The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-20
THE FALL or SUMTER.
An Important Contribution to the Annals
of the War-POints OF Fresh Interest
New Lights on Old Events.

An Important Contribution to the Annals
of the War-Points Of Fresh Interest
New Lights on Old Events.
Major Gen. s. Wylie Crawford, of the
United States Army, has published in
the Philadelphia Weekly Times a sue
Cinct narrative OF the circumstances
preceding the evacuation of Fort Sum-
ter on the 18th OF April, 1861, which. is a
valuable and undoubtedly trustworthy
contribution to the national annals.
Gen. Crawford was then one OF Major
Anderson's officers, and participated in
his counsels during the progressive
phases OF the momentous situation,
which was 80 pregnant with
shows the real anxiety of the
President and the protested anx-
lefty of the Confederate chiefs to
preserve the status OF Charleston har-
Dor till the Inauguration OF Mr.. Lin
coin. The rebels desired to bind Mr..
Buchanan to q limitation OF his right Of
action, but he distinctly denied the ex-
istence OF any such obligation in his
letter to their commissioners. The af-
ter negotiations, however, as related,
indicated that he would have taken no
they affected to have formed with him
had not Major Anderson, In fear OF an
attack, partially dismantled Fort Moul.
trie and removed his men to Fort Sum-
ter. Gen. Crawford offers no analysis
OF the motive Of this act, but leaves 1t to
be inferred that his commanding officer
proceeded on the patriotic prompting Of
his own understanding, and that on
him alone rested the responsibility
OF precipitating the first overt
act OF war on the part Of the Confed-
eracy. The authorities Of the State
awaited no, explanation, but immedi-
Federal property. President Buchanan
ut this point showed an element OF firm
ness OF character and a patriotic sense
which belle the ISLANDERS of superficial
annalists. He refused to remand the
garrison to Fort Moultrie. Crawford
avowedly omits all discussion as to the
alleged breach Of faith" and violation
OF personal honor" The events which
followed are depicted in much the same
light as.that In which they are already
familiar to the public. Emphasis ie
laid upon the full knowledge possessed
by the government OF the increasing
desperation Of the troops shut up In
Sumter and Of the constant warlike pre-
parations that were openly conducted
on every side OF them. A passage here
Is worthy OF quotation
Congress had adjourned without an
effort to avert the dangers threatening
the nation. Whatever may be thought
Of the vacillating policy Of President
Buchanan, 1t Ia nevertheless true that
he never at any time contemplated the
surrender OF the forts in Charleston har-
Dor, however anxious he was to avoid a
collision that would alarm the border
States and precipitate war;"
Major Anderson's representations to
government, after the accession of Lin
coin, presented the exact state of his
resources and the Importance of speedy
measures OF relief. Yet not till the 1st
OF April was action taken by the
Cabinet Council. The weak at.
temptto provision Fort Sumter, who Q
abortion has never been explained,
Is passed over very lightly. When An
derson sent his final answer to the rebels
before their attack he remarked in their
hearing that ''he would be starved out
anyway in a few days If their guns did
not batter him to pieces" Why he
thus deprived himself of the moral pre-
sumptive weight of his subsequent gal
liant resistance may be one of the ques-
tons which this narrative will call
forth. Commanders who mediate the
Drawing Of the direst extremity for their
country's sake are more wont to conceal
the weaknesses Of their situation from
the enemy than voluntarily to inform
him of the limit OF their power of en-
durance. The remainder of the story
does not differ from the received &C
counts,