The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-05-18

Vs6 the beginning OF the war between
ahe States, but that is not the case.
The first gun was fred from necessity
because of the bad faith and hostile
acts Of the government at Washington.
After the secession Of South Carolina
.here was an honorable understanding
between the authorities at Washington
and Gov. Pickens that everything in
and around Charleston should remain
at standstill. Neither party was to
make any hostile movements. Mai.
Robert Anderson commanded the gar
!Eison at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan >
Island, and it was understood that he
should remain there. He sent details
10 Charleston and bought supplies.
The mails were sent regularly to him
and there was no interference with
she movement Of his troops. Under
ahe circumstances Gov. Pickens and
our men were incapable Of breach Of
good faith, and could not conceive Of
suoh thing on the part of Maj. An
derson, who was born and bred in old
Kentucky. Their surprise is beyond
description when they found that
Fort Moultrie had been abandoned in
she night time and Fort Sumter occu
pied by Anderson and his men. This
VAS the frst hostile movement, but
even then our men did not begin hos
silities. Provisions we're still bought
in Charleston and the mails deliver
cd The wives Of the garrison at
Fort Sumter still remained in the city,
and Mrs. Anderson. herself. was under
the protection of Gov. Pickeus ut the
Mills House.
The next movement Of tho Wash
ington government was to send SUP
plies to Fort Sumter in vessel pro
tected by several warships which came
along to force en- entrance into Charles
son harbor. When this convoy stooI
of the bar there was no longer aly
misunderstanding about the purpose
Of the Washington authorities. Gen.
Beauregard demanded the surrender
Of Sumter. Anderson refused. Beau
regard opened fire and compelled the
surrender.
The scene of active operations was
changed to Washington. Lincoln
called for 70, 900 volunteers. a heavy
foroo was sent across 4hc Potomac.
The great battle of Manassas was
fought and won by our people. Me-
Dowell's army fell back to Washing
ton. The forces of johnson and
Beauregard went into camp beyond
Bull Run confronting the enemy.
There were several minor engagements
but no great conflict, and the iist
vinter Of the war passed in compare
ave quiet.
When the spring time came again
Gen. Mcclellan, commanding tho U.
s. army, charged his base to Yorktown
intending to reach Richmond by that
route. Heavy reinforcements we're
sent to him, but he continually called
for more men.
When Mcclellan and his troops
handed at Yorktown and took position
she7e was no one to resist his advance
Bat Gen. j. Bankhead Magruder and
eight thousand men. His troops were
stationed across the peninsula be-
sween the James and York rivers, aud
by counter marching and beating Of
drums Mcclellan was led to believe
aAat there was an immense army in
front Of him, too large for his army of
one hundred thousand men 10 meet.
He hesitated until Johnson transferred
his army from Manassas to the scene
Of operations.
At that time I was private in
Company "B" Of the Seventh S. g.
Volunteers. We took our place in
line on Warwick river near Dam No. 4
ana pos Tar from Great Lebanon
Church. Little service was required of
us, and the only exciting time the regi-
.aent had was when it marched to
lands End, about nine miles from
captp, and at the edge Of the water.
The command arrived at twilight and
Immediately set about making their
camp fires, and so many were kindled
that the whole landscape and firma-
mant were illuminated. Immediately
ahs gunboats of the enemy opened fire
with solid shot and she'll. The regi-
1aent fell back in quick time and re-
'an1ned to camp. The march to camp
Was exceedingly difficult, being over
rnsv cut road with heavy timber on
each side and the night was dark as
Nobody was hurt on this ex-
noaiion. zhi III was desirned IN ia.