The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-23

SLAB inscribed CALftOUN, la. IHc Si0"o
anostIe of Southern Rights, whose doctrines
are as true to-day as on that day, unless
Knight makes Right the eye took IA the
forest of shipping, the long s~ea-wall, with
It's multitude of moving figures, the semi
circular harbor. fringed by sand-bag bate
ries. Young VOLCANOES, belching fire and smoke,
the trail of shells ascending from all sides to
intermingle and descend in iron showers
upon the fort, the small boats fitting hlther
and thither. Anderson's guns splitting wick
edly from three faces Of the fortress, and,
beyond all, the blue expanse OF ocean, with
five large ships idly watching the fight-a
font ensemble rarely witnessed on American
shores.
THE FORT on FIRE.
Suddenly, about 8 a. NJ, the cry went
forth-.'Me fort as on fret" a shell IN
noticed had fired the roof of the officers
barracks, and although the building was
disconnected from the walls, the strong west
wind drove the smoke into the classmates,
where the gunners were at work almost sui
locating them. Presently the column OF
smoke ascending from the interior Redeemed
into sheets Of flame that flared high above
the parapet as if the fort were a burning
island in the South-Pacific.
Rapid explosions of piles Of shells could
be heard, and persons wondered if Ander-
sol intended really to perish amid the
ruins 1t was afterwards learned the cop
per-door OF the magazine became so warped
by the heat that it could not be opened.
On this account the fire of the fort gradual
" slackened though an occasional volley
at Fort Moultrie won repeated cheers of ad-
m%iration from the Southerners.
About noon the flag was shot away, but
an officer caught it up, and displayed it over
the Eastern rampant on a short stall propped
against a u
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
At halfpast twelve, Gen. Beauregard
seeing the danger OF the garrison, despatch
ed Coils. Lee, Pryor, and Miles to inquire
if assistance were needed to suppress the
flames. Meantime, Col. Lewis Wigfall,
with characteristic impetuosity, shot out
from Cummings Point In a skiff rowed by
Gourdin Young, and waving his handker-
chief from the point of his sword climbed
in at one of the lower ports in search of An
derson, whom he met amid the smoke.
Good Heavens man, why don't you sur
render?" he cried. Your men are still
shelling me-" gasped Anderson. "Then
take down your flag! They will fire till you
surrender"
After some parley, the white flag was dis
played, and firing ceased. Instantly the
Confederates swarmed upon their works,
cheering loudly the city bells began to
ring and the multitude grew frantic in
their joy over the bloodless victory. For,
incredible as it may seem, not a life had
been lost on either side, nor a wound in
hicted. There was literally nobody hurt, "
Notwithstanding 800 guns had been exchang-
ing above 1000 shot and shell for 81 hours.
History records no parallel case Pious
people regarded it as an interposition OF
Providence.
MAGNANIMoUs TERMS.
a steamer with ~fre-engines was speedily
sent to suppress the flames. The garrison
were found crouching on the floor of thelow-
er casemates, their haggard and powder
| grimed faces, swollen eyes, unkempt hair,
and general exhaustion, e~yincing the severi-
t. OF their experience.
Gen. Beauregard refused to accept An
derson's sword, and permitted The men to
retain their arms and private property Of all
description. Instead of holding them as
prisoners of war, he exacted precisely the
same terms demanded before a Gun was fir
ed, viz: that they should withdraw to the
fleet, marching out with flags flying and
drums beating, after a salute of honor to
their garrison flag. This liberality to a pow
erless foe was never eQualed during all the
war. Grants much wanted ''magnamity'
at ~Appomattox was shown to men not yet
utterly nelpleSS, ana was doubtless influenced
BY a shrewd eye to after effects. 1t was gen
erosity based upon prudence.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
At noon on Sunday Anderson drew his
command to go on board the little steamer
isabel for transfer to the fleet, at the con
clusion of his fifty gun salute. 4 double
report at the 18th round caused much con
lecture ouside the fort: within it a shocking
scene was visible. BY the bursting of a cal
son half q dozen soldiers were Frustrated:
one killed out right, another mortally woun-
ded; and two others SO badly hurt they could
not be removed.
Agraye was hastily dug on the parade
ground, and after a few impressive remarks
from a Charleston clergyman who had has
tened in a small skiff to perform the burial
service, the slain soldier was laid at the foot
OF the flag he had helped to defend. A vol
ley OF musketry over the spot Joined with
the sullen boom of s~aluting guns; the band