The farmer and mechanic., 1911-07-04
NO. IA NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY
(From The Chatham Record. wed
nesday, April II, 19ll.)

Today is the fiftieth anniversary OF
the firing OH Fort Sumter. Which Is
regarded as the beginning OF tht
War Between the States. the greatest
war of modern times. The surrender
of that fort caused President Lincoln
to issue his fam Gus proclamation OH
the 18th OF April, 1851, calling for %
600 volunteers to suppress the so-cai-
ed rebellion" and in turn thus caus-
ed ths. South to become solid. and a
bloody war ensued.
Fort Sumter was and is still situated
in the harbOr at tharie eStOn, South
Carolina and commands the approach
to that city by the sea. In April, 1851.
IL was garrisoned by soldiers Of the
United States army commanded by
Major Robert Anderson. It's surrender
was demanded by Cen. p. Z. Beaure-
guard. who was in command Of the
Confederate forces at and neaf
Charleston. and was refused by Ma
jor Anderson. Finally at 1870 o'clock
on the morning OF the 18th OF April,
1861, Gen Beauregaurd notified Ma
jor Anderson that his batteries would
begin firing on Fort Sumter in one
hour if not surrendered. Accordingly,
as the fort WaS not surrendered then.
firing began by the Confederate bat
teries and the guns from the fort did
not begin answering until o'clock.
Il ITIHS WAS Kept Up laldt d~S \l1dC
12th) and during the following night
the Confederate fired shells every ten
or fifteen minutes end at daybreak
the next morning tthe 13th) the fr-
ing was renewed with increased v1gor
and accuracy. By noon on the 18Th
flames were seen issuing from the fort
and Gen. Beauregaurd at once sent,
under flag of truce, officers to
the fort offering aid in subduing the
1aY nd in dor n
render of the fort
This last demand was acceded to by
Major Anderson because the fort was
in ruins could no longer be defended,
and the garrison had no provisions.
The formal surrender and evacuation
were made on the 14th. the garrison
being allowed to march out with all
the hCnorS of war with drums beating
and sa1uting the United tSates flag,
and all the garrison were put on a
warship. outside the harbor. Strange
to say, not a man on either side
was killed in all that terrific bonn
bardme1t, the only man killed being
United States soldier who was ac-
cidenta1ly killed when firing the sa-
lutte to the flag after the surrender.
We are pleased to mention an Incl
dent that showed the chivalric feel
ing that animated the Southern sol
y
surrendered garrison, passed Con-
federate battery all the soldiers there
stood with uncovered heads in token
Of their respect for their captured
foes
At the time Fort Sumter was fired
on the Southern Confederacy con-
sisted of only seven States, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida. Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas Our
State and Virginia had not then Sc
ceded, and did not secede until the
next month, although both States, as
soon as a4incoln called for troops be-
gan to prepare for war and thousands
of their sons volunteered. While the
firing Fort Sumter fired the
Northern heart the call for troops
by Lincoln thoroughly aroused and
united the South. and for four terrible
years bloody war was waged.
The present generation cannot i'm
agine the intense excitement that
prevailed throughout the North and
the South when the startling news
flashed over the wires that Fort
Sumter had fallen and that Lincoln
had called for Is 900 troops. Men
seemed to have lost their reason, wo-
men were wild with enthusiasm and
even the children clamOred for war.
The best and bravest both North and
South promptly volunteered and the
whole country assumed the appear
ance Of an armed camp. the young SOL
ders daily drilling. brass bands and
the drum and the fife discoursing
martial music. the women making un-
iforms for their husbands. sons and
sweethearts, and the widest enthus-
lasm prevailing everywhere. Many of
the hotheaded We're afraid the war
would be over before they could get
to it. and none seemed to think of the
bloody battles and terrible sufferings
that would follow. Oh. what stirring
days they were fifty years ago this
month,
Fifty years ago, What a long time.
and yet how rapidly it has passed
All, or nearly all. the prominent act
ors Ia that sad drama, the firing
on Fort Sumter have passed away.
and the children Of that long ago
are now old men and women,
In this connection it may be of in