The National tribune., 1886-12-16
THE FALL OF CHARLESTON.
Testimony of -WItnesses 90 Years Ago.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: have read
the different accounts of the Taking of
Charleston" with much interest, and was glad
when Lieut.-COl. Bennett came to the front
with his interesting article in your issue of
Nov. %. Following is an extract from a letter
written me, also an article clipped from a news
paper and inclosed in the letter. The letter.
under date of March s, 1850, says:
OF course You have heard OF the evacuation Of
Charleston. and all of its surrounding defenses
the night Of Feb. IL. We had been expecting some
such "A movement on the part of the enemy for
some time, and were watching them very closely
I'm order 10 be the first to occupy their works. On
the morning OF the 18th We Mai. Hennessy. of
Schuylkill County, Pa. and Lieut.. +. NJ. Burr, of
MeshOppeu, Wyoming Co, Pa started with one
boat. and was the first to raise the flag Forts
Sumter, Ripley, Castle Pinckney, the old Post
office the Citadel. and the United States Arsenal
We landed In the lower end Of the city while a
brigade Of rebels were ut the railroad depot and
their cavalry were patroing the streets within 800
yards of where we landed We were there one
hour before the troops arrived. Could they have
got there as soon we did might have taken
several prisoners and saved hundreds Of thousands
OF dollars worth OF property. They were setting
fire TO the United States Arsenal when about so of
our regiment l52d Pa arrived doube-quick.
Had they succe eied the best part Of the city would
have been destroyed as there was large amount
of powder and shell stored there. Gen. Potter fol-
lowed them about 80 miles We were called back
stationed Mt Mount Pleasant, a very pretty little
town, about two miles from the atty.
The newspaper article says:
HRrdee's evacuation commenced on the night OF
the 18th Of February. Early on the morning of
the 18th the Stars and Stripes were planted
Fort Sumter by Maj. Hennessy, of the SD Pa who
- from Schuylkiil County, Pa. Shortly after
Lieut. Hackett, Sd X. i. Art, raised the old flag
on Moultrie. How the flag was displayed over
the accursed city Is best described follows:
When the flag flOated Moultrie Lieut. Col.
Bennett, Mai. Hennessy and Lieut. Burr, of the
SD Pa, started out for the city, giving orders to
have troops follow. They pulled up the bay
while the rebel ironclads and vessels in
flames and the city itself was burning at various
points. Reaching Fort Ripley, or what is known
as the battle-ground Battery, the flag was dis
played over the works and waved for a few mo-
ments. The party then pushed on to Castle Pincll-
ney, when the same ceremony of taking posses
sion WAS observed, and then the boat was pulled
cautiously. but directly, toward the city. No hos
tile force was observed, but large number of ne
groes and some whites We're congregated on the
docks watching the approach of the Yankee boat.
Col Bennett Immediately landed, and Old Glory
was displayed again in the city of Charleston
amid the cheers and cries of JOY OF the crowd as
sembled about IT. 1t WAS perfect storm of APP
plause and outburzts of unfeigned JOY and satIs-
faction. The negroes, with all their impusive-
ness. were equalled 10y the whites in their exhi-
bition Of satisfaction and pleasure at the great
event. They seized the hands Of officers and men,
and wept with excess of e1ultation and delight.
Such scene was never dreamed of by the most
enthusiastic believer in the loyalty of u certain
portion of the citizens Of Charleston. IL took all
our men by surprise.
A SOLDIERS WIFE