USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Gc 973.74 N42da 1764833
M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Gc
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 5152
CAMP AND FIELD LIFE
5th
OF THE
FIFTH NEW YORK
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
(DURYEE ZOUAVES.)
BY ALFRED DAVENPORT.
5
NEW YORK : DICK AND FITZGERALD, IS ANN STREET. 1879.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/campfieldlifeoff00dave
1764833
Francis Ypelma
"FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T LET THEM TAKE MY FLAG'
" Feeble and trembling poor Frank tried to write his name.
" The left hand fell upon the bed and he could not urge the poor, brave man to any more exertion."
1.
107012X
1.
Davenport, Alfred.
Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. . ( Duryce zouaves.) By Alfred Davenport. New York, Dick and Fitzgerald, 1879.
485 p. front. (port.) pl. 19}em.
F 8349 .512
another copy.
1. U. S. - Hist. - Civil war - Regimental histories - N. Y. inf. - 5th. 2. New York infantry. 5th regt., 1861-1863. I. Title.
2-14955
Library of Congress
WMELY CARE523.5.5th
.
. 1 F 8349 .512 -
-----
.
COPYRIGHT, 1879, BY ALFRED DAVENPORT.
10415
1
CONTENTS.
LETTERS
9
PREFACE
13
CHAPTER I.
THE DRUM-BEAT.
Fort Sumter-The Attack-The Evacuation-The President's Proc- lamation-Letter by the Secretary of War-Governor Morgan's Proclamation-Call of the Adjutant-General, State of New York .. 17
CHAPTER II. FROM NEW YORK TO VIRGINIA.
Organization-Fort Schuyler-First Experiences-Our Quarters- The Men of the Regiment-Sunday at the Fort -The First Gun from Fort Schuyler-A Police Deserter-The Ranks Filled-Tak- ing the Oath-Flag Presentation-Color Sergeant-Striking our Tents-Reception in New York-Moonlight Departure-Arrival at Fortress Monroe-Deserted Village-Our First Bivonae-Hamp- ton Bridge Burned
22
CHAPTER III. OUR FIRST CAMP IN VIRGINIA.
Kilpatrick's First Raid-An Alarm at Midnight-A Photograph of Camp Life-Battalion Drill-Kilpatrick's First Adventure-Cap- tain Hiram Duryea-Lientenant Jacob Duryee-Several Expedi- tions-Sunday Service-Our Chaplain-Lieutenant-Colonel Warren -- Adjutant Hamblin-The Location-A Storm-Off Duty-Fox Hill Expedition - Lientenant-Colonel Warren's Report - Corre- spondence of the New York Times
34
CHAPTER IV. EIG BETHEL.
Sunday Evening Orders-Our Comrades-A Loyal Negro-Captain Kilpatrick's Advance-A Virginia Prisoner-1 Fatal Mistake-
(3)
4
Contents.
Big Bethel-A Wounded Comrade-A Soldier's Tribute-Death of Lieutenant Greble-Honorable Mention-A Naval Commander -Correspondence of the New York Tribune-Flag of Truce .... 49
CHAPTER V. LIFE AT CAMP HAMILTON.
Fortress Monroe-Incidents of Camp Life-Drummed Out-Any Port in a Storm-Serious Accident-How to Find a Horse-Con- traband Wit-A Graceful Digger-Mrs. Kilpatrick-Notes from the Journal-On Guard by Moonlight-IInts in the Woods-A "Fez" Stolen by Mosquitoes-A Comet-How we Spent Inde- pendence Day-Our Postponed Celebration-A Fairy Scene-Do- nations-Discharges and Recrnits-A New Flag-Beautifying the Camp-Losing Blood-A Lost Sentinel-Reports of the Battle of Bull Run-Embarking for Baltimore
1
74
CHAPTER VI. LIFE AT BALTIMORE.
Arrival at Baltimore-Camp at Federal Hill-Zouaves at Large- Penalties for Pastimes-Making a Camp-Visitors-A Baltimore Journal Speaks-Running Guard-" Joe " Knott-Changes in the Regiment-A Revolt Subdued-The Guard-house and its Advent- ures-An Illumination-A Charge-Fort-building-Rebel Recruits Disappointed-Our Bathing Ground-The Battle at the Pump- Camp Ballads of the Fifth-Colonel Duryee Promoted-An Un- successful Trip-Changes in the Regiment-Progress of the Fort -How the Days were Spent-Captain Hamblin's Departure- Regimental Dogs-A Loyal Newfoundland-Zouave Song by a Drummer Boy-Maggie Mitchell-Blowing Out the Lights-A Drum Major's Joke-An Expedition-Building the Barracks- Thanksgiving Day-An Elopeir ent
91
CHAPTER VII. THE EASTERN SHORE-LIFE AT BALTIMORE.
The Eastern Shore-Objects of the Expedition-A Proclamation by General Dix-" Marching Along !"-A Surprised Zouave-Rebel Spirit and Rebel Spirits-A Soldiers' Reunion-Rebel Visitors Singing the Star Spangled Banner-Return of the Expedition- Results -- A Sociable Parade - Rebel Flag Reversed-Recruiting- Opening the Barracks-"Fort Federal Hill"-Second Year of the War-Our Surgeon-A Surgical Duelist-Running the Guard- "The Zonave House"-A Musical Masked Battery-Flag Presen-
:
5
Contents.
tation by the Ladies of South Baltimore-Address by John Willis, Esq .- Colonel Warren's Reply-A Grand Ball at Headquarters- Fort Marshall-Washington's Birthday-An Indignant Zouave --- Grand City Ball-A Military Execution-Attack Threatened-The Merrimae-Change of Base-Ho for Fortress Monroe !- Farewell to Baltimore-Our Farewell Entertainment-Relieved by the Third New York-Falling into Line-March through Baltimore-Exeit- ing Seenes-Farewell Song 125
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
The Trip to Virginia-Scene at Hampton Roads-Changes-Camp Misery-Peep at Big Bethel-Prime Rations for Six-New York Times Correspondent-General Mcclellan's Report-Camp Scott- Corduroy and Ditch -Headquarters-California Jack - The Fourth Michigan-First Death by Sickness-General MeClellan's Head- quarters-An Officer's Letter-Letter from a Private-Fire and Fun in the Dark-A Strategic Pig-Siege Preparations-Battery No. 1-General Barry's Letter-Camp Warren-After the Battle- Camp Buchanan-A Promise of Battle -- March in the Shadows- Magnificent Spectacle-A Night View of the Camp at Pamuinkey River-Drooping Skies and a Dripping Army-Review by Hon. Wm. H. Seward-Deserted Territory-Nearing the White House -Stragglers-"Dr." Warren and his "Pills"-The Siek List- The Colonel's Order and a Donkey's Reply 154
CHAPTER IX. THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN-( Continued).
Pamunkey Bridge-Crossing the Bridge-Killed at his Birthplaec -- The Rebels Retire-Rebel Communication Broken-An Astonished Negro-A Descendant of Patrick Henry-Return to Camp-Han- over Court-house-Captain Griffin's Brazen Pet-After the Battle -Burying the Dead-Result-A Raid and a Capture-A Recon- noissance-Back to Old Church-What we Fought for at Hanover -The Chickahominy -- New Bridge-A Donation of Flour-A Speculation in Donghunts-Sal Eratus and what She Did-A Pair of Shoes-Sleeping under Arms-General MoClellan's Address to the Army-General Sykes' Speech-Picket at New Bridge-Review by General Prim-Masking a Battery at Night-Stuart's Cavalry on a Raid
180
6
Contents.
CHAPTER X. THE SEVEN DAYS' RETREAT.
Battle of Gaines' Mill-Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill- Then and Now-Freedom against Slavery-Sanitary Condition of the Regiment-Picket Duty-A Sabbath Journal-Death of Ser- geant Reynolds-Seven Days' Retreat-Fifth Corps Engaged- Battle of Gaines' Mill -- Death of Captain Partridge-Color Sergeant Berrian-A Charge in the Woods-A Rebel Trick-The Field at Night-Losses-Testimony of the Officers-Official Reports-Con- federate Reports-Incidents-William MeDowell-" Dave " Burns -Walter S. Colby-Francis Spellman-Sad Separations-Colonel Warren's Report-General Sykes' Report.
198
CHAPTER XI. MALVERN HILL-HARRISON'S LANDING.
White Oak Swamp-Charles City Cross-roads-General Kearney- Malvern Hill-A Desperate Struggle-Rebel Repulse-Retreat from Malvern Hill-The Rain and the Roads-An Incident-A Life Saved by a Stratagem-Report of Lieutenant-Colonel HI. Dur- yea-Letter from Surgeon Joseph S. Smith-Harrisou's Landing -The Camping-Ground -- Want of Water-A Review by President Lincoln-Moving our Camp-Reviewed by General MeClellan- Resignation of Captain Cambrelling-Changes-Health of the Army-Hospital Grounds-A Death by Poison-Improved Diet -- A Rebel Salute-Death in a Tent-Pine Woods Experience- Knapsacks Forwarded-A Night March -- Crossing the Chicka- hominy-Negro Messenger Shot-Soldier Hospitality Refused- Newport News-The March to Manassas Junction-On the Bat- tle-field 240
CHAPTER XII. SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
The Field-Distribution of Forees-The Heury House-Position of the Fifth-Generals Jackson and Longstreet-The Fifth Engaged -Fearful Slaughter-Allison, the Color-Bearer, Killed-Annihila- tion of our Color Company-Bald Ridge-The Texans-" Don't let them take my Flag !"-Overpowering numbers -" Let there be no Filtering in this Line !"-A Zonave Targeted-A Ront-1 Terrible Scene -- The Remnant of our Regiment-After the Battle -Colonel Warren's Report-General Pope's Report-Personal Sketches and Incidents-Spellman-Chambers-MeDowell-Wil- son - Hager-Sapher - Humanity - Stonewall Jackson - James
7
Contents.
Cathey, a Strange Coincidence-A Rifle Shot- James Patterson- Pollard's Testimony - Bullwinkle-Sturgess-Tyndall-Strachan -Huntsman-A Walk among the Graves-Faulk's Letter-Con- federate Testimony-March to Fairfax-McDowell's Brother- General MeClellan's Return to the Command -- Near Frederick City 269
CHAPTER XIII. BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.
The Confederate Successes-Virginia versus The Cotton States-The Battle of Antietam-The Enemy Retires-General Mcclellan's Re- port-Crossing the Potomue-Battle of Shepardstown-Tenth New York Regiment Transferred-Seareity of Supplies-A Mixed Uniform-Penalties of Old Clothes-A Bread Speculation-A Whisky Smuggle-A Drill Challenge Accepted-Crossing at Har- per's Ferry-Colonel O'Rourke, of the 140th New York-Snicker's Gap- Warrenton-A Secessionist Town-Farewell Review by Gen- eral MeClellan-General Burnside in Command-The 146th New York-Warrenton Junction-Spotted Tavern - The Henry House . - Resignation of Colonel Hiram Duryea-Changes in the Regi- ment-Before the Battle 310
CHAPTER XIV. BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG ..
In Sight of Fredericksburg-The Pontoon-The Burning City-The Position-Across the River-Marye's Hill-A Deseription by the Philadelphia Times-The Attack-The Enemy's Batteries-The Slaughter Path-French's Division-Hooker's Charge-Howard at the Front-Humphreys' Division-Sykes' Division-The Dead and Wounded-Warren's Brigade-The Brigade of Death-The Compte de Paris-The Fifth in a Garden-Our Regulars Severely Placed-The Gloom Pall-Forlorn Hope-Strategy - Intrench- ments at Night-Covering the Retreat-The Last Man Crossed- The Pontoon Lifted-Incidents-Henry House-General Sykes' Order 338
CHAPTER XV.
BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE-OUR LAST STRUGGLE.
The New Year-The Situation-Death of Captain Cartwright-Mor- tality-Desertions-The Disloyal Press of the North -- The Sol- fibers Sentiment-An Army of Water-Carriers -- The Mud March- Resignation of General Burnside-General Hooker in Command- lieketed in Ice-A Death in Hospital-A Suicide-General War-
8
Contents.
ren Promoted-A Deserted Mansion-Provost Guard-Death of Nicholas Hoyt-Better Supplies-A Square Meal-Cavalry Skir- mish-St. Patrick's Day in the Ninth Massachusetts-Cavalry Fight-A Spy-A Sinoky Chimney-A Crippled Shoemaker on "Jeff" Davis-Annihilating the Men of the South-A Review- Hybernating under Ground-Easter-Review by President Lin- coln-The Two Years' Men-Growling-Review by Generals Tog- liardi and Meade-An Exploded Shell-The Time Fixed-Kelly's Ford-Ely's Ford-Approaching Fredericksburg-Battle of Chan- cellorsville-Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry-The Enemy Repulsed -Jackson's Attack on Howard-Siekles-Slocum-Freueh-Chan- cellor House Burnt-Woods on Fire-The Two Years' Men Re- lieved-Parting with Old Comrades-Aquia Creek-Hospitality of the 21st New York-Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia-Jer- sey City-New York-Our Reception-New York Times-The
Fourth Regiment-Mustered Out-In the Battle of Life 361
APPENDIX.
Casualties 399
Statisties 41S
Biographies of Officers 423
Names of Officers 475
Colonel Robert C. Buchanan, U. S. A. 485
Lieutenant-Colonel William Chapman, U. S. A. 485
· LETTERS.
ORANGE, Dec. 5, 1877.
ALFRED DAVENPORT, ESQ., NEW YORK :
MY DEAR SIR :- Yours of the 4th is received. I am very glad to learn that you are engaged upon the history of the 5th New York. The gallant services of that admirable regiment on so many fields certainly merit being handed down, and form no un- important portion of the history of the war. The pride and in- terest I have always felt in the regiment, since it first came under my command, will make your work dearly gratifying to me.
In haste, very truly yours,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
NEW YORK, January 26, 1878.
ALFRED DAVENPORT, EsQ. :
DEAR SIR :- I have received your note of the 14th inst. in- forming me that you have undertaken the work of preserving the record of the 5th New York Infantry, and am greatly pleased to learn of your undertaking. Though my connection with the regiment was brief, extending only from April to July, 1861, I have always preserved the kindest memories of my friends and comrades of the Fifth, and felt pride in knowing that I had been a member of so gallant and distinguished an organization.
I know of no regiment that had a better record for courage, gallantry, discipline, and faithful service throughout the war, and
IO
Letters.
the men and officers well deserve to have a complete and correct record of their deeds preserved to their country.
I shall await the publication of the work with great interest, and will much enjoy its perusal.
Remain, etc.,
H. E. DAVIES, JR., Late Maj .- Gen. U. S. Vols.
FORT BROWN, TEXAS, April 15, 1878.
MR. A. DAVENPORT, NEW YORK :
DEAR SIR :- An absence of more than two months from this Post must be my excuse for not having sooner answered your letter. I am very sorry that I can not send you the " order " you wish. It should be among the records of the 2d Division, 5th Army Corps, but they, as you are aware, did not go with me when I succeeded General Meade in command of the corps. It is barely possible that General Warren, U. S. Engineer, now at Newport, Rhode Island, might furnish you with it.
My opinion of the 5th New York Volunteers never changed. I doubt whether it had an equal, certainly no superior among all the regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Its death-roll and list of casualties will tell how and where it stood better than any words of its commanders. I have always maintained it to be the best volunteer organisation I ever knew.
Yours very respectfully,
GEORGE SYKES.
In reply to a letter from the author to General Hooker, he speaks as follows :
GARDEN CITY, L. I., N. Y., June 2, 1878. MR. A. DAVENPORT :
. . . May each and all long live to enjoy the fruit of their noble works. You tell me that General Sykes once had
II
Letters.
your regiment in his command, and that you have the testimony of that gifted soldier as to your discipline and conduct. This is proof, of the most satisfactory character, of the high claims of your regiment to its soldiership and noble bearing. You could furnish me with no higher authority in our army, and this opinion is cherished, of that officer, by all his associates in arms, not only in our last war, but also that of the war in Mexico.
Let me say, then, through you, to your regiment, that it is almost their duty to themselves and to their old commander to cherish and preserve every syllable he ever uttered in their com- mendation.
General Sykes never was much of a blower for himself, but whenever heavy work had to be done he was a perfect wheel-horse in battle or out of it.
Sincerely yours, J. HOOKER, Maj .- Gen.
The following communication, by George L. Catlin, Esq., United States Consul, La Rochelle, France, was addressed to the COMPTE DE PARIS :
CONSULAT GÉNÉRAL DES ETATS UNIS D'AMERIQUE, 3 RUE SCRIBE, PARIS, le 30 Mai, 1878 ?
MONSEIGNEUR LE COMPTE DE PARIS :
I have the honor to address you in compliance with the request of Mr. Davenport, of New York, who is engaged in the prepara- tion of a history of the volunteer regiment from that city, known as the 5th New York Volunteers (Duryée Zouaves). Both he and I served in that command, which, you may remember, was brigaded with the regular troops under General Sykes; and Mr. Davenport writes me that he is desirous of incorporating in his work a complimentary mention of that regiment which he under- stands you have been somewhere kind enough to make in your Written reminiscences of the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. In case you recall any such mention, I shall esteem it a great favor if you will direct me to where a copy of it can be found.
I2
Letters.
Should you, on the other hand, not recall it, I am requested by Mr. Davenport, the author, to say that a brief note from yourself, expressive of your favorable recollection of the 5th New York Zouaves would be received and published as a valuable addition to the interest of his book.
Feeling in common with every Union soldier a gratitude for the service so honorably rendered us by your sympathy and your sword during the trying days of the Rebellion,
I am, sir, with great respect, very truly yours,
GEORGE L. CATLIN.
The Compte de Paris replied to the above note as fol- lows :
CHATEAU D'EU, SEINE INFERIEURE, Fune 13, 1878. 5
SIR :-- I do not think that I mentioned in any special manner the 5th New York Zouaves in my History of the Civil War in America ; but this is only because, having so many events to re- count, I had not space enough to mention singly any organiza- tion under that of the brigade. I remember very well the 5th New York in the Peninsula just after the battle of Williamsburg, and the soldier-like appearance of this fine body of men. This appearance struck the best judges, for else the Zouaves would not have been brigaded under General Sykes with the regulars, who were justly considered as a model for the other troops.
This favorable opinion was fully justified when the regiment had to go through the ordeal of the battles on the Chickahominy, and I well remember, on the evening of the bloody day of Gaines' Mill, how few, but how proud, were the remnant of the 5th New York after holding so long their ground, on our right, against Jackson's attacks.
Believe me, sir, yours truly, L. P. D'ORLEANS, Compte de Paris.
TO GEO. L. CATLIN, ESQ., Paris.
.
PREFACE.
THE period of American History commencing with the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, on the first Tuesday of November, 1860, and the immediate adoption by the South Carolina Con- vention of a resolution repealing the act of admission to the American Union, and ending with the assassination of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, must ever possess a remarkable interest to the student of history ; and as the events of that period must necessarily leave influences and conditions, political and social, of an extra- ordinary character, they must have a greater or less interest to every citizen. The sword is sheathed, and the dilapidated fortresses and crumbling earthworks are deserted and losing their outlines, and peace has for many years blessed the nation that was rocked to its foundations by the upheaval of a civil war unparalleled in history. It may be expedient to "let the dead past bury its dead." But the past is not dead ; it lives in the hearts, the thoughts, the affections, the hopes, the jealousies, the taxations, and the sufferings of millions. It lives in the memory of the bereaved at the hearthstones of the people -- it lives in the remembrance of the active men of the time who still animate, influence. or lead public policy-and it lives in the purposes of whole communities who, moreover, are resolved that the past shall net die. To the loyal heart which throbbed with devotion to the country in its peril-to the memories of the men who laid down their lives in its defense-to the survivors of the
(13)
1
.
14
Preface.
heroic dead-to the young men of the present, the voices of freedom and humanity utter the injunction, LET THE PAST LIVE IN THE LOYAL HEART FOREVER !
This is the argument of the present volume. The Fifth New York Infantry, known as the Duryee Zouaves, heard the drum-beat, they responded to the appeal to arms, and in a few days were assigned to their post at the front, and held it for two years, during the whole time for which its members were enlisted. It has been deemed only an act of justice to place its record at the side of other similar contributions to the history of the war, and the effort has been made by the author to embody the events in which it took a part, in so complete a form that nothing material to its chronicles should be omitted. Many of the lesser inci- dents of camp and field life are incorporated, as a faithful picturing of the varied phases of a soldier's life during the war.
It was hoped by the author, as well as by others, that the work would be undertaken by some one or more of the able officers of the regiment, but the active duties of civil life have prevented them from making even the attempt to col- lect the materials. Under these circumstances the author, albeit with great distrust of his ability to execute the work in a manner worthy of his subject, felt constrained to let no further time be lost in its preparation. He has availed himself of all the aids he could command, but is aware that many interesting incidents and facts are in the possession of officers and members of the regiment whom he has not been able to consult. The record, however, is so full as it is now presented, that no essential link in the narrative has been omitted.
It is proper to make acknowledgments to Lieutenants Sum- uel Tiebout, R. M. Gedney, and William H. U'ckele ; Cap- tains William H. Chambers, James McConnell, and Thomas R. Martin ; Adjutant A. S. Marvin, Jr. ; Sergeants C. V. G.
15 -
Preface.
Forbes, Robert Strachan, E. M. Law, and George A. Mitchell ; Corporals James H. Franklin, James R. Murray, and Miron Winslow ; Benjamin F. Finley, Joseph Stilwell, Daniel J. Meagher, James W. Webb, Mrs. H. C. Vail and family, Mrs. James H. Lounsberry, Alonzo Ameli ; and especially to Hons. S. S. Cox, Fernando Wood, and Lucius N. Robinson, Mrs. Gordon Winslow, and others, for in- teresting information.
In the preparation of the work the writer has consulted and is indebted to I. P. D'Orleans, Compte de Paris, " History of the Civil War in America," "Swinton's Army of the Potomac," A. H. Guernsey, LI. D., " Lossing's His- tory," Rev. J. S. C. Abbott, " Pollard's Southern History of the War," Prince de Joinville, Hon. John T. Headley, Colonel B. Estvan (Confederate Army), " General McClel- lan's Reports and Campaigns," "Pope's Reports," "The Rebellion Record," " Reports of the Committee on the Conduct of the War," "General W. F. Barry's Report," " Joel Cook's Siege of Richmond," the files of the Soldier's Friend, conducted by William Oland Bourne, and the War Correspondence of the various journals of the time.
The work is committed to the press in the somewhat confident hope that whatever may be its imperfections, the officers and members of the regiment, as well as the public who may be interested in its narrative, will accept it with the indulgence which they may kindly accord to the tribute offered by an ex-private to the honor of the regiment in which he served. A. D.
CHAPTER I.
THE DRUM-BEAT.
FORT SUMTER-THE ATTACK-THE EVACUATION -- THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMA- TION-LETTER BY THE SECRETARY OF WAR-GOV. MORGAN'S PROCLAMATION -CALL OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL, STATE OF NEW YORK ..
FRIDAY, the twelfth day of April, 1861, must forever re- main memorable in the history of the American Union. On that day a force of ten thousand men, after long prepa- ration, and with well-built and well-appointed batteries, under the command of Gen. Beauregard, opened their fire upon Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, and con- tinued the bombardment of that fort, defended by a heroic band of seventy men under Major Robert Anderson, until, after thirty-six hours of almost uninterrupted attack, the com- mander deemed it no longer prudent to maintain the un- equal contest, and was permitted to retire his force without the loss of a single man, and bearing with him the flag of honor and renown.
The event had been for some time expected, and the delay of the Government at Washington to take the initiative in offensive measures was regarded by many as evidence of a hesitating and vacillating policy. But the result proved the contrary. The responsibility of a deliberate, long-medi- tated, and treasonable attack upon the property, the peace, and the existence of the Republic, by the act of the twelfth of April, fell, in all the weight of its momentous consequences, upon those who assumed it. The eyes of the whole nation were turned to this point.
Before the people of the Union there stood a boasting and excited army, exasperated at the cool and defiant hero- ism of the little band of loyal men who refused to lower
(17)
18
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
their flag or shrink from their post of duty, ambitious of the distinction so long coveted of destroying the Union. Only a few events in the military history of the world present such a contrast. Every hour the interest of the nation was intensified.
The suspense as to the decision of Major Anderson be- came painfully deep as the hours flew by, and when at last the enemy became convinced that they had no other alter- native, the hand of EDMUND RUFFIN, of Virginia, who begged the privilege and the honor, fired the first gun in the actual inauguration of a bloody war. That gun boomed with accumulating thunder over the nation. The flash of its fire blazed through the electric wires, and the hearts of millions bounded with an awakened spirit of loyalty as each successive bomb and shell beat against the slowly crumbling walls of Sumter. The die was cast. The deep, devoted loyalty of the people was with the Government and the flag, and when on the second day the heroic band left the shat- tered ruin, it was only as the advance guard of the millions who rallied to the honor and the glory of the Republic.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.