Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-04-24
Gen. Wiafall was one Of the most ac

Greek fucntly, and in Washington was
regarded MS superior to Sumner in the
thoroughness of his classical and literary
knowledge. He belonged to the extreme
southern States Rights school of politi-
clans, and made three speeches in favor
Of war with the north that had greater
effect than all the appeals ever made by
Yahcy. He had no respect for secession
and did not believe in it. Secession"
he argued once, lis make-bcliove. -
What you want is war by land and sea,
and such settlement of the question of
slavery as only the sword can give
Would to God. for the sake of the South,
it had come ten years ago My predic-
ton is that the last ten years Of Clay and
Crittenden have ruined us. Compro-
mise is but another name for subiuga-
ton"
True prophet, he lived even to have
honor in his own country, and to be be-
lievcd when it was too late.
In closing his memorable speech in
the Senate, just upon the eve Of the con-
flict, he turned to the Republican sona-
tors and made this quotation by way OF
defiance:
'Thrice have sought Clan Alpine glen
In peace but when come again,
come with banner, brand and how,
As leader seeks his mortal foe"
On the staff Of Beauregard, at the bonn
bardment of Fort Sumter he did deed
that was the talk of the whole South for
month, and which served to bring into
notorious prominence the singular dar-
ing of his many-sidcd character.
After the fire from the Confederate
batteries had lasted until it was evident
that the garrison Of the fort could neither
hold out nor receive reinforcements Gen
Wigfall determined if possible to secure
surrender before the end reached the
worst. Without comforting a moment
with Gen. Beauregard, and with not
even flag of truce in his possession as a
token of amity, he put OFF in an open
boat for Sumter, accompanied by only a
single sailor. Under the terrible fire Of
both the fort and land batteries, and in
imminent peril of his life, he sat coolly
in the stern Of the boat until it reached
its destination. The drawbrdge was up
and for some time he found it impossible
to make Judgment. Finally, crawling
in through portfolio, he appeared to
Maj. Anderson and his garrison as one
who had dropped down from tho clouds
He was dripping wet from the wafer
that had been cast upon him by the ex-
ploding shells. He had no flag. no writ
ten communication no terms Of surren-
der, no document of any kind that made
him an accredited messenger, and An
dcrson demanded of him sternly what
brought him there. 1t was impossible
to resist, however, the genuine express
sions Of sympathy manifested by Wigfall
for the safety of the little garrison. In
bold rapid and vigorous figures speech
he portrayed the situation of affairs on
shore He showed how succor was inn
possible. He argued that already de-
fence had been made glorious in the eyes
of the North He declared that the
South only wanted the fort and not the
life of a single one of its brave defenders.
bIc ilhu uO OIlCldl bcTtIS W OICIt DuO ipi
the love he bore for all courageous yet
unfortunate men, he would pledge his
honor to such settlement as would per-
nit the garrison to come away with the
honors Of war.
Maj Anderson was convinced of the
sincere honesty Of purpose Of the envoy,
but not of the necessity Of surrendcring
and so he refused to listen to him lon
ger. He however permitted him to re-
turn as he came, taking his chances Of
being killed in the terrible cross-frc that
was not suspended for single moment.
Beauregard hardly knew whether to
swear or laugh when Wigfall reported to
him the result of his mission. Certainly
he never referred to the subject after
wards, well CONTENT, perhaps, with the
turn affairs took short time thereafter.
As lawyer, Wigfall was inyincible
before a jury, and in the higher order Of
criminal cases he was renowned both in
South Carolina and Texas. He made
and spent five fortunes. Prodigal with
his means, generous to all who appealed
to his sympathics, tender and affection
ate in private life, there was yet no more
dangerous man in single combat in the
South. He believed in duelling as a
principle His pistol practice was su-
perb, and yet in three instances in his
career he gave to his adversary his life
by refusing to fire at ten PAGES. At an
other time, and even while wrought up
by the nature of cowardly insult that had
been put on him, he contcnted himself
with inficting only slight wound, when
he could more easily have made it NOR
tall Il had intended to shoot him thro'
the heart" he remarked to his second,
after it was over, "but thought Of his
wife and children, and took his arm in
stead"
What book Wigfall could have writ
ten on the war A senator in Richmond
part Of the time, and part Of the time
in the field, be knew everybody, saw cv-
erythiug, and sat quietly behind the
scenes while the students drama was be-
ing prepared. His dislike Of Mr.. Davis
was bitter, supreme and ineradicable. -
He put upon him the blame Of the final
overthrow. So thoroughly in earnest
was he, and 50 perfectly assured that
constitutional form Of government could
never succeed in revolution that he de-
clared always for a despotism, for one
man power, until the conflict was ended.
Through his powerful influence and adj
gocacy, Gen. Lee was clothed with almost
6;etatorial powers, and he stood by Joe