The New York herald., 1878-01-13
THE FALL OF SUMTER.

AN IMPoErANr coNrIIsUr TON TO THE ANNALS
NEW LIGHTS on OLD EVENTS.
Major General s. wylie Crawford OF the United
States Army. has published in the Philadelphia
Weekly Times succinct narrative OF the
preceding tho evacuation Of Fort the 18Th
OF April, 1861, which is valuable and undoubi iedly
Trustworthy contribution TO the national annals
General Crawford was then one Of Major Andcrson's
officers, ana participated in his counses during The
progressive phases OF the momentous situation which
was sopregnant with solemn consequences. HIS test-
mony shows the real anxiety OF the President and the
proiessed anxiety OF the Confederate chiefs 10
preserve the status OF Charleston harbor Til
the inauguration OF Mr. Lincoln. The rebels desired
TO Dina Mr. Buchanan 10 Limitation OF his right OF
action. but he distinctly denied the existence OF any
such obligation In his letter TO their
Tho alter negotiations, however as related indicate
that he would have taken no step to break the under
standing which they affected 10 have formed with
him had not Major Anderson, in fear OF an attack,
partially dismantted Fors Moultrio ana removed his
men to Fort Sumter General Crawford oilers
ANALYSIS OF the motive OF this act, bat oavcs II 10 De
inferred that his commanding officer proceeded
patriotic prompting OF his own Understand
ins ana thai on nun alone rested the
responsibility oil precipltating The hrst overt
act OF war on the part of tho Con-
.edera,y. The authorities oi the State awaited
could oi tne federal property. President Buchanan
III TINS point showed element OF iruness OF char
acter and pitrotc sense winch belle ISLANDERS OF
superficial annaliSls he refused TO remand The gur-
rsOn 10 Fort Moultrie Crawford avowedly all
discussion AS 10 the alleged breach OF fa.tLn and
"violaliou of personal honor.' The events winch
followed are depicted In much the same light that
Ia winch they arc already familiar 10 tho pubic.
Emphasis Is laid upon the lu knowledge possessed
by the government Of tho Increasing desperation of
the troops shut up Sumter the constant war
hko preparations that wore openly conducted every
SIDE vi them. passage here Is worthy OF Quotl-
tom
Congress had adjourned without an effort to avert
sthe dangers thrcutculng the nation. Whatever may
De thought OF the vuc!liating policy oil President
Buchanan, 1t Is nevertheless lruo mat he never at
Charleston harbor, however anXiods was 10 avolu
a COLLISION mat would alarm The border States and
precipltaLe war"
Major Andersons representations 10 his govern
ment after the accession OF Lincoln, presenied the
exact state OF MS and Tho Importance Of
speedy measures oil relief Yet not III the 1st
vi April was action taken by the Cabinet
Council The weak attempt to provision Fort
sumter, whose abortio has never been explained
il passed very lightly When Anderson sent his
hnal answer TO the reDes before thor attack
marked III their hearing that "he wouil bo starved
out anyway IA lew days II their guns did batter
him 10 pieces. Why hc thus deprived himself tho
moral presumptvc weight OF his subsequent gallant
Resistance may be on. Of the questions which this
narrative Will call forth. COunanders who mediate
the braving oil the d!rcst exrcnY for thor conntys
situation from the enemy than voluntarily Inform
hun OF the limit oi their power oil endurance. The
remainder OF tae story does not differ IRON the
celved accounts.