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1861.

1861.

ration, the new administration gave no great forbearance, and allowed them to clear or distinct indications of its line remain in Washington in pursuit of of policy. Secession, encour- plans and objects striking at the very aged, no doubt, by what seemed root of its power and majesty. hesitation or inefficiency on the part of Mr. Seward declined all official government, as bold, active, haughty intercourse, and frankly but plainly told in its course and pretensions.* Not these rebel commissioners, that what only, as we have before said, were forts, had taken place, in various parts of the arsenals, dock-yards and public property South, was only "a perversion of a temtaken possession of without scruple, but porary and partisan excitement to the also a loan of $15,000,000 was author- inconsiderate purpose of an unjustifi ized by the Confederate Congress, and able and unconstitutional aggression other measures resolved upon in view upon the rights and the authority vestof war, which might speedily be ex- ed in the Federal Government, and pected. Early in April, however, Mr. hitherto benignly exercised, as from Lincoln and his cabinet decided upon their very nature they always must be the course to be pursued, and thence- so exercised, for the maintenance of the forward, though tardily, bent all their Union, the preservation of liberty, and energies to preserve the Union un- the security, peace, welfare, happiness broken, and, if need be, to put down and aggrandizement of the American treason and rebellion by force of arms. people." This was under date of March Acting upon their assumed position 15th. Several weeks elapsed before the as an independent government, the so- gentlemen just alluded to inquired for called confederate authorities sent three the secretary of state's communication; gentlemen to Washington, for the pur- and then, with some violence of lan pose of arranging and settling all points guage about "accepting the gage of of difference growing out of the acts of battle thus thrown down to them," the seceded states. They reached the and an expression of pity for the "decapital, March 5th, and soon after at- lusions" of the government, they gave tempted to obtain recognition of what up the attempt to force themselves into they thought to be their rank and obli- official relations at Washington. gations. The government acted. with

* Russell, in “My Diary North and South," p. 118, under date April 18th, 1861, at Charleston, gives a good deal of chit-chat, showing the feelings of the people he

met, on the subject of the North and the association

with northerners by the southern chivalry and cavaliers: "They affect the agricultural faith and the be

lief of a landed gentry. It is not only over the wineglass that they ask for a Prince to reign over them; I

have heard the wish repeatedly expressed within the last two days that we could spare them one of our

young Princes, but never in jest, or in any frivolous

manner."

The convention of Virginia being in session at this date, sent Messrs. Preston, Stuart and Randolph as delegates to call on President Lincoln, and to

ask him to communicate to this convention the policy which the Federal executive intends to pursue in regard to the confederate states." The presi dent's reply, April 13th, reaffirmed his previously expressed determination "to hold, occupy, and possess the property

CH. L.]

1861.

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FORT SUMTER BOMBARDED.

and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts. While disclaiming any purpose of needless invasion, or infringement upon the rights of others, Mr. Lincoln distinctly gave these gentlemen to understand, that, if necessary, in consequence of conduct like that of the attack upon Fort Sumter, he would, "to the best of his ability, repel force by force."

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there was no possible chance that Major Anderson and his handful of brave men could long withstand the assault. On the 11th, a brief correspondence ensued between Beauregard and Anderson. The latter agreed to evacuate the fort on the 15th, unless otherwise ordered by his government; but this was not what the hot bloods of the day wanted; and when the Harriet Lane arrived off the harbor The government having, to this ex- with supplies, on the evening of the tent at least, determined upon its course, 10th, they pushed matters to an imorders were given, early in April, to mediate extremity. All considerations send vessels and men for the purpose of the awful character of what they of reinforcing Fort Sumter,* and also were about to do, were thrown to the to save, if possible, Fort Pickens at the winds; and at half-past four, on Friday entrance of the harbor of Pensacola, morning, April 12th, the first gun was Florida. But the leaders in rebellion, fired upon Fort Sumter. The United knowing how important it was to them States vessels, just outside, could give to "strike a blow," as some of them no help, owing partly to bad weather phrased it, and to gain a victory and to the batteries in all directions, of some kind, resolved immediately but were compelled to wait the inevitto compel Major Anderson to sur- able result, when the stars and stripes render. On the 5th of April, Beaure- should be lowered. The cannonading gard, who had deserted the flag of his was furious and incessant. Major Ancountry and taken service under the derson and his men bravely withstood confederate authorities, stopped all and replied to the onslaught, and the supplies for the garrison heretofore re- guns of the fort were served with all ceived from the city. The government the vigor and spirit possible under the resolved to send provisions to Major Anderson and his men, and accordingly announced the fact to the governor of South Carolina, on the 8th of April; whereupon the rebels insisted upon the immediate reduction of the fort. Every preparation had been made for this contingency on their part. Numer. ous batteries bad been constructed, and, apart from the question of starvation,

* See vol. iii. pp. 562, 3, for the position of affairs in regard to Fort Sumter up to this date.

VOL. IV.-3.

circumstances; but ere long, being without provisions and the fort partly in flames, surrender was the only thing left to them. They gave up the contest, so unequal and useless to continue, and having been allowed to embark on board the United States steamer Baltic, Major Anderson and his company reached New York on the 18th of April. Immediately official notice was sent to the war department, as follows:—“ Off Sandy Hook, April 18th, 1861. Having

defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four war this day commenced will end; but hours, until the quarters were entirely I will prophesy, that the flag which burned, the main gates destroyed by now flaunts the breeze here will float fire, the gorge wall seriously injured, over the dome of the old Capitol at the magazine surrounded by flames Washington before the first of May. and its doors closed from the effects of Let them try Southern chivalry and the heat, four barrels and three car- test the extent of Southern resources, tridges of powder only being available, and it may float eventually over Faneuil and no provisions but pork remaining, Hall itself!" I accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the 11th inst., prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort, Sunday after noon, the 14th inst., with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns.-RoBERT ANDERSON."*

Great and loudly expressed in South Carolina and elsewhere was the exultation over the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter. Governor Pickens, who had for some time professed himself ready to "strike the blow, let it lead to what it might, even if it led to blood and ruin," now dared to say, "Thank God! the day is come; thank God! the war is open, and we will conquer or perish." Mr. L. P. Walker, the rebel secretary of war, at Montgomery, Alabama, burst forth in words like these:-"No man can tell where the

*According to rebel accounts, not a life was lost during the whole progress of the siege and assault. It

was also stated that none were killed in the fort by the

enemy's fire. If these accounts are correct, of which there seems no good reason to doubt, the assault and

defence of Fort Sumter were among the most noteworthy of their kind in the history of modern warfare. For the rebels had fourteen batteries in action, mounting forty-two heavy guns and mortars; 2,360 shot and 980 shells were thrown; and in the works were 3,000 men, and between 4,000 and 5,000 in reserve

1861.

Language cannot portray, in fitting manner, the painful anxiety with which the news of the bombardment of Sumter was looked for at the North, during Saturday and Sunday, the 13th and 14th of April. "The startling and apparently improbable statements received by the telegraph of the danger to the fort, which had been pronounced impregnable, and the se curity of the besiegers who seemed to bear a charmed life in the midst of fiery perils; the expectation of succor from the fleet dashed by the waves of the storm which prevented its action, the successive messages of disaster with the strange, almost incredible, announcement that the fort was in flames, ending with the final word of surrender, produced a strange feeling of perplexity in the minds of the people." now, the deadly stab having been made, there was no longer time for hesitation or mere words. Up to this point, threats, and bravado, and pillage of public property, and such like, bad been endured; but now, when traitorous sons dared assail the flag of our country and its defenders, it was felt instinctively that the life of the nation was at stake. Action must be taken;

But

* Duyckink's" War for the Union," vol. i., p. 125

CH. I.]

THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION.

immediate action must be had to assert and enforce the "supreme law of the land."

President Lincoln was prompt and decisive in this great emergency, and immediately issued a proclamation in the following words :

"WHEREAS, the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law: now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in vir tue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several states of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the state authorities through the war department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and existence of our national Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say, that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth, will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will be

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observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens of any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons compos ing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within twenty days from this date.

"Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both houses of Congress. The Senators and Representatives are, therefore, summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

"Done at the City of Washington, this 15th day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.

“ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

Accompanying the proclamation were requisitions from the war department upon the governors of twenty-four states, the seven seceded states being omitted, and California, Oregon and Kansas being passed over as too distant.

These were called upon to furnish their respective quotas of militia-men for three months' service.* The replies

*The largest apportionments were, to New York

of the governors indicated the general stitutional, and revolutionary in its obsentiment of the people on the jects, inhuman and diabolical, and can1861. momentous issues at stake. not be complied with. Not one man From the northern and western states will the state of Missouri furnish to the answers came promptly, and evinc- carry on such an unholy crusade.” Goved the loyalty and determined spirit ernor Magoffin, of Kentucky, replied: existing in the bosoms of those who lov. "Your dispatch is received. In aned and were determined to sustain the swer, I say, emphatically, Kentucky Union. The governors of Maryland will furnish no troops for the wicked and Delaware endeavored to hold a purpose of subduing her sister southmiddle ground, and were not prepared ern states." Governor Ellis, of North to act very decidedly; but in the other Carolina, expressed himself in no modborder states, there was no attempt to erate terms: "I can be no party to disguise their sentiments and their de this wicked violation of the laws of termination not to aid the government the country, and to this war upon the in any way whatsoever. Governor liberties of a free people. You can Letcher, of Virginia, wrote:-"The get no troops from North Carolina." militia of Virginia will not be furnish- Governor Rector, of Arkansas, was ed to the powers at Washington for equally violent and peremptory: "In any such use or purpose as they have answer to your requisition for troops in view. Your object is to subjugate from Arkansas, to subjugate the souththe southern states, and a requisition ern states, I have to say, that none made upon me for such an object-an will be furnished. The demand is object, in my judgment, not within the only adding insult to injury." Govpurview of the Constitution or the act of ernor Harris, of Tennessee, replied: 1795-will not be complied with. You "Tennessee will not furnish a single have chosen to inaugurate civil war; man for coercion, but 50,000, if necesand having done so, we will meet it in sary, for the defence of our rights or a spirit as determined as the Admin- those of our southern brethern." * istration has exhibited toward the South."* Governor Jackson, of Missouri, spoke even more strongly: "No doubt these men are intended to make war upon the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment is illegal, uncon

13,280; to Pennsylvania, 12,500; to Ohio, 10,153; the least, to eleven of the less populated States, was 780. * W. H. Russell, the London Times' correspondent, writing in his " Diary," Charleston, April 20th, 1861 (p. 123), says: "The secessionists are in great delight with Governor Letcher's proclamation, calling out troops and volunteers; and it is hinted that Washington will be attacked, and the nest of Black Republican vermin, which haunt the capital, be driven out."

Immediately following upon Presi dent Lincoln's proclamation, Jefferson Davis, at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 17th of April, professing himself convinced that the United States were about to invade "this confederacy with

"The proclamation was received at Montgomery with derisive laughter; the newspapers were refreshed with the Lincolniana of styling sovereign states ‘unlawful combinations' and warning a people standing on their own soil to return within twenty days to their homes;' and, in Virginia, the secessionists were highly delighted at the strength Mr. Lincoln had unwittingly or perversely contributed to their cause "—"First Year of the War," p. 59.

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