Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-03
TEST OF SOUTHERN CHIvALRY.
How Charleston Women Sent Food to
Major Anderson.


Major Anderson.
From the New York Tines.
Rev. DIR. Henry Van Dyke tells two sto-
ries that are illustrative of what is some
times called the "chivalrous sentiment of
the southern people.
when 1 was a child" said he, my faith
err took me with him on a trip to Charles
ton, 5. c. 1t happened to be a period of
intense excitement-early in 1861. The
state authorities had recently passed the
ordinance of secession the citizens of
Charleston were wrought up to high pitch
| and Major Anderson had been shut up in
Fort Sumter. 1 remember my experience
at that time as wildly as if 1 had passed
them yesterday One of them was in con-
nection with the historic incident of Major
Andersons defense of the fort against the
southern guns.
The federal troops were almost dest1-
tute of provisions. and it was question
as 20 how long they could hold out. 1t was
well understood in Charleston that any at
tempt on the part of the United States to
reprovision the garrison would be resisted
10y force. There stood Anderson, with his
handful of men, under the stars and
stripes. facing starvation or surrender
possibly annihlation. Around theol d brick
fort, rising sheer from the bosom of the
sea-, were ranged the batteries that were
ready at a signal to give the coup de grace
Matters were in this critical juncture when
mad the privilege of witnessing marvel
Gus act of chivalrous and tender sentiment
Il observed one day that a number of
small boats were putting of from the
docks and making for Fort Sumter, where
lay the beieaguered federal troops. My as
Constituent redoubed when l learned
| that the women of Charleston had laden
these boats with provisions of all sorts
from substantials to delicacies and luxuries.
ana We're actually sending them to the sol
uierS whom their brothers and fathers were
trying to subdue by starvation or by shot
and shell. l afterward learned that Major
Anderson was very much liked by the Wo-
men, and, indeed. by all the people Of
Charleston, but it struck me as quite re-
markable that even the near approach of
war and the necessity, felt by all, of the
capture OF Fort Sumter from the federals.
were not sufficient to suppress the chivalry
and hospitality of these people.
AS the boats were pulling out looked
into them to see what kind of food the
ladies were sending to their enemy. There
was every deIcacy that could be found in
the market, and l can remember now how
nice l thought the dainties looked, how
should have liked to taste some of them,
and how l wondered what an impression
such a gift under such circumstances
would make upon Major Anderson and his
men.
Shortly after the sending of these pro-
visions to the beleaguered fort by the wo-
| from their batteries on Morris Island fired
| upon the Star Of the West, which was en-
gagged upon similar mission. Charleston
would not have allowed the federal major
and his garrison to starve, but it was
equally determined not to permit the Unit
| ed States government to provision the fort
The distinction was clear enough. and the
presence of war itself could not hold in
allegiance the obligations of hospitality.
Il remember just as wildly another ex-
perience in the south. Shortly after the
war was in Virginia with my father and
| he took me to see Gen. Robert E. Lee, who
was then at Washington and Lee Univer-
| sity. l don't think that ] have ever seen
a man whose great personality impressed
me more. General Lee was one of the few
men 1 have seen who seemed to me to bear
upon the brows the unmistakabIe stamp OF
greatness. He was exceedingly courteous
| and kindly. 1t occurred to him at once
that l. who was boy at the time. might
| enjoy ride on his war steed. So Traveller
| was brought out and the general placed me
i in the saddle. and for few moments 1 sat
upon the horse that his companionship in
march and in battle had made famous"