The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-09
ONE THousANp STRONG.
How Augusta Turned Out to Capture
the United States Arsenal
Fl,orn a. A,lo,l,tn lGaN chronicle

The old inhabitants and some Of the young
ones remember when the town was under
arms. prepared to move upon the arsenal.
The incident terminated peaceably, but
for several days it looked like war, and one
or the sharpest aud blOOdlest engagements
OF that terrible epoch was narrowly averted
Few people resident in Augusta during
the month Of January, 1861. will forget
That memorable time. The ordI-
nance of secession was passed IN Mill
edgeville on the Jan. 10.
The people were in a delirium. Herman
Brandt had fired 100 guns and smashed all
the window glasses on Broad street. Geor-
gia had seeded with the glory of a new
launched ship, and with torch-glare and
trumpet-tongue proclaimed her freedom to
the world
But in the midst of this carnival in Au-
gusta one thing moderated the kindly en-
thusiasm of the day. The stars and stripes
still floated from the arsenal halyards.
THE GOVERNOR COMES TO TOWN.
Gov. Brown was in Milledgeville On
Jan. 81 he affixed his hand and
great seal to the secession ordinance
On the morning of the 22nd ne came to Au-
gusta.
He had decided that the flag must come
down.
Few people outside of the official circle
Brown meant in this city. 1t was given out
that there was to be grand military review
of the state militia. In the midst of driv-
ing rain the different commands were mus
tered in their armories and marched to the
Planters hotel. The troops were addressed
by Gov. Brown in stirring terms. On ac-
count of the inclement weather they were
dismissed until next day.
The knowing ones on the inside, however,
hot N
something more than dress parade. in
fact, Col. Henry r. Jackson, aide de camp
of the governor, had already been dis
patched TO the United States arsenal with a
note to Capt. Arnold Elzey of the Second
United States artillery, commandant This
paper recited that Georgia had resumed
sovereignty over her soil, and that the cap
tain would be required to withdraw his
troops beyonds the limits of the state, as
their retention was an act of hostility.
Gov. Brown added that while he desired to
cultivate amicable relations with the
United States government" ne proposed to
take charge of the arsenal himself.
STRAINED RELATIONS.
Capt. Elzey refused peremptorily to sur
render.
Things now looked squally. Orders were
issued to the local military. Volunteers
were ordered out. The Clinch Rifles re-
spondel with 50 men, Oglethorpe Infantry
80 men, the Irish Volunteers, Montgomery
Guards, Washington Artillery, Richmond
Hussars, Minute Men, companies A and B,
showed up in full fighting feather Full
attachments of militia, Burke Sharp
shoot RS and PineY Woods Rangers were
here. All told, nearly 1000 men gathered
under arms. Gen. Robert Y. Harris had
general charge of the troops, and the pros
pect for battle was imminent,
A PERILoUs UNDERTAKING.
While the people of Augusta were flushed
with enthusiasm and jealous of their newly
asserted sovereignty, no one underestimate
the seriousness of the impending sortie.
Capt. Elzey was one of the finest officers in
the army. He was in command of 100
cool, skilled regulars with whom fighting
was pastime. They were barricaded
behind thick walls, locked in iron gates,
armed with most improved weapons, with
plenty of ammunition, and manning some
of the finest pieces of artillery of the gov
g nment. There was no end to supplies.
Under these circumstances the raw troops
of Augusta, even with overwhelming num-
bers, and eager, dauntess courage, would
have been at disadvantage.
Capt. Elzey had communicated with the
authorities in Washington. 1t was mid
night before the answer came. The Secre-
tary of War, Mr.. Holt, regarded the gov
ernor's action as "harSh and peremptory."
He advised Capt. Elzey that if obliged to
surrender by violence or starvation to
stipulate for honorable terms.
AT rHELAsT MOMENT.
On the morning of the oath the troops
were just about to march upon the arsenal
when a communication was received from
Capt. Eizey. This officer laconically asked
for an interview with his exceuency, the
governor. The commands were carried
back to the barracks and held to await do
vel pments. At 10 g. IN. Gov. Brown,
with Gen. Harris, Col Henry R. Jackson,
Col. w. II. T. Walker aud other members
of the staff rode to the arsenal There it
was stipulated that the Unitei States flag
should be lowered and saluted the prop
erty at the arsenal was to be receipted for !;
the United States trOO to march out with
military holors and given passage to New
York.
FAT PRIZE.
It was a rich and bloodless victory. The
state of Georgia captured untold ordnance,
fine field battery, %, 900 muskets and rifles
and heavy stores of powder, grape and
shell. 1t is not stated that Gov. Brown IN
receipting for this superb property for
future adjustment claimed or allowed any
bonus for 'betterments"
Inc papers were signed and the prenml-
narieS were over A tremendous load had
been lifted from all parties concerned
Capt. Elzey realized that the reduction of
the arsenal, in case of resistance, must have
followed in time. Capt Elzey had done all
that brave man could do.
sALUTING THE FLAG.
Out came the guns from their deadly pos
ture behind the barracks. Thirty three
times did their brazen Threats salute the
late union Of thirty-three states The inter
val before the last gun was little longer
than the others, and in that portentous
pause the stars and stripes dropped like a
riven sail in the face of gathering storm
1t was a painful hour. There were old
soldiers there who had followed that flag
through the Mexican war aud had never
seen it lowered. Springing to the front,
Col. Henry R. Jackson offered a sentiment
which arose in spite Of himself: 1.-THE stars
and stripes: May it never be disgraced
while it floats over true southern patriot "
Refreshments were served by Capt.
Elzey, and i'll the midst of a pleasant and
gallant exchange of civilities UP went the
jaunty state hag-a white neld with a
single red star-emblem of the sovereignty
of Georgia.
THE STATE IN POSSESSION.
In the afternoon a detachment of the city
military, under Capt. j. o. Clark, went out
to take charge of the arsenal. The veteran
Brandt manned the new field pieces as
IL