The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-30
HANDSOME CHARLEY DID IT.
The Man Who Preclpitate the Attack
on Fort sumter.

The Man Who Preclpitate d the Attack
on Fort Sumter.
| If it had not been for Handsome Charley,
saws the New York Sun, there might not
have been any war between the north and
the south. How 500 A many and many a
year ago in a city by the sea handsome
Charley went to what Hamlet called that
undiscovered country from whose bourne no
traveller returns, although a traveller had
returned and had talked to Hamlet in very
excellent blank verse only a few nights
before.
Who, then. was Handsome Charley? He
was for a great many years, In the good
old times, and, in some respects, perhaps.
the bad old times, generally spoken of as
'befo' the wah, resident Of Charleston,
S. G.. Charley used to say Of himself: II
am an Lrisnman by birth, an American by
adoption, talented by chance, and
no coward by Jasus" So far
from being coward, Charley was as
brave as a bulldog, and was a very great
fighter when it was his cue to fight; but he
always helped the weaker party, and in
Charleston, where the people are noted for
warm heartedneSs, there was not a warmer
hearted nor more charitable man than
Handsome Charley. But why was he called
handsome? Was ne really a handsome mau2
Oh, no; not at all. Not by no means, as the
Artful Dodger would have remarked.
In trial for murder in Charleston, about
forty years ago, Isaac B. Hayne was attor-
ney general, and Richard Yeadon, a lawyer
of high standing, and also editor of the
Charleston Courier, represented the
prisoner. Col Hayne. besides being great
lawyer and brave man, was remarkably
handsome, while Yeldon was not gifted in
form or figure. Charley was witness, and
Yeadon examined him thus:
Yeadon-What is your name4
Charley-Charies Farley, better known as
Handsome Charley.
Yeadon-Why are you called Handsome
Charley!
Charley-I'll answer that if you will tel
me why you a Q called Limping DEG.
Yeadon-Certainiy. My name is Richard
and they call me Dick, and as | am little
lame they call me Limping Dick.
Charley-That's fair and square. Now
the rayson Pm called Handsome Charley is
this: Ii any maa was to ask me who
think is the handsomest, Dick Yeadon or
meself, my answer would be that Mr. Hayne
is the handsomest.
South Carolina passed the ordinance of
secession on Dec 20, 1890 At this time
there was no garrison in Fort Sumter, which
stands in the harbor between Sullivan
Island and Morris Island, and is surrounded
by water: but Anderson and his command
were in Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan Island.
1t was customary in those days to allow
visitors to enter and inspect Fort Moultrie,
and as war had not been declared, although
South Carolina had seeded, Anderson was
placed in an awkward position, es there
was always danger that the fort would be
taken by surprise. Handsome Charley
made an offer to the mayor Of Charleston
(Macbeth, think and also, if | remember
Alright, 10 Gov. Pickens, to attempt its cap
ture; but OF course, the offer was refused.
as there was strong hope that. principally
through the Influence OF New York city,
Congress would allow peaceable secession.
Anderson, no wever had no doubt heard Of
Charley s offer, and, therefore, on Christ
mas night he moved his garrison over to
Sumter. This movement was regarded as
a menace, and the South Caroliauians I'M
wisely determined to attempt TO capture
Sumter.
The attempt succeeded, for on April u,
1861, Fort Sumter was attacked, and, as IL
was set on fire by hot shot thrown by
Ripley at Fort Moultrie, and as the powder
magazine was In great danger, Anderson
was obliged TO surrender on April 10. The
fall of Sumter united the north, caused
Lincoln's call for troops. and the war began
ia earnest. Had 10 not been for Handsome
Charley, Gen. Anderson might have re.
manned In Fort Moultrie, and war might
have been ayerted