St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-03-11

Johnston and d score or more of officers
in the Union Army, he had enjoyed
high honors in old army circles.
Tho correspondence between Gen.
Bcauregard aud Major Anderson when
the latter was beleasuercd in Fort
Sumpter, was of the most courteous
character. He was permitted to send
his boats to Charleston and procure
fresh meat and other supplies for his
garrison until the 9Th of April. 1861 |,
when the privilege was cnt off, the
object being, among othor things, to
prevent the fort from receiving oil,
without which no Signals could be
made to the expected fleet. Moreover,
without oil, the wheels Of Maj. Amber
sons guns, then clogged by the sand
drifts in the fort, could not be kept 10
order for immediate and effective use.
On one OCCASION, when | visited the
fort under flag Of truce, Capt. (attcr
ward Major GeneraD Foster jokiDgly
remarked: II fear those young ttl-
lows (rcferliug to Lieuts. Mead aud
Snydcr) will content themselves with
walking the paraptt and looking at the
excursion boats, for they have long
since given up their lIavanas.' OM
sympathies being excited, we asked
Beauregard's permission on our return
to take the officers few cases of wine
and boxes Of cigars. OF course it was
readily granted. and when wo next
visited tho fort Informed these setlc
men with quiet wink that they would
find in my boat certain articles that
were contrabaud Of war, but which
they might use for themselves. This
they were not slow in doing.
EEAUHEGARD's COURTESY.
On the day following our General le-
ccived from Major Anderson a formal
letter notifying him that a grave breach
of military etiquette had occurred in
our violating a flag of truce by intro
lucing certain articles into the fort
Beanregard in a polite letter expressed
his regret and we were supposed to be
very seriously reproyed | mention
the fact to illustrate the kindly feeling
that prevailed at the time on both
sides.
Another incident likewise illustrates
this spirit Of courtesy. When Major
Anderson surrendered, Lieut.. (aitcr-
the Federal army, had IL young sister
at school in Charleston. lie requested
me to obtain permission from General
Beaulegald TO allow him to 90 up to
the city and take her Mouth in the
steamer which was to transfer the gar
rison 10 the tnited States fleet. Beau
regard, with that ever generous spirit
which characterized him, Immediately
consented, but on further consideration
fearing that some indiguity might he |
inflicted upon the officer owing to the |
Intense excitement that prevailed, lie |
authorized me to escort the young lady, {
together with her school mistress,
Nine. B0nnetheau, to the fort and see !
that she safely reached the protecting |
care of her brother. This | did, aud | .
was in the fort when it evacuated. |
Many columns would be required to
describe tile personal incidents that oc-
Cured in the four years that ensued,
when following the fortunes of my
Chief, fist in Virginia then to the
West, through the yicissitudcs of
Cilipll, vi tut itlltdL from CUliHtH,
Jack again to Virginia aud through
he scenes of the surrender. But |
must refrain. 1t is enough to say that
n all the changes which occurred Gen.
5eaureyard always showed himself tue
superb commander. Although he
night appear to be outgeneralled and
some fortunate circum-
lance frequently interviewed to change
lie whole situation, and whether his
memory is recalled in connection with
he first great dramatic incident of the
var, the attack on Fort Sumter the
tubboru combat of Shiloh, the defence
4 Charleston against Gilmore. the as
ault upon Butler near Bermuda Hun
rcd or the mighty struggle at Peters
urg, history will always have proud
lace for him i'll its pages as IL type of
le splendid men who, during the
rusglc, on both sides gloriicd the
anne Of the American soldier.
\. Il. CIIRISIIOLM.
ate Colonel aud Aide de Camp, Staff
+,