The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-06-07

III the HlStOrlc \ lty Oi SHdIicStOu, mas
revived memories Of my last visit to
that typical Southern city. 1t was
during the last few days of the siege,
and everything around indicated that
there had been "a hot time in the old
town.
The historian has finished his ac
count Of the civil war, and the soldier
has written his book of peril and ad-
venture in the field. but 80 far no one
has told the full story Of what Charles
ton suffered and endured during the
long years Of strife, nor how Sumter
was held and defended in a manner to
excite tie admiration even Of those
most earnestly engaged in the attempt
to possess her.
When the war began the citizens Of
Charleston divided with the Confedc-
rate Government; within year they
divided again. Before the war was
two years old silvcrwarc was being
melted up. church bells sent to the
cannon foundry and every family max
ing sacrifices in some direction.
When the Confederate Government
wanted lead the water pipes Of Char
lesion we're torn out Of house and
street and contributed to the extent
Of 10000 pounds. When iron was
wanted the gas pipes were chcerfully
parted with. Every house was tenn
porary hospital, and every household
felt it duty to divide its provisions
and bedding with the men who were
fighting for the Confcdcracy. The
rich CT Charleston did not speculate
on the misfortune Of the poor.
Instead Of buying in clothing and
provisions to sell again at an advance,
they clubbed together to fit out whole
companies of soldiers and batteries of
artillery. Richmond took up the rails
Of street car lines and sent them to
the Confederate foundry, but Charles
ton stripped herself of everything and
gave it to the cause she cspoused.
One blockade runner took $85, 900
worth Of ladies jcwclry to Nassau and
exchanged the lot for $32 900 worth of
shoes and clothing for Confederate
soldiers. Valuable watches, diamonds
and jewclry Of all kinds were sent
North by secret agents and were ex-
changed for drugs for sick soldiers.
Bedding, carpets and crockery we're
taken from the finest houses and sent
to equip Confederate hospitals, and
chat without demand having been
made for even a blanket.
The first she'll from Gilmore 8
"Swamp Angel located five miles
away: struck building near the Post
Office and exploded with crash that
turned 5000 people out of bed Those
who heard the horrible screams Of the
great shell as it came over the waters
Of the bay will never forget the sound.
In five minutes second one came,
but this one failed. By the time the
third one arrived all Charleston was
awake and full Of alarm and horror.
That was the beginning Of siege
which has no parallel in American
warfare. Day after day, week after
week, month after month, with only
intervals Of few hours at time for
the guns to cool or some moro to be
made, the bombardment continued.
Grant did not care to injure Peters
burg. Gilmore would have wiped
Charleston off the face of the earth if
he had been able.
The first nights experience was
enough to arouse the city to action.
Not building in the lower part Of
the city was safe from the big shells
loaded with Greek fire. Under the
advice of the chief Of the fire depart
Hicnt every house ker. ready amply
Of water on hand, in barrels and other
vessels. In some districts bodies Of
minute-mcn were formed, who would
rush to the spot where she'll fell and
quickly subduc the flames in case a
fire was started. The business streets
were all paved with cobblestones.
These stones were taken up and
dumped into the sea, and it was wise
precaution. Scores of shells fell upon
the streets and buried themselves in
the sand and exploded without dam
age.
BY and by the people became used
to the situation, and seemed to go to
bed without any more fear than would
have been shown in New York. While
the street cars ceased to run, all othe,
business was transacted as usual, and
during the hottest FIRE of che siege
men were loading vessels at the
wharves, various factories were run
ming, and children were playing in tn,