Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-23
FIRED SECOND SHOT.
Mr.. l. P. NOISE RECALLS an INCIDENT IN THE
DEATH OF GEN. BEAUREGARD.
Always Regarded Him as Brilliant Field Engi-
neer-Met Him Many Times Socially-A Hap
py Remembrance Of the Great General
Notes Of the War.


Beauregard at New Orleans on Monday,
local incident is recalled which will
Doubtless be read with pleasure. 1t is
that Mr.. I. +. Noise, of the Exchange
Bank, while fighting under the dis
tinguished General, fired the second
shot on Fort Sumpter. Mr.. Noise is
perhaps the only one in this city who
has been brought in close relations
with this great leader in war. He is
well acquainted With his military record
and has had a good chance 10 note his
personality in business and social lie.
MIR. Morse was at that time MEM
Der OF that memorable company, the
Palmetto Guards, under command or
George B. Cuthbert, nearly all the mem
bers coming from Charleston. That
this company was in the thick Of the
fray may be Judged from the fact that
il started in with goo on the roll, ana at
the close of the war but 80 were living,
and az the present time only about -
or 1G survive, gatherings and reunions
being held from time to time,
II well recollect that morning in
April" said Mr.. Noise; 1--WE were
hustled out about 4 o'clock in the morn
ing, Snd we Immediately began the war
fare. The first shot was fired by Ed
mund Ruilin, OF Virginia. He was q
fine gentleman Of the English type, Of
long white hair and courtly manners.
He was an enthusiastic secessionist, and
later committed suicide because he said
he wouldn't live under the federal gov
ernment. l am not quite sule who fired
the third shot, but I think IL was man
bv the name of Reeder, of
Charleston. The Palmetto Guards were
an old-time organization formed OF some
OF the Staunchest citizens OF the day,
and its original formation dated back
some forty years before the war. After
the surrender at Fort Sumter the com
pany was divided, one-half forming an
infantry company, and the other an ar
tillery company, which was retained for
coast defense, and l was q member Of
the latter. 1 also had brother, Edwin
H., of Louisville, KY, who was also
member of that company"
wherein do you most approVingly
regard General Beauregard?" asked the
reporter.
1T was as field engineer" said Mr..
Noise, "that Gen. Beauregard especially
distinguished himself. never cOnsld-
cred him the man 10 lead an army, as
he lacked that dash and quick determi-
nation so necessary to the leader But
in the throwing up of redoubts, and in
his general plan of defense on all occa-
sions, were seen his most brilliant
achievements. This was well eXempIi-
fled on James Island where were erect
ed redouOtS within redoubtS, and they
proved most redoubtable. / was under
him all the time he was in defense OF
Charleston, and I had good opportunity
TO observe his tactics. l regard
the General as one Of the greatest field
engineers the world has ever produced.
His achievements were most remarka-
bic and brilliant | think Beauregard
virtually won the battle of Manassa,
but the mistake Of his life, l believe,
was made at Corintb, when he held back
his men and refused to advance on the
Federal troops"
"Did you meet the General after the
WARP observed the reporter.
"Oh, yes, several times. l moved to
New Orleans after the war, and was
there for long time. l often encoun-
tered him in his social and business life,
and on one occasion formed member
Of the Beauregard party that was in
vited to Louisville, KY, at the formal
opening up of the Gault House, An in
innate friend OF mine married one Of
Gen. Beaulegard'S daughters. have
always regarded the General as a man
of the highest character; OF high car
riage, pleasing address and great intu-
ence. In his death the world loses one
of the er-to-be-forcotten heroes"