Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-18


signal OF assistance to his naval allies; the ships
were only from three 10 five miles of the day was
bright and clear, the water smooth But discretion
was the better part of valor. The Northern officers
in command, having been SO carefully selected. Tor
their fidelity TO their section and superor trutbvor
thincss IN hostile crusade against the South, were
unwilling TO incur the risk of running tIer shins
into the harbor and engaging our bartteries. They
thought it prudent not to attempt reinforcement
in launches. The soldiers of Abolitonism were
left to their fate without attempt to relieve their
perilous condition. Their idle allies had the pleas
nre of seeing them strike their coors TO the Confe
crate States. They commendable for the gal
lantry and we trust that these brave mariners
will receive suitable commentator from their
no less gallant Jackson the Second and his magnan-
nous Cablnt
AT quarter to one o'clock the flag of the United
States on Fort Sumter went down with its staff.
For some twenty minutes no flag appeared above
the Fort. Col. L. T. Wigfall, accompanied by pri
vate Fl. Gourding Young, of the Palmetto Guard.
got into a small boat pulled by negroes. They APP
preached 1t from Morris Island Col. Wigfall hold
ing up his sword with white handkerchief tied
upon it. Before they reached the Fort, however,
the United States flag, accompanied by white flag,
was held up on the rampant, which Col. Wigtall
did not see. The Sullivans Island batteries not
perceiying the boat continued their fire upon the
United States hag-the boat approached the wharf.
Col Wgfall having entered the Fort, call for Maj T
Anderson, end stated that he was Aid de-Camp to
General Beauregard-that, seeing his Distress and
the impossbIity of holding the post, and that no
flag was flying, he had come to claim a surrender,
IN the name of his chief He replied to the enquiry.
what terms would be granted, stating that Major
Anderson could not make his own terms but that
General Beauregard, a soldier and a gentleman,
knew how to treat gallant enemy. Major Ander-
must leave the details of the surrender to Gem
eral Beauregard. Major Anderson tn, n agreed to
surrender to General Beaurtgard in the name of
the Confederate States, and at one O'Clock and five
minutes struck the United States flag which had
been standing In company with the white flag. The
Sullivan s Island batteries ceased firing and Colonel
Wigfan started to report to General Beauregard in
Charleston.
Soon after the United States flag first disappear
ed, three Aidsde>Camp had been despatched from
headquarters; but Col. Wigfall had anticipated
Can't Lee and Colonies Miles and Pryor.
When the report was made of what had occurred
Major Jones, the Chief of Gen. Beauregard's staff
accompanied by Colonel Charles Aston was sent
with authority to arrange the terms given. These
were to the following effect:
All proper facilities will be afforded for the re-
moval OF Maj. Anderson and command, together
with company arms and property, and all private
property.
The flag which he has upheld so long, and with
80 much fortltude, under the most trying circum-
stances, may be ssluted by him on taking it down.
Maj. Anderson is allowed to determine the pre-
else time Of yielding up the post ard is permitted
to go by sea or land, according to his selection.
AT seven MAJ. Jones returned to Fort Sumter,
and the final arrangements and terms were definite
ly fixed.
We understand that detachment of regulars
from Sulliyans Island, and detachment of Mayor
DeSaussure's command from Morris Island have
fort
We learn that Fort Sumter is umnjured IN its ca
pacity for defence, no breach being made in the
walls but that the quarters completely Destroy
ed, notwithstanding the Palmetto Fire Company
was despatched to put out the fire. The quarters
on Friday caught three times, and were extinguish
ed by the soldiers on Saturday this was impossible
At one time the smoke within the fort was SO dis
tressing that the men in the easements were CON
strained to place their mouths to the floor for
breathing.
Major Anderson has expressed admiration and
surprise at the perfection of practice by our batter
les. He was almost entirely prevented, by this
cause, from using his barbette guns. But for the
paucty Of his force and their consequent ability to
retire within the casemates destruction of life must
have been frightful. Thus protected. they escaped
with only five wounded-none killed We under
stand four classmates and five barbette guns have
been dismounted by our guns. We also learn that
Mayor Anderson and Lieut.. Davis have both eX-
pressed their opinion that, had they been allowed
to use their hundred and twenty-eight four poun-
ders i'm barbette, bearing upon the iron battery,
they might have destroyed it. The accurate fire of
the rifle cannon was very annoying and materially
6eelslSu IL 0eIe0cS OF Oat-
tering the Southeast wall.
The battle of Fort Sumter is marvellous affair in
the bloodlessness of engagement of thirty two
hours and half 1t is surely the merciful finger
of God. But to no human agencies engag-
ed in the business is greater praise due than to
those who conceived and planned our offences, and
who have erected them in so faithful and substan-
tial manner. To these cause.-the admirable eff
hciency of our defensive preparations. and the
handsome manner in which the guns have been used
to annoy and cripple tie enemy-ls the wonderful,
result due.
We have not and do not pretend to do Justice to
the officers and men engaged in the combat We
feel our incompetence to do ia task of necessary
delicacy and difficulty. Many, we
know, are worthy Of notice, will receive at the |
proper hands, whom we, through our ignorance, |
nave not named in very imperfect notes. They, !
IS well the public, must such unintenton-
Il shortcomings. |