I will draw to her the Middle and Western States. We shall do whatever we please, and give laws and government to the continent. The North will not fight, and the South will have an easy triumph." "You entirely mistake the character of the Northern people,” said General Burnside. "They will fight. They never will allow the Union to be broken, and a free government to be thus destroyed without a contest. If you persist in your purpose of secession there will be war, a bloody and cruel Not only will the North fight, but she will also triumph. The experiment of secession will fail, and the South, in ruin and desolation, will bitterly repent the day when she attempted to overthrow a wise and beneficent government. Why do you seek redress for what you call your wrongs in civil war? The first gun that you fire will unite us all-whatever our political opinions may be -in opposition to your attempt. The government will be sustained, and you will suffer a disastrous defeat.”

war.

Rhode Island-although a Democratic State at that time — was meanwhile making preparations to sustain the Union, should it be assailed. Governor Sprague had visited Washington in February, 1861, and in conversation with President Buchanan and Lieutenant-General Scott, had expressed his readiness to promptly furnish a regiment of infantry and a battery of light artillery, should they be needed for the defense of the national capital. On his return to Providence the governor took measures for perfecting the drill and discipline of the volunteer militia organizations of the State, some of which had been in existence prior to the achievement of American independence. Maj. William Goddard was then sent to Washington to renew the offer of volunteers, but the old hero was powerless. I have urged again and again," said he,

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"both verbally and in writing, upon the President (Mr. Buchanan) and upon the Secretary of War (Governor Floyd), that I might be permitted to concentrate here troops for the defense of the capital, but, I grieve to say, in vain. I have even this morning written to the President that, with 1,500 good troops, in addition to those now here, I would undertake to hold the capital against any force that could probably be brought against it at this time; but, alas, I can make no impression upon him. The President, sir, has a natural dread of blood-shed, and so have I. But, sir, there are cases in which a little blood-letting is the best, the only remedy, and in my opinion this is one of those cases. I have thought that, taking into account the reluctance of the President to consent to the use of the militia of the states, he might be willing to accept the services of the New York Seventh Regiment, which, having performed some services of a national character, might in some sense be regarded as a national regiment, which could be used without exciting the prejudices of which both he and the Secretary of War seem in apprehension. But, in spite of all my solicitations, I meet with nothing but refusals. And here I am! God knows how much I should desire the aid of your gallant troops, but I am powerless! The inauguration day is fast approaching, and I have but a handful of troops. I am too old to mount my horse again, but I am determined, if God spares my life, to ride in the procession with Commodore Stewart; and I think, Major, our gray hairs will be worth a thousand men !"

THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER - UPRISING OF THE LOYAL NORTH-GENERAL BURNSIDE PROMPTLY RESPONDS TO THE CALL- ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT- PRESENTATION OF A FLAG-JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON BARRACK AND CAMP-LIFE.

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zeal.

T last the crisis came! Sumter was bombarded by the fratricidal Southrons, and the indomitable energy of the North was displayed with patriotic Domestic bonds, political alliances, and commercial ties were at once rent asunder, and the great Northern heart swelled with fierce indignation. Each section appeared animated with the same earnest convictions of the integrity of its cause, but the South displayed a bitter animosity, fanned by the incendiary speeches of her leaders.

The attack made by 7,000 rebels upon the seventy wornout Union soldiers who surrendered Fort Sumter on the 11th of April, 1861, was followed, four days later, by President Lincoln's proclamation convening Congress, and calling forth 75,000 of the militia to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our national government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured." This proclamation was flashed by electricity over the northern states, like the fiery cross of Roderick

Dhu, which summoned Clan-Alpine to its rendezvous, and it was everywhere received with the beating of drums and the ringing notes of the bugle, calling the Nation's defenders to their colors. Rhode Island was ready to furnish her quota without delay, and Governor Sprague, in looking around for a commander, selected General Burnside, as having a well-earned reputation for bravery, military ability and administrative talents of a high order, with a patriotic comprehension of the situation.

General Burnside, anticipating a call from the Federal government upon those who had been educated at West Point but had resigned their commissions, to again draw their swords in defense of the Nation, had balanced his books, and made preparations for a speedy departure if summoned to the field. When, as he sat in the New York office of the Illinois Central Railroad on Monday, the 15th of April, 1861, he received a dispatch from Governor Sprague, saying: "A regiment of Rhode Island troops will go to Washington this week. How soon can you come on and take command?" he promptly responded: At once!" Turning his books over to his clerk, he left that night for Providence, and reported for duty the next morning.

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Commissioned as colonel of the First Regiment of Rhode Island Detached Militia on the 16th of April, 1861, he immediately appointed his staff, and commenced the organization and equipment of his command.

General-now Colonel-Burnside's activity, energy, industry, and military training accomplished wonders. He superintended the manufacture of a serviceable uniform, consisting of a dark blue blouse, gray trowsers, broadbrimmed felt hats, and black waist-belts. He had the thick scarlet blanket of each man converted into a Mexi

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can poncho, by cutting a slit in the centre through which the head could be put, leaving the blanket resting as a cloak on the shoulders. He instructed officers and drilled enlisted men; he was quartermaster, commissary, farrier, and surgeon, and his promptness electrified not only the regiment, but the entire population of Rhode Island.

The ladies of Providence met in the church-vestries to aid in making the uniforms, and more recruits presented themselves than could be accepted without exceeding the prescribed number of men. There were in the ranks several young gentlemen possessing large fortunes, and others equally fitted by nature and education for almost any administrative position, with a large number of skillful mechanics, embracing nearly every trade. As a whole, this regiment of the Rhode Island Detached Militia was a noble specimen of the citizens of Rhode Island, patriotic, of gentleman-like deportment, loyal, and eager to distinguish themselves in the defense of their country. As was sung in the company armories:

The gallant young men of Rhode Island

Are marching in haste to the wars;

Full girded for strife, they are hazarding life,

In defense of our banner and stars."

The day previous to the departure of the regiment, the ladies of Providence presented to it a national flag, made of silk, accompanied by the following letter:

To the First Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers,

From the Ladies of Providence

With this banner Rhode Island places her honor in your hands. May God protect you in your noble cause. God save the Union!

PROVIDENCE, April 19, 1861.

Colonel Burnside, on the receipt of the flag, addressed the following letter to those who had presented it: