davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-03-10
TIL that
AWFUL
Cured by Lydia E. Pinknam's
Vegetable Compound

Morton's Gap, Kentucky.-'T suf,
&ered two years with female disorders,
Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-03-10
Nothing Too Good

tor you. That's why we want You
to take CASCARETS for liver and
bowels. Its not advertising talk
but merit-the great, wonderful.
lasting merit of CASCARETS that
we want you to know by trial. Then
you'll have faith-and join the mil
lions who keep well BY CASCA-
REFS alone. -
CAScARET9 roc = hox for 4 weeks
~ The world Aulina boxcs 4 montS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
He Got Him Over.

NEASTER." said Prof. Herbert p. Simp.
IL son. the English socioloeist. in an
address to the charity societies of Wheel
ing. lis good time to appeal for charity.
and I hope that your appeals this Easter
will have great success
II hope, too, that YOU will administer
your receipts well. 1t is justly charged
so or % per cent OF their receipts Ed
for high salaries and cabs and expensive
Offices, and only 10 per cent reaches tbs
poor.
1T reminds me of your James Russeil
Lowell, who when ambassador TO Enc
land, contributed literally to a London
society, and one day sent a deserving
young American there to be assisted
home. But the American was told that.
though his case was eDlinently deservinG,
the society was just then short OF funds.
When Lowell heard this, he sat down
and wrote the society a terse and yigor-
Gus letter.
Dear Sirs he began. For the last
seven years | have contributed annually
p suneaS to your organization. ] regret
to learn YOU were unable to assist the
young man | recommended TO YOU
few days ago. If you will kindly return
to me one of my contributions. ] VII
send him to America at my own expense.
as I am convinced the case is a most
deserving one.
THE society did not return any OF Mr..
Lovell's cash. but il found means some
how to dispatch the young man homs
by the next boat.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

handful OF United states Army soldiers
and sailors, under command of First
Lieut.. Adam J. Slemmer. held Fort Pick
ems, the key to the harbor of Pensacola,
Fla, against great odds from early in
January, 1851. until April 16, two days
after the surrender of Fort Sumter. when
they were relieved by ample reinforce
ments from the north.
Surrounded by forts and batteries on
the mainland captured and manned by
the Confederate forces, under the COM
mand Of Maj. Gen. BraXton Bragg, who
defeated Roseerans at Chickamauga, and
was in turn defeated by Grant at Chat
tanooga, il required heroic courage on
the part of Lieut.. Slemmer and his little
band to hold the fort for the Union; but
because they persevered historic Fort
Pickens remained in Union hands through
out the entire war. and in the second year
Of the conflict the Union came into full
possession of the best haroor on the gulf
A circumstance that had a most important
bearing on the subsequent naval opera
tons along the gulf coast. such as Far
raguts descent on Mobile bay. 1t is in
teresting 10 note that at Stone river, in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

Under such circumstances. when SO man!
inducements were held out for men to
desert and when SO many men IN the
higher places failed. it speaks well Tor
their character, loyalty and discipline
that none of our men deserted NO com
pany of men could work better or with
more enthusiasm, and they were not AZ
all disposed to give information TO those
outside. The day before We left civil
ian, visiting the post to see what news
he could gather, asked one of them:
What is all this stir about? You men
are not going to fight are YOU:
Faith, you needn't ask me; I'm not the
man that gives orders here.
What are they moving THESE gun Col
riases out foro''
Wei. sir, l hear they are to be painted
tomorrow"
How many men are there here now?
Sure. I'm not the baker. and don
know how many he bakes for.
X
Next to the commodore, the most thor-
ourhlv excited and demoraEZed man
saw was our old Spanish friend, fran
cisco Gomez who was well known In ali
that region and had long lived IN III
tie cottage just in front OF the barracks.
He was the friend of all the army ofil-
GERS. but his hero was Gen. jackson, ana
his great delight was to spin yarns TO us
about Jackson's capture or Pensacoia
from the British. Gomez was true
original Jackson man, having as
youth seen him at Pensacoia.
The morning we left I met him walk
ing to and fro in front of his cottage. and
said: Goodbye, MIR. Gomez: you must
take care of things here now.
He replied. with upturned eyes; NY
God. NV God. it is awful; nothing can
be saved: we shall all be killed-every-
thing destroyed. / am afraid to say any
thing. How ! wish Gen. Jackson was
here" And the old man Strengthened
himself up as if the mere mention OF '"e
name gave him strength and COURAGE.
ON the 18th we saw the flag at the
navy ward lowered, and then knew that
it had been quietly and tamely sur
rendered. Seeing our nag thus lower
ed to an enemy caused intense exS ,,
ment and emotion. mingled feenns
of shame, anger and defiance. Not
vet having Flagstaff up. we hung
our flag over the northwest bastion OF
the fort. that all might see that our
h fespt was Henry n''i' W Walk Immediately
hoisted extra flags. and soon after was
towed out of the harbor by the wan
dotte Capt. Q. II. Berryman1. With
the capture of the navy yard every
hands, including the large fine dry
dock. the workshop, materials, ana
supplies of all sorts. Fortunately. the
Supply and Wyandotte. the only United
States vessels in the harbor. were
commanded by loyal men. and were
saved.
We now felt sure that an attack on
the fort would not long be delayed.
The enemy was in possession OF every
thing on the mainland and Fort Pick
ems alone was left, and it was in a
very dilapidated condition. not having
been occupied since the Mexican war.
We numbered, all told, including the
thirty ordinary seamen, only eighty
one men, Our first attention was given
to the flank casemate guns, loading
with grape and canister such as could
be worked, and at other points closing
the embrasures.
Just before shutdown that evening,
four gentlemen landed. and demanded
of the corporal on guard outside the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

seven miles farther up the bay is the
town Of Pensacola.
Near Fort Barrancas. and between 1t
and the navy yard. is the post Of Bar
rancas barracks. and there. In January,
1851. was stationed Company 6, 1st
United States Artillery, the sole force
OF the United States Army in the har-
Dor to guard and hold. as best it might,
the property of the United States. The
captain Of this company. John II. Winder
1afterward brigadier general in the Con-
federate army. and widely known in con-
nection with the military prisons in the
SOUTH, and the senior first lieutenant,
\. r. Eddy. were absent on leave. and
the only officers with it were First Lieut..
Adam j. Slemmer and the writer OF this
sketch-then the second second lieutenant
of the company, who. by virtue of that
high rank was also the post treasurer.
post quartermaster, post commissary and
post adjutant.
With the new year, 1851, came to us
at that quiet little post the startling
news Of the seizure of United States
property at various points by state
troops, and by January rumors. to us
still more startling, reached our ears. to
the effect that the navy yard and forts in
Pensacola harbor were to be seized by
troops already preparing, in Florida and
Alabama. to march against us. AS yet
no orders had come TO Lieut.. Slemmer
for his guidance in this emergency, and
may be imagined. We had frequent
conversations as to what should or could
properly be done. AS it would be use
less to attempt TO hold Barrancas. the
occupation of Fort Pickens was suggest
ed and considered; but Lieut.. Slemmer.
thinking that he would not be justified
in changing his station without authority,
decided to remain where he was.
January the first step indicating to
outsiders an intention on our part to re-
sist was taken, by the removal or the
powder from the Spanish fort to Fort
guard was placed with loaded muskets.
1t was none too soon. for about midnight
a party of twenty men came to the fort
evidently with the intention OF taking
possession, expecting TO find it unoccu
pied as usual Being challenged and
not answering nor hating when ordered.
the party was fired upon by the guard
and ran in the direction Of Warrington,
their footsteps resounding on the plank
walk as the long roll ceased and our
company started for the fort at double
quick This, / believe, was the first gun
in the war fired on our side.
Y
-
Next day. January Q, an order came
from Gen. Winfield S. Scott. in command
of the United States Army. to Lieut..
Slemmer to do all in his power to prevent
the seizure of the public property and to
cooperate with Commodore James Arm
strong at the navy yard. The latter re-
ceived orders on the same day to CO.
operate with the army, but he was al
ready so greatly under the influence of
Capt. Ebenezer Farrand and other seces-
sionist officers Of his command that he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

December OF 1862. Slemmer, then a brig
saier general. and Bragg, In command of
the Confederate forces opposing Rose
Grams, again faced each other, Siemmer
receiving wound that incapacitated him
Tor further active service during the war.
Entering Pensacola harbor from the
Gulf Of Mexico. one sees as he crosses
the bar. Immediately to his left, Fort
McRee on the mainland or west shore
OF the bay. and to his right Fort Pickens.
comma nding the entrance TO Pensacola
haroor. the western extremity OF
Santa Rosa Island which is about forty
miles in length, nearly parallel to the
shore of the mainland, and separated
from ii by Pensacola bay. On the main
land, directly opposite Fort Pickens,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

by the guns. They We're nearly tired
out with hard work and want OF sleep.
not having had a nights rest since the
night of January Z.
manding the enemys forces at tine yard
and Barrancas, came over In small
boat with Capt. Farrand Date of the
United States Navy. and next IN rank al
landed at the Pickens wharf. where Lieut..
Slemmer and myself met them, and the
following conversation took place:
Col Chase: Il have come on business
which may occupy some time. and, II you
have no objection. We had better go in
side to your quarters.
Lieut.. slemmer; II have Dbl etIa
would take you into the fort.
Col. Chase: "As I built the fort. and
know all its weak and strong points. l
would learn nothing new by going in,
and had no such object in proposing 1t.
y
Lieut.. Slemmer: 81 understand that
perfectly, but it would be improper for
me TO take you In. and. however we'll you
may have known the fort before. you do
not know what 1t now contains nor what
! have done inside"
Col Chase: THAT is true,> and I will
state my business here. 1t is most
distressing duty to me. l have come to
ask Of you young officers. officers of the
same army in which / have spent the
best and happiest years of my life. the
surrender Of this fort l would not ask
it if did not believe it right and neces-
sary to save bloodshed, and fearing that
l might not he able to say it as I ought.
and in order also that you may have it
in proper form. l have put 1t in writing
and will read it,"
He then took the manuscript from his
rocket and began to read but. after
reading a few lines his voice shook and
his eyes filled with tears. He stamped
his foot, as il ashamed of exhibiting such
weakness. and said: II can't read 1t.
Here, Farrand, you read it,
Capt Farrand took 1t. and, remark
ing that he hadn't his glasses and his
ewes were poor they looked watery),
passed the paper to me, saying. Here.
Gilman, YOU have good eyes; please read
It."
7 took the paper and read aloud the de-
niand Tor tie surrender. As. SION as l
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

dolph. Maj Marks and Lieut.. Rutledse
capt. Randolph said: I've have
oeen sent by the governors Of Florida
and Alabama TO demand peaceable
surrender of this fort"
Lieut.. Slemmer replied: II am here by
authority of the President of the United
states. and do not recognize the author
lty of any governor to demand the sur
render of United States property gov
ernor is nobody here"
One of them exclaimed sharply: do
You say the Governor Of Florida is no.
body. the Governor of Alabama is no.
body?"
Lieut. Slemmer replied: II know neither
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
Es&&iAs.<BATTIES and leaders Of the CIVIL VAR

up a continuous fire upon the vessel
which had been ignited in several places
by Lieut.. Russelrs men.
The alarm roll was sounded. and rockets
were sent up by the Confederates. Ths
enemy's force being aroused. the Colo
rados boats pulled away. rallyfng a. a
short distance from the shore 10 fire sy
charges OF canister from their howitzerS.
under cover OF which they returned 10
the fort. The Judah burned to the waters
edge. and, having been set free from her
moorinas by the fire, drifted down OPP
posite Fort Barrancas. where she sank.
The Union loss was three men killed and
thirteen wounded. Lieut.. Russells ssl-
lantry was the subject OF official men,
ton.
October ?-Night attack by fConfed-
crate force OF 1000 men, under Gen II.
II. Anderson. upon The camp of Col. Viii
liam Wilson's 9th New York (Zouavep
Regiment on Santa Rosa Island. The
Confederates landed on the island At ?
a m. burned part Of the camp four
miles from Fort Pickens. and retired Ia
their boats after encountering Union re-
Inducements from the fort The losses
in killed wounded and missing wereI
Union. 81; Confederate, 81.
November % and 23-Bom ba rdment ot
the Confederate lines by the United States
vessels Niagara and Richmond. and by
Fort Pickens and the neighboring Union
batteries. Although Fort McRee was 50
badly injured that Gen. Bragg entertained
the idea OF abandoning IL, the plan OF the
Union commanders 10 take and destroN"
il was not executed.
January /. 1S6a-Bom ardment OF Fori =
McRee and Barancas by Union bat
teries.
May 9-Burning and evacuation OF Pen-
sacola.
downright. 1911. by the Century Ccmpsnyl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

dared not take any very active part in
aiding US, not even so far as to let us
have the marines. as he had promised
The excitement at the yard and i'm the
village OF Warrington was intense and
was increasing daily. and the commodore
was nearly distracted. He was DESTROYS
of doing his duty. and apparently saw it
clearly while we were with him: but as
soon as we left. became demoralized, and
was thwarted in his plans by his own Of
ficers and others about him, who advised
and warned him not to inaugurate civil
war and bloodshed by aiding us in what
they called the mad scheme of resisting
the state authorities.
Fearing that as soon as the determi-
nation to occupy Pickens became known
attempts would be made to prevent ii.
Lieut.. Semmer decided to move at once.
and the commodore promised to have the
WyandOtte at BarrancaS to take US
across at l pm. that day. SHE did not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
HOW WE HELD FORT PICKENS FOR THE UNION.s

provisions, brass field pieces ammunition.
tools and whatever public property was
most needed and could he carried. includ-
ing, / remember, an old mule and cart
(Which afterward proved Of great service
to us), we were tOwed over to P1ckens
and landed there about 10 m, January
10. 1861 the day that Florida seeded
from the Union.
Lieut.. Slemmer's family and mine were
sent on board the storeship Supply. on
which. a few days later. they sailed for
New York. All our men were compelled
to leave behind more or less personal
property, those who were married leaving
their houses and families as they were.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

could take this fort with that num-
ber?'
Col. Chase: Il certainly do. could
carry it by storm. | know every inch of
this fort and its condition.
Lieut.. Slemmer: With your knowl-
edge of the fort and of your troops, what
proportion of them, do you imagine,
would be killed in such an attack"
Col. Chase (shrugging his shoulders:
IF YOU have made the best possible prep
aratiens, as | suppose YOU have, and
should defend it. as j presume YOU
would, ! might lose one-half of my
men,.
Lieut.. Slemmer: at least, and l
don't believe you are prepared to sacri-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

of numbers, and eight hundred are not
enough, / can easily bring thousands
more"
Lieut. Slemmer: 81 will give this letter
due consideration. and as i wish 20 con-
suit with tine captains of the Supply and
Wyandotte before replying. / will give
you my answer tomorrow morning"
The next day the reply, refusing to
surrender was sent, Capt. Bergman of
the Wyandette taking it to the yard.
Immediately after. the Wyandotte steam
ed out of the harbor. and the same day
the Supply sailed for New York.
On the 18th another and the last, de-
mand for surrender was received from
CO... Chase and next day Lieut.. Slemmer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

Braxton Bragg assumed command of the
Confederate forces. He was succeeded
in command of the Army of Pensacola
on the 9th Of January, 1882, by Gen
Samuel Jones. who. on the Sth of March.
was succeeded in command of the post
by Col. Thomas NJ. Jones, under whom
the evacuation took place. whereupon the
position was occupied by the United
States troops. and the headquarters of
the West Gulf squadron, which had been
at Ship Island. were transferred to PEN
sacola. The harbor was considered the
best on the gulf.
The chief events during the Confeder-
ate occupation were:
september =. 1861 Destruction Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

Of them, and I mean to say that they
are nothing to me- They soon left, the
conference being very short.
The next night a small party of armed
men was discovered near the fort by our
patrol and few shots were fired. We
had little fear Of an attack by day, but
had every reason to expect night at
tack-an attempt to surprise us and
carry the place by storm. All the men
had to work by day mounting guns, pre-
pairing fire balls, hand grenades, etc, and
by night do picket or patrol duty or stand
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

sent the following reply: I'm reply te
your communication Of yesterday. l have
the honor to state that, as Yet. / know
Of no reason why my answer of the
10th instant should be changed. and |
therefore very respectfully refer YOU to
that reply for an answer to this"
With his small command, Lieut.. Siem-
mer continued to hold Fort Pickens until
he was reinforced two days after the
surrender of Sumter by five companies
in the Atlantic under Col. Harvey Brown.
who had been appointed to the command
of the Department of Florida, with head
quarters at Fort Pickens. Previously.
February 6, Lieut.. Slemmer had been re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

inforced by one company under capt
Israel Wedges in the Brooklyn.
He remained there until about the mid
die of May. when our company. on the
recommendation Of the surgeon. the men
being much broken down by the severe
labor, incessant watching, exposure and
want of proper food of the past four
months, was ordered to Fort Hamilton. New
York harbor, to recruit. The order was
a humane one, and came none too soon
as scurvy had already appeared among
the men. On the way north one of them
died. and few of them ever entirely
recovered from the effects of the severe
physical and mental strain they had en-
dured with Slemmer in Pensacola harbor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

dry dock at Pensa cola by order OF Col
Harvey Brown
September 14-Destruction of the Con-
federate war schooner judah by night eX-
petition
The Judah was moored to the wharf
at the navy ward under the protection
OF battery and a columbiad, and was
armed with a pivot and four broadside
guns. The expedition. which was ma
tured by Capt Theodorus Bailey of the
Colorado. consisted of 100 men in four
boats. under the command of Lieut.. John
II. Russell. United States Navy. Lieut..
Sproston and Gunner Borton. from one
Of the boats, succeeded in spiking the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
BY ]. H. GILMAN,
Drevet Lieutenant Colonel, u. S. A.

Ne Of the intense
~ dramatic Incl
d e n { s connected
with the beginning
Of the civil war
fifty years ago this
month-an incident
second only in i'm
portance to the oc-
cupation and bonn
bardment of Fort
Sumter was the
manner in which a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

A N Immensely Dramatic
"A Incident of the Begin
ming of the War Told by One
of the Handful of Men Who
Held for Weeks the Key to
the Best Harbor on the Gulf
of Mexico Against Great
Odds.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
= e. ] :$* :: $: $:: $$ $::$ *:

columbiad Lieuts. Russell and Blake
with two boats, after receiving a volley
from the judah, boarded her. and. Joined
later by their comrades. engaged in a
hand-to-hand conflict with her crew of
seventy-five men, who made a brave re-
sistance. but We're driven off to the wharf.
where they rallied, and, reinforced, kept
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

flee that many men for such a purpose"
Col. Chase: You must know very
We'll that. with your small force. you
are not expected to. and cannot. hold
this fort. Florida cannot permit it. and
the troops here are determined to have
it, and if not surrendered peaceably an
attack and the Inauguration of civil war
cannot be prevented. If it is a question
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

During the remainder of the war Fort
Pickens continued to be held by the
United States troops. assisted by various
vessels of the blOckading squadron. The
posite shore until the 9th of May, 1852
when it was evacuated by them, the
Union forces taking possession the next
day. On the 18th of March, 1861, Gen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16

finished I handed the paper to Lieut..
Slemmer when he and I went a few
PAGES away. and after talking the mat
ter over it was decided. in order to gain
time and give our men a nights rest to
ask until next day to consider the matter.
We returned to Col Chase. and the fol-
lowing conversation took place:
Lieut.. Slemmer: Colonel, how many
men have you?''
Col. Chase: Tonight | shall have 500
or 900
Lieut.. Slemmer: DO you imagine you
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-09-20
TO BUILD MODEL ROAD.
Illinois Central Railroad Company
Accents Offer to Put i'm Mile
of Highway.

Manchester, Sept. 1S.-Accepting
an offer made some time ago by the
Illinois Central system to build one
mile of dirt highway in this county
as a model of modern road construc-
ton, the board of supervisors was at
DyerSville Tuesday to confer with
the officials of the railroad company
regarding the location of the road.
In determining the most feasible
stretch of highway suitable for car
rying out this project, the railway
engineers and the county supervisors
chose the main road which runs west
from Dyersville and the county line
and parallels the Central's right of
way. The company will commence
work on the highway Immediately,
and when completed it will stand as
an illustration of road construction
which may be studied when work is
to be done under similar conditions
elsewhere in the country.
While Central employees or officials
advance no reason for the new move
by the company and it is said that
no similar educational campaign has
been started by the system elsewhere
in the state, it seems to be generally
understood that the work is by way
of an experimental project in high
way building.