USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 16
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3. The winter of 1834-35 was noted for its great severity throughout the United States. On January 4, 1835, mercury congealed at Lebanon, N. Y., and also at several other places. The 7th is remembered as the cold Saturday. The Savannah river was coated with ice at Augusta. Ga. The snowfall ou January 14 and on the 2nd and Bd of March averaged near a foot in depth all through the middle and upper parts of South Carolina.
4. On December 25, 1535, war broke out with the remnant of the Seminole Indians in Florida, who had refused to be moved west of the Mississippi. This war continued for several years, as the Indians could retreat to their almost impenetra- ble swamps from which it was extremely difficult to drive them. South Carolina was called upon to furnish a regiment of infantry for three months service in the year 1836, January, February, and March. Short as was the term of service the state lost some valuable lives; more from the malarial air- of the swamps of Florida than from the rifles of the Indim- The war was finally brought to a close by Colonel Zachary Taylor. afterwards conqueror at Buena Vista, in Mexico. and president of the United States.
". The treatment of Osceola, the Seminole chief, was nol honorable to the United States government. Osceola had born induced by Geseral Jessup, who then had command in Floridla. to visit his camp under the protection of a Hag of true». Jessup disregarded his pledged word and the flag of immer. seized and held Onerola, and the other chiefs who had pour. with him, as prisoners, his act of bad faith was approv ! by the government of the United States: Osceola was -of
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FINANCIAL DISTRESS.
to Fort Moultrie near Charleston, where he died of a fever in 1538-died of a broken heart.
6. During the administration of Pierce MI. Butler, from 1536 to 1538, the report of the commissioner of free schools gave the number of schools 695. scholars 6.7IS, at a cost of $33.634. The number of pupils is less than in the former reports. The variation, however, was simply from the failure of the children to attend school. as attendance was not com- pulsory.
7. The great Western Railroad, which was to run from Charleston to Cincinnati, and so connect the seaboard of South Carolina with the Great West, was chartered by the legislature during this administration. This road was never made as contemplated by its projectors and its charter.
S. During the next two years. from 1535 to 1840. Patrick Noble being governor, the banking system of the state and the condition of the banks excited a great deal of attention, as there had been large over-issues in 1836. and previous Years, causing prices of property to be very high and making a kind of fictitious prosperity. In 1837 there was a run on the banks. a great contraction of the currency, decline in prices, many failures in business, and financial distress geder- ally. Negro slaves, that, in 1996, were worth as much as $1.200, by the close of the year 1997 were worth about half that much. Lands and all other property declined in prices at about the sam > rates. The panie and depression in busi- hess were not confined to the United States- - to South Caro. lina -- but extended over the whole commercial world.
". Muller, in bis "Life of Faith." says that the year 1937 Was the hardest year that his Hours for Orphays ever passed through. His faith that year was put to the severest test. Many times, in the morning he aled not have food rough to last his orphans during the day for a supply alway- came will they never suffered. He and many others regend his
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Home for Orphans at Bristol, England, as a standing miracle.
10. The state census in 1939 made the free white popula- tion amount to 250.575. The commissioner of free schools reported 532 schools with S.567 pupils, at a cost to the state of 840,826.29.
11. The great State Agricultural Convention held in Colum- bia. November, 1939. recommended the formation of a State Agricultural Society, with auxiliary societies in each district. These were all organized and were of great benefit to the people.
12. Governor Noble died in 1540, before the conclusion of his term of office, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Hennegan, who filled the unexpired term. John P. Richardson was governor from 1540 to 1842. At the session of 1541, the legislature, by a very uearly unanimous vote, refused to accept the proportion coming to the state of the fund arising from the sale of the public lands of the United States: a division of the fund among the states having been male in pursnany of a recent act of Congress. The refusal was based upon the grounds of its inexpediency and unconstitutionality.
13. About this time occurred the death of Robert Y. Hayne. celebrated as a statesman and orator, and for his great debate with Webster, on the powers conferred on the general govern- ment and reservel to the states by the Constitution of the United States.
14. During the alministration of James H. Hammond. from 1842 to 1544. who succeeded Richardson. there was profound peace at home anl abroad, with the exception of occasional angry dobates in Congress. In the year 1843. the state lost in the death of Hugh S. Legare, one of its finest scholar- and purest and most eminent mon. He had been a member of Congress and was very remarkable for his fine scholarship It has been said of him that he could read and give a correct translation of good classical Latin at eight years of age.
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WAR WITH MEXICO).
QUESTIONS. - 1. Tell what you can of Governor McDuffie.
2. What was the condition of the free schools during his administration?
3. What can you say of the winter of 1834-35?
4. When did the Seminole war break out? How long did it continue ? What part did South Carolina take in this war?
5. What treatment did Osceola receive at the hands of General Jessup ? Where and how lid Osceola die ?
6. What was the condition of the free schools during Butler's adminis- tration ?
7. What railroad was chartered during this administration ?
S. What was the condition of the banking system during Noble's ad- ministration ? What is said of the financial panic of 183; ? What effect did it have on the value of property ?
9. What does Muller say of the year 1837? +
10. What was the population of the state as shown by the census of 1839? What was the report of the commissioner of free schools ?
II. What is said of the Agricultural Convention held in Columbia, November, 1839?
12. When did Governor Noble die? Who succeeded him? What posi- tion did the state take in regard to the fund arising from the sale of the public lands of the United States? Who was governor at this time > Why was the money refused ?
13. What great statesman and orator died at this time? For what was he especially famous ?
14. What is sail of Hammond's administration ? What can you say of Hugh S. Legare ?
CHAPTER XLIII.
JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION. ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. MEXICAN WAR.
1. William Aiken succeeded Hammond. and then followed David Johnson; and during the administration of the latter. from 1546 to 1-48, was the war with Mexico, which lasted about two years -- 1416 and 1847. This was occasioned by the annexation of Texas to the United States on December 29. 1515.
2. For many years Texas had been a province of Mexico:
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
but having been settled largely by people of the United States, and they, feeling themselves wronged and oppressed by the acts of the government of Mexico, declared their in- dependence and formed a separate government on December 12, 1535. War followed. Texas was invaded by the Mexi- cans in great fores, under the leadership of General Santa Anna, at that time the president. or dictator. of the republic. and the greatest warrior in it.
3. Many battles were fought: and often, when the Texans were overpowered, they were butchered without mercy. oven after surrender. At the Alamo, defended for eleven days by 140 men under Colonel Travis, the Mexicans lost 1.600 men. but finally carried the place by storm, when the whole garri- son was butchered. It was here that the celebrated David Crockett. of Tennessee. lost his life, and James Bonham, of South Carolina. a brother to Governor M. L. Bonbam. was also killed here.
4. About ten days after the capture of the Alamo, Santa Anna attacked the fort at Goliad. commanded by Colonel Fannin. Colonel Fannin was a Georgian, and bis men. about 300 in number, were from Georgia. South Carolina, and other southern states. Seeing that resistance wes hopeless, it was determined to surrender. upon condition that they be per- mitted to leave the country and retire to the United States. Santa Anna agreed to these terms, but after the surrender was made, and they were completely in his power. they were all killed. But this was the last of Santa Anna's successes.
5. General Sam Houston, who was in chief command of the Texan armies, retreated to the Colorado, to the Brazos, and finally to San Jacinto. Here on April 21. 1536, the two armies met and the Mexicans were completely defeated. Santa Anna was taken prisoner: preer was male, and Texas was, in fact. if not by formal recognition. independent.
6. Santa Anna having lost his power. the administration
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WAR WITH MEXICO.
that succeeded did not recognize the treaty made by him, and did not acknowledge the independence of Texas. So- when Texas was admitted into the Union, although for some years that state had been practically independent, and though recognized as an independent power and treated with as such by the United States ia 1537, and by England and France in 1530, yet it was considered by Mexico as a cause for war_ 7. War followed, and the regiment furnished by the state of South Carolina was attached to the army commanded by General Winfield Scott, which army landed at Vera Cruz. without opposition on March 9. 1947, with 12.000 men. The- city was immediately invested, and it surrendered on the 27th: and, ou the 20th, the flag of the United States Hoated from the ramparts.
S. With as little delay as possible, the army pu-bed of towards the capital: fighting, on April IS, the battle of Cerro Gordo. On May 15, General Worth, with the ad- vanced part of the army, occupied Pueblo. Here General Scott waited for re-enforcements. On August 7. with 11.000 men. he set out for the capital city. Mexico. In a few days: they came in sight, of it. On the 20th, was fought the battle of Contreras, and also that of Churubusco. in which General Scott was entirely victorious, defeating an army of 30.000 men. On the morning of September 8. the Molino del Ray and the Caso de Moto, the outer defences of the castle of Chapultepec, which was a defence of the city. were taken by General Wortb. His loss was very great. They fought all day on the 12th, and at night part of General Scott's army was within the city.
V. That night the Mexican government fed. At 7 A. M. on September 13, the flag of the United States Boatel from the walls of the palace Pesca was soon afterwards nudle. which was ratified by the United States on March 10 follow- ing, and by Mexico on May 50. The United States Just ins
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
this war about 25,000 men and $160.000.000, and gained 632,157 square miles of territory-New Mexico and upper California. South Carolina lost. killed in battle, Colonel Pierce M. Butler, commanding the Palmetto regiment, and many others, officers and soldiers, besides many who died of disease.
10. Colonel Butler's remains were brought home to his native state for interment. Some years after the war they were removal by his brother, Senator A. P. Butler, to the family burying ground at Butler church, in the county of Edgefield. where they were, reburied with masonic honors. Colonel Butler having been an honored member of the ma- sonic order. The writer of this history, then master of Butler lodge, assisted in rendering the last honors to his memory.
11. An incident of this war, illustrating the bravery of the South Carolina troops. is told by William Gilmore Simms, Jr. son of the great novelist. Ou one cecasion a great victory was almost gained, but in order to complete the work it was necessary to drive the enemy from a very strong position, which they held, and which presented a corupact front brist- ling with pikes and lances. General Shields, who was in command, saw that the position could not be carried without very great loss: but he determined to carry it. if possible. For this purpose he called upon a Pennsylvania regiment to volunteer. They hesitated, then declined. He next asked a New York regiment to undertake the charge. That also de- clined. The chances against them were too many.
12. It was then that he rode to the front of the Palmetto regiment and asked Colonel Butler if his men were willing to clinch the victory by the charge. "Yes." replied Butler. "every man of them. and to the death." In a moment. with Butler at their head, they fell like a tornado upon the Moxi. can front and drove them from their position and from the field. Simm- relates that Captain Mayne Reid, "of New York.
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SLAVERY AGITATION
stung to the quick by the refusal of his colonel to volunteer his regiment, called upon the men of his own company to go with him and join the South Carolinians in their desperate venture. Ten or twelve joined and went with him and did brave and loyal service in the battle that day.
QUESTIONS .- I. What was the cause of the Mexican War ?
2. By whom was Texas settled? To what power did Texas belong at this time? What led Texas to declare her independence of Mexico ?
3. Tell what you can of the defense of the Alamo. What South Caro- liuian perished there ?
4. What is said of the battle of Goliad? How did Santa Anna treat the captured Texans ?
5. Tell what you can of the battle of San Jacinto. What was the result ?
6. Did the administration that succeeded Santa Anna recognize the treaty male by him with Texas?
7. To whose command were the South Carolina troops attached? Tell of the capture of Vera Cruz.
8. Describe the advance on the city of Mexico.
9. What is said of the flight of the Mexican government and the eu- trance of the American army into the city? When was peace made ? What were the losses of the United States in this war? What was gained ? What losses did South Carolina suffer ?
Io. What is said of the removal and reinterment of the remains of Col- onel Pierce M. Butler ?
11-12. Give an incident of this war illustrating the bravery of the South Carolina troops. What is said of the conduct of Captain Mayne Reid, of the New York troops ?
CHAPTER XLIV.
KANSAS TROUBLES. SLAVERY AGITATION. SECESSION.
1. Whitmarsh B. Seabrook was governor from 1548 to 1850. During his term the state enjoyed continued peace and pros- perity within its borders, but in the halls of Congress fierce discussions of the question of slavery continued. Whenever
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
a territory applied for admission into the Union as a status the conflict between the parties became warm, indicating te a close observer that the ill feeling must result at some time. not distant, in a serious conflict.
2. Following Seabrook, from 1550 to 1800, the governors were John H. Mears, John L. Manning. James H. Adare- Robert F. W. Allston, and William H. Gist On Maren 31. 1850. died at Washington. John C. Calhoun. the greatest and most influential man that South Carolina has ever produced He was not, perhaps. as eloquent as some, but he was a very close and logical reasoner. He was spoken of by Miss Harry. Martinean. in one of her Books, as a man of cast iron mould of character, from the firmness and closeness of his logic He died shortly after the reading of his speech on Mr. Clay Compromise Bill of 1950. It was read by Mr. Mason, of Vi .: ginia, he, himself, being unable to deliver it. His age at the time of his death was 68 years and 13 days.
3. The final passage of Mr. Clay's bill gavo great satisfac- tion to all parties, and it was fondly hoped that the slaver. question was settled forever. as the old Missouri compromis . line of 30° 30' was obliterated and there was now no restr: . tion upon the introduction of slavery into any territory of the United States. This was the crowning act and glory of Mr. Clay's long and useful life. He was now more popular than he had ever been before. He took no more active part ir public life, but still beld his seet at senator. He died at Washington on June 29, 1952, a little over 75 years of age 1. James H. Adams while governor, from ist to 15. recon.mended the reopening of the African slave trade, which had hop discontinued by set of the legislature of the stati. passed shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war Fortunately his recommendation received altre attention alli was favored by very few. It was like mange look to the dark ages
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SECESSION.
a. A few years afterwards some negroes were imported from Africa on a vessel called the Wanderer, and sold as slaves in the state: and a few newspapers advocated the rightfulness Rad expediency of reopening the trade. But it was not favored by the people of the state generally.
6. At this time the excitement about the admission of Kansas as a state into the Union became very great. As the act of Congress of 1850 left it -optional with the people of a territory whether they should have slaves or not, each party in the Union, pro and anti slavery, made great efforts to people Kansas with voters from its own side. South Carolina was not exempt from the excitement and many persons went to Kansas to help make it & slave state.
7. We thus see that Mr. Clay's Compromise Bill of 1550, instead of settling the question and settling the tumult for- ever, brought affairs to a crisis, made the agitation ten fold worse, precipitated the conflict, hastened the end, and so did at last settle the question forever. but in a way somewhat different from that anticipated at the time.
8. William H. Gist, from 1958 to 1860. was the last gov- ermor before the war. Owing to divisions in the democratic party Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States, without having received a majority of the popular rote. His election, however, was strictly according to the forms of law. Soon after the plection of Mr. Lincoln a con- vention of the people of South Carolina was called, and by them an Ordinance of Secession was passed withont a dis- senting vote on December 20, 1800 .*
Fin Ordinance to dissolve the Union between the State of South Caro- lina and other States united with her under the compact entitied "The " >ostitution of the United States of America."
We the People of the State of South Carolina. in Convention assem- Med, do deeler an mod un, and ir is hereby declare i sod ordained.
That the Or is the adopted by us in Convention, on the twenty-third day of May. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
9. Other sonthern states soon followed the example of South Carolina. Mississippi on Jannary 9, 1861. Alabama anl Florid: on the 11th. Then soon afterwards Georgia. Louisiana. Texas. Virginia. Arkansas, North Carolina. and Tennessee. the last on June S. These formed a union under the title of the "Confederate States of America." with the capital first at Montgomery, Alabama, soon afterwards moved to Richmond. Virginia.
10. Richmond continued to be the capital until the clos- of the war. which lasted just four years, wanting three days. from the firing of the first gun at Fort Sumter, at Bo minute- past four, on the morning of April 12, Isol. to the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. on April 0. 1565, which i- usually considered the close of the war. The last surrender. however, did not take place . until May 26; that of E. Kirby Smith in Texas.
11. It is not the purpose of this book to give a history of the War of Secession. That labor is left for others. It is only possible in this book to give a brief sketch of the part borne by South Carolina in that great struggle. After Seces. siou efforts were made by the Southern States to continue peaceful relations with the United States and to adjust all matters of difference without the final appeal to arms. These efforts were futile, as the government at Washington was not willing to admit that Secession wos an accomplished faet, an.l to treat with commissioners from the seceded states would be an admission of that fact. Efforts of negotiation were there fore vain, and it being well understood by the Confederate eighty eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all Acts, and parts of Acts of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying amendments to the said Constitution. are hereby repealed; and that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, nuder the name of the Cuite l States of America. i- hereby repealed.
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CAPTURE OF FORT SUMTER.
government at Montgomery, that it was the purpose of the authorities at Washington to re-enforce Fort Sumter. then commanded by Major Anderson, it was detornabed to attack it.
12. Accordingly General Beanregard, who then had com- mand of the Confederate forces at Charleston, was instructed to demand its surrender. Oa April Il. 1sb1, be made the demand, which was refused. At half past four the next morning the firing began. The fire was returned by the fort. and after being kept up by both sides for 32 hours Major Anderson surrendered. No one was killed on either side it this memorable contest. This beginning of the great war occurred in the carly part of the administration of F. W. Pickens, be having been elected in 1980 to serve the two years of 1561 and 1802.
13. This is usually considered the beginning of the war. but it is proper to state that before Fort Sumter was fired upon, but after the investment had begun. however. the Star of the West. a light ocean steamer with supplies for Major Anderson, tried to pass the investing batteries and was fired into from Morris Bland Ly a battery marked by cadets from the Sonth Carolina Military Academy. commanded by Major P. F. Stevens.
14. This was on January 0, 1561. The vessel retired and did not again try to reach the fort. So we see that the first gun fired in this war was not at Fort Sumter, but at a vessel trying to convey supplies to the fort, just three months before the fort itself was attacked. General Beauregard had at the time about 6,000 Confederate troops under his com- mand at Charleston, a part being from South Carolina, the First South Carolina Volunteers, commanded by Colour' Maxey Gregg, of Columbia.
17. After the capture of Fort Sumter, the seat of war. as well as the Capital of the Confederacy, was soon transferred to Virginia. add the larger number of troops raised in South
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Carolina went to that state. But through the whole war there were some in the state to guard the coast and prevent inva- ssion. On November 7, 101, Hilton Head was taken and wecupied by the Federal forces and they held it until the close of the war. Lientenant Boyles, in his Reminiscences of the Civil War, gives a graphic account of the capture of ISTtom Head.
16. The regular Confederate government was inaugurated af Richmond. Virginia, on February 22, 1882-Jefferson Davis, wpresident, and Alexander H. Stephens, vice-president. A pro visional government bad been in existence a year already.
17. Many battles were fought in 1861. in some of which troops from South Carolina were engaged. At Big Bethel, On -June 10, 1961, the Confederates were commanded by General - D. H. Hill. a native of South Carolina, a graduate of West Point, and a schoolmate and warm friend of the present writer for the half year immediately preceding Lis entrance -into West Point. Joseph Abney. major or lieutenant-colonel n the Confederate service, was also a schoolmate and classmate at the same time. And Albert Hill, brother of General D. H. Hill, who rose to the rank of major in the service, was our teacher. D. H. Hill and Albert Hill were natives of York district, though they bailed from different states during the war-Albert Hill was from Mississippi, and D. H. Hill from - North Carolina.
QUESTIONS -- I. What is said of Seabrook's administration ? What herce controversies occurred in Congress at this time ?
2. Name the governor's from 1550 to 1860. When and where did John C. Calhoun die ? What can you say of him ?
3. What is said of Clay's Compromise Bill of 1850? When and where dul Clay die !
4. What recommendation did Governor Adams make to the legislature
5. What kind of a cargo did the Wanderer bring into the state ?
6. What struggle How arde over the admission of Kau-in into the nion ?
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BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
7. Did Clay's compromise bill of 1850 have the effect he anticipated ?
8. What is said of the presidential election of 1560? What ordinance was passed by South Carolina soon after the election of Lincoln ?
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