Lincoln decides to NOT abandon Ft. Sumter, March 29th, 1861

President Lincoln, after seeking counsel, decides to reinforce Ft. Sumter and not abandon it to the South.

Harper’s Weekly, SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1861.

January 26, 1861 - Harper's Weekly

THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER.

WE devote most of our space this week to illustrations of this memorable event. On pages 264 and 265 will be found a general picture of the BOMBARDMENT, SEEN FROM FORT JOHNSON. On page 260 we give a picture of the INTERIOR OF FORT SUMTER during the terrible rain of shot and shell from the Confederate batteries; and on page 261 an accurate MAP OF THE HARBOR OF CHARLESTON, showing the relative position of Sumter and of the batteries by which it was surrounded. We now subjoin, by way of record, a brief account of the transaction.

On 8th April Lieutenant Talbot and Mr. Chew, messengers from the President, informed General Beauregard that the Government would supply Major Anderson with provisions—which were denied him by the South Carolinians—peaceably if they could, forcibly if they must. General Beauregard referred the message to his Government at Montgomery, and was ordered to reduce the fort. He summoned Major Anderson to surrender on 11th. The reply was:

“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, demanding the evacuation of this fort, and to say, in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor and my obligations to my Government prevent my compliance.”

Accordingly at 4:27 A.M. on 12th fire was opened from Fort Moultrie on Fort Sumter. To this Major Anderson replied with three of his barbette guns, after which the batteries on Mount Pleasant, Cummings’s Point, and the Floating Battery opened a

brisk fire of shot and shell. Major Anderson did not reply, except at long intervals, until between seven and eight o’clock, when he brought into action the two tiers of guns looking toward Fort Moultrie and Stevens’s iron battery. The fire continued brisk all day. At 7 P.M. a heavy rain-storm caused a cessation of hostilities till 11 P.M. Major Anderson appears to have employed the interval in repairing damages. At or about 11 P.M. the fire recommenced, and a shell was thrown into Fort Sumter from each battery every twenty minutes (luring the night. With daybreak the heavy bombardment recommenced from all the batteries ; the fire was returned from Fort Sumter with vigor until about 8 A.M., when Fort Sumter was perceived to be on fire. Major Anderson’s fighting then slackened, but the fire of the besiegers increased in intensity. At about 10 A.M. Major Anderson lowered his flag to half-mast in token of distress ; perhaps as a signal to the United States vessels which were lying at anchor outside the bar, unable to get into the harbor so as to participate in the conflict. About half past ten one or two explosions took place in the fort ; it has since been ascertained that these proceeded from the heating of piles of shells. Meanwhile the fire progressed rapidly ; the whole roof of the barracks was a sheet of flame, and flames and smoke issued thickly from the casemates. At or about eleven Major Anderson ceased firing, and devoted his whole attention to putting out the fire. At about noon some of his men were noticed on the wharf of the fort handing in buckets of water ; the besiegers’ fire, which had never slackened, was at once directed upon them. In a few minutes afterward Major Anderson hauled down his flag. A boat then put off, containing ex-Governor Manning,  Major D. R. Jones,

and Colonel Charles Allston, to arrange the terms of surrender, which were the same as those offered on the 11th. These were official. They stated that all proper facilities would be afforded for the removal of Major Anderson and his command, together with the company arms and property, and all private property, to any post in the United States he might elect. Major Anderson stated that he surrendered his sword to General Beauregard as the representative of the Confederate Government. General Beauregard said he would not receive it from so brave a man.

The correspondent of the Press telegraphs on 14th:

” The last act in the drama of Fort Sumter has been concluded. Major Anderson has evacuated, and, with his command, departed by the steamer Isabel from the harbor. He saluted his flag, and the company, then forming on the parade-ground, marched out upon the wharf, with drum and fife playing ‘Yankee Doodle.’

” During the salute a pile of cartridges burst in one of the casemates, killing two men and wounding four others. One was buried in the fort with military honors. The other will be buried by the soldiers of South Carolina.

“The scene in the city after the raising of the flag of truce and the surrender is indescribable; the people were perfectly wild. Men on horseback rode through the streets proclaiming the news, amidst the greatest enthusiasm.

“On the arrival of the officers from the fort they were marched through the streets, followed by an immense crowd, hurrahing, shouting, and yelling with excitement.

” The number of soldiers in the fort was about seventy, besides twenty-five workmen, who assisted at the guns. His stock of provisions was almost exhausted, however. He would have been starved out in two more days.

“The entrance to the fort is mined, and the officers were told to be careful, even after the surrender, on account of the heat, lest it should explode.

“Several fire companies were immediately sent down to Fort Sumter to put out the fire, and any amount of assistance was offered.

” The fort is burned into a mere shell; not a particle of wood-work can be found. The guns on one side of the parapet are entirely dismounted, others split, while the gun. carriages are knocked into splinters.

“The flames have destroyed everything. Both officers and soldiers were obliged to lie on their faces in the case-mates to prevent suffocation.

Nat Turner slave insurrection, 1831

During the 1831 uprising in Southampton, Virginia, led by Nat Turner, who was himself a slave, slave rebels systematically went from house to house killing about sixty whites before they were disbanded. In the suppression of the revolt about one hundred African Americans died and authorities hanged sixteen more.

In these confessions, Turner’s lengthy autobiographical statement, he says that God led him to bring judgment against whites because of the institution of slavery. He had a vision in which “white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened–the thunder rolled in the heavens, and blood flowed in streams. . . .”

Source: LOC

The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, Virginia

Battle of Petersburg (III), March 25th – April 2nd, 1865

Harper's Weekly, April 22nd, 1865

With Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1, Grant and Meade ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines by II, IX, VI and XXIV Corps on April 2. A heroic defense of Fort Gregg by a handful of Confederates prevented the Federals from entering the city that night. Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill was killed trying to reach his troops in the confusion. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Grant had achieved one of the major military objectives of the war: the capture of Petersburg, which led to the fall of Richmond, the Capitol of the Confederacy.

Source: NPS

Red River Campaign begins, March 25th, 1864

Sketches of the Red River Campaign

ADMIRAL PORTER'S FLOTILLA.

Source: Harper’s Weekly, April 30, 1864

WE give on this page three sketches illustrative of the Red River Expedition, which has so far been attended with such marked success. FORT DE Russy, which is here accurately presented, was captured by our forces on the 15th of March last. The fort was a formidable work, quadrangular in shape, with bastions, and bomb-proof; covered with railroad iron. A powerful water-battery connected with the fort, the casemates of which were considered capable of resisting the heaviest shot and shell. It is said, however, that the gun-boat Essex tried some of her guns on these casemates, and succeeded in sending her shot straight through them. About 800 negroes were employed a year in constructing the fort and adjacent works, all the guns of which, upon its capture, fell into our hands, including one belonging to the Indianola when she was captured by the rebels.

Our sketch of the celebrated ram Switzerland, belonging to the Mississippi squadron, represents her as she appeared in “full dress” on the 22d of February last. This ram will be remembered as having attempted, with the Lancaster, to run the Vicksburg batteries on the 25th of March, 1863, when the

Lancaster was sunk and the Switzerland badly disabled.

Admiral Porter’s flotilla, which has done excellent service, consists of twenty-two gun-boats, together with several supply steamers, hospital-boats, etc. Among the vessels are the following: Fort Herman,7 guns ; Cricket, 8 guns ; Lafayette, 9 guns ; Neosho, 3 guns : Oscark, 2 guns ; Eastport, 9 guns ; Choctaw, 8 guns ; Osage, 3 guns; Chillicothe, 4 guns ; Louisville, 14 guns; Carondelet, 14 guns; Benton, 18 guns ; Pittsburg, 14 guns ; Gazette, 8 guns ; Mound City, 14 guns ; General Price, 4 guns; Lexington, 8 guns ; Ouachita, 3 guns ; Black Hawk, 13 guns. Of these, the Osage and Oscark are turreted. The Lafayette, Eastport, Choctaw, Chillicothe, Benton, Carondelet, Louisville, Pittsburg, Mound City, and Essex are iron-clads. The Lexington is one of the three wooden boats first put in commission on the Mississippi. The Ouachita and Black Hawk are formidable wooden vessels partially plated. The others are denominated tin-clads. Our sketch was taken as the vessels were lying near Alexandria, preparing to go up the river. At last accounts they had passed the obstructions placed in the channel by the rebels, and were approaching Shreveport,

The opening of the Red River region has placed within our reach a vast amount of cotton, which the enemy had stored away for export or sale. On the 17th 800 bales from near Fort De Russy reached Cairo, and large quantities were still awaiting transportation at the date of our last advices. In the vicinity of Shreveport thousands of bales are believed to be hidden away ; and should our army arrive in time to prevent its destruction a large sum must be realized from this source. While thus weakening the rebels in the seizure of one of their main elements of strength, the advance of the Federal forces has also achieved a vast positive advantage in delivering the loyal people from the oppression which has so long restrained them. The moment the old flag was restored hundreds of citizens seem to have come forward rejoicingly to testify their devotion to the cause it symbolizes. Many who had been exiled from their homes hastened to resume their old places, and aid in the necessary work of social and civil reconstruction ; all animated, according to the newspaper accounts, by an intense hostility, not only to the rebellion, but to slavery, as its great cause and principal source of strength. Thus Freedom is every where achieving its own revenges.

May 2009 issue of America’s Civil War is out . . .

The May 2009 issue of America’s Civil War recently hit the newsstands. For your reading enjoyment you will find key articles on:

• 68 Forts – Why Confederates never could have taken Washington
• Was Losing Longstreet the South’s Fatal Blow?
• Dogs of War
• Gettysburg hero’s long lost photo (Gen. Garnett)
• The Slave that Mailed Himself North

‘Oldest’ Civil War monument to get a face-lift

The May 2009 issue of America’s Civil War is reporting that the ‘oldest’ Civil War monument, dedicated to the 32nd Indiana Infantry, is being restored.  The large stone is currently in possession and care of the University of Louisville.

KET television recently did a brief story on the monument. Watch it here.

Read more about the 32nd Indiana Infantry here.

Original Civil War drawing from famous artist on eBay

Civil War collectors and afficionados have until March 31st to get their hands on an original Alfred Waud Civil War drawing.  The item is being auctioned off on eBay currently.  It is apparently being liquidated from the Fred Ray estate.

“A small paper on the verso is attached that say’s in Waud’s hand: “All quiet along the Potomac tonight except now and then when a picket is shot as he walks to and fro by a rifleman in a thicket.”

The starting bid is $4,999.00 – happy bidding.

U.S. General William T. Sherman assumes command of Union forces in the West

March 18, 1864 – President Lincoln gave William T. Sherman command of the Union forces in the West. Learn more about Sherman by visiting these links.

General William Tecumseh Sherman

Confederate Congress approves use of black troops in combat during Civil War

On March 13, 1865 the Confederate Congress approved the use of black troops in combat. This was a last-ditch, desperate attempt by Jefferson Davis to win a war that was all but over by early Spring 1865.

One of the more interesting questions related to blacks serving in the American Civil War is this, did blacks (free or slave) serve in combat roles in the Confederate Army? Unquestionably the historical evidence is strong that some blacks – perhaps several thousand – did serve in the Confederate Army in unofficial, non-combat roles as servants, laborers, teamster, musician, cooks, etc. But the official record is very unsupportive that thousands of blacks served as official soldiers in the ranks of the Southern soldiers’ rosters.

For more read,  “Did blacks fight for the Confederacy?”

Recent stories of Lincoln are exciting

For the second day in a row now there has been an exciting headline related to Abraham Lincoln. Yesterday (Tues 3/10) a story broke that perhaps a new photo that pictures Abraham Lincoln has surfaced. We have so few photos of him that a ‘new’ one discovered about 150 years later is very exciting. Read about the story here.

Today a story broke about a ’secret message’ that was believed to have been placed inside the pocket watch Abraham Lincoln carried. There was a ’secret message’ after all. Read about the story here.

The Smithsonian is currently hosting an exhibit on Lincoln worth checking out.