The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-13
Blrth Of the Confederate War.

Houston, Texas. May Ain 1860 | was
a member OF volunteer light artillery
company in my home. Charleston. S, c..
We had been ordered out for our regular
monthly drill and were in the full ex-
ecution OF advancing and firing by escha-
lon when we noticed considerable COM
motion about the campus. officers. uni
formed were dashing hither and thither.
Suddenly the bells OF old St Michaels
rang out an alarm. Finally we were told
that Major Robert Anderson, United States
army. commanding Fprt Moletrie, on Sui
livan's island, had evacuated the fort and
taken refuge in the more secure confines
of Sumter but short distance from
Moultrle, about the center OF the ohan-
mel. Fort Moultrie was an ordinary brick
fertilization. with barbette guns bearing
only seward, and the fort was easily cap
tured from the rear, but Sumter was an
S-foot solid brick work, with classmates,
as well as guns zen barbette," and being
octagon, could not be so easily approached.
But back to my story AS soon as we
had learned the news all anSiety and
speculation followed But this was but
for moment, rs the order was; Timber
to the front. Cannoniers mount! For
ward!" Away we sped to the gun sheds
horses detached, guns replaced in posi-
ton, line formed for dismissal. But not
so. We were marched by twos into the
citadel, there equipped with muskets. bay
onets, cross belts and cartridge boXs5--'
rapid transformation from artillery 90 in
fantry
Now, imagine fine looking lot Of meh,
with stiff, ironed white PANTS swallow tail
blue coats. trimmed with red. red epaui-
cites and a French cape surmounted with
red pompon, white cotton gloves thus
armed and ACQUIRED for war" We gazed
at each other IN silent amazement Com
panv. by twos. forward march" was the
command. and such a march-some guns
straight. some crooked, some crosswlse
and every wise but the right wise Thus
we proceeded to a steamboat at the foot
OF Market street where We embarked
in secrecy and silence for Sullivan's island.
II was n lovely night, the Goth of De-
cember 1860. The moon was in the zenith
of her glory, silyerlng the foam capped
waves with her beauteous sheen. All was
solemnly impressive Slowly we glided
10 our destination. How mingled were our
thoughts. Some laughed and iolSed, some
were as sad as though they were expect
ing to die in n few seconds, But now
came the test. Lieutenant Charles Nc
Beth with our orderly sergeant, delivered
." V"Nh uhp VI US twenty ROUNDS or hNed
ammunition. Great Scott" said |, "whlt
does this mean?" This was business. Mind
you, we only had old time mu2zIe leaders.
Loadl Men, why don't you ioadi" erred
the leutenant ttact Is, half OF us did moi
know how. We pushed the cartridg,
and ball In the gun and rammed it down
with the ramrod. some SO hard that they
suck fast In due time we arrived at tht
island Not a sound broke the dreadful
ominous stiffness OF tho night Through
the heavy sand we trudged and were halt,
ed about 200 yards from Mousrie. Abou
this time several detachments passc,
bearing ladders. Company. forward
march!' was the command passed b,
the officers Oh, how my heart beat!
saw the cannon like open mouthed spec.
tiers in every bush and hole. ! thought o.
home and all the mean things I had eve,
done. but | kept my fears to myself
though the faces Of some OF the boys were
rs white as their pants. Now deployed on
the beach right under the big guns o
Moultrie. knees knocking together from
the chilly fear lair. mean here ~,
awaited our doom. Suddenly bright ligh
flashed above us and We involuntarll,
ducked momentarlly expecting the repor
10 follow. But oh, what a relief II wat
but signal rocket from Colonel Dessau.
sure announcing to officers In Charleston
that we we're In possession of Fort Moul.
trle. More anon L. L. Cohen.
lieutenant r. c.. Staff General G. T.
Beaumont. p A. c. S. A,