Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-11
i BATTLES and LEADERSof the CIVIL WAR
'a" -L INSIDE SUMTER IN 81 --

fort 1t came the turn Of one of the
guns on the left face of the work TO
fire, and as the cannoneer approached
for the purpose of loading, he discov-
cred man looking in at the embrasure.
The man must have raised himself to
the level of the embrasure by grasping
the sill with his hands. A short but
lively alteration ensued between the
man and the cannoneer. the man plead
ing to be taken in lest he should be
killed with his own shot and shell. He
was hauleds-in, Thompson, the cannon
eer, first receiving his sword. to the
point of which a white handkerchief
was attached. not by way of surrender.
but for convenience.
Once inside, the bearer asked to see
Major Anderson. The major was soon
on the spot and opened the CONVERSE
tion by asking. To what am l indebted
I fer this visit?" The visitor replied, Il
am Colonel Wigfall. of General Beaure-
CARDS staff. For Gods sake, major,
let this thing stop. There has been
enough bloodshed already" To which
the major replied, There has been none
on my side, and besides. your batteries
are still firing on me-" At which Wig
fall exclaimed, sI'Il soon stop that"
and turning to Thompson, who still held
the sword under his arm, he said, point
/ ing to the handkerchief, Wave that
out there"
Thompson handed the sword to Wig
fall, saying, in substance. Wave it
yourself" Wigfall received back his
sword and took a few steps toward the
embrasure, when the major called him
back, saying, IF you desire that to be
seen you had better send it to the para
! pct" There was a good deal more said
on the subject of the white f1ag both
he ,a1o bTrtv nn
I cf it all was that a white flag was or
dered 10 be displayed from the parapet
/ at the request of Colonel Wigfall, and
pending negotiations with him, which
was instantly done, a hospital sheet
being used lor the purpose. Then the
firing gradually ceased, and the major
and his officers and Colonel Wigfall re-
tired into the hospital bomb-proof. the
only habitable room left. This was about
I 8 O'Clock in the afternoon.
! Wigfalrs conference was not of long
duration. He left the fort in the small
boat which brought him from Morris
Island Shortly after his departure an
other small boat from Sullivan's Island,
containing officers in full uniform wig
fall wore citizens dress with his sword),
approached the fort
The officers in this boat were very
much astonished and annoyed at being
warned oft by the sentinel, and COM
peIlei to show a white flag before they
were permitted to approach.
They were received by the officer of
the day, who apologized for not meet
ing them afioat, saying that all our
boats had been destroyed by shot or
burned up. They were indignant at
their reception and demanded TO know
whether or not the fort had surren-
dered What was said in reply was not
distinctly heard by the writer, but it
was believed to be a negative. The Of
hcers then asked what the white flag
meant. and WigfaIl's name was mem
toned in reply.
About this time Major Anderson made
his appearance, and the visitors, still
talking in an indignant tone, addressed
themse elves to HIM. What was said SEEM
ed to be a repetition of what had just
been said to the officer of the day. The
majors replies were inaudibfe where the
writer of this Stood except when he
raised his hand in a sweeping sort of a
gesture in the direction of Fort Moul-
trie. and said, Very well, gentlemen, you
can return to your batteries" They did
not return, however, Immediately. but
were conducted into the hospital where
wigfall had been. and remained there
some time. When they left we learned
that there would be no more firing until
| General Beauregard had time to hear
from his government al Montgomery.
About o'clock in the evening another
white flag brought the announcement
chat the terms agreed upon between Cen
eral Beauregard and Major Anderson had
been confirmed, and that we would leave
Fort Sumter the following day; which
we did, after saluting our flag with 50
guns.
Copyright, 1911. by the Century Com
pany1