Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-04-28

the spot where treason first raised its head IN
triumph, and the fall Of the, President by the
hand of one Of the traitors, have 50 intimate
connection that an additional interest should
attach 10 the former event, sr
I The news Of the surrender of Lee and his az
my reached the excursiouists st Charleston on
the evening before the celebration, and excited
the widest enthusiasm The morning Of the
celebration was bright and beautiful, and the
scene in Charleston harbor at an early hour was
very aninlating. The Correspondent, Of the
Baltimore American says: -
The flags were thrown to the breeze at o.
clock In the morning. At that hour salute of
2l guns was fired by all the vessels Of the
squadron lying at the wharves The monitors
had never been up to the wharves before and
the curiosity to see these little terrors was very
great. The national ensign hoated from the old
rebel forts in the harbor, excepting Fort Sum
ter from the centre Of which a bare pole. tow
eriDg high above the ramparts wssvisible. -,,.i
The whole forenoon was occupied in trans
porting the immense number of visitors 10 Fort
Sumter The scene from the crumbIed and de-
mOlished ramparts at this time was particularly
pleasing The naval vessels in. their gay and
brilliant regalia formed circle round the fort.
inside of which were the transport steamers
landing their passengers Turning from the
sea, the scene within the fort was gradually as
Stunning more interesting aspect "A large
platform, diamond-shaped, covered with myr-
tle, evergreens and flowers, had been erected
in the centre of the parade ground, with an
arched canopy overhead, drapedwith the Amer
ican flag, and inteFmingled with beautiful ever
green's and flowers. This platform was for Gen.
Anderson the orator of the day, and other dis
6nguished visitors, aud was the combined taste
Of six Union ladies of Charleston. On the
stage beside the speakers stand was a golden
eagle holding a handsome wreath of flowers
and evergreens The flag staff, about $50 feet
high had been erected immediately in the cen
tire Of the parade ground, and the halyards ad-
justed by three of the crew of the Juniata who
took part in the assault on Fort Sumter, order
ed by Admiral Dahlgren September 9Th 1868.
In front Of the platform were seats capable of
accommodating between three and four thou
sand persons, which, before the ceremonies
commenced, were filed to overfowiDg, and the
attendance of ladies, principally visitors from
the North, was larger than was expected There
were however, from four to five hundred of the
old citizens of Charleston present and among
the latter we observed Charleston's Union rep
resentative, DR.. A. G. Mackey, his lady, and
two daughters. Hs ls5ra
1t was not until after IL o'clock that General
Gilmore arrived, accompanied by Major Gener-
al Robert Anderson and daughter Their an
pearance ON the parapet was the signal for loud
and prolonged cheers from the assembled null
titude. They advanced to the platform, and
General Anderson, for the first time looked
around on the work Of destruction, but could
see nothing by which to recognize the Fort
Sumter he had left four years ago in the mass
Of shapeless ruins before him. he finally CLAN
eed up the immense flagstaff, and his-eyes filed
with tears OF Joy that the moment bad arrived
for him to replace the flag ehad lowered to the
demand Of traitors
Rev Henry Ward Beecher did not arrive IN
til half-past IL O'Clock, but when he was recog-
nized ON the ramparts the whole audience arose
and gave him cheering welcome.
CEREMONIES OF THE DAY.
The ceremonies of the occasion were con-
menced with the singing Of song and chorus
entitled Victory at last, which was given with
great fervor, the audience joining IN the chorus
Then followed prayer by the Rev Matthew
Harris, chaplain of the United States army. be-
ing the same divine who offered up PRAYER at
the raising of of the flag on Fort Sumter, when
Major Anderson removed his command from
Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, December 9th,
1860.
The I26tb, 9Sth, and part of the Doth Psalms
were read by Rev. r. S. Storrs, Jr., d. D., and
the people, each reading alternate verses.
Major Anderson's dispatch TO the Govern
ment, dated steamship Baltic, off Sandy Hook,
April l8, 1861 announcing the fall of Fort Sum
ter, was then read by Brevet Brigadier General
Z. ID. Townsend, Assistant Adiutant General of
the United States Army.
The raising of the aold flag" by Major GEN
eral Anderson was the next act in the pro-
gramme, and when he stepped forward on the
platform the burst of JOY was uncomfortable,
and the gallant old soldier wept, and was for
some moments unable to proceed with his re-
marks, which were as follows. ya.ssr
My FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS AND RROIH-
ER SOLDIERS: By the considerate appointment
of the Honorable Secretary Of War, am here to
fulfill the cherished wish of my heart through
four long, long years of bloody war, to restsre
to its proper place this dear old flag, which
fiOated here during peace before the first act of
this cruel rebellion. | thank God that ] have
lived to see this day, Egyeat applausel and to
De here and perform this duty to my country
My heart is filed with gratitude to that God
who has 50 signally blessed us; who has given
Us blessings beyond measure.
May all the world proclaim "Giory to God IN
the highest; and on earth, peace, good win to-
wards mes. Voices-Amen, amen.
RAISING OF THE FLAG.
On the conclusion of his remarks, he seized
the halyards and with firm and steady pull
aided by Sergeant Hart, then unfurled the elo-
rious old banner amid the deafeBing cheers of
the sssemblage. General Anderson and Ser
geaDt Hart then raised the hag, with an ever
green wreath attached, the occupants Of the
stage all joining in taking hold OF the halyards.
No sooner had it caught the breeze than there
was one tumultuous shout
1t was an inspiring moment grand and sub
lime, never to be experienced again. Our flag
was there, its crimson folds tattered but not
dishonored; regenerated and baptized anew in
the fires ofliberty Cen Anderson could with
difficulty restrain bis emotions; and whilst some
shouted themselves hoarse, Others wept and en-
braced like children.
When the flag reached its height, with
wreath Of roses appended, the multitude con-
tinued for some moments to gaze at its hutte--
ing folds. The cheers had not subsidized when
the salute of 100 guns was fred from Fort sum-
ter and national salute from the feet, Fort
Moultrie and Battery Bee, on Sullivan's Island,
Fort Putnam, on Morris Island, and Fort John
son, on James Island, places conspicuous in the
of the rebellion, and eminentlv an
propriate for them to take part not less prom
inent In this national rejoicing over the restor
alton OF the national authority National airs
were played by the band, which was followed
by the singing of the aStar Spaneled Banner
the whole audience joining, and producing an
effect that was truly thrilling.
Previous to the raising Of the flag the steam
er Planter, Captain Robert Small, who II win
be remembered, ran the rebel gauntlet In 1862,
with family, and escaped to the fleet, came down
from the city loaded down with two or three
thousand of the emaneipatedraes of all ages and
sizes.
At one o'clock Rev. Mr.. Beecher took the
stand and delivered the address Of the day.
which IS very long, and occupied considerable
Ime in delivery. When about half through
Mr.. Beecher paused and said: II win thank the
band to play an air, aud you TO get upthat are
sitting down, and you to sit down that have
been standing, and viii sit down. too, and rest
or a moment" When the band had ceased
playing he said, "We viii now take our places
lgain and attend to our business" and then