The Reward of Patriotism, Lucy Shelton Stewart, Walter Neale Publisher, New York, 1 Ed., 1930, p. 279.
Posted on 02/25/2004 11:52:26 AM PST by 4CJ
THOMASVILLE -- Nelson Winbush knows his voice isn't likely to be heard above the crowd that writes American history books. That doesn't keep him from speaking his mind, however.
A 75-year-old black man whose grandfather proudly fought in the gray uniform of the South during the Civil War, Winbush addressed a group of about 40 at the Thomas County Museum of History Sunday afternoon. To say the least, his perspective of the war differs greatly from what is taught in America's classrooms today.
"People have manufactured a lot of mistruths about why the war took place," he said. "It wasn't about slavery. It was about state's rights and tariffs."
Many of Winbush's words were reserved for the Confederate battle flag, which still swirls amid controversy more than 150 years after it originally flew.
"This flag has been lied about more than any flag in the world," Winbush said. "People see it and they don't really know what the hell they are looking at."
About midway through his 90-minute presentation, Winbush's comments were issued with extra force.
"This flag is the one that draped my grandfathers' coffin," he said while clutching it strongly in his left hand. "I would shudder to think what would happen if somebody tried to do something to this particular flag."
Winbush, a retired in educator and Korean War veteran who resides in Kissimmee, Fla., said the Confederate battle flag has been hijacked by racist groups, prompting unwarranted criticism from its detractors.
"This flag had nothing to with the (Ku Klux) klan or skinheads," he said while wearing a necktie that featured the Confederate emblem. "They weren't even heard of then. It was just a guide to follow in battle.
"That's all it ever was."
Winbush said Confederate soldiers started using the flag with the St. Andrews cross because its original flag closely resembled the U.S. flag. The first Confederate flag's blue patch in an upper corner and its alternating red and white stripes caused confusion on the battlefield, he said.
"Neither side (of the debate) knows what the flag represents," Winbush said. "It's dumb and dumber. You can turn it around, but it's still two dumb bunches.
"If you learn anything else today, don't be dumb."
Winbush learned about the Civil War at the knee of Louis Napoleon Nelson, who joined his master and one of his master's sons in battle voluntarily when he was 14. Nelson saw combat at Lookout Mountain, Bryson's Crossroads, Shiloh and Vicksburg.
"At Shiloh, my grandfather served as a chaplain even though he couldn't read or write," said Winbush, who bolstered his points with photos, letters and newspapers that used to belong to his grandfather. "I've never heard of a black Yankee holding such an office, so that makes him a little different."
Winbush said his grandfather, who also served as a "scavenger," never had any qualms about fighting for the South. He had plenty of chances to make a break for freedom, but never did. He attended 39 Confederate reunions, the final one in 1934. A Sons of Confederate Veterans Chapter in Tennessee is named after him.
"People ask why a black person would fight for the Confederacy. (It was) for the same damned reason a white Southerner did," Winbush explained.
Winbush said Southern blacks and whites often lived together as extended families., adding slaves and slave owners were outraged when Union forces raided their homes. He said history books rarely make mention of this.
"When the master and his older sons went to war, who did he leave his families with?" asked Winbush, who grandfather remained with his former owners 12 years after the hostilities ended. "It was with the slaves. Were his (family members) mistreated? Hell, no!
"They were protected."
Winbush said more than 90,000 blacks, some of them free, fought for the Confederacy. He has said in the past that he would have fought by his grandfather's side in the 7th Tennessee Cavalry led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest.
After his presentation, Winbush opened the floor for questions. Two black women, including Jule Anderson of the Thomas County Historical Society Board of Directors, told him the Confederate battle flag made them uncomfortable.
Winbush, who said he started speaking out about the Civil War in 1992 after growing weary of what he dubbed "political correctness," was also challenged about his opinions.
"I have difficulty in trying to apply today's standards with what happened 150 years ago," he said to Anderson's tearful comments. "...That's what a lot of people are attempting to do. I'm just presenting facts, not as I read from some book where somebody thought that they understood. This came straight from the horse's mouth, and I refute anybody to deny that."
Thomas County Historical Society Board member and SVC member Chip Bragg moved in to close the session after it took a political turn when a white audience member voiced disapproval of the use of Confederate symbols on the state flag. Georgia voters are set to go to the polls a week from today to pick a flag to replace the 1956 version, which featured the St. Andrew's cross prominently.
"Those of us who are serious about our Confederate heritage are very unhappy with the trivialization of Confederate symbols and their misuse," he said. "Part of what we are trying to do is correct this misunderstanding."
Your words. Then you turn around and say that envoys from an illegally established (accoridng to you) CSA government are not breaking any laws? It appears as though Mr. Lincoln is not the only one acting incongruently on the subject.
Arrest them on what charge? Talking about rebellion? Advocating rebellion? Supporting rebellion?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa
Mr Lincoln arrested men on all these "charges" throughout the war.
Tossing them in jail would have done nothing to alleviate the situation.
Tossing them in jail would have put his buns in a political sling from which there was no escape.
Captain Fox. Are you blind? Read the top in the link.
Again I'll ask for the signed armistice. With no signed armistice, none of this matters.
You had no intellient question. In opposition to you my point was that there were issues other than slavery. You are doing an excellent job of making my point for me. As did Ms. Pinckney.
Still, you needn't behave like a six year old just because you don't have such an answer.
It would not be polite to speak over your head.
Alternatively, you could grow up and by shedding one or more of hour childish illusions and fantasies. Why not try it?
I fantasize you will say something intelligent. It doesn't work.
You said the Constitution makes it clear that secession is forbidden. I pointed out, as you now appear to agree, that there is not "a single place where secession, unilateral or otherwise, is actually addressed." You make take it that I mean that that a document that does not address secession does not make it clear that it is forbidden.
The 10th Amendment means something and states:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
But it is clear that the Constitution does not give the states free reign in all areas.
The Constitution did not "give" the States anything.
Article 7 of the Constitution states: "The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same."
The people, organized by state, created the Constitution. They delegated some powers to the Federal government and retained all others.
In its ratification document, the people of Virginia stated: "...that the powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the people of the United States may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression, and that every power not granted thereby remains with them and at their will...."
In their ratification document, the people of New York and those or Rhode Island said: "That the powers of government may be reassumed by the people whensoever it shall become necessary to their happiness...."
And the people of Rhode Island said: "That all power is naturally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates, therefore, are their trustees and agents, and at all times amenable to them."
Yet you believe that Congressional approval would be needed in all changes of status of a state, except one.
I said no such thing, nor does the Constitution. Nowhere does the Constitution say that Congressional approval is necessary for the change of status of a state. The Constitution enumerates specific acts which need approval. The Constitution is silent on all acts not enumerated.
And you believe that Congressional approval is required for other actions where the interests of other states may be negatively impacted, except for secession.
The Constitution enumerates specific acts which need approval. The Constitution is silent on all acts not enumerated.
So you imply rights which are not explicitly stated and which must be implied. And you criticize me?
I imply that "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The language of the Constitution says that the Federal government has no inherent powers beyond those that were delegated to it.
[#3Fan] Captain Fox. Are you blind? Read the top in the link.
Below is your link from yourr #442 and the top line.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/foxftsumter.htm
Report of Capt. G. V. Fox, U. S. Agent, of Second Expedition for the Relief of Fort Sumter.
Just because he called himself a Captain did not make him one. That is from April 19, 1861 when he was lying his ass off.
Try this link to the report of the same G.V. Fox on February 24, 1865.
And try this quote:
The tug Freeborn was not permitted to leave New York. The tug Uncle Ben was driven into Wilmington by the violence of the gale and subsequently captured by the rebels. The tug Yankee reached Charleston bar a few hours after the Baltic had left with Major Anderson's command on board.The communications between New York and Washington having been severed, I applied to Mr. Aspinwall to obtain for me a small steamer, with arms and ammunition, to enable me to reach the Chesapeake Bay, where I judged that armed steamers were very essential. This gentleman applied to Mr. John Jacob Astor, jr., who very generously gave him a check for $3,000. With this he procured the tug Yankee and persuaded Commodore Breese, commandant of the New York navy yard, to arm and fit her out; and having received from that officer an appointment as acting lieutenant in the Navy, I left on the 26th for Hampton Roads, where I reported to Commodore Pendergrast, of the Cumberland.
AFTER the events, ACTING LIEUTENANT FOX.
Were you blind?
You're saying he lied about his status? You've got to be kidding me. Even your post in #536 called him a captain. You just trying to confuse the subject since he expected the sailors were to fight to bring provisions to shore.
How odd. The known troll who has been banned for abusive language on this forum some dozen times is projecting his problem onto others.
How embarrasing for me
That you are banned every couple of weeks and keep coming back deceptively under new names only to be banned again? Yeah. I'd say that is pretty embarrassing for you.
as I prefer to only hold intelligent conversations.
No you don't. You simply spew insults against the south, lies about the subject matter of any given conversation, and false accusations of racism against anyone who trumps you in debate. Goodbye, troll.
Your claims are yet again wholly unsubstantiated. Spooner never supported the KKK or any other form of racial hatred. He offered his sympathies to the south while they were under military despotism by the north you adore so much.
Spooner was one of the few whites in the mid-19th century who genuinely cared about the plight of the blacks and genuinely considered them equal human beings. Lincoln certainly didn't go that far, nor did even the majority of abolitionists. To Spooner, it was a "self-evident principle of justice and humanity" that "the Slaves have a natural right to their liberty." So strongly did he believe in their equal status among humanity that he denounced Lincoln's emancipation proclamation on the grounds that it failed to respect this humanity: "And why did these men abolish slavery? Not from any love of liberty in general -- not as an act of justice to the black man himself, but only "as a war measure," and because they wanted his assistance, and that of his friends, in carrying on the war they had undertaken for maintaining and intensifying that political, commercial, and industrial slavery, to which they have subjected the great body of the people, both black and white."
That you would portray him as a racist and a sympathizer of the KKK and do so without even one single shred of evidence to support either charge demonstrates the depth of your dishonesty, Silas aka titus_fikus aka llan-ddeussant aka mortin_sult aka Held_to_Ransom. One would think that you would learn by now that neither lying nor trolling are tolerated around here yet for some reason you keep returning and keep re-registering for the purpose of doing both.
[#3Fan] You're saying he lied about his status? You've got to be kidding me. Even your post #536 called him a captain. You just trying to confuse the subject since he expected the sailors were to fight to bring provisions to shore.
Yeah, civilian Mr. Fox was yet another sleazoid whore in the Lincoln administration plying the trade of selling himself. In 18 years of active duty, he never rose above the rank of Lieutenant. At the time of the Sumter mission, he had no appointment in the Navy whatsoever.
In April 1861, this whore passed himself off as a Captain. He filed reports as a Captain. In 1861, the records show a real naval officer referred to him as "Captain" Fox.
In 1865, Fox was required to explain, to a somewhat hostile audience, the cluster foxtrot that was the Sumter mission. In 1865, the little sleazoid whore wrote:
The expedition organized for the purpose of taking supplies to Major Anderson's starving garrison in Fort Sumter in 1861 has been referred to in the hope of throwing ridicule upon it and upon me. It is incomprehensible how the attempt to relieve that heroic band on any plan could provoke a sneer; nor does the shaft strike me.
Having inspired disbelief in 1865, the memory of the little sleazoid whore improved.
[Mr. Aspinwall] applied to Mr. John Jacob Astor, jr., who very generously gave him a check for $3,000. With this he procured the tug Yankee and persuaded Commodore Breese, commandant of the New York navy yard, to arm and fit her out; and having received from that officer an appointment as acting lieutenant in the Navy, I left on the 26th for Hampton Roads, where I reported to Commodore Pendergrast, of the Cumberland.
Perhaps you believe that the sleazoid whore Fox was a Navy Captain who received an appointment as Acting Lieutenant in the Navy.
Commander Rowan of the USS Pawnee had reported in 1861:
At this time the Pocahontas came in, and her commander [nc - Commander Gillis], at my request, came on board this ship and joined our council. I related to him all the circumstances and what preparations we had made for the purpose of throwing provisions into the fort, and, delivering the copies of orders I had received, I placed myself under his order as senior officer present.
COMMANDER GILLIS of the USS Pocahontas was the SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT because "Captain" Fox was a civilian "Captain" of the civilian ship, Baltic, which had been hired privately for a month. Civilian "Captain" Fox was on the hired steamer Baltic, not a navy ship called the USS Baltic. "Captain" Fox had no military rank whatsoever.
This is the sleazoid whore speaking:
I immediately stood out to inform Captain Rowan, of the Pawnee, but met him coming in. He hailed me and asked for a pilot, declaring his intention of standing in to the harbor and sharing the fate of his brethren of the Army. I went on board and informed him that I would answer for it that the Government did not expect any such gallant sacrifice, having settled maturely upon the policy indicated in the instructions to Captain Mercer and myself.
This is real Navy Commander Gillis of the Pocahontas.
Had there been pilots for the channel on board, I would have proceeded up to the assistance of Sumter, or made the attempt to pass the long line of batteries, as the impulse was strong to render assistance to the gallant men in Sumter; but without pilots, the buoys and marks being removed, we would probably have grounded.
[nc - Note: They had NO PILOT to navigate the harbor.]
This is real Navy Commander Rowan of the Pawneee.
Captain Fox, of the transport Baltic, came on board and showed his instructions. He informed me that it was his intention to attempt to reach Fort Sumter in boats laden with provisions, and asked for such force as I could give him. I immediately gave the necessary order to have the launch and one of the cutters ready and armed for the purpose. In the meantime the Baltic and the Harriet Lane stood in toward the bar; soon, however, the Baltic came out again. On her return Captain Fox reported that the forts and batteries in Charleston were firing on Sumter.
Real Navy Commander Rowan of the Pawnee added:
Captain Fox left this ship intending to make the attempt to land the provisions early the next morning; made all preparations to protect him. The next morning he grounded on Rattlesnake Shoal, which delayed the expedition till the following night.
[nc - Commander Rowan, who referred to Fox as "Captain Fox" reported to Commander GILLIS as the Senior Officer Present, not "Captain Fox."
This is from the report of sleazoid whore Fox:
As it was the opinion of the officers that no boats with any load in them could have reached Sumter in this heavy sea, and no tugboats had arrived, it was proposed to capture a schooner near us loaded with ice, which was done, and preparations at once commenced to fit her out and load her for entering the harbor the following night.
The is real Navy Commander Rowan of the Pawneee.
Early the same morning a schooner passed close to us, and suspecting her to belong to Charleston and passing thus near us to see what we were doing, I brought her to anchor after firing three or four shots across her bows. She proved to be the -------, of Philadelphia, laden with ice. I at once determined to use her for the purpose of transferring both men and provisions, and after counseling with Captain Fox he coincided with me in the plan.
The is from the abstract log of the Pawnee, Real Navy Commander Rowan commanding.
April 14. -- From 4 to 8 a. m.: The steamboat Catawba came out of Charleston Harbor bearing a flag of truce, communicated with the U. S. S. Pocahontas, took a boat in tow and returned. When near the shore, she hoisted the Palmetto flag. The steamer Nashville ran in for the harbor and when near hoisted the Palmetto flag. A steamer in sight on the horizon bearing the so-called Confederate flag. From 8 a. m. to meridian : Appearances of great rejoicing in Charleston Harbor. Smoke still rising from Fort Sumter. At 1 p. m. observed the American flag flying over Fort Sumter. At 2 a salute of fifty guns was fired and the flag was then hauled down. At 4 p. m., the so called Confederate flag, similar to the one flying over Fort Moultrie during the attack on Major Anderson, was hoisted on Fort Sumter amid a general fire from all the forts and batteries. During the firing in honor of what is called the Confederate flag on Fort Sumter, took the bearings of the different batteries on Morris Island and Sullivan's Island, several of which had hitherto been unnoticed.North side Sullivan's Island:
Battery bearing N.
Battery bearing N. W. by N.
Battery bearing N. W.
Battery bearing N. W. 1/2 W. Cumming's Point, W. 1/2 S.
Fort Sumter, W. 3/4 N. Extreme front of Morris Island:
Battery bearing S. W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing S. W. by W. 1/4 W.
Battery bearing S. W. by W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing W. S. W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing W. S. W.
At 7:30 p. m. came in collision with the Baltic, crushing the gig and doing other damage. The Baltic'sstern was also considerably damaged.
Report of the sleazoid whore Fox in 1861:
As I anticipated, the guns from Sumter dispersed their naval preparations excepting small guard boats, so that with the Powhatan a reenforcement would have been easy.
Real Navy Commander GILLIS, the SENIOR OFFFICER PRESENT, was the officer who went to Fort Sumter and reported this:
I left the Pocahontas in charge of Lieutenant Nicholson and proceeded to Fort Sumter to offer them in person. Found the fort a complete wreck, the fire not yet all extinguished. Its shattered battlements, its tottering walls, presented the appearance of an old ruin. Mentioning to Major Anderson the intention to throw supplies and men into the fort after dark, he replied that it was very providential the attempt had not been made, as it could not have been successfully executed on account of the many guns which could have been brought to bear by the batteries.
The sleazoid whore Fox reported in 1861:
The Government did not anticipate that the fort was so badly constructed as the event has shown.
In 1865, the sleazoid whore Fox reported the following:
We [nc - Fox and Confederate Captain Hartstene] reached Fort Sumter after dark and remained about two hours. Major Anderson seemed to think it was too late to relieve the fort by any other means than by landing an army on Morris Island. He agreed with General Scott that an entrance from the sea was impossible; but as we looked out upon the water from the parapet it seemed very feasible, more especially as we heard the oars of a boat near the fort, which the sentry hailed, but we could not see her through the darkness until she almost touched the landing. I found the garrison getting short of supplies, and it was agreed that I might report that the 15th of April at noon would be the period beyond which he could not hold the fort unless supplies were furnished. I made no arrangements with Major Anderson for reenforcing or supplying the fort, nor did I inform him of my plan.
Well, what do you know? Fleet Admiral/Field Marshal Fox himself went to Fort Sumter and made the assessment of the fort.
And what do you know? Fleet Admiral/Field Marshal Fox himself went to Fort Sumter and did NOT inform Major Anderson of his plan.
Well, what do you know? Fleet Admiral/Field Marshal Fox himself went to Fort Sumter and he is the source of the report that the fort could not hold beyond April 15, 1861 due to shortage of supplies, although official records prove that the fort was receiving food supplies from the Charleston merchant Mr. McSweeney until April 7, 1861.
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Report of G. V. Fox, esq., to the Secretary of War, regarding expedition under his command for the relief of Fort Sumter.
Steamer Baltic,
New York, April 19, 1861.
Sir : I sailed from New York in this vessel Tuesday morning, the 10th [9th] instant, having dispatched one steam tug, the Uncle Ben, the evening previous to rendezvous off Charleston. The Yankee, another chartered tug, followed us to the Hook, and I left instructions to send on the Freeborn.
We arrived off Charleston the 12th instant at 3 a. m., and found only the Harriet Lane. Weather during the whole time a gale. At 7 a. m. the Pawnee arrived, and, according to his orders, Captain Rowan anchored 12 miles east of the light to await the arrival of the Powhatan. I stood in with the Baltic to execute my orders by offering, in the first place, to carry provisions to Fort Sumter. Nearing the bar, it was observed that war had commenced, and therefore the peaceful offer of provisions was void.
The Pawnee and [Harriet] Lane immediately anchored close to the bar, notwithstanding the heavy sea, and though neither tugs nor Powhatan nor Pocahontas had arrived, it was believed a couple of boats of provisions might be got in. The attempt was to be made in the morning, because the heavy sea and absence of the Powhatan'sgunboats [boats] crippled the night movement. All night and the morning of the 13th instant it blew strong, with a heavy sea. The Baltic stood off and on, looking for the Powhatan, and in running in during the thick weather struck on Rattlesnake Shoal, but soon got off. The heavy sea, and not having the sailors (300) asked for, rendered any attempt from the Baltic absurd. I only felt anxious to get in a few days' provisions to last the fort until the Powhatan'sarrival. The Pawnee and [Harriet] Lane were both short of men, and were only intended to afford a base of operations while the tugs and 300 sailors fought their way in.
However, the Powhatan and tugs not coming, Captain Rowan seized an ice schooner and offered her to me, which I accepted, and Lieutenant Hudson, of the Army, several Navy officers, and plenty of volunteers agreed to man the vessel and go in with me the night of the 13th. The events of that day, so glorious to Major Anderson and his command, are known to you. As I anticipated, the guns from Sumter dispersed their naval preparations excepting small guard boats, so that
245 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
with the Powhatan a reenforcement would have been easy. The Government did not anticipate that the fort was so badly constructed as the event has shown.
I learned on the 13th instant that the Powhatan was withdrawn from duty off Charleston on the 7th instant; yet I was permitted to sail on the 9th, the Pawnee on the 9th, and Pocahontas on the 10th, without intimation that the main portion, the fighting portion, of our expedition was taken away. In justice to itself, as well as an acknowledgment of my earnest efforts, I trust the Government has sufficient reasons for putting me in the position they have placed me.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
G. V. Fox.
Hon. Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War, Washington.
The Baltic has been chartered for one month.
Extracts from report of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, regarding the expedition of April, 1861, under his command, for the relief of Fort Sumter.
Navy Department, February 24, 1865.
Sir: * * * The expedition organized for the purpose of taking supplies to Major Anderson's starving garrison in Fort Sumter in 1861 has been referred to in the hope of throwing ridicule upon it and upon me. It is incomprehensible how the attempt to relieve that heroic band on any plan could provoke a sneer; nor does the shaft strike me. It falls upon the President, under whose sanction I acted. It was a patriotic attempt by him to sustain the national flag, and as such was responded to by the heart of the nation. Nothing has more endeared him to the people than his conduct on that occasion. My part in it was very humble; but as everything connected with the subject is of interest and importance I subjoin a brief narrative of facts falling within my knowledge, to serve as materials for the vindication of the President.
Memorandum of facts concerning the attempt to send supplies to Fort Sumter in 1861.
January 5, 1861, while in New York, I heard that a steamer belonging to M. O. Roberts was about to leave to carry supplies to the garrison of Fort Sumter. When an officer in the Navy I had commanded one of the United States mail steamers belonging to the line of which Mr. Roberts was president, and therefore I believed it possible for me to obtain command of the vessel designated to take supplies and troops to that fort. Upon visiting the office of the company in West street I found that Captain McGowan had been appointed to the command, and that the steamer was ready for sea. After this steamer (named the Star of the West) had returned from her voyage, having been turned back by the rebel batteries of Morris Island on the 9th of January, I called upon my friend, George W. Blunt, esq., of New York, and expressed to him my views as to the possibility of relieving the garrison and the dishonor which would be justly merited by the Government unless immediate measures were taken to fulfill this sacred duty. Mr. Blunt asked me to explain my plan to him, which I did as follows: From the outer edge of the Charleston bar in a straight line to Sumter through the Swash Channel the distance is 4 miles, with no shoal spots
246 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
having less than 9 feet at high water. The batteries on Morris and Sullivan's islands are about 2,600 yards apart, and between these troops and supplies must pass. I proposed to anchor three small men-of-war off the entrance to the Swash Channel as a safe base of operations against any naval attack from the enemy, the soldiers and provisions to be carried to the Charleston bar in the Collins steamer Baltic, all the provisions and munitions to be put up in portable packages easily handled by one man, the Baltic to carry 300 extra sailors and a sufficient number of armed launches to land all the troops at Fort Sumter in one night. Three steam tugs of not more than 6 feet draft of water, such as are employed for towing purposes, were to form part of the expedition to be used for carrying in the troops and provisions in case the weather should be too rough for boats. With the exception of the men-of-war and tugs, the whole expedition was to be complete on board the steamer Baltic, and its success depended upon the possibility of running past batteries at night, which were distant from the center of the channel 1,300 yards. I depended upon the barbette guns of Sumter to keep the channel between Morris and Sullivan's islands clear of rebel vessels at the time of entering.
Mr. Blunt and myself discussed the plan over a chart, and he communicated it to Charles H. Marshall and Russell Sturgis, and they all approved it; and Mr. Marshall agreed to furnish and provision the vessels without exciting suspicion.
February 4 Mr. Blunt came to my hotel with a telegram from Lieutenant-General Scott, requesting my attendance at Washington. I left the next day and breakfasted with the general the 6th instant. At 11 a. m. I met at his office, by arrangement, Lieutenant [Norman J.] Hall, who had been sent from Sumter by Major Anderson. In the general's presence we discussed the question of relieving Fort Sumter. Lieutenant Hall's plan was to go in with a steamer protected by a vessel on each side loaded with hay. I objected to it for the following reasons: First, a steamer could not carry vessels lashed alongside in rough water, and, second, in running up the channel she would be bows on to Fort Moultrie, and presenting a large fixed mark, without protection ahead, would certainly be disabled. Lieutenant General Scott approved my plan, and on the 7th of February introduced me to Mr. Holt, the Secretary of War, to whom I explained the project and offered my services to conduct the party to the fort. Mr. Holt agreed to present the matter to President Buchanan that evening. The next day, the 8th of February, news was received of the election of Jefferson Davis by the Montgomery convention. I called upon General Scott and he intimated to me that probably no effort would be made to relieve Fort Sumter. He seemed much disappointed and astonished.
I therefore returned to New York on the 9th of February. On the 12th of March I received a telegram from Postmaster-General Blair to come to Washington, and I arrived there on the 13th. Mr. Blair having been acquainted with the proposition I presented to General Scott under Mr. Buchanan's Administration, sent for me to tender the same to Mr. Lincoln, informing me that Lieutenant-General Scott had advised the President that the fort could not be relieved and must be given up. Mr. Blair took me at once to the White House, and I explained the plan to the President; thence we adjourned to Lieutenant-General Scott's office, where a renewed discussion of the subject took place. The general informed the President that my plan was practicable in February, but that the increased number of batteries erected at the mouth of the harbor since that time rendered it impossible in March.
247 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
Finding that there was great opposition to any attempt at relieving Fort Sumter, and that Mr. Blair alone sustained the President in his policy of refusing to yield, I judged that my arguments in favor of the practicability of sending in supplies would be strengthened by a visit to Charleston and the fort. The President readily agreed to my visit if the Secretary of War and General Scott raised no objections.
Both of these gentlemen consenting, I left Washington on the 19th of March, and passing through Richmond and Wilmington reached Charleston the 21st. I traveled the latter part of the way with Mr. Holmes, of California, formerly a member of Congress from South Carolina in the days of Calhoun. At Florence station we met Mr. Keitt, a member of Congress from South Carolina when that State attempted to secede. He welcomed Mr. Holmes very warmly and enquired with great anxiety whether Sumter was to be given up. Mr. Holmes said, "Yes; I know it," which seemed to give Mr. Keitt much satisfaction; but he insisted upon knowing his authority. Mr. Holmes said, "I have the highest authority for what I say," and upon Mr. Keitt again asking "Who?" he leaned toward him, and at that moment the engine whistle gave a screech for starting, so that the conversation closed and I lost the name. At a station near Charleston Mr. Huger, formerly postmaster under President Buchanan, got into the cars and had an interview with Mr. Holmes, during which the same assurances were repeated relative to the certainty of the evacuation of Fort Sumter. Mr. Huger seemed much depressed with the condition of affairs. At Charleston I sought an interview with Captain Hartstene, formerly of the U. S. Navy, and to him I stated my desire to visit Major Anderson. Not finding General Beauregard, he introduced me to Governor Pickens, to whom I showed the order under which I acted. After considerable, delay he directed Captain Hartstene to take me to Fort Sumter, and while the boat was preparing I had an interview with General Beau-regard. We reached Fort Sumter after dark and remained about two hours. Major Anderson seemed to think it was too late to relieve the fort by any other means than by landing an army on Morris Island. He agreed with General Scott that an entrance from the sea was impossible; but as we looked out upon the water from the parapet it seemed very feasible, more especially as we heard the oars of a boat near the fort, which the sentry hailed, but we could not see her through the darkness until she almost touched the landing. I found the garrison getting short of supplies, and it was agreed that I might report that the 15th of April at noon would be the period beyond which he could not hold the fort unless supplies were furnished. I made no arrangements with Major Anderson for reenforcing or supplying the fort, nor did I inform him of my plan.
Upon my return I had the honor to be called frequently before the President and in the presence of different members of his Cabinet to answer the objections presented by Lieutenant-General Scott and the military authorities; but as my project simply involved passing batteries with steamers or boats at night at right angles to their line of fire and 1,300 yards distant, a feat of which the Crimean War furnished many safe examples, I maintained the proposition and suggested that it was a naval plan and should be decided by naval officers. The President asked me if there was any naval officer of high authority in Washington who would sustain me, and if so to bring him to the White House. I knew that Commodore Stringham was at that time filling the position of detailing officer in the Navy Department and I took him
248 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
to the President, where in the presence of Lieutenant-General Scott he not only confirmed my views, but said that he had that morning held a conversation with Commodore Stewart, who declared that Fort Sumter could easily be reenforced and provisioned with boats at night. As valuable time was being lost by discussions which form no part of this narrative, I represented that so important an expedition required time for its preparation and that I ought to be allowed to take the preparatory steps if there was any possibility of sending it out.
On the 30th of March the President sent me to New York with verbal instructions to prepare for the voyage, but to make no binding engagements.
After consultation with George W. Blunt, esq., who throughout had been of great assistance to me with his advice and active cooperation, I met by previous arrangement Messrs. William H. Aspinwall and Charles H. Marshall, for the purpose of making with them preliminary arrangements for the voyage. Mr. Marshall declined to aid me upon the ground that the attempt to relieve Fort Sumter would kill the proposed loan and bring on civil war, and that the people had made up their minds to abandon Sumter and make the stand upon Fort Pickens.
On the 2d of April I had not received the written authority which I expected from the Government; therefore I returned to Washington.
Delays which belong to the secret history of this period prevented a decision until the afternoon of the 4th of April, when the President sent for me and said that he had decided to let the expedition go, and that a messenger from himself would be sent to the authorities of Charleston before I could possibly get there, to notify them that no troops would be thrown into Sumter if provisions were allowed peacefully to be sent to the garrison. I mentioned to the President that by the time I should arrive at New York I would have but nine days in which to charter and provision the vessels and reach the destined point, 632 miles distant.
He answered that I should best fulfill my duty to my country to make the attempt. The Secretary of the Navy had in commission in the Atlantic waters of the United States only the Powhatan, the Pocahontas, and Pawnee; all these he placed at my disposal, as well as the revenue steamer Harriet Lane, and directed me to give all the necessary orders. The Powhatan, which had recently returned and gone out of commission, was added to the force I designated, to enable me to have her fine boats and crew for landing the supplies. I suggested to the Secretary of the Navy to place Commodore Stringham in command of the naval force, but upon consulting with that distinguished officer he considered it to be too late to be successful, and likely to ruin the reputation of the officer who undertook it then.
I arrived at New York on the 5th of April, engaged the steamer Baltic of Mr. Aspinwall, who used every possible exertion to get her ready for sea, and delivered confidential orders, embracing all my wants, to Colonel H. L. Scott, aid to the General in Chief, and Colonel D. D. Tompkins, quartermaster.
Colonel Scott ridiculed the idea of Government relieving Fort Sumter, and by his indifference and delay half a day of precious time was lost. The recruits that he finally furnished to me were totally unfit to be thrown into a fort likely to be attacked by the rebels.
I placed the hiring of three tugs in the hands of Russell Sturgis, who labored very energetically; but he found great difficulty in obtaining from the owners tugs to go to sea. Finally three were promised, at
249 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
exorbitant rates, viz, the Yankee, which I fitted to throw hot water, the Uncle Ben, and the Freeborn. The question of supplies introduced me to Major Eaton, of the Commissary Department, who thanked God that an attempt was to be made to relieve Major Anderson's command, and from the energetic and enthusiastic cooperation of this officer the expedition was immediately provisioned for all contingencies.
The frigate Powhatan, Captain Mercer, sailed on the 6th of April, 1861; the Pawnee, Commander Rowan, on the 9th; the Pocahontas, Captain Gillis, on the 10th; the Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, on the 8th; the tug Uncle Ben on the 7th; the tug Yankee on the 8th, and the Baltic, Captain Fletcher, dropped down to Sandy Hook on the evening of the 8th and went to sea at 8 a. m. of the 9th.
The officers of the Army who accompanied the military force were First Lieutenant E. McK. Hudson, Second Lieutenant Robert O. Tyler, and First Lieutenant C. W. Thomas.
Soon after leaving Sandy Hook a heavy gale of wind set in, which continued during the whole passage. At 3 a.m. of the 12th we reached the rendezvous off Charleston and communicated with the Harriet Lane, the only vessel which had arrived; at 6 a. m. the Pawnee was seen standing in. I boarded her and informed her commander of my orders to offer to send in provisions, and asked him to stand in to the bar with me. He replied that his orders required him to remain 10 miles east of the light and await the Powhatan, and that he was not going in there to inaugurate civil war. I then stood in toward the bar, followed by the Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, who cheerfully accompanied me. As we neared the land heavy guns were heard and the smoke and shells from the batteries which had just opened fire upon Sumter were distinctly visible. I immediately stood out to inform Captain Rowan, of the Pawnee, but met him coming in. He hailed me and asked for a pilot, declaring his intention of standing in to the harbor and sharing the fate of his brethren of the Army. I went on board and informed him that I would answer for it that the Government did not expect any such gallant sacrifice, having settled maturely upon the policy indicated in the instructions to Captain Mercer and myself. No other naval vessels arrived during this day, but the steamer Nashville, from New York, and a number of merchant vessels reached the bar and awaited the result of the bombardment, giving indications to those inside of a large naval fleet off the harbor. The weather continued very bad, with a heavy sea.
Neither the Pawnee nor Harriet Lane had boats or men to carry in supplies. Feeling sure that the Powhatan would arrive during the night, as she had sailed from New York two days before us, I stood out to the appointed rendezvous and made signals all night. The morning of the 13th was thick and foggy, with a very heavy ground swell. The Baltic, feeling her way in, ran ashore on Rattlesnake Shoal, but soon got off without damage. On account of the very heavy swell, she was obliged to anchor in deep water several miles outside the Pawnee and Harriet Lane.
Lieutenant Robert O. Tyler, an officer of very great zeal and fidelity, though suffering from seasickness, as were most of the recruits, organized a boat's crew and exercised them, notwithstanding the heavy sea, for the purpose of having at least one boat, in the absence of the Powhatan's, to reach Fort Sumter. At 8 a.m. I took this boat, and in company with Lieutenant Hudson pulled in to the Pawnee. As we approached that vessel a great volume of black smoke issued from Fort Sumter, through which the flash of Major Anderson's guns still replied
250 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
to the rebel fire. The quarters of the fort were on fire, and most of our military and naval officers believed the smoke to proceed from an attempt to smoke out the garrison with fire rafts. As it was the opinion of the officers that no boats with any load in them could have reached Sumter in this heavy sea, and no tugboats had arrived, it was proposed to capture a schooner near us loaded with ice, which was done, and preparations at once commenced to fit her out and load her for entering the harbor the following night. I now learned for the first time that Captain Rowan had received a note from Captain Mercer, of the Powhatan, dated at New York the 6th, the day he sailed, stating that the Powhatan was detached by orders of "superior authority" from the duty to which she was assigned off Charleston, and had sailed for another destination. I left New York two days afterwards without any intimation of this change. At 2 p. m. the Pocahontas arrived, and at 2:30 the flag of Sumter was shot away and not again raised. A flag of truce was sent in by Captain Gillis, and arrangements made to place Major Anderson and his command on board the Baltic to return North.
The fort was evacuated Sunday, the 14th of April. Monday, the 15th, the steamer Isabel took the garrison outside to the steamer Baltic, which left that evening direct for New York, where she arrived the forenoon of the 18th instant. My plan for supplying Fort Sumter required 300 sailors, a full supply of armed launches, and three tugs.
The Powhatan carried the sailors and launches, and when this vessel was about to leave, in obedience to the orders of the Secretary of the Navy, two officers, Lieutenant D. D. Porter, U. S. Navy, and Captain M. C. Meigs, U. S. Engineers, presented themselves on board with an order from the President of the United States authorizing the former to take any vessel whatever in commission and proceed immediately to the Gulf of Mexico. This order did not pass through the Navy Department and was unknown to the Secretary of the Navy, and when signed by the President he was not conscious that his signature would deprive me of the means to accomplish an object which he held to be of vital importance.
In a letter from him, which is annexed, he hastened to affirm that the attempt to provision Fort Sumter had advanced the cause of the country.
The tug Freeborn was not permitted to leave New York. The tug Uncle Ben was driven into Wilmington by the violence of the gale and subsequently captured by the rebels. The tug Yankee reached Charleston bar a few hours after the Baltic had left with Major Anderson's command on board.
The communications between New York and Washington having been severed, I applied to Mr. Aspinwall to obtain for me a small steamer, with arms and ammunition, to enable me to reach the Chesapeake Bay, where I judged that armed steamers were very essential. This gentleman applied to Mr. John Jacob Astor, jr., who very generously gave him a check for $3,000. With this he procured the tug Yankee and persuaded Commodore Breese, commandant of the New York navy yard, to arm and fit her out; and having received from that officer an appointment as acting lieutenant in the Navy, I left on the 26th for Hampton Roads, where I reported to Commodore Pendergrast, of the Cumberland.
The services of the Yankee not being required at this point, I proceeded to Annapolis and offered my vessel to General Butler, who was about opening communications with Washington. The general gratefully received the steamer and sent me through to the capital to report to
251 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
the President, and immediately afterwards I received an appointment in the Navy Department. Annexed are copies* of orders and letters relating to the narrative which I have submitted. Very respectfully, yours,
G. V. Fox,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
[Enclosure.]
Washington, D. C, May 1, 1861.
My Dear Sir : I sincerely regret that the failure of the late attempt to provision Fort Sumter should be the source of any annoyance to you. The practicability of your plan was not, in fact, brought to a test. By reason of a gale, well known in advance to be possible, and not improbable, the tugs, an essential part of the plan, never reached the ground; while, by an accident, for which you were in no wise responsible, and possibly I to some extent was, you were deprived of a war vessel, with her men, which you deemed of great importance to the enterprise.
I most cheerfully and truly declare that the failure of the undertaking has not lowered you a particle, while the qualities you developed in the effort have greatly heightened you in my estimation. For a daring and dangerous enterprise of a similar character you would to-day be the man, of all my acquaintances, whom I would select. You and I both anticipated that the cause of the country would be advanced by making the attempt to provision Fort Sumter even if it should fail, and it is no small consolation now to feel that our anticipation is justified by the result.
Very truly, your friend,
A. Lincoln.
Captain G. V. Fox.
Report of Commander Gillis, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pocahontas, of the evacuation of Fort Sumter.
U. S. S. Pocahontas,
At Sea, April 16, 1861.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of this vessel on the 13th instant at the anchorage off Charleston, S. C, designated in your order, the receipt of which I acknowledged off the capes of Virginia.
The weather continued unpropitious. I found here the U. S. S. Pawnee (she arrived on the morning of the 12th), the Harriet Lane, and transport Baltic. I went immediately on board the Pawnee, where I received a copy of your orders to Captain Mercer, certified by him and Commander Foote. Had there been pilots for the channel on board, I would have proceeded up to the assistance of Sumter, or made the attempt to pass the long line of batteries, as the impulse was strong to render assistance to the gallant men in Sumter; but without pilots, the buoys and marks being removed, we would probably have grounded.
The flagstaff was shot away in Sumter about the time we anchored the Pocahontas; the conflagration of officers' quarters [was] observed before we got in, which we then supposed was from their hot-shot furnace.
* The enclosures mentioned are distributed in their chronological order in the preceding pages.-Compilers.
252 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
The proposition of Captains Fox and Hudson was referred to me, and it was concluded an effort should be made to send provisions and some men to Fort Sumter after dark of the 13th the same day on board of a small schooner, accompanied by boats with some of our crew. The firing ceased, and it was concluded to send a boat with a message by an officer to commanding officer of batteries in relation to bringing off Major Anderson and his command if the heroic, gallant band had survived the attack and conflagration in the fort. To save time I requested Commander Rowan to dispatch one of the Pawnee'sboats. The answer to the message was that a reply would be sent in the morning (14th) and delivered at Cumming's Point, Morris Island, opposite Fort Sumter.
I was prepared to go up in one of the Pocahontas's boats to receive it, when one of the Charleston steamers, carrying a flag of truce, was seen approaching our vessels. She came within speaking distance of this vessel, when Captain Hartstene hailed, saying he wished to communicate with the commanding officer. I requested him to come on board. He did so, and presented to me Lieutenant Snyder, U. S. Army, of Fort Sumter, who said he had a message from Major Anderson, and imparted the decision of Major Anderson to evacuate the fort, it being no longer tenable.
I was rejoiced to learn the patriotic band had survived the many perils they had encountered. They fought like brave men, long and well, and even in their desperate condition no surrender was made, but a highly honorable evacuation. The major desired to be informed what means of transportation we could give him. I placed at his disposal all the vessels, consisting of the Pocahontas, Pawnee, Harriet Lane, and Baltic.
I left the Pocahontas in charge of Lieutenant Nicholson and proceeded to Fort Sumter to offer them in person. Found the fort a complete wreck, the fire not yet all extinguished. Its shattered battlements, its tottering walls, presented the appearance of an old ruin. Mentioning to Major Anderson the intention to throw supplies and men into the fort after dark, he replied that it was very providential the attempt had not been made, as it could not have been successfully executed on account of the many guns which could have been brought to bear by the batteries.
I remained at Fort Sumter till the little band of patriots had saluted their old flag with a hundred [fifty] guns and marched out with their tattered ensign to the tune of our own Yankee Doodle. They were taken down to the anchorage by the Charleston steamer, and were made at home on board the Baltic, Captain Fletcher, to disembark at New York.
The several vessels were dispatched same evening (15th instant), as directed in your orders of the 5th. I sent by the Harriet Lane a hasty and not detailed letter to the Department.
Commander Rowan, of the Pawnee, received the morning previous to the day we anchored in the Pocahontas (twenty-four to thirty hours) the copy of your orders to Captain Mercer. He requested a copy of them, which was given him.
I am, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
Jno. P. Giillis,
Commander, U. S. Navy, and Senior Officer
Of U. S. Naval Force off Charleston, S. C.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
253 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
Report of Commander Rowan, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pawnee, regarding the evacuation of Fort Sumter.
U S. S. Pawnee,
Off Arsenal, Washington, April 19, 1861.
Sir : In a communication dated off Cape Henry, April 10, I informed the Department that this ship was at sea in obedience to an order from the Department dated April 5, and delivered to me April 9 at Norfolk.
On the morning of the 12th instant, at 7 o'clock, I was off Charleston Harbor as near the position assigned me as the badness of the weather would enable me to judge.
On approaching the harbor a small paddle-wheel steamer approached, which proved to be the Harriet Lane. A boat was sent from her with a communication addressed to the senior naval officer present, which I opened and found to be a copy of dispatch from the Navy Department, dated April 5, addressed to Captain Samuel Mercer, commanding U. S. S. Powhatan.
Captain Fox, of the transport Baltic, came on board and showed his instructions. He informed me that it was his intention to attempt to reach Fort Sumter in boats laden with provisions, and asked for such force as I could give him. I immediately gave the necessary order to have the launch and one of the cutters ready and armed for the purpose. In the meantime the Baltic and the Harriet Lane stood in toward the bar; soon, however, the Baltic came out again. On her return Captain Fox reported that the forts and batteries in Charleston were firing on Sumter. Captain Fox repaired on board this ship, after which I got underway and stood in and anchored on the outer edge of the Swash Channel.
Fort Moultrie, Cumming's Point, Fort Johnson, and the sand and floating batteries were all playing on Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter returned the fire in the most spirited manner. Captain Fox left this ship intending to make the attempt to land the provisions early the next morning; made all preparations to protect him. The next morning he grounded on Rattlesnake Shoal, which delayed the expedition till the following night. Early the same morning a schooner passed close to us, and suspecting her to belong to Charleston and passing thus near us to see what we were doing, I brought her to anchor after firing three or four shots across her bows. She proved to be the ---------- , of Philadelphia, laden with ice. I at once determined to use her for the pur pose of transferring both men and provisions, and after counseling with Captain Fox he coincided with me in the plan.
This arrangement had scarcely been determined upon before a dense smoke issued from the weather side of Fort Sumter; for some time it was thought to be some floating fire craft dropped down against the walls to annoy and prevent the accuracy of Major Anderson's fire. In two hours flames appeared above the ramparts on the opposite side of the fort from our position. At noon, or a little later, a body of flames curled far above the ramparts. We then became satisfied that the fort was on fire and feared that the gallant major and his little band would suffer severely. At this time the Pocahontas came in, and her commander, at my request, came on board this ship and joined our council. I related to him all the circumstances and what preparations we had made for the purpose of throwing provisions into the fort, and, delivering the copies of orders I had received, I placed myself under his order as senior officer present.
At about 2 o'clock the flagstaff on Fort Sumter was shot away, and we witnessed the sad spectacle of the fall of our flag, which we were so
254 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
impotent to assist. In vain we looked for its reappearance over the fort; instead of this, the firing from Sumter became more and more weak, and at length ceased entirely.
Lieutenant Marcy was immediately after dispatched in a boat with a flag of truce to Cumming's Point to ascertain whether Major Anderson had surrendered or not, and to make proposals for bringing him and his officers and men away in our vessels. The answer brought from General Simons, in command at Cumming's Point, was that Fort Sumter had surrendered and that a reply to the proposition in regard to Major Anderson and his command would be given the next morning at the point where Lieutenant Marcy had already held communication with General Simons. All other communication with the authorities of Charleston was held by Commander Gillis, the senior officer present.
On Monday evening, the 15th instant, after assisting to transfer Major Anderson's command, with their luggage and stores, on board the Baltic, I took my departure for Cape Henry, the Pocahontas and Harriet Lane preceding me.
Very respectfully, etc.,
S. C. Rowan,
Commander, U. S. Navy.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.
Abstract log U. S. S. Pawnee, April 9-19, 1861, Commander S. C. Rowan, commanding.
April 9, 1861. -- At 6:30 p. m. anchored 7 miles from Norfolk.
April 10. -- At 5:40 a. m. steaming down for Hampton Roads.
April 12. -- At 5 a. m. Cape Romain light N.N.W. At 7:30 anchored; the revenue steamer Harriet Lane communicated with us. Packet steamer Baltic lying near land in sight. Went to quarters, loaded the guns with shell. Captain G. V. Fox, from the transport Baltic, and Captain Faunce, of the Harriet Lane, came on board; they left the ship and their respective steamers stood in toward Charleston bar. This ship got underway at 11:45 and steamed in toward the bar. The Harriet Lane and Baltic came out toward us and reported that the forts and batteries were firing on Fort Sumter; signals were made to Captains Fox and Faunce to repair on board this ship. From meridian to 4 p. m.: Came to anchor and made preparation to get out boats. Forts on shore still firing. At 7 p. m., heavy squall; batteries on shore firing incessantly on Fort Sumter, to which she replied occasionally. From 8 p. m. to midnight: Fort Johnson firing on Fort Sumter; Fort Sumter silent.
April 13. -- Midnight to 4 a. m.: During the watch a desultory fire kept up by the batteries on Fort Sumter. Four to 8 a.m.: Hoisted out launch and placed the howitzer and the ammunition boxes in her preparatory to sending off an expedition. At 6 a. m. a fore-and-aft schooner beating in attempted to pass ahead of us. Fired shell ahead of her; she not heaving to, fired another shell when she went about; passed astern of us and appeared still to endeavor to enter the harbor. Fired two more at her when she came to anchor on our starboard beam. Sent a boat to board her; found her to be an American schooner from Boston, loaded with ice. At 8 a. m. a dense black smoke issued from Fort Sumter; batteries still keeping up an incessant fire on it. At 1:45 p.m.
255 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
smoke and flames issuing from Fort Sumter. At 2 p. m. firing ceased from fort and batteries. Sent a boat in charge of Lieutenant Marcy with a flag of truce to communicate with the authorities. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Hoisted in the launch. The battery at Cumming's Point fired two shots in the direction of the boat with the flag of truce. A large side-wheel steamer in the offing. At close of this watch a steamer is lying alongside Fort Sumter with the secession flag flying. Many boats sailing about Charleston Harbor and a flag of truce flying on the beach off Fort Moultrie. At 7 p. m. the third cutter returned and brought information of the surrender of Fort Sumter by Major Anderson. This information was given by officers at Cumming's Point.
April 14. -- From 4 to 8 a. m.: The steamboat Catawba came out of Charleston Harbor bearing a flag of truce, communicated with the U. S. S. Pocahontas, took a boat in tow and returned. When near the shore, she hoisted the Palmetto flag. The steamer Nashville ran in for the harbor and when near hoisted the Palmetto flag. A steamer in sight on the horizon bearing the so-called Confederate flag. From 8 a. m. to meridian : Appearances of great rejoicing in Charleston Harbor. Smoke still rising from Fort Sumter. At 1 p. m. observed the American flag flying over Fort Sumter. At 2 a salute of fifty guns was fired and the flag was then hauled down. At 4 p. m., the so called Confederate flag, similar to the one flying over Fort Moultrie during the attack on Major Anderson, was hoisted on Fort Sumter amid a general fire from all the forts and batteries. During the firing in honor of what is called the Confederate flag on Fort Sumter, took the bearings of the different batteries on Morris Island and Sullivan's Island, several of which had hitherto been unnoticed.
North side Sullivan's Island:
Battery bearing N.
Battery bearing N. W. by N.
Battery bearing N. W.
Battery bearing N. W. 1/2 W. Cumming's Point, W. 1/2 S.
Fort Sumter, W. 3/4 N. Extreme front of Morris Island:
Battery bearing S. W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing S. W. by W. 1/4 W.
Battery bearing S. W. by W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing W. S. W. 1/2 W.
Battery bearing W. S. W.
At 7:30 p. m. came in collision with the Baltic, crushing the gig and doing other damage. The Baltic'sstern was also considerably damaged.
April 15. -- At 9:30 a. m. got underway and stood in toward Charleston bar. At 10, large steamer carrying the American ensign at the fore and what is now called the Confederate flag at her main gaff, and having on board Major Anderson and his command, came out from the harbor of Charleston and steered for the transport steamer Baltic. The Charleston steamer proved to be the Isabel. At 12 m. commenced transferring the officers, men, and luggage from the Isabel to the Baltic, the Pocahontas, this ship, and the Harriet Lane keeping under steam near the Baltic. At 4 p. m. the Isabel returned to Charleston. The stops of the flag which waved over Fort Sumter during the attack were broken, and as it blew out from the main truck of the Baltic it was saluted by the United States steamers and greeted by three times three cheers from the crews of the vessels. At 5:30 took our departure.
April 19. -- At 8:45 a. m. anchored off Giesboro Point [Potomac River].
256 OPERATIONS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
Report of Captain Faunce, U. S. Revenue Marine, commanding U. S. S. Harriet Lane, of the arrival of that vessel at New York from Charleston, S. C.
U. S. S. Harriet Lane,
New York, April 18, 1861.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of the above-named vessel at this port from Charleston bar, after a boisterous passage of seventy-five hours. We sailed in company with U. S. steamers Pawnee and Pocahontas and the U. S. transport Baltic.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
John Faunce,
Captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Wavy, Washington, D. C.
Confederate reports and correspondence relative to the attempt to relieve Fort Sumter.
[Telegram.]
Washington, April 2, 1861.
The war wing presses on the President; he vibrates to that side. He has conferred with several officers -- naval engineers -- supposed to be in regard to Sumter, perhaps to collecting revenues at New Orleans. Commodore Pendergrast is not at Key West, but at Norfolk; could not, therefore, land troops. Senator Dixon conversed fully with Chase on Saturday; found him much moderated and strongly inclined to peace policy. Their form of notice to us may be that of the coward, who gives it when he strikes. Watch at all points. It is said the Pawnee sailed from this place this evening with three companies of artillery.
Martin J. Crawford, A. B. Roman,
[C. S. Commissioners.]
Hon. R. Toombs,
[Secretary of State of Confederate States.]
[Telegram.]
Washington, April 3, 1861.
Much activity to-day in the War and Navy Departments. It is said the Minnesota, at Boston, has been ordered to the mouth of the Mississippi. Powhatan suddenly put in commission to sail next week. Four companies now here; three artillery, one sappers and miners, ordered to New York. Report says these movements have reference to the San Domingo question. Pawnee will not be ready for sea until Saturday. Our intermediary says they dare not deceive him, as they know we don't rely upon them, but upon him.
Crawford.
Roman.
FORSYTH.
Hon. R. Toombs.
The Reward of Patriotism, Lucy Shelton Stewart, Walter Neale Publisher, New York, 1 Ed., 1930, p. 279.
It was a dark and stormy night.
Fox labored with all his might.
He sought to write with skill and wit,
But only produced this pile of... stuff.
And the Edward Bulwer-Lytton Award goes to Gustavus Vasa Fox.
I left Washington on the 19th of March, and passing through Richmond and Wilmington reached Charleston the 21st. I traveled the latter part of the way with Mr. Holmes, of California, formerly a member of Congress from South Carolina in the days of Calhoun. At Florence station we met Mr. Keitt, a member of Congress from South Carolina when that State attempted to secede. He welcomed Mr. Holmes very warmly and enquired with great anxiety whether Sumter was to be given up. Mr. Holmes said, "Yes; I know it," which seemed to give Mr. Keitt much satisfaction; but he insisted upon knowing his authority. Mr. Holmes said, "I have the highest authority for what I say," and upon Mr. Keitt again asking "Who?" he leaned toward him, and at that moment the engine whistle gave a screech for starting, so that the conversation closed and I lost the name.
~ Groan ~
Captain Rowan called him "Captain Fox", and if a contemporary called him "captain", that's good enough for me, surely he would know.
Look who's talking, you falsely accuse me of a crime.
It's been my experience that when someone posts execessively long posts, it's because simple truths are not on their side. A simple link to the signed armistice would be a simple truth. Where is it? lol
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