The Words of War Read online

  The commandants of batteries will promptly send in their reports through the proper channels, giving a journal of the firing of their batteries against Fort Sumter, and of the fire of Fort Sumter against their batteries – furnishing the names of those who particularly distinguished themselves, and other incidents relative thereto, in order that the General commanding may be able to make known to the Confederate States Government, in a proper manner, their bravery and gallantry. The General is highly gratified to state that the troops, by their labor, privations and endurance at the batteries and at their posts, have exhibited the highest characteristics of tried soldiers; and he takes this occasion to thank all – his Staff, the Regulars, the Volunteers, the Militia, the Naval forces, and the numerous individuals who have contributed to the surrender of Fort Sumter.

  By order of Brigadier General BEAUREGARD.

  D. R. JONES, A. A. General.

  From The New York Times

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The ball has opened. War is inaugurated. The batteries of Sullivan’s Island, Morris Island, and other points, were opened on Fort Sumpter at 4 o’clock this morning. Fort Sumpter has returned the fire, and a brisk cannonading has been kept up. No information has been received from the seaboard yet. The military are under arms, and the whole of our population are on the streets. Every available space facing the harbor is filled with anxious spectators. Of the nineteen batteries in position only seven have opened fire on Fort Sumpter, the remainder are held in reserve for the expected fleet.

  Two thousand men reached this city this morning and embarked for Morris Island and the neighborhood.

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The bombardment of Fort Sumpter continues. The Floating Battery and Stephens Battery are operating freely, and Fort Sumpter is returning the fire. It is reported that three war vessels are outside the bar.

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The firing has ceased for the night, but will be renewed at daylight in the morning, unless an attempt is made to reinforce, which ample arrangements have been made to repel. The Pawnee, Harriet Lane, and a third steamer are reported off the bar.

  Troops are arriving by every train.

  Later Dispatches: Hostilities Still Proceeding

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The bombardment is still going on every twenty minutes from our morters. It is supposed that Major ANDERSON is resting his men for the night. Three vessels-of-war are reported outside. They cannot get in. The sea is rough.

  SCENE ON THE FLOATING BATTERY IN CHARLESTON HABOR DURING THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER (FROM A SKETCH BY AN OFFICER).LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  Nobody is hurt. The floating battery works well. Troops arrive hourly. Every inlet is guarded. There are lively times here.

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The firing on Fort Sumpter continues. There are reviving times on the “Palmetto coast.”

  Charleston, Friday, April 12, - 3 A.M. – It is utterly impossible to reinfo[f]ce Fort S[hr]npter, to-night, as a storm is now raging. The mortar batteries will be playing on Fort Sumpter all night.

  From Another Correspondent

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – Civil war has at last begun. A terrible fight is at this moment going on between Fort Sumpter and the fortifications by which it is surrounded. The issue was submitted to Major ANDERSON of surrendering as soon as his supplies were exhausted, or of having a fire opened on him within a certain time.

  This he refused to do, and accordingly, at twenty-seven minutes past four o’clock this morning Fort Moultrie began the bombardment by firing two guns. To these Major Anderson replied with three of his barbette guns, after which the batteries on Mount Pleasant, Cummings’ Point, and the Floating Battery opened a brisk fire of shot and shell.

  Major Anderson did not reply except at long intervals, until between 7 and 8 o’clock, when he brought into action the two tier of guns looking towards Fort Moultrie and Stevens iron battery.

  Up to this hour – 3 o’clock – they have failed to produce any serious effect.

  Major ANDERSON has the greater part of the day been directing his fire principally against Fort Moultrie, the Stevens and Floating Battery, these and Fort Johnson being the only five operating against him. The remainder of the batteries are held in reserve. Major ANDERSON is at present using his lower tier of casemate ordnance.

  The fight is going on with intense earnestness, and will continue all night. The excitement in the community is indescribable. With the very first boom of the guns thousands rushed from their beds to the harbor front and all day every available place has been thronged by ladies and gentlemen, viewing the spectacle through their glasses.

  EVACUATION OF FORT MOULTRE AND BURNING OF THE GUN CARRIAGES ON SULLIVAN’S ISLAND (FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  The brilliant and patriotic conduct of Major ANDERSON speaks for itself.

  Business is entirely suspended. Only those stores open necessary to supply articles required by the Army. Gov. Pickens has all day been in the residence of a gentleman which commands a view of the whole scene – a most interested observer. Gen. Beauregard commands in person the entire operations.

  It is reported that the Harriet Lane has received a shot through her wheelhouse. She is in the offing. No other Government ships in sight up to the present moment, but should they appear the entire range of batteries will open upon them.

  Troops are pouring into the town by hundreds, but are held in reserve for the present, the force already on the island being ample. People are also arriving every moment on horseback, and by every other conveyance.

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 - 6 P.M. – Capt. R.S. Parker brings dispatches from the floating battery, stating that up to this time only two have been wounded on Sullivan’s Island. He had to row through Major Anderson’s warmest fire in a small boat. Senator Wigfall in some manner bore dispatches to Morris Island, through the fire from Fort Sumpter. Senator Chesnut, another member of the staff of Gen. Beauregard, fired a gun, by way of amusement, from Mount Pleasant, which made a large hole in the parapet.

  Quite a number have been struck by spent pieces of shell and knocked down, but none hurt seriously. Many fragments of these missiles are already circulating in the city. The range is more perfect than in the morning and every shot from the land tells.

  Three ships are visible in the offing, and it is believed an attempt will be made to-night, to throw reinforcements into Fort Sumpter in small boats. It is also thought, from the regular and frequent firing of Major Anderson, that he has a much larger force of men than was supposed. At any rate, he is fighting bravely.

  There have been two rain storms during the day, but without effect upon the battle. Everybody is in a ferment. Some of those fighting are stripped to the waist.

  Important Correspondence Preceding The Bombardment

  Charleston, Friday, April 12 – The following is the telegraphic correspondence between the War Department at Montgomery and Gen. BEAUREGARD immediately preceding the hostilities.

  The correspondence grew out of the formal notification by the Washington Government, which is disclosed in Gen. BEAUREGARD’S first dispatches.

  [No. 1.]

  Charleston April 8

  L P. Walker, Secretary of War:

  An authorized messenger from President LINCOLN, just informed Gov. PICKENS and myself that provisions will be sent to Fort Sumpter peaceably, or otherwise by force.

  (Signed.) G. F. Beauregard.

  [No. 2.]

  Montgomery, 10th

  Gen,. G. T. Beauregard, Charleston:

  If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington Government to supply Fort Sumpter by force, you will at once demand its evacuation, and if this is refused, proceed in such matter as you may determine, to reduce it. Answer.

  (Signed) L. P. WALKER, Sec. of War.

  [No. 3.]

  Charleston, April 10

  L. P. WALKER, Secretary of
War:

  The demand will be made to-morrow at 12 o’clock.

  Signed, G. F. Beauregard.

  [No. 4.]

  Montgomery, April 10

  Gen. BEAUREGARD, Charleston:

  Unless there are especial reasons connected, with your own condition, it is considered proper that you should make the demand at an early hour.

  (Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretary of War

  [No. 5.]

  Charleston, April 10

  L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery

  The reasons are special for 12 o’clock.

  (Signed) G. F. BEAUREGARD.

  [No. 6.]

  Charleston April 11

  L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War

  Demand sent at 12 o’clock. Allowed till 6 o’clock to answer

  (Signed) G.F. BEAUREGARD

  [No.7.]

  Montgomery April 11

  Gen. BEAUREGARD – Charleston

  Telegraph the reply of Maj. ANDERSON

  (Signed) L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War

  [No. 8.]

  Charleston, April 11

  To L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War

  Maj. ANDERSON replies:

  “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication demanding the evacuation of this fort. And to say in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor and my obligations to my GOVERNMENT WILL PREVENT MY COMPLIANBCE.” He adds:

  “Probably I will await the first shot, and if you do not batter us to pieces, we will be starved out in a few days.”

  Answer. G.F. Beauregard

  [No. 9.]

  Montgomery, April 11

  Gen. BEAUREGARD – Charleston:

  We do not desire needlessly to bombard Fort Sumpter, if Major ANDERSON will state the time at which, as indicated by him, he will evacuate, and agree that, in the meantime, he will not use his guns against us unless ours should be employed against Fort Sumpter. You are thus to avoid the effusion of blood.

  If this or its equivalent be refused, reduce the fort as your judgment decides to be the most practicable.

  (Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretaty of War

  [No 10.]

  Charleston, April 12

  L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War

  HE WOULD NOT CONSENT. I write today.

  G. F. Beauregard

  Mr. Fox’s Visit to Fort

  Sumpter Charleston, Friday, April I1

  Intercepted dispatches disclose the fact that Mr. Fox, who had been allowed to visit Major Anderson on the. pledge that his purpose was pacific, employed his opportunity to devise a plan for supplying the fort by force, and that this plan had been adopted by the Washington Government, and was in progress of execution.

  The Kentucky Volunteer Regiment

  Louisville Friday, Apr-1 12

  Dispatches have come here to hold the Kentucky Volunteer Regiment in readiness to move at a moment’s notice from the War Department at Montgomery.

  Excitement in Mobile

  Mobile Friday, April 12

  There is intense excitement and rejoicing here. Fifteen guns have been fired in honor of the attack on Fort Sumpter.

  The Confederate States Congress

  Montgomery, Friday, April 12

  An extra session of the Confederate States Congress has been called for April 29.

  The New York Times

  April 15, 1861

  Fort Sumpter Fallen, Particulars of the Bombardment

  Charleston, Saturday, April 13 – Evening – Major Anderson has surrendered, after hard fighting, commencing at 4½ o’clock yesterday morning and continuing until five minutes to 1 to-day.

  The American flag has given place to the Palmetto of South Carolina.

  You have received my previous dispatches concerning the fire and the shooting away of the flagstaff. The latter event is due to Fort Moultrie, as well as the burning of the fort, which resulted from one of the hot shots fired in the morning.

  NEGROES MOUNTING CANNON IN THE WORKS FOR THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER, 1861– MORRIS ISLAND (WILLIAM WAUD). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  During the conflagration, Gen Beauregard sent a boat to Major Anderson, with offers of assistance, the bearers being Colonels W. P. Miles, and Roger Peyor, of Virginia, and Lee. But before it reached him, a flag of truce bad been raised. Another boat then put off, containing Ex-Gov. Manning, Major D. R. Jones and Col. Charles Allston, to arrange the terms of surrender, which were the same as those offered on the 11th inst. These were official. They stated that all proper facilities would be afforded for the removal of Major Anderson and his command, together with the company arms and property, and all private property, to any post in the United States he might elect. The terms were not, therefore, unconditional.

  Major Anderson stated that he surrendered his sword to Gen. Beauregard as the representitive of the Confederate Government. Gen. Beauregard said he would not receive it from so brave a man. He says Major Anderson made a staunch fight, and elevated himself in the estimation of every true Carolinian.

  During the fire, when Major ANDERSON’S flagstaff was shot away, a boat put off from Morris Island, carrying another American flag for him to fight under – a noteworthy instance of the honor an chivalry of South Carolina Seceders, and their admiration for a brave man.

  The scene in the city after the raising of the flag of truce and the surrender is indescribable; the people were perfectly wild. Men on horseback rode through the streets proclaiming the news, amid the greatest enthusiasm.

  On the arrival of the officers from the fort they were marched through the streets, followed by an immense crowd, hurrahing, shouting, and yelling with excitement.

  Several fire companies were immediately sent down to Fort Sumpter to put out the fire, and any amount of assistance was offered.

  A regiment of eight hundred men has just arrived from the interior, and has been ordered to Morris Island, in view of as attack from the fleet which may be expected tonight.

  Six vessels are reported off the bar, but the utmost indignation is expressed against them for not going to the assistance of Major Anderson when he made signals of distress.

  The soldiers on Morris Island jumped on the guns every shot they received from Fort Sumpter while thus disabled, and gave three cheers for Major Anderson and groans for the fleet.

  Col. Lucas, of the Governor’s Staff, has just returned from Fort Sumpter, and says Major Anderson told him he had pleasanter recollections of Fort Moultrie than Fort Sumpter. Only five men were wounded, one seriously.

  The flames have destroyed everything. Both officers and soldiers were obliged to lay on their faces in the casemates, to prevent suffocation.

  The explosions heard in the city were from small piles of shell, which ignited from the heat.

  The effect of the shot upon the fort was tremendous. The walls were battered in hundreds of places, but no breach was made.

  Major Anderson expresses himself much pleased that no lives had been sacrificed, and says that to Providence alone is to be attributed the bloodless victory. He compliments the firing of the Carolinians, and the large number of exploded shells lying around attests their effectiveness.

  The number of soldiers in the fort was about seventy, besides twenty-five workmen, who assisted at the guns. His stock of provisions was almost exhausted, however. He would have been starved out in two more days.

  The entrance to the fort is mined, and the officers were told to be careful, even after the surrender, on account of the heat, lest it should explode.

  A boat from the squadron, with a flag of truce, has arrived at Morris Island, bearing a request to be allowed to come and take Major Anderson and his forces. An answer will be given tomorrow at 9 o’clock.

  The public feeling against the fleet is very strong, it being regarded as cowardly to make not even an attempt to aid a fellow officer.

  Had the surrender not taken place Fort Sumpter would have been stormed tonight. The men are crazy for a fig
ht.

  The bells have been chiming all day, guns firing, ladies waving handkerchiefs, people cheering, and citizens making themselves generally demonstrative. It is regarded as the greatest day in the history of South Carolina.

  What the Historians Say

  Fort Sumter, which took place on April 12-14, 1861, in Charleston County, SC, was the sole operation in the Charleston Harbor campaign of April 1861. Major Robert Anderson of the U.S. Army surrendered the fort to Brig. Gen. G.F Beauregard of the Confederate Army. Fifty United States troops occupied the fort and 500 Confederates engaged it with no resulting casualties in the engagement.

  On April 10, 1861, Brig. Gen. Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Garrison commander Anderson refused. On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. At 2:30 p.m., April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating the garrison on the following day. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War. Although there were no casualties during the bombardment, one Union artillerist was killed and three wounded (one mortally) when a cannon exploded prematurely while firing a salute during the evacuation on April 14.

  This was a Confederate victory that had far reaching effects that would last four years.

  2

  First Manassas

  First Pitched Battle of the War

  AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY

  July 21, 1861, was a difficult day for Henry J. Raymond, editor of The New York Times. Early Federal success at Bull Run spurred him to wire the Times that a Union victory was apparent.

  As he returned to the battlefield alone for follow-up reportage, Raymond came face to face with the unbridled energy of a human force in wild retreat. The Federal army, intermixed with frightened Congressmen, disbelieving clergymen, and panic-stricken newspapermen, some careening wildly in carriages, others atop galloping horses, were in a wild race to get back to the safety of Washington.