Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-25

Fifty years ago today the union gar
rison at Sumter. in accordance with the
terms OF evacuation signed by Major
Anderson. their commander. the evening
before. marched GU. OF the battered
fort in which they had sustained con-
tinuous bonbardment for "a hours, with
colors flying at the head OF each COM
pany and the drummers beating boldly
the patriotic tune of Yankee Doodle
The day was Sunday. The storm that
rad prevailed for So hours had rolled
away. leaving the air clear and bright
with the warmth of southern spring
Tranquility seemed to brood over the
harbor OF Charleston and the city where
MANY Confederate and Palmetto flags
fiuttered in the wind
Charleston had spent the night in
wild exultation over tho fall OF Sumter.
Crowds OF armed men singing ano
promenading the streets" was CORE
spendents description OF the night
Restaurants full, revealing in barroomss
clubrooms crowded. orgies and carous-
ings in private houses. in taproom'
down alleys. in. the broad highway
sumter had set them distraught; never
was such a victory; never such brave
lads. never such a fight"
In The clear light OF Sunday morn
ing the s0berer element more decorously
raioiczA AT the Roman Catholic cathe-
dral a TIE peum was celebrated. The
venerable Episcopal bishop at St Phil
ip's attributed this signal and bloodless
victory 10 the infinite mercy OF God.
who fnterposed His hand in behalf OF
our righteous cause
on the bosom Of the harbor every
kid OF boat that could be made TO
carry people was afloat- The throngs
they bore were in holiday attire and
filled with excited anticipation Of seeing
their flag raised over the fort that had
been so long held by the union garri-
son. and had so stubbornly resisted
Confederate guns
AN ACCIDENT IN THE FORT.
The hour set for the evacuation was
IL in The forenoon, and the Confeder-
ate authorities. kindly solicitous 10 ex-
pedite The departure OF the garrison,
were ready with a steamer at the wharf
Of the fort at that hour to take the Tn
ion men out over the bar TO the ships
that lay there-the relief expedition that
came TOO lafe-Feady 10 transport them
70 New York
But II came and went and the de-
Oarks-Tion did not take place. The cause
OF decay was an accident in the fort that
had resulted fatally.
The scene Of death was in keeping with
the melancholy atmosphere OF the place
and the temper OF the men Of Major
AndersOn-s command
When they had learned. the night be-
fore, that their long trial by fire was
ended they retired for the first unbroken
sleep they had secured in many weeks.
There was no longer any need of anxious
watch for an enemy. As they slept in
the casemates FIRE company from
Charleston worked through the night on
the glowing ruins OF the barracks in the
parade
The fire had not been subdued when
the command arose. rested. but for the
first time aware TO what an extent
their nerves had been strained. They
we're irritable and gloomy, and little
was said as they went about the task
OF packing up their personal effects
and company property
In the terms II evacuation Major An
derson had insisted on a clause per-
hitting a salute OF the nag before the
command left the fort. The ceremony
was set for II O'Clock. and the COM
nand was assembled amid the debris
Il the smoky parade 10 witness the
ceremony.
The flag that had flown in the bonn
bardment was raised on the temporary
stan to which IL had been attached
after being shot away on the 18th
TIE salute was TO be so guns. Several
times the heavy reports had doomed
acruss the sunny water. when one OF
Tie guns. at which several men were
posted. went on prematurely. Daniel
Hough. a private. WAS al the muzzle OF
the gun The discharge tore his arm
nom his body. killing him.
A fragment OF burning cloth from
The mtfzzle Of the gun fell on a pile OF
powder in bags 20 be used in the sa-
Ites. and this exploded. knocking the