The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-18

interviewer much that is most touching, ten
der, humiliating, and yet proud n the story of
that war, whose scars are still red upon the
nations breast.
As soon as the election of Lincoln was
known South Carolina was the most prompt
and outspoken in its treason, while Charleston
was at once thu heart, brain and voice of the
movement. There the first convention met
aud tho first ordinance of secession adopted
there the first reb flag polluted with its kiss
the free air of heaven; and there the frst par
rici6aI shot was fred against the dear old ban
ner of the republic. The Qualifications of
Charleston co. sisted of three works, the most
important of which was Font Sumpler, named
after Gen. Thomas Sumpter. the great par.i-
zan leader of the Revolution, familiarity known
as the game-cock of the Caroilnas
Fort Sumpter was defended by rs heavy
guns Of various calibre. The entire defence of
these three works consisted of two weak COM
panies of U. S. Artillery, under command of
Major Anderson. Major Auderson's head
quarters were at Fort Moultrie A letter was
sent at the outbreak to Col. DeRussey. by
Capt. Foster in command OF the Engineers at
the forts, stating that in the opinion of Ander-
son at least one company of artillery should
be sci to Sumpter and another to Pnckney
which was endorsed return to Gov. Floyd."
Mr.. Buchanan's high-toned and honest Secre-
tary of War. Several other communications
were sent, stating that more troops should BE-
sent for the proper defence of Sumpter and
PIpckney. Also, that if the commandapt re-
fused to surrender the forts the secessionists
meant to take them by force of arms.
On the Goth of December, the South Caro-.
linians decided TO .ecede, and they were drunk
with 10y. The garrisons in the forts were too
weak to even excite contempt aud the Srcre-
ttry of War was her open friend while The
President stood in state of hopeless imoe-
City. But one resolute act shivered the
cloud castles of ambitious dreaming. On the
| night of Dec. 26;h, Anderson evacuated Moul-
| tre, and the morning of the 9th showed
him in force on the ramparts OF Sumpter. On
the afternoon of the 9th the Federal Arsenal
WIS seiz and the Palmetto flag raised at tfe
| Custom House.
| At noon of that day the flag of ths nation
| was solemnly raised over the defenders OF the
Tort, while Its commander kuelt in prayer. So
may Martin Luther have prayed when be rais-
| ed his challenge to the Cathedral dor at
| Wurms.
OILY one attempt was made to reinforce the
| e frisco, and that was per steamer Star of the
West although all the while new Qualifications
| q d arisen all around them, and vessels loaded
W th troops passed within easy shot, and the
Islands of the harb"r were dotted with the
tents of rebel solIiery; but she was fred upon,
l response to a telegram to the rebels from
Secretary Thompson, ard turned and de.
| parted.
" hen Mr.. Liucoln was inaugurated he de-
| termined that something must be done, and on
| NJ rch 21-t fl ct was sent to reinforce the
| fort. But the Confederate authorities received
noiice, aud on April 18th made Formal de-
| m md for its surrender, which, being refused,
OF the morning of the 18th they opened fire.
The age I E0 mud Rufin fred the first shot,
| a1d it was terribly aven ged, for he now sleeps
under the sod of Virginia, the sleep of the SUI
| icde.
Then the speaker gave q most concise aud
eloquent account of the defence of the fort,
which Is now m alter Of history, until its snr-
r'nder bv NJ jor Anderson when the troops
marched oft with all the houors of war. The
rebels captured Sump;er, but their victory
was like the victories of the british troops at
L xington aud Bunker Hill. The flag of the
nation which had gone down 10 ,rrow and
shame upon Sumpter's walls found early res.
direction as it bossomed ia new strenath aud
beauty above each loyal home, and streamed
out living evangel of freedom from almost
every church spire through tue North
Then came the description of blockadins
Charleston by sinking wha ing vessels in the
harbor. Then on April 7th, go the attack of
the ironclads u1der Dupont, which proved a
| failure and made the name of Sumter
| waichword of exaitant defiance through the
| Southern Confederacy.
Then came tie plan of Gen. Gilmore, VIII oh
consisted OF three points: First, the occupa-
ton OF Morris Island by the land forces at his
command; second, the reduction of Fort Wac-
uer, distant $500 yards from Sumper, and
necessarily of the fort on Cummings Point;
third, the demolition Of Sumpter; fourth. the
pushing Oh of the ironclads through this chan
mel distractions into the harbor aud the conse.
quent occupation of the city OF Charleston and
| its deences.
After the establishment of Gilmore upon
| Morris Island, Fort Wagner was assaulted un-
successfully. The earth works were thrown
up; then came the historical attack on Wap-
| ner of the 18Th of July. Miss Barton, as well
| as Gov. Woodford, has painted the picture of
| that assault in coIors that never will be eff,ced
FROM the memory Of those that heard them as
| ling as life shall last. Nor will Sergeant Oar
ney be forgotten, who for two long hours. in
| tae midst of that fierce carnage, kept his hold
on the flag OF his country, and said with
smile as he was lifted on stretcher, "Boys.
the Old Hig never touched the ground There,
| with their face to the foe, the soldiers OF the
Un on slept peacefully and we'll. White and
bla X they lay togethi r, untbinking now of Il e
| preiu lice of party and the littleness OF human
| distinctions.
H said he used the words "our common
| freedom" considerably. For under a republi
can form of government the true freedom OF
each man s dependent upon the freedom of
| every other, and there is no perfect liberty for
| tn highest aud most favored unless there is
true liberty Tor the lowest and feeblest. The
chain upon the bonlsmap's limb had its other
| end fast padlocked upon Northern consciences
an tongues, and the slave drivers whip
| cracked not only over the covering cbattle but
over Nor hern warehouses, printing presses
| and churches.
| In the speakers opinion the blacks were not
| as efficient soldiers as the white, simply be-
| cause they were accustomed to look to the
| W. e MN for leadership, and when their
write officers fell the non.commssioned off :.
| GERS had not sufficient control over the pri-
vaes. Again, they were superstitious, as il
common with Ignorant men, and therefore
more liable TO panics.
In conclusion the speaker SAID, our country
| presents no better type of the Union than
| Fort Sumpter. 1t Tell before the assaults Of
those who pretended to be the champions of
liberty, and through its trust in their professed
| pa'roti-m. Its borders we've rent alike by
| friend and fo,. It's stones were REDEEMED with
| the bloo1 of patriot and traitor alike 1t saw
| days OF gloom and nights of deepe.t sorrow.
70 the eyes of all at one time in its history. it
seemed shattered, useless ruin, its purpose
defeated, its beauty and its symmetry depart
| ed. IL gerry sadly needed reconstruction.
But better day came. Again upon its
walls the flag of fourand-thirty stars was lift.
ed up. Ono, more the patriot soldier walked
beneath its shadow and feared no hostile AZ.
sault; and men shall soon prepare to build its
walls anew aud make them stronger for the
days to come.
Stand In thy power oh! Sumpter: built In
new strength and beauty, and typ. OF this re-
united land! May the wind of III, West