The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-16

Anderson SalQSIldL4 ne would @v4cuaT0
thefort or the15th provided ha-reeeived
no contrary Instructions from his gov
eminent meanwhile but he would not
agree, as was requested of him, not to
open his guns; in case of hostile demon
stration i by Confederate troops. At
800 a. m. of the 10Th the aids handed
Anderson the following notification,
which they had written in the presence
Of the major and several of his officers:
FoRT SUMTER, S. C.,sApril 70, 1861, s:20 "A. M.
Sr-By authority of Brigadier General Beaure-i
gard, commanding the provisional forces of the,
Confederate States, we have the honor to notify
you that he will open the FIRE of his batteries on
Fort Sumter at one hour from this time We
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servants, JAMES CHEsNUT Jr.,
Aid-de-camp.
STEPHEN D. LEE,
Captain G. S. Army, Aid-de-camp.
This was the challenge to a combat
which opened the ball, and the gladia-
tors at once shook hands and went to
their guns.
Captain Lee and Chestnut were
quickly rowed to Fort johnson, ON
james island, and Captain George s.
james, commanding battery at that
point, was ordered TO fire the signal
gun. He aroused his naen and when;
all was ready said to Roger A. Pryor,
afterward Judge Pryor of New York,
city, You are the only man to whom I
would give the honor Of firing the first
gun of the war; and asked him to FIRE
it. Pryor had been with the aids
throughout the interview with Ander-
son. In a husky voice he said, II could
not fire thestirst gun of the war" Cap
tain James himself fired the. shot, and
fit burst Immediately over the. fort,
about 100 feet above. =
This account of the first shot at Sum
ter. differing from that usually accept
ed. may be verified from Beauregard's
official reports. It is given by General
S. D. Lee, the aid who was present, in
narrative published in The Century
company's. history. Battles and Lead
ers of the Civil War" Anderson knew:
he would be starved out by the 18TH if
his government did not succeed in
sending him supplies, His Ammunition
was short, and he ordered his officers
not to return the Confederate shots un-
til daylight in order to burn the stock
of powder on hand to the best advan-
tage. As he was simply fighting against
time, he also ordered that the firing be
done from the easements. under cover,
and not from the guns Of the upper
tier where the gunners would be ex-
posed to Confederate aim. 1t was ow-..
ing to this that the Gonfederates suffer-
ed so little from Sumter Shots Thesup-s
per guns of the fort would have pound
ed their low lying shore batteries most
efectually. Not a man of the Sumter
garrison was hit by Confederate fire,
but their hot shot finally set the wood
en- quarters of the fort on fire. and fly
ing sparks caused an explosion which.
killed one of Anderson's gunners and;
wounded several soldiers around the.
guns.
The bombardment and replies were
bot Il during I the 18TH. Some Of Ander
sons men disobeyed commands and
fred the guns OF the upper tier. At this
the Confederates let loose all their am (
munition at the top wall. On the 18th
the wooden quarters took fire from
burning shells thrown purposely to
start the flames. The garrison was put
to it to save the little powder they had,