St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-05-10

70 the BaFapet 10 De waved at the re-
quest of Colonel Wigfall This was
about the middle of the afternoon on
the 18th. and when the flag appeared
the firing on both sides gradually ceas-
ed This was in reality the end of the
whole matter. but it was so informal
that the tension of the nerves of the
officers and men in Fort Sumter was
by no means relieved The flag had
moi been struck There had been no
orders to cease firing.
Reauregard's Dispatch Bearer
There were several missions sent out
by Beauregard TO Major Anderson be-
fore and after the lowering of the flag.
In all of them one man was conspic-
uous That was Captain James Ches-
nut. afterward Confederate general
Captain Chestnut was one of three
aids who went to the fort under a
white flag on April II to demand sur
render. The demand was refused
About O'Clock ON the morning of the
18th Captain Chestnut again appeared
at Sumter and remained there until
past 8 o'clock. awaiting Major An
derson's reply. He had orders in his
pocket to the commander of the bat
teries on James island to open fire in
case Anderson remained firm in his
purpose to hold the fort. On leaving
he placed in Anderson's hand written
notice that the hostile guns would open
in one hour. These trips were made
in an open rowboat. which was pulled
to Fort Johnson and reached there at
O'clock.
From Fort Johnson Captain Ches-
nut started by boat to report to Beaure-
gard. in Charleston. He was rowed
out into the harbor between Forts
Johnson and Sumter and there lay to
until the signal shot was seen to burst
over the target
After delivering his report to Beaure
gard the captain was again sent in his
open boat down the harbor. now alive
with shells from Sumter and all its adj
versaries. including Fort Moultrie The
boat reached Morris island in safety.
passing under the guns which were fir
ing vigorously. Captain Chesnut's in
structions were TO learn the condition
of the southern batteries exposed to
Sumter's shots and also that of Sum
ter. His boat ran out in the harbor
toward Sumter and he saw that the
buildings in the fort were on fire.
About that time the firing from Sumter
ceased. but the flag was still waving
Captain Chestnut determined to make
one more demand for the evacuation
and was preparing to go out in the
boat when the, United States flag sud
denly disappeared from the historic
walls Word was brought from An
derson that he would evacuate. and
the captain FASTENED to the city with
the news.
The next mission of Captain Ches-
nut was one of mercy. The quarters
in Fort Sumter had been set on fire
by hot shot from Moultrie. and the
condition of its magazine was not
known to those outside. It was sup
posed that there must be some wound
ed needing care. A fire engine and
its company were loaded on board
steamer. and with a surgeon and his
staff of assistants the relief party bur-
ried to the burning fort. On nearing
the wharf the steamer was warned
away by an officer in the fort. who
stated that it was in danger of blow
ing up at any moment from the mines
placed beneath the wall at that point
as means of defense
Captain Chestnut entered the fort
through an embrasure and offered the
services of his firemen and surgeons
to Major Anderson. Only one man
had been wounded, and the fire had
burned itself out The lower maya
zine was under the burning ruins. but
was deemed safe. The upper one had
been emptied by casting the powder
barrels into the sea