Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-03
SURVIVORS OF FORT SUMTER.
The Names of the Remnants of the Gallant
Band of Defenders.

Band of Defenders.
1t i doubtful if any of those who partici-
pated III the great war of the rebellion could be
Of greater interest TO the old soldiers who will
soon congregate here at the capital they saved
than the survivors of that gallant band who,
with Anderson. held out SO long against the
first guns of tie war they poured shot aud
shell into Fort Sumter in April. 1861. More
than thirty-Ore years have passed since then.
and as fay as is. known but eight of those
brave heroes are living today. They are:
Assistant Surgeon Samuel ". Crawford. now
retired major general, residing III Washington,
ID. c.
Abner Doubfeday captain first United States
ARTILLERY. now retired as COLONEL residing in
Nendhlm. Y. ].
james Chester. sergeant e first United
States ARTILLERY, now captain third United States
artillery, on duty at Washington city arsenal.
Henry EllerbrOok. corporal F. first United
States artillery. now clerk in War Department,
Washington. d. &.
Philip Alderman. artifcer, residing in Wash
ingron. %. c.
Christopher Costello. corporal III first
United States artillery, residing in Fairfax
county. Va.
Eugene scheibner. private first United States
artillery. residing in Washington, ID. C.
Francis J. Oaks. private first United States
artillery, residing in Washington, D. C.
SURRENDER OF THE FORT.
Maj. Anderson abandoned Fort Moultri
December 26, 1860. at S o'clock pm. removing
mis- supplies and ammunition TO Fort Sumter
sIhking the guns and DESTROYING the gun car
riages. that being in his opinion the only course
left. for if attacked the garrison would never
have surrendered and the small force would
have been ex.ermina.ed and the control of
Charleston harbor los, 10 the Union cause.
From the date OF transfer 10 Fort Sumter IN
Ill il was fired on the time was spent in putting
the fort In q strife of defense. The following
April. after formal demand for surrender and
a refusal by Maj Anderson the enemy opened
fire on the fort at 4:30 am. on the morning of
the 18th. After heavy firing all day. several
guns having been dismounted an much damage
done 10 the masonry and walls the fort was set
on fire. The next day. April IL, 1861. Maj.
Anderson hauled down the United States flag
and hoisted white flag, surrendering uncon-
ditionally. Later in the day Gen. Beauregard
granted Maj. Anderson all proper facilities for
the removal Of his troops. arms and other prop
erty. both private and public.
Gen. Beauregard, writing to JEFF Davis at 9
pm. said: Quarters in Sumter burned down.
White flag up. Have sent boat TO receive sur
render. stopped our firing and made offer
of assistance and also offered same terms that
] did on the 18th. that vessel or steamer take
him to the fleet outside, and that in the mean
time he must be responsible for any damage to
the fort.
day, April IA. 1861, allowing Maj. Anderson to
pay tribute to his flag with a salute of fifteen
guns on leaving the fort. His officers and men
were then transferred to the fleet and sent
north and the confederates were left in posses
sion o: Charleston and its defenses.