The Battle of Fort Sumter and First Victory of the Southern Troops April 13th, 1861.
Published by Request
…At seven o’clock, a vigorous and steady fire was
opened from Fort Moultrie, and a heavy cannonade ensued.
But at eight o’clock the cry arose from the wharves, and rolled
in one continuous wave over the city, “Fort Sumter is on
Fire!” The watchers of the night before, who had retired
for a few moments, were aroused, occupations were instantly
suspended, and old and young, either mounted to their points
of observation, or rolled in crowds upon the Battery, to look
upon the last and most imposing act in this great drama.
The barracks to the south had been three times set on fire
during the bombardment of the day before, but each time the
flames were immediately extinguished. Subsequently, how-
ever, a red-hot shot from Fort Moultrie, or a shell from else-
where, found a lodgment, when the fact was not apparent, and
the fire, smouldering for a time, at length broke forth, and
flames and smoke rose in volumes from the crater of Fort
Sumter. The wind was blowing from the west, driving the
smoke across the fort and into the embrasures, where the
gunners were at work, and pouring its volumes through the
port-holes; the firing of Fort Sumter appeared to be renewed
with vigor. The fire of the Fort, long, fierce and rapid, how-
ever, was gradually abated, and although at distant intervals a
gun was fired, the necessity of preserving their magazines and
of avoiding the flames, left the tenants little leisure for resist-
ance. But the firing from without was continued with re-
doubled vigor. every battery poured in its ceaseless round of
shot and shell. The enthusiasm of success inspired their cour-
age and gave precision to their action; and thus, as in the
opening, so in the closing scene, under the beaming sunlight, in
view of thousands crowded upon the wharves and house-tops,
and amid the booming of ordnance, and in view of the five
immense ships sent by the enemy with reinforcements, lying
idly just out of gun shot on the Bar, this first fortress of des-
potic power fell prostrate to the cause of Southern Indepen-
dence.
About eight o’clock, Fort Moultrie had commenced to our
in hot shot, to prevent the extinguishment of the spreading
flames, and to kindle new fires in all the quarters. The fight
between the two forts was terrific. At this time, Sumter fired
fifty-four shots at Moultrie in one hour, tearing the barracks to
pieces. But the work was vain. Moultrie was too much for
Sumter. In five minutes, she returned eleven shots. At
about nine o’clock the flames appeared to be abating, and
it was apprehended that no irreparable injury had been sus-
tained; but near ten o’clock, a column of white smoke rose
high above the battlements, followed by an explosion which
was felt upon the wharves, and gave the assurance that if the
magazines were not exploded, at least their temporary ammu-
nition were exposed to the element still raging. Soon after
the barracks to the east and west were in flames, the smoke
rose in dedoubled volume from the whole circle of the fort, and
rolling from the embrasures, it seemed scarcely possible that
life could be sustained. Soon after another column of smoke
arose as fearful as the first. The guns had been completely
silenced, and the only option left to the tenants of the fort-
ress seemed to be whether they would perish or surrender.
At a quarter to one o’clock, the staff, from which the flag still
waved, was shot away, and it was long in doubt whether, if
there were the purpose, there was the ability to re-erect it.
But at the expiration of about twenty minutes, it again ap-
peared upon the eastern rampart, and announced that resist-
ance was not ended. In the meantime,however, a small boat
started from the city wharf, bearing Colonels Lee, Pryor and
Miles, Aides to Gen. Beauregard, with offers of assistance, if
perchance, the garrison would be unable to escape the flames.
As they approached the fort, the United States’ flag re-ap-
peared; and shortly afterwards a shout from the whole circle
of spectators on the islands and the main, announced that
the white flag of truce was waving from the ramparts. A
small boat had already been seen to shoot out from Cummings’
Point, in the direction of the fort, in which stood an officer
with a white flag upon the point of his sword. This officer
proved to be Col. Wigfall, Aid to the Commanding General,
who, entering through a port-hole, demanded the surrender.
Major Anderson replied, that “they were still firing on him.”
“Then take your flag down,” said Col. Wigfall: “they will con-
tinue to fire upon you so long as that is up.”
After some further explanations in the course of which it
appeared, that major Anderson’s men were fast suffocating in
the casemates, the brave commander of Sumter agreed that he
would, unconditionally, surrender–subject to the terms of
Gen. Beauregard, who, as was said by Col. Wigfall, “is a sol-
dier and a gentleman, and knows how to treat a brave enemy.”
Col. (later Gen.) Louis T. Wigfall (1816-1874) was an alumnus of the University of Virginia.
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