Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-05-18
Wigfall in a New Role.


done so much SO little to his credit,
that it is refreshing to find him credited
with highly gallant and magnani-
nous action. The Charleston cores
pondent of the New York Times, Civ
ing further details and facts of the Sum-
ter affair, describes Wigfalps trip to the
fort, in the midst of the fire to urge An
derson's surrender: -+ 81 sst5.
Mr. Wigfall's exploit was as gallant
and chivalrous as any deed of modern
times. Stationed on Morris Island,
where he had been on foot or in the
saddle since the commencement Of the
attack, he no sooner saw the second
barracks in flames and the flag staff
shot away, than he resolved to make
his way to the fort and persuade Ma
ior Anderson to desist from a resis-
tancc manifestly SO unavailing.
Despite the rernonstraces Of those
around him, he embarked in a skiff,
and with three negro oarsmen and a
coxswain, pulled over to the fort. He
was scarce hundred yards from the
shore when they hailed to him to re-
turn, "The Stars and Stripes were
again flying" He sliterally turned ga
deaf ear' to this call and pushed on,
brandishing his sword, to which he had
tied his white handkerchief as a flag of
truce. From the batteries at Fort
Moultrie balls and shell were aimed at
the skiff: The white flag was invisi-
bic at that distance, and the boat, only
noticed when nearing the Fort, if not
carrying reinforccments, had no bust
ness there. \ thirty-two pound ball
struck the water within five yards of
her, and was followed by shell which
came very near proving fatal. The Af-
ricans strained every nerve to get un-
Ger the lee of the fort, and the officers
at the batteries observing that the boat
never swerved from her course, inTerr-
ed that TViGtdN must hare been IN 1t,
thereby acknowledging his more than
Palmetto recklessness and daring.
On touching the wharf, the accen-
trio volunteer sprang ashore, and find
ing the gate burst open by the flames,
made his way round to an open port
hole on the town side the fort, through
which, with the aid of a loose piece oI
timber which he placed beneath it, he
swung himself from a protruding gun
into the embrasure.
He stumbled unchallenged upon one
of the garrison, who did not know
where Mai. Anderson was. The fire
was still raging, the heat intense, and
the smoke insufferable. Shells were
still exploding above, and from time to
time within the fort, from the mortars
on Sullivan's Island. He worked his
way up to the group of officers and men
standing near a cascmate-"was Mai.
Anderson therc?" "No." Before the
party had recovered their surprise at
the apparition, Major Anderson came
up from the quarter Wigfall had just
left. lie saw the sword and white
handkerchief
"Whom have | the honor of address,
ing"
"Colonel Wigfall, of Gen. Beaure-
CARDS staff"
"May 1 inquire your business with
me?
81 have come to say you must strike
your colors. Your position is untena-
bic. You have defended it gallantly.
It's madness 10 persevere in useless re-
sistance. You cannot be reinforced.
You have no provisions. Your ammu-
milton is nearly exhausted, and your
fort is on fire.
"On what terms DO you summon me
to surrender"
unconditional. Gen. Beauregard
is an officer and a gentleman. He will,
doubtless, grant You all the honors Of
war, but speciaH grotiu."
"WelI, | have done all that was pos
sible to defend this fort"
''Yo ou have. Haul down your flag"
"But your people are still firing into
me-"
"Hoist white one. IF you won't l
will, on my own responsibility
A shell burst in the ground within 10
PAGES of them as they were speaking.
Major Anderson invited the Ex-Sena-
tor into easement; white flag was
hoisted, the firing ceased and what is
called the ''battle Of Fort Sumter" was
over.
"All parties concur that Wigfalrs
performance was an act ofheroism and
high humanity. There can be no
doubt that Major Anderson and the
garrison were in that state Of morbid
exalation which is the forerunner of
martyrdom. They were ready to see
their magazines explode, and ''die in
their tracks"