The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-10-28

fast, as before, were again tolled off
in relief, and as day broke in all its
glory,
THE GUNS BEGAN BELLowING DEFIANCE.
Long before noon hot shot rekindled
the fires, and at noon the barracks
were burning fiercely. From that
guns were fired only at long inter
walls, every man in the fort being
wanted elsewhere. Much of the
powder was thrown out of the en-
brasures into the sea, followed by all
the loaded shells which could be got
at, but the explosions in the she'll
room were plainly heard in Charles
ton. The flames from the burning
barracks could be seen from Moul-
trie and other elevated points and
the Confederate fire was redeubled TO
push the garrison to desperation.
Utterly unmindful of the fight
without, the garrison battled against
the danger within. AT one time dur
ing the afternoon the shell-room was
on fire, the barracks burning, the
main gate ablaze, and every wooden
building inside the forts walls ready
to go. Every four or five minutes
great bomb dropped from the sky
and exploded with terrific violence,
and it seemed wonderful that the
garrison did not give up in despair.
The remainder Of the powder was
wet down or thrown out, and then
the men could only stand by and let
the flames have full sweep.
Have they surrenderedf" was the
G ,s:s:., in the Confed rate forts and
batteries as the clouds of smoke hid
the flag, but now and then the query
was answered as the wind rolled the
sitting curtain aside and the old flag
was seen streaming out to the breeze,
ANDERSON WOULD HAVE HELD FORT
SUMTER
another night at least had it rested
with him to raise the white flag. But
the flag came from the Conlederates,
borne by Wigfall. That the Senator
was acting solely on his own account,
and that he had not even conferred
with Beauregard, was shown by the
fact that he rowcd to the fGrt under
the fire of his friends, and that sew
eral balls fell around him as he wait
ed ut an embfasure for admittance.
He had come to propose surrender,
and Anderson was ready to come to
terms. Federal history finds the ma
jor in full uniform, clanking sword
and stern dignity. He was begrim-
cd with smoke, covered with cinders
and received Wigfall with courtesy.
The terms agreed upon had to be
sanctioned by Beauregard, and they
were far better terms than were ever
subsequently accorded on either side.
1t is not disputed that Anderson
made brave dcfense--for the open
ing Of the war. Two years after he
would have been cashiered for sur
rendering under like circumstances
In after days, when that island was
no more than brick-pile, men de-
Tended it against such bombardments
as the world had never seen-defcnd-
ed it against attacks by small boats
held it in spite of not twenty-four
hours canonades, but long weeks Of
bombardment. Anderson knew that
the storm was coming, and he had
ample time to purchase provisions
for siege Of week at least. He
had time to tesr down the barracks
and make other preparations. some
commanders would have assumed
the authority to act, even though the
Washington government was hand
ling the question with gloves. AS to
provisions, Headley says
THE MEN ATE THEIR LAST CRACKER
before the surrender. Tradition has
it thus, and the truth will be an I'M
pleasant revelation. Later on in the
war 100 men would have lived for
two weeks on the provisions left after
the surrender, and no man would
have been op short rations. While
the fire was hot and long con-
tinued not man was killed bv it.
While the fort was badly knocked
dOVut ~ WIZ llOp icICtNC OUC-Iidll Vic
damage inflicted bya Federal feet
in six hours one day in 1868. While
Anderson received the fire of old
fashioned ordnance, the fort under
Confederate commander received
such a pounding from new and enor-
nous projectiles that the bursting of
a shell against the walls made the
whole island tremble. Major Amber
sons position was an embarrassing
one in every sense, and his surren-
der was probably considered the only
alternative. Had he maintained the
fight he could not have been bonn
barded out in fortnight, but at the
same time he could have inflicted no
injury on the Confederates, and there
was no vessel in the Federal navy at
that time which could have run the
gauntlet and brought him succor.
Worth Remembering
Now that good times are again upon
us, it is worth remembering that no
one can enjoy the pleasantest surround