USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 18
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3. "The northern portions of Mississippi and Alabama had been somewhat defended through the brilliant exertions of Forrest: and two or three important raids had been made into Tennessee and Kentucky. But fierce battles with in. mensely superior numbers, and the various hardships of service, had worn that general's command down to a mere handful. wbo achieved sufficient in maintaining any hold whatever between the Tennessee river and the Gulf of Mexico
4. "Joseph E. Johnston had attempted to keep back the army of Sherman in northern Georgia, but more than double numbers had forced him, despite of some of the ablese man- agement ever known in war, to the gates of Atlanta. Then Hood had been substituted in the command of that army: had been Hanked out of Atlanta; had made a desperate rush against Tennessee; had won the dearest victory of the war at. Franklin; had been repulsed at Nashville; and had finally Hed with the shadow of an army to Mississippi Meanwhile. Sherman, with the bulk of his army, bad marched. in almost triumphal procession, clear through the state of Georgia to
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SURRENDER OF LEE.
Savannah. and. not content with that. was moving up through South Carolina.
5. The whole coast of the Confederacy was blockaded, from the Rio Grande to the Potomac, and much of it was in pos- session of the enemy. We held only three ports- Mobile, Charleston. and Wilmington. The first and third were closely guarded; the second was securely invested from the sea side. and was only making herself famous by perishing under the. pitiless blows of artillery.
6. "Early's command, in the valley of the Shenandoah, had utterly failed in its movement against Washington, and, sub- sequently had been beaten from . Winchester, from Staunton. from Charlottesville even, and now. when it returned to Lee's immediate command, it presental but a spectre of its former self.
7. "Lee's army alone gave any evidence of ability to main- tain itself. for these were the veterans, who. after successfully resisting the United States under MoClellan, and Pope, and Burnside. and Hooker, and Meade, had fought Grant and his army of three times our numbers, from the Wilderness, along the extensive are of Spottsylvania. Hanover Junction, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, hedged him off from Richmond, and now held. in the seventh month of seige, a line of nearly 40 miles against all his efforts.
S. "While this army had added to its great fame. in the campaign of Is65. it had been fearfully reduced in numbers .. It had suffered large casualties in battle: it had been ex- hausted by toil and want. and it had received no re-enforce- ments worth mention, beyond the ten or twelve thousand men sent to Beauregard, on the south side of the James in. the spring of 1864. Indeed, it had been so trusted and neg. lected. it had been so called upon to perform so much, and it had so bravely expected its tash, that at the close of the year it did not number 60,000 men in all arms of the service_
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Yet it had to hold 40 miles of line against an army of con siderably more than 100,000 men. . **
9. "Thus Lee's army stood at the close of the year. with : government mable, and a pecido unwilling to sustain it. I know no nobler spectacle than this: the little army, hungry and raggel, and wrapped in cheerless snow. standing out yonder aloof from dissontions of politicians, aloof from the clamors and tremors of the people, withont a regret for the past, without fear for the future, facing the world and fate. We were in solemn solitude, and the world might well regard us in an agony of expectation."
10. So closed the year 1864, the Confederate cause ruined in the west and hopeless in the east. It was at this time that A. G. Magrath became governor of the state, the darkest period in its history since 1751.
11. Early in the year, that is to say about February 1. 1565, Sherman began his advance from Savannah through South Carolina. He laid waste the country through which ho passed as he had done in Georgia, making it even more deso- late if possible. The destruction ho wrought was greater than that of any tornado, for be used fire. and not wind, and covered a much larger space of country.
12. Columbia, the capital of the state, was burned on Feb. ruary 17. Sherman says uot by bis orders. But why not by bis order: The burning of Columbia. if a crime at all. was one. no greater than the burning of houses in the country and carrying desolation wherever he went. He ought to have owned the deed and said that he was right in doing it. On the day that Columbia was burnt the forces that held Charles- ton and Fort Sumter so long, were withdrawn, and they, with the fragments of other shattered armies, amounting in all to about 35,000 men, were all that could be brought against Sharman in his progress to join Grant in Virginia.
13. In the last extremity General Joseph E. Johnston was
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placed in command of these forces. He accepted the position. not with any hope of saving a desperate cause, but in the hope that he might have some influence in making favorable terms of surrender. The armies inet at Averysboro on March 16, and again at Bentonville on the 10th. The battles were desperate and bloods. On the 28d. Sherman reached Golds boro. in North Carolina, where he re eivel large re-enforce- ments under Schofield and Terry. Johnston withdrew to Raleigh.
14. In the meantime Loe was still holding bis lines of defence at Richmond with less than 45,000 men, lines of 35 miles in length. against Grant, who received on March 20 a great accession of strength. in sheridan's body of cavalry. which had just swept down the valley of the Shenandoah. laying waste the country. On the 25th and 26th, there was fighting in which men from South Carolina were engaged. then again on the 31st.
15. On April 1, Lee's right was turnel, and the battle of Fair Oaks was forgb. On the 2nd, Grat by a concentration of his forces was able to make a breach in the confederate Ines of defence near Petersburg, and soon af ward- Lee was compelled to retire and give up Richmond.
16. On the 9th. General Lee surrenderel the remunint of the army that still remained with him. His army had melted away to somewhat less than 8,000 men, who grounded their arms on the field of Appomattox. On the 1Stb. at Durham. N. C., General Johnston surrendered to Sherman. Ou. May 26 following, General E. Kirby Smith, in Texas, made the last surrender, and the Southern Confederacy lay still in death.
17. It has already been stated that South Carolina gave about 19,000 man for regular service in the confederate army. Of this number not less than 15,000 were killed or died dur- ing the war. From examination of statistics it is seen the 15
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loss was about one-third of those who were in for the war
18. Much more might be written about the defence of Fort Sumter. one of the most noteworthy battle grounds of the wer in South Carolina. It is enough to say that all its cool manders and defenders showed a spirit of heroic courage sud endurance vory seldom surpassed. Colonel Rhett, an artillery officer, was first commander. and it was held by him until the walls of the fort were battered to pieces, and artil lery becoming useless for is defence, he and his command were withdrawn, and its defence was committed to Maior Stephen Elliott, a native of the state.
19. Soon after he took command an attack was made on the fort. The assailants mounted the ruinel walls, but they were driven back by the defenders, who huiled upon them brickbats and other fragments of the ruined walls. Major Elliott retained command for nearly a year, when he was succeeded by Captain John Mitchell, a son of the celebrat w. John Mitchell; of Ireland, who had fled from his country Cartain Mitchell was killed soon after taking command. and was succeeded by Captain Huguenin, who was the last eur federate commander at that place.
20. In the Confederate army were three lientenant-goner! : from this state. R. H. Andersen, who commanded a divisi composed of the brigades of Armistead. Mahone. Martin, woh Wright: Wade Hampton. under whom served the cavale. brigades of Butler, Gordon, Rosser, and Young: and Stephen D. Lee, who was appointed June 28. 194 M. C. Butlen M. W. Gary. Benjamin Huger, and I. B. Kershaw. all citiz - of this state, were major generals in the confederate service The brigadier-generals front this state were Barnard E. B. Milledge I Bonham. John Bratton. Ellison Capers. Jam - Chestont, Finnes Conter, Thomas F. Degion. John Dunno vant. Stephen Elliott. ). G. Evans, Sagtes Right Gist, MEote. - Gregg, Jobason Hagocd. Micah Jenkins, John D. Kouzel
CLOSE OF THE WAR. 227
Thomas Maldrop Logan, Arthur M. Manigantt, Samuel Mc- Gowan. Abner Periii. Pettigrew J. Johnson. John S. Preston, Rosswell S. Ripler. Clement H. Stevens. J. H. Trapier. J. B. Villepiguc. anl W. H. Wallace.
21. Many were the sufferings and privations endured by the women of the south during the war. They bore them with a heroism and a fortitude worthy of a Spartan mother. They were always ready with deeds of mercy and loving kindness for the sick or disabled soldier who happened near their door. Hospitals and other places where there were suffering and pri- vation found the loving hand of the southern woman to soothe and alleviate. Thar levotion was' equal to that of their brothers, fathers, anl busbands, who risked all on the field of courage. . The records of their deeds may not be recorded in blood, but were bathed in tears, and are written in the hearts of the southern people.
22. Though a new generation has come on the stige of action since the last gun was fired and the last surrender was made, wo Mtill sos mivy maimed soldiers moving about amongst us some with one leg, some with one arm, some with one eye, and some whose bolily frames were shattere l and broken from the 'explosion at Peter-burg. Virginia, and some who were severely wounded. but whose wounds are now scarcely observable. The sears and woun is that these veteran's bear are all becoralde. The men who bear they were not her rebels nor trhitors.
QUESTIONS .- 1. What does Caldwell say of the prospects of the Con- Federacy in the Trans-Mississippi department at the opening of the year IS61?
2. What is said of Price's expectation to Missouri ?
3. What is said of Forrest's exertions in Mitingi and Al Mama
1. What is seed of } masonry effects of Koll Sherman In chech What dal Hood do.
5. What was the condition of the confederthe coast ?
S
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
6. What is said of Early's Shenandoah valley campaign ?
7. What is sail of the conduct of Lee's army >
S. What is said of the sufferings of Lee's army ? How many men were there in each of the opposing armies at the close of the year 1864?
9. What can you say of the condition and spirit of Lee's veterans at the close of this year ?
To. What was the condition of affairs when Magrath became governor?
IT. What is said of Sherman's tuarch through South Carolina?
12. Give an account of the burning of Columbia. What is said of the evacuation of Fort Sumter ?
13. Who was now placed in command of the army to oppose Sherman. What was his object? When and where did the two armies engage each other?
14. What was the condition of affairs around Richmond at this time ?
15. What advantages did Grant gain about the first of April ?
16. When and where did Lee surrender? What other confederate forces surrendered soon after ? Where were they ?
17. How many men did South Carolina send to the war ? Of this numi- ber, now many were killed or died during the war?
IS. What can you say of the spirit displayed in the defence of Fort Sumter ?
19. What is said of Elliott's defence of the Fort ?
20. What emitent men from South Carolina can you mention who helt commissions as officers in the confederate arnies ?
21. What is said of the women of the south during the war ?
22. What is said of the maimed and wounded soldiers ?
CHAPTER XLIX.
AFTER THE WAR. RECONSTRUCTION.
1. At the close of the war, A. G. Magrath was governor. The state was conquered and prostrate, and helpless at the feet of the conquerors. What next? was the question in the minds of all. The ancient institutions of the state were over. thrown. and pence reignel-such peace as once reigned it Warsaw when Poland was crushed. For awhile. for a little while, it was hoped that reconstruction and a restoration of the Union might not be such a terrible ordeal.
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RECONSTRUCTION.
2. Soon after the clone of the war, after the assassination of Mr. Lincoln-a great and foolish crime - Andrew Johnson. of Tennessee, vice-president (then become president) sent for B. F. Perry, of Greenville, to confer with him as to the best measures to be adopted to restore South Carolina to her place in the Union. Mr Perry was an able man: had cp- posed Secession as long as he thought it possible to do any good by such opposition; had always been loyal to the Union, but acceptel Secession as a necessity. and was true to the Confederney while ie lived. Now it was thought that his presence in Washington might be of great benefit to the people of his state. H. was urged by his friends and the people to accept the invitation, as it was recorded as an earnest of the president's good feeling towards the south.
3. Mr. Perry accordingly went to Washington, where he was received and treatel with the greatest respect and con- sideration. He was appointed provisional governor of the state. He accepted. and immediately went to work now the basis agreed apon by the president and other prominent northern men for the reconstruction of the state
1. Increased confidence in the future was innnodiately folt all over the state at his appointment. He isspol an ably written proclamation, which was received with endaniem by all. and a hope of reseno from what seemed absolut min was fondly cherished. Civil government was restored, a con- vention of the porshe was called, and on October 1. 15. a governor of the state and members of the legislature were elected.
5. James L. Orr, one of the ablost and most eminent mon in the state, was elected governor. la December, 1900. the South Carolina College was changed to a university. Sma- ters and members of the House of Representatives were elected to the Congress of the United States The abolition of slavery was recognized as a fixed foot. and all the citizens
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
of the state bad taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. The people began to think that all would soon go well, and that they would drop down into the old grooves and move on as they bad before. In September, 1866, ao aet was passed establishing the penitentiary at Columbia.
6. There was a rude awakening from this dream. Some years hal to pass before the state could be called a state. Unfortunately the legislature at the session of 1865 passed an act known as the Black Code, discriminating between the whites and blacks as citizens, and providing separate courts for the trial of all civil and criminal causes. not giving colored people the ballot nor . full right of citizenship equal to those of the whites.
7. Whether this action of the legislature was used as a pretext, or whether Congress and the northern people would have acted as they did anyhow. a change soon came over the political sky. The senators and members elect to Congress were not permitted to take their seats. Several amendment- to the Constitution of the United States were made, and military government was established in and over the state. 4. General Sickles was first military governor. He was succcedel by Gendal Cinby, who. under the reconstruction acts of Congress, ordered an election for delegates to i constitutional convention, the convention to meet ou Jannary 14, 1505. At this election very few white people voted. as they felt that for the time all power had passed out of their hands and their votes would be thrown away.
9. The convention was in session two months and frame } the Constitution to meet the requirements of the amend ments to the Constitution of the United States. Under that Constitution we now live (1993; Under this new Constitution an election for governor and a full set of state officers was hold. Robert K. Satt. of Ohio, was elected governor inaug! rated July 9. INS. From the time of the inauguration to
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RESTORATION OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
Governor Orr, in 1865, to the inauguration of Governor Scott, July 9, 1865, the state had presented the singular spectacle of a dual government, civil and military. It must be said that the military was on top, but to save trouble it permitted the civil government to have a form of life.
10. Governor Orr had a very trying time, and his posi- tion was surroun led with difficulties until he was relieved by the election and inauguration of his successor. His position itself was anomalous. He had been regularly elected by the people, but he was permitted to hold the place by the United States goverment only as provisional governor until the state could be reconstructed.
11. With the inauguration of Governor Scott the military government of the state was removed, and the last vestige of the old South Carolina also disappeared. The revolution was complete. The state was absorbed by the power it had created. like Frankenstein, who made a monster that finally devouredl him. The state was declared to be re- constructed and restored to the Union: its senators and representatives, elected under the reconstruction acts, were allowed to take their seats; and since that timo the state has not been without its proper representation in Congress.
12. Governor Scott was re elected in 1570. Of his adminis- tration it is enough to say that it was unhappy. Acts were passed by the legislature for the suppression of insurrection and rebellion, and under the authority of these acts Governor Scott organized the freedmen into military companies all over the state, and the federal government furnished 10,000 ritter, with ammunition for their use. Deeds of violence were com- mitted by both whites and blacks. and scott called on the president for troops to enable him to keep the peace.
18. During this period of dissatisfaction and disturbance, brass what is known as the Ku Klux Klan, designed by the, white ; for self protection and security. The jails all over the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
state were filled with men under arrest. suspected of being members of the Klan. Many persons were tried in the United States Court at Columbia, convicted, and sont to th penitentiary at any. N. Y.
If. In the userby of the Ku Klux, President Grant made a grave and serious mistake. In a special message to Congress. in reference to the Ku Klux arrests. Le said. that notwithstand ing the great number of prisoners, it was believed that no in- nosent person was under arrest: thus pronouncing. before trial and without examination, upon the guilt of the parties acensedl. Had he koown them to be guilty. it was nubecom. ing in him. as president. . to sir so. General Grant. Euring the war, had always been a generous enemy: his conduct at Fort Donelson was noble, and he was a generous conqueror but that declaration in that message was an error.
15. In May 1971, a taxpayers' convention met to take into consideration the state debt. as the wasteful extravagance had become very alarming. Of this convention W. D. Porter wa- president The next winter a committee was appointed by the legislature to look into the matter and report. They reported the debt to be abont twenty-nine millions of dollars (829,000,000), six millions of which were frauduleut.
16. The United States census taken in 1870 made th population of the state to amount to 705.008: 299.007 whites. 221 Indians, and $15,514 people of color. But the state census five years later made the total population to b. 123. 147; of whom 850,721 were whites, and 572,726 propy of color. Quite a difference. At the same time the property of the state was value at one hundred and fifty million ($150,000,000) dollars.
17. Aiken county, with the county seat at Aiken. was formed of parts of the adjoining counties in 1STJ. About this time toe raining of phosphate rocks on the Carolina coast. not far from Charleston, began to bo an industry of
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TAXPAYERS' CONVENTION.
considerable importance. It has become a source of consid trable revenue to the state, as the best aud largest deposits am> found in the bells of rivers and smaller streams and in the estuaries on the ocpan. and hence are the property of the state.
1S. These deposits were discovered shortly after the war. They are the remains of animals of various kinds. shells, fiskes, all rich in phosphate matter, and make the best of fertilizers when properly ground. Similar deposits are found on the South Atlantic coast. and on the Gulf coast; but these near Charleston on the Carolina coast have proven to be better than any other yet iscovered.
19 In 1972. Franklin J. Moses was elected governor. He had been private secretary to Governor Pickous at the break- ing out of the war, and enrolling officer in 1844. and perhaps earlier, in the confederate service. While secretary to the governor in 1961, he claimed the honor and distinction of firing the first gun at the United States fag on Fort Sumter. He was theu as ardent a secessionist as anyone. After the war he affiliated with the republican party, and in 1572 he was elected governor. His career as governor, and since, has been very disgraetal.
20 In 1973 the State University was opened to students of color, giving the same privileges and advantages as were given to white students. In the latter part of this year. INTR. a taxpayers convention was again called to take into consul: eration the state of affairs, which was indeed deplorable. The convention niet on February 17. 1574. Among other work done by this convention, which sat four days, was an address to the people of the state, and the organization of tax unions in all parts of the state, to enable the people to guard against frand, and the appointment of a committee to appeal to Congress for redress.
21. This committer and their appeal was received very
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
coldly by the authorities at Washington. It was very natural that it should be coldly received, as the authorities at Wash- ington were of the republican party and in sympathy with. the parties in power in South Carolina. Nevertheless, great good was done by the taxpayers' convention and their action. as public attention was called to the state of affairs here, and a decided check was given to the course of wrong doing.
QUESTIONS .- I. Who was governor at the close of the war? What was the condition of the state?
2. What is said of the invitation extended to B. F. Perry by the presi- dent?
3. What was the result of Perry's visit to Washington ?
4. What effect did the appointment of Perry have on the state? What can you say of the proclamation issued by Perry?
5. What state officers were elected at this time? What change was made in the South Carolina College at this time ?
6. What was the Black Code ?
7. What action was taken by Congress in regard to the senators and members elected to the House of Representatives ?
S. Who was the first military governor ? Who succeeded him ? What is said of the election of delegates to a constitutional convention ?
9. What was done by this constitutional convention? Who was the first governor elected under the new Constitution ? What is said of the dual government the state had at this time ?
10. What can you say of the difficulties of Governor Orr's admistra- tion ?
IT. What changes occurred on the inauguration of Governor Scott ?
12. What acts were passed by the legislature during Scott's second term? What is said of the organization of the freedmen into military companies ?
13. Give an account of the Ku Klus troubles.
14. What did Grant do in this matter? What can you say of his ac- tion in the matter ?
15. What was done by the taxpayers' convention which met in May. ISTI? What did the 'ezichtture do?
16. What was the population of the state as given by the census o! 1.5,02
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HAMPTON'S ADMINISTRATION.
17. What new county was formed in ISyr? What is said of the phos- phate industry at this time?
18. What are these phosphate deposits ?
19. Who was elected governor in 1972, and what is said of him ?
20. What change was made in the State University at this time? What was done by the second taxpayers' convention ?
21. How was the committee appoluted by the convention to lay their grievances before Congress received by that body? In what way did good result from this convention ?
CHAPTER L.
CHAMBERLAIN, HAMPTON. FARMERS' MOVEMENT.
1. Daniel H. Chamberlain, the last and by far the best of the republican governors this state has ever yet had, was elected in 1974. There was a conservative gain-in the legis- lature this year. though the republican party still had a large majority. In 1576. the last year of Mr. Chamberlain's term of office, there was great agitation of the public mind. which resulted in outbreaks and riots in several places. Hamburg, Cainhoy, Ellenton, and Charleston, were all the scenes of riot and disturbance. The governor called on the president of the United States for troops to help him keep the peace. which he alleged that the courts and constituted anchorities were unable to do. This statement was denied by very nearly all the judges, but the troops were sent.
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