they discovered a Brigantine, which bore away south. At an early hour this morning...they discovered a Hermaphrodite Brig, (that is square rigged forward, schooner rigged aft) ...apparently with a crowd on deck armed. Immediately a messenger was dispatched to summon us to our appointed rendezvous at Fort Brown & surely thought we would have a nice little skirmish: but our enterprising fellow citizens of Brunswick was before us & had boarded & captured her in St. Andrews Sound & bringing her round as a prize of War. She is said to be the Brig E. Duane.. Your Excellency is aware of our exposed situation, with a Bar; a Foreign ship has recently passed, the Captain of which said he brought in 29 feet of water without a Pilot, or Light to guide him & found it direct, spacious & plane [sic]. We have not a full corporals guard to protect our property of several hundred negroes, or defend this important Port where we expect to see the Enemy enter any day...if your Excellency will give me a sufficient force & put efficient arms in our hands, We will defend this part of our sea coast, or perish in the attempt..." Usual folds, otherwise fine. $300-500