Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-09
BATTLE SUNDAY-AND AFTER


 awoke to meet, at every hazard, the { Issue thus relentlessly forced upon it. | | t prefigured, in lesser degree, 1 the state of this now united land. l when, after patience had been tried to the limit, President Wilson called l upon North and South. East and West 1 1 to forget geographical and factienal {, lines, to be Americans first; the general uprising of patriotism, which followed the declaration of war against lGermany, April 9th.
 In no town in New England, the
 memorialist tells Us, was deeper ex- citement produced by the news of
 Sumter than in Norwich.
 l The towns sympathies as it's pop
 ular vote had demonstrated, were de-
 eidedly with the Administration, so early burdened with the unprecedented 1 dTties incident to civil strife. The ! events of the winter had only served atS4 Intensity the loyalty of it's citi- dizens, had prepared them to meet with I Harmony aEid pron1ptest energy the
 call, which, 1t was seen, would soon Ishaye to be made for troops and finan- cial help.
 r iffte f1Se excitement conEfYfQeo throughout Saturday, April thirteenth,
 as successive telegran1s reported the Stars and Stripes still waving over the Ibeleaguered fort. The name of the Igallant commander was on every lip; < the hope expressed by all that the igarrison would hold out until rein foreernents. known to be on their way. Icould reach it.
 . j The streets of Norwich were crowded by anxious. citizens awaiting further
 news, or discussing that already re-
 ceived. while from the adjoining towns
 and viilages-in that era before the telephone-men came riding in to learn the latest tfdings. Little else twas known for some time, than that |, Anderson wasmaking: brave resist iance.
 II On Sunday, April fourteenth, came
 the telegram announcing that Sumter had surrendered l
 I The reception of this news created the profoundest feling. stirring every ; l patriotic heart, as MT. Dana expresses it, Ito it's -inmost reeesses.'' It was the memorable Battle Sunday" when on the streets and in the porches of the churches men spoke to one another with bated breath of this first act of rebellion. From most of the local puipits reference was made to an l event which clearly foresladowed a ] struggle, destined to be both bitter t and bloody.
 It was Monday, April fifteenth, that !. President LineoIn's proclamation ap- ; peared, calling for seventy five thous-
 and troops to defend the suddenly |, endangered government
 I Quickly followed the proclamation | of Connectieut's War Governor, Will i l:Sfn A. Buckingham ,eof Norwich, urg- i ring patriotic citizens throughout the J stateto volunteer their services, meet
 ling the appeal of the National Ex-
 eeutfVe for troops.
 2. War was really begun; all realized lthat fact; and with characteristic q pronptiess efforts were now combined | to. meet the trying duties opening be. ? fore every loyal patriot.
 The national colors were every. : sWhere displayed throughout the town z testifyfng to the predominant senti : lnient iofs loyalty.A>
 : tr5They swung to the breeze over Main 2 StreetF and waved from the tower O T lthe First Church. the Free Academy : from engine halls, factories, school e houses and numerous private dwell ings. Everywhere the eye met tn : symbol of the country's unity 5 --s.e4ss .-----------
 I The adjacent villages were auic e then, as now to take their cue iron e Norwich. they too. threw out, wher :. they could, the national banner. Fl CitiZens laid aside all previous DO d 1ftical differences. and under the i'm 1 pulse of common patriotism stoo ,t together for the support and defens 'e of. the Government
 n ."Men have ceased to be Republican 70 Or Democrats" MT. Dana quotes tn st Norwich Daily Bulletin as saying
 They are simply Patriots or Tories is only this line divides us.' 5e One purpose seemed to animate a at hearts-a determination to maintai " at,'@every sacrifice. the Nations l. Union While the struggle was not S CT gigantic as that which now involve K an entire world. the same spirit ( ys effort and denial and sacrifice anima all ted the toWnspeople, who droppe ns every task, counted no priyation to