The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-04-14
Aprll, 1861 April, 1865.
The Secretary OF War has issued the
following order:'
WAR DEpARrMrNr,


The Secretary of War has issued the
following order:'
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT-G Generals OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1865.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 50-Ordered.
First at the hour of noon, on
the l4th day of April, 1865, Brevet-
Major-G General Anderson will raise and
plant upon the ruins of Fort Sumter,
in Charleston harbor, the same Uni
ted States flag which foated over the
battlements of that fort during the
assault, and which was lowered and
saluted by him and the small force Of
his command when the works were
evacuated on the14th day Of April,
1861.
Secondhand the flag, when raised,
be saluted by one hundred guns from
Fort Sumter, and by national sa-
lutte from every fort and rebel battery
that fred upon Fort Sumter
Third-That suitable ceremonies be
had upon the occasion, under the di-
rection of Major General William T.
Sherman, whose military operations
compelled the rebels to eyacuate
Charleston, or, in his absence, under
the charge of Major General O. A.
Gilmore, commanding the depart
meut. Among the ceremonies will be
the delivery of public address by the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
Fourth-That the naval forces at
Charleston, and their commander on
that station, be invited to participate
in the ceremonies of the occasion.
BY order of the President OF tho
United States:
f. NJ. STANTON,
Sec of War.
April 18th, 1861, the first gun of
the rebellion was fred against the
flag Of the United States, rs it foated
over the battlements of Fort Sumter.
On the 18th, after contest of over
thirty hours which was maintained
with great valor, the almost starved
garrison under the charge of Major
Robert Anderson marched out with all
/ the honors of war; with flying colors
and all of their private property.
The whole South was in q blaze of ex-
ultation over this triumph 1t was
heralded everywhere as the harbingeI
of their independence. But its effect
on the North was electric 1t was the
trumpet call that summoned the ma
ton to arms. The paralysis which
seemed to deaden its energies was III
an instant shaken off Partisan pol
itics were forgotten. Our cities
streamed with flags. Union meetings
were held everywhere. Major Ander-
son and his heroic band were fairly
canonized, and from every quarter
men poured forth to save their coun
try. There was universal cry fol
the capture of Charleston. For foul
years that cry has been continued
South Carolina was the cradle of Sc
cession, and Charleston was the flower
, of the State. Every loyal heart burned
, for its capture and destruction. A
last it has fallen easily into our hands
The old flag has been hoisted in honor
over the battlements where it wal
first trailed in surrender. 1t is fitting
that amid the roar of cannon and al
"the pomp, and pride, and circum
stance of glorious war;" the heroi
/, band who made their immortal bu
unavailing resistance to the first dem
, onstration of the rebellion, should, il
/ it's expiring hours, again plant tn,
national standard on the rampant
they 80 nobly defended, on the ami
versary of our first national humil
iation. The 14th of April, 1865, will
efface the memory of the 18th o
: April, 1861.
!