The Forrest City times., 1898-08-05

The following essay by Miss Maggie
Dotson, pupil in Prof. w. J. Lanier's
school ~ Caldwell, is published by re-
quest ( her teacher AS slight token
Of his appreciation Of her efforts. which
are very commendsble. when it is con
sidered that she is but thirteen years
Of age:
SHORT HISTORY OF THE FIRST YEAR OF
THE civil. WAR.
This was during Linc0n's administra-
tion. Some rum RS of plan to assassi
nate him impelrd him to 90 to Washing
ton in disguise. lie was insugnrat-d
March 4th. 1861. and was surrounded b,
troops under General Scott.
All things were now uncertain in the
South. The Southern men were dali,
lin king their fortunes to- the Confederate
caus~.
Som I the prominent men of both the
North and South hoped that the war
might be averted. The F~derals were
afraid to act lest they should pre:ipiiat-
civil strife. This Contest was to mark the
new Confederate government. This wa,
voting money and collecting troops and
getting ready for this issue.
BeaureEard aud Anderson were the first
two commanders to fight ia the civil war
The first battle was fought at Fort Stump
ter. Beanregard. now commander OF the
Confederate army at Charleston. finding
that supplies were to be sent to Fort
Sumpter called Upon Major Anderson to
surrender: upon his refusal fire was
opened from oil Southern forts aud bat
teries. This strange contest between sew.
enty Federais and seven Thousand Con
federates lasted thirty -four hours-no
one being hurt on either side.
The first gun was fired Friday morning
At hall past four O'clock. April r. 1861
The barracks being set on fir by a shell.
The garrison being worn out and ,uff0
Gated. half blinded, was forced to cap,lu.
late; was allowed tile honor Of war
saluting their flag before hauling it down
il unified the North and Also the South
The war swept over the country like wild
FIRE rty lines vanished; Union men al
the 4 tn were borne IN secession, while
the republicans and the democrats Of the
south were Trying tn support the govern.
nient. Lincoln called TOR $4,000 troops,
500 900 men responded. Virginia. Arkan.
sas. North Carolina aud rennes>r-, which
had before hesltatcd to jolu the Conf-der-
ales. now joined.
Virginia troops seized the United States
srlnor, at Harp-r's Fer, anu the nav,
yard near Norfolk. Troops were rushing
luto Virginia anu threatening Washington.
The iirst blood was shed at Baltimore,
Apiil ~, 1861. at the anniversary OF Lex
lu1ton and Concnid Ariingtoii'S heights
ind Alexandria were sezrd MAY ~ 10y
the National troops. ihis protected
Washington froni Immediate danger TT.
Monroe was soon unucr heavy force
commanded by General u. +. Butler.
Another expedition was soon after made
against Big Brth-, when was misn,an-
asrd. Inc troops on the ioute fired into
ZACH other by mistake and when they
attempted to capture the Confederatrs
were repuls-d with great loss.
West Virginia adhered To the Union
ana WAS made u separate STATE Ii WAS
occupied b, tue confeuriat~s. The FED
trais under General Mcclellan, com
ipander OF the Potomac, defeated the Con
isderates at Phinppi. Rich Mountain.
tt,ieat Mountain aud Caricks Ford Shortly
aiterward Genera Floy 4 and " lse ied a
confederate force into tnat leg on Etuyu
WAS suddenly attacked by Rusecrans al
Carnifiex Ferry, tirn.rai Wise fa,iing tc
support HIM. was iurcrd to surrender
The Northern people seeing many
reg ment> pushed To Washington were Itn
patient. The cry ION To Richmond, !" be-
came too strong ~ be resisted. In the
battle al Bull kun General mcdowell was
the Northern commander. OrneraIs Jack.
son and Beaur-gaid the Confeuei ales
t;eneral McDewei's men were whipped.
In the retreat OF the Fedrrals a shell
butsied among the teansier>, and wagons
were overturned aad 90, kra up the wa,
cainons were abandoned. men threw their
guns away ana ran over the woods, aud
sone did not stop until they were safe
across Lang bridge at Washington.
The effect OF this battle was momentous.
The North was disheartened. Then
came new determination. they saw they
Npuiu nave 10 nkht brave men, congress
voted eoo0 .0vO.U aud 800, QUO troops.
General McC.eian. ON whom all eyes
wrrr turned for his brilliant campaign IN
West Virginia. was appointed commander
OF the Potomac. Two thousand federais
cros,cd the Potomac at Ban 5 BluIf on a
reconoitering tour We're attacked aud
forced down slippery bank The few
old vessels IN which they came were soon
suak. some were drowned, soine were shol.
aud ABOUT half OF the number reached lie
btnK. Coionel Baker. the United States
senator. WAS killed. West Virginia was
largely Union, yet there was an effort
niahr b. General Jackson to preserve
army neutrality. Captain Lyon foIled the
attempt. Tie br"ke up Camp Jackson and
defeated General Marmaduke at Boon
silie. General Seigel having been de-
irated IN the battle OF Carthage, Lyon.
HOW general, found that he must eIthrr
h-ht or give up that part Ut the state.
Late In the Fall General Grant made an
attempt on the CONTEMPORARIES who had