Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-21

left flank, where a sentinel was stand
ing, Colonel wigfall displayed his white
flag on his sword and said he wished
to see Major Anderson, when, after some
discussion, he was permitted to enter.
The writer saw him enter the work,
Lieutenant Snyder entering after him"
There are several versions of what
followed. All agree that Colonel Wig
fall was greatly agitated. To Lieuten-
ant Snyder he said: let us stop this;
General Beauregard wants to stop this"
He was taken to a casemate, where
the other officers were assembled.
your flag is down. your fort is on
fire; why not stop this?" he said. "Show
white flag
The officers told him the flag was
not down, but was again flying and
that a white flag would not be shown
except by order of the commanding orri-
Ger, and that his own batteries should
set the example OF suspending fire"
Colonel Wigfall declared his own bat
terry at Cummings point had ceased fire,
and asked that white flag be shown
the Sullivan island batteries
This was refused" says the official
report on Sumter. written by Capt. J..
G. roster, but he was permitted TO
wave a white flag himself getting into
an embrasure for the purpose.
HE having done this for a few min
utes, Lieutenant Davis permitted cor
poral to relieve him. Very soon. now
ever. a shot striking very near the em-
brasure, the corporal jumped inside and
declared to Mr.. wigfall that he would
not hold the flag, for it was not re-
spected.'
At this juncture Major Anderson APP
peared
AS Colonel wigfall introduced him
self Major Anderson is said to have
raised himself on his toes. clicked MS
heels and said sternly 'Weil sir"
Colonel Wigfall now repeated what he
had already said to the other officers.
Major Anderson suggested tnat II col
onel Wigfali wished his flag of truce
to be seen, 1t should be shown from the
parapet. Therefore from the top OF the
fort a hospital sheet attached TO pole
was soon displayed.
The firing gradually ceased Major An
derson, his officers and Colonel Wigfall
retired to the hospital bomb-proof, the
only habitable room in the fort. for
conference.
Here Colonel wigfall requested that
hostilities be suspended until terms Of
evacuation could be arranged. Major An
derson asked what terms he had to
offer
ANY terms you may desire-your own
TERMS" was the answer
Major Anderson said he would accept
the terms proposed by General Beaure-
gard on the 1ith-that the command
march out with its property, after salut-
ing the flag.
Colonel wigfall now left to seek Cen
eral Beauregard. He had not been gone
long when a boat bearing three aids from
Eoauraoo rd-yVfllfsSu1 Porphar
Miles, Roger A. Pryor and stephen D.
Lee-arrived at the fort
The aids bore q humane message from
General Beauregard. He wished to know
IL he could send surgeon to the fort
and a fire engine 10 subdue the flames.
These Major Anderson declined with
thanks, saying he had no wounded. and
that the fire was burning itself out
In this interview the aids learned of
the visit OF Colonel Wigfall They de-
clared he had no authority to offer terms.
There is a Misunderstanding on my
part said Major Anderson. i will at
once run up my flag and open fire
again"
The aids urged him TO wait until they
could see General Beauregard and tell
him of the interview with Colonel Wig
fall
While this conversation was in prog
ress another boat arrived at the fort.
1t contained Maj. ID. r. Jones. of General
Beauregard's staff, authorized to offer
the terms of the 18th and to confirm
the offer of Colonel Wigfall.
These Major Anderson promptly accept
ed in writing, about 1850 p. m. Then the
word was passed to the smoke begrimed
men of the garrison that on the morrow
they would march out with the honors
of war.
Copyright, 1911 by Associated Literary
PressJ.