150-years-ago -- SECESSION OF VIRGINIA

The Richmond Daily Dipatch
April 19, 1861

War spirit in Virginia.

A Virginia voluteer wearing a secession badge,
looks ready to defend SouthernIndependence.
(Library of Congress)

Accounts from the country represent the war spirit in the interior of Virginia as most intense and enthusiastic. The whole population is in arms, and the only difficulty is in restraining them till the proper moment arrives. Never, even in the war of the Revolution, was there anything approaching the unanimity and the deep and determined character of the war spirit in Virginia. The general disposition is not to stand on the defensive, but to make the enemy pay at his own fireside the cost of his ferocity. There are means of reaching the seaboard and interior cities of the North and West of which they little dream.

Secession of  Virginia

The announcement that the Convention of Virginia (April 17)  had passed an Ordinance of Secession was received with the most universal and profound satisfaction. There are no longer in Virginia two parties. The Union men and the Secessionists are arrayed in a solid band of brotherhood under the Flag of Virginia.--The only rivalry is which shall do and suffer most in defence of our common honor against the monstrous despotism at Washington.--Lincoln's Proclamation has accomplished the union of all parties in Virginia and the South. The Ordinance of Secession is the answer of the Convention to that Proclamation, and the action of the Convention is but the echo of the People's Will.

The old Union, for which our fathers fought and bled, has been willfully sacrificed by a Black Republican despot, and he now seeks to wrench from us our Liberty and Independence. Virginia, which led the van in the war of 76, now meets him on the threshold. She has been slow to act, but she will be slower still to retrace her steps. The Union has lost its brightest planet, but it will henceforth beam as a star of the first magnitude in the purer, brighter and grander constellation of the Southern Cross.

The Torchlight procession to-night — Secession excitement.

It was proposed by the people that when the Convention did anything definite to honor the embodied wisdom of the State, that they should be treated to an exhibition of pyrotechnics. . . . Having attained the enviable distinction of doing a thing eminently worthy of the name and fame of representatives of the sovereignty of the Old Dominion, it was resolved that their ears should be assailed with rapidly-recurring explosions, from the feeble torpedo to the immense Chinese cracker, with an occasional report from a pocket pistol or revolver. There was also to be, on the happening of the contingency above related, a pleasing demonstration in the illumination of the horizon by balloons, rockets, Roman candles, and similar projectiles. It was also determined that an imitation of the brilliantly-colored Aurora Borealis, which occasionally spans the vault of heaven, illuminating it with a weird glow of unnatural beauty. should pale its ineffectual fires before the might of Roman candles, sky-rockets, mines of stars, volcanoes, triangles, tourbillions, flower-pots, scrolls, pin-wheels, serpents, chasers, grasshoppers, blue and Bengal lights, which appeared to signalize the deed. In accordance with this preconceived intention on the part of a patriotic people, an immense gathering of persons, old and young, will take place to-night at 8½ o'clock, in front of the City Hall, among whom will be many citizens from Petersburg and other places, whose uncontrollable inclination leads them to pay this testimonial to the late but gallant action of the Convention and the resumed sovereignty of Virginia. These will all be supplied with torches and every species of pyrotechnics, and it is supposed the utmost enthusiasm, amounting almost to a wildness of exultation, will pervade the immense gathering, which we are certain will number many thousands. Let all fulminate who can, and let those who cannot do so. testify their respect to the cause by joining in the procession. The demonstration will be the largest one that has ever taken place here. Depend on that.

150-years-ago -- Volunteers Assemble in New Orleans

The New Orleans Daily True Delta
April 18, 1861

An early war New Orleans volunteer.
(Blog author's collection)

     Col. Wheat Oraganizing a Company. - It will be seen, by reference to a notice in another column, that the well-known and gallant Col. R.C. Wheat is now in the city, and has opened a rendezvous at 64 St. Charles street, with a view of raising a company for immediate and active service. The notice is sufficient, we think, to fill the ranks of Col. Wheat in twenty-four hours.
[Editor's Note: Wheat was a famous soldier of fortune and Mexican War veteran. He became a major  in command of the famed 1st Special Battalion Louisiana Volunteers.]

     Attention, Volunteers!
     The under-signed has opened a Rendezvous at 64 St. Charles street, first floor, up stairs, for the purpose of forming a company of VOLUNTEERS for active service. The time for action has now arrived. Let the chivalry of the city and State, then, rally to the standard of the Southern Confederacy. - R.C. Wheat.

     The Walker Guards.
     This compnay held an election last night,  which resulted in the unanimous choice of R.A. Harris as captain, and Wm. H. Kaennon 2d lieutenant.
     We understand the boys wish to form a battalion under their old major.
[Editor's note: This company, made up of veteran filibusters who had fought under William Walker in Nicarauga, became Company A of Wheat's battalion.]
    
The Delta Rifles.
     In another column will be found a call for those who wish to volunteer and join the "Delta Rifles." This corps has been initiated, and carried through so far, in as spirited a manner as any company in town, and now has upon its roll as fine a body of men as could be selected. But the company is not as perfect as its officers, desire, and hence, the call for volunteers. We recommend with pleasure this company of volunteers. The captain, H. Breen, we are assured is of the right stamp of men. First Lieut. H.C. Gardner we know to be an officer whom men will follow to the death, for he is gallant, brave, and good-hearted. The rendezvous of the company will be assertained by referring to the official notice.
[Editor's note: The Delta Rifles became Company C of Wheat's battalion.]

150-Year-Ago -- The Zouave Mystique

[Excerpt from UT Texas Digital Archives]

The Alexandria, (La.) Constitutional
April 13, 1861

A zouave from the Tiger Rifles, Company
B, 1st Special Battalion Louisiana Volun-
teers. (Louisiana Civil War Centennial
Commission)

"What is a Zouave?"—As this class of soldiers is becoming quite popular of late, especially in New Orleans, we copy for the benefit of our readers the following somewhat "extravagant" description, by Doesticks:


A fellow with a red bag having sleeves to it for a coat; with two red bags without sleeves to them for trowsers; with an embroidered and braided bag for a vest; with a cap like a red woolen saucepan; with yellow boots like the fourth robber in a stage play; with a moustache like two half pound paint brushes, and a sort of sword gun or gun sword for a weapon, that looks like a lonely musket, indiscreet and tender—that is a Zouave.

A fellow who can "put up" a hundred and ten pound dumb bell; who can climb up an eighty foot rope hand over hand, with a barrel of flour hanging to his heels; who can do the "giant swing" on a horizontal bar with a fifty-six tied to each ankle; who can walk up two flights of stairs holding a heavy man in each hand at arm's length; and who can climb a greased pole, feet first, carrying a barrel of pork in his teeth—that is a Zouave.

A fellow who can jump seventeen feet four inches high without a spring board; who can tie his legs in a double bow knot round his neck without previously softening his shinbones in a steam bath; who can walk Blondin's out-door tight rope with his stomach outside of nine cocktails, a suit of armor outside of the stomach, and a stiff northeast gale outside of that; who can set a forty foot ladder on end, balance himself on the top of it, and shoot wild pigeons on the wing, one at a time, just behind the eye, with a single-barrel Minie rifle, three hundred yards distance, and never miss a shot; who can take a five-shooting revolver in each hand and knock the spots of the ten of diamonds at eighty paces, turning somersets all the time, and firing every shot in the air—that is a Zouave.

150-years-ago -- WAR BREAKS OUT AT FORT SUMTER!

The bombardment of Fort Sumter commenced at 4:30 a.m. April 12, 1861.
(Library of Congress)

DESCRIPTION OF FORT SUMTER BOMBARDMENT

The Charles Mercury – April 13, 1861


As may have been anticipated from our notice of the military movements in our city yesterday, the bombardment of Fort Sumter, so long and anxiously expected, has at length become a fact accomplished. The restless activity of the night before was gradually worn down, the citizens who had thronged the battery through the night, anxious and weary, had sought their homes, the Mounted Guard which had kept watch and ward over the city, with the first grey steak of morning were preparing to retire, when two guns in quick succession from Fort Johnson announced the opening of the drama.

Upon that signal, the circle of batteries with which the grim fortress of Fort Sumter is beleaguered opened fire. The outline of this great volcanic crater was illuminated with a line of twinkling lights; the clustering shells illuminated the sky above it; the balls clattered thick as hail upon its sides; our citizens aroused to forgetfulness of their fatigue through many weary hours, rushed again to the points of observation; and so, at the break of day, amidst the bursting of bombs, and the roaring of ordnance, and before thousands of spectators, whose homes, and liberties, and lives were at stake, was enacted this first great scene in the opening drama of what, it is presumed, will be a most momentous military act. It may be a drama of single act. The madness which inspires it may depart with this single paroxysm. It is certain that the people of the North have rankling at their hearts no sense of wrong to be avenged; and exhibiting to those who expect power to reconstruct the shattered Union, its utter inadequacy to accomplish a single step in that direction, the Administration of the old Government may abandon at once and forever its vain and visionary hope of forcible control over the Confederate States. But it may not be so; they may persist still longer in assertions of their power, and if so, they will arouse an independent spirit in the South, which will exact a merciless and fearful retribution.

There were several circumstances, however, developed by the day’s experience which it is important to notice.

Fort Moultrie and it’s garrison engaged in the bombardment of Fort Sumter. (Library of Congress)

It affords us infinite pleasure to record that Fort Moultrie has fully sustained the prestige of its glorious name. It fired very nearly ever gun for gun with Fort Sumter. We counted the guns from eleven to twelve o’clock, and found them to be 42 to 46, while the advantage was unquestionably upon the side of Fort Moultrie. In that fort not a gun was dismounted, not a wound received, not the slightest permanent injury sustained by any of its defences, while every ball from Fort Moultrie left its mark upon Fort Sumter. Many of its shells were dropped into that fort, and Lieut. John Mitchel, the worthy son of that patriot sire, who has so nobly vindicated the cause of the South, has the honor of dismounting two of its parapet guns by a single shot from one of the Columbiads, which at the time he and the office of directing.

Edmund Ruffin, Southern patriot,
serving as a volunteer at Charleston
during the bombardment.
(Library of Congress)

The famous iron batteries – the one at Cummings’ Point – named for Mr. C.H. Stevens, the inventor, and the celebrated Floating Battery, constructed under the direction of Capt. Hamilton, have fully vindicated the correctness of their conception. Shot after shot fell upon them and glanced harmless away, while from their favorable position their shots fell with effect upon Fort Sumter, and the south-east pancopee, under the fire of the Stevens’ battery, at nightfall, if not actually breached, was badly damaged. At this battery the honor of firing the first gun was accorded to the venerable EDMUND RUFFIN, of Virginia, who marched to the rendezvous at the sound of the alarm on Monday night, and who, when asked by some person who did not know him, to what company he belonged, replied, “to that in which there is a vacancy.”

It was vain to attempt an exhibition of the enthusiasm and fearless intrepidity of our citizens in every department of this eventful day. Boats passed from post to post without the slightest hesitation under the guns of Fort Sumter, and with high and low, old and young, rich and poor, in uniform or without, the common wish and constant effort was to reach the posts of action; and amid a bombardment resisted with the most consummate skill and perseverance, and with the most efficient appliances military art and science, it is a most remarkable circumstance, and one which exhibits the infinite good-goodness of an overruling Providence, that, so far as we have been able to learn from the most careful inquiry, not the slightest injury has been sustained by the defenders of their country.

It may be added, as an incident that contributed no little interest to the action of the day, that from early in the forenoon three vessels-of-war, two of them supposed to be the Harriet Lane and Pawnee, lay just beyond the bar, inactive spectators of the contest. Whether they will attempt to enter during the night and encounter the records of a bloody issue in our next.

Fort Sumter did not return the fire of our batteries for over two hours, and ceased firing at seven o’clock, p.m., though our men continued to the hour of our going to press.

Charleston civilians watching the bombardment of Fort Sumter.
(National Park Service)

150-years-ago -- NORTH AND SOUTH WERE ON VERGE OF WAR

Review of the volunteer troops in Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island,

Charleston Harbor, S.C., in the presence of Mrs. Pickens and Miss Pickens,

 the wife and daughter of the governor of South Carolina. Frank Leslies'

Illustrated Newspaper. (Library of Congress)

The Charleston Mercury

Thursday, April 11, 1861

OUR POSITION



     Impending, momently expected battle, is the culmination of years of steadily increasing encroachment of the North upon the South - of compromising, sentimental generosity, and weak acquiescence on the part of the South. Strengthened and aggrandized by the partial action of the Central Government, the North is swollen with pride and drunk insolence. Overrating her power and resources, she undervalues and despised the patient, long suffering, much-abused, hated South. Clothed with authority, Northern sectionalism exults in the idea of humiliating and subduing those who would legitimately escape the consequences of its enthronement. The South, in armed and organized resistance, stands ready to make good her independence at the cost of blood and treasure. The two sections confront each other in positive, palpable hostility. By the gradual process of unchecked, unsettled disagreement between the sections, the respect of the North for the South has given place to disesteem, commendation to disparagement, kindly actions to outrages and murders, and amity to the interchange of the cannon and rifle-ball. There is now no common interest, sympathy, or hope. Direct antagonism has sprung up and is now so developed, as must lead, we trust, to an eternal separation of our destinies. Fundamental differences exist. No political conjunction can ever repress. No Lethean waters can ever obliterate from memory the deeds which they are about to inaugurate here. Coercion-invasion-subjugation, are the issues forced upon us. And "Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God!" The North needs proof of the earnestness of our intentions and our manhood. Experience shall be their teacher. Let them learn.

150-years-ago -- Situation in Pensacola Tense

The Richmond Daily Dispatch
April 6, 1861

Fort Pickens, Pensacola Harbor.
(Library of Congress)

From Pensacola.

     A correspondent of the New York Times, writing from on board the United States shipfrigate Sabine, off Pensacola Bar, the 25th ult., says:

     About ten days ago Major-General Bragg who is in command at this place,) saw fit to stop all communication between us and the shore, and Captain O'Hara, of Fort McRae, sent us word that if the Wyandotte did not keep a little further off he would fire into her. Captain Adams, wishing to a void a collision with these fools, keeps himself and us on board ship. Our supplies have been cut off from Mobile, and the New Orleans steamer, in passing in and out of the harbor, avoids our boarding boat, so you see we are hard up for news of any kind.
     Capt. Adams addressed a letter to Welles, Secretary of the Treasury, last Tuesday and in it told him that starvation stared us in the face, and unless we heard from him or received relief in ten days from date, he would use his own discretion about leaving this place. We are all on half rations. We have plenty of money, but of what use is that to us now. Three days ago we transferred from the Brooklyn to this ship 82 troops, and sent her to Key West and Havana for supplies.
     We expect her back in a few days. In the meantime they may attack Fort Pickens, and we have got to wade through about 3,000 bayonets to reinforce the fort, with masked batteries playing on us from all quarters, in conjunction with McRae and Barrancas. Is it not a pleasant picture to look upon? You must know there is an armistice in existence between Bragg and Adams. Bragg will not attack Pickens unless we attempt to reinforce it. We see troops going in nearly every day from New Orleans, Mobile, and other places, and can see them at work erecting sand-bag batteries, &c., and here we are cooped up like a lot of chickens, waiting for the Administration to do something. They have neglected us shamefully at Washington. They do not answer our communications. They do not send us anything to eat, and yet expect a ship like ours, which has been out over her time, with a broken-down and worn-out crew, and an old tub like the St. Louis, to do all their fighting in Southern waters, while vessels not yet three months in commission are rolling in clover off New York Battery.--Everybody in our ship is disheartened, and no wonder. You do not know one-tenth part of what we have suffered lately. They say the darkest hour of the night is just before the break of day; it is pitch dark with us just about this time.
     Three nights ago we heard the booming of cannon, and saw lights passing and repassing on shore, We beat to quarters, called "All hands out boats," mustered our companies, and were all ready to go over the side, when the little Wyandotte came steaming out to let us know it was a false alarm. If I live a hundred years I shall never forget the feelings I had when I was loading my revolvers. We were all busy with our own thoughts, I can assure you, and for about ten minutes hardly anything was heard save the tick, tick, of a Colt, or the dull thud of a rifle ramrod. We did all our little valuables up, and directed them each with a letter for our friends at home, in case anything disagreeable might happen to us while attempting to reach the fort.
     We have on board now nearly six hundred men, with grub enough to last about ten or twelve days longer. We have about thirty days water on board. We bought most of that here before communication was stopped, at the rate of six cents per gallon. All our fish lines are in requisition every day, but sometimes the     fish even secede.

150-years-ago -- TOUR OF CHARLESTON HARBOR

The Charleston Mercury
April 1, 1861

THE HARBOR BATTERIES

Gen. Beauregard led a tour of
Charleston Harbor for dignitaries.

     Saturday last was an occasion that will long be remembered by our troops at the various posts in the harbor, as well as by the large number of distinguished gentlemen whose visit to the fortifications formed the chief incident of the day. Shortly after nine o'clock the members of the State Convention, and a few others who had been invited to accompany them, repaired to the Southern Wharf, where the commodious steamers Carolina, Capt. Lockwood, and General Clinch, Capt. Relyear, were in readiness to receive them. At ten o'clock the lines were cast off and the boats, with the State and Confederate colors streaming fore and aft, moved from the wharf to the inspiriting strains of "Dixie's Land," from the Palmetto Band, stationed on the forward deck of the Clinch. . . .

WHO WERE ABOARD

     The company who, by the invitation of Gen. Beauregard, participated in the excursion, must have numbered several hundred. . . .Gen. Beauregard, in undress uniform, was aboard the Carolina, chatting socially in the groups that filled the cabins, and pointing out to those whom the scene was a new one, principal points of interest.

FORT JOHNSON

      The steamers first ran over close to the James' Island shore, to give the company a view of the village and earthworks at Fort Johnson. As the three guns and mortar batteries ereceted at this point were the first of the works visited, they were of course viewed with greater curiosity, and spy-glasses of every variety, from the long and weatherbeaten marine glass to the delicate lorgnettes of the ladies, were brought into requisition to get a better look at the grim embrasures of the gun battery and the immense mound which protects the mortars. . . .

FORT MOULTRIE

          On reaching the wharf, we encountered the picquet guard of the First Rifle Regiment, under command of Lieut. Heyward. . . . The stalwart gunners ( who belong to the regular army of the State, and who are as fine a body of soldiers as it is possible to find) were all at their respective batteries, and went through the manual of heavy artillery with remarkable precision. The quarters, the magazine, the bomb-proofs, and the furnace, at which several 8-inch shot were brought to a bright red heat, eminently suggestive of unpleasant results, all came in for a share of attention; . . .

The Charleston Zouave Cadets were among the troops
defending Charleston Harbor in 1861,

DOWN THE MAFFIT CHANNEL

     Once more aboard the staunch boats, we steamed away down the Maffit Channel to the music of the "Marsellaise." As we came opposite to Fort Moultrie, the flash and white cloud from the embrasure, followed by the loud, by way of salute, had re-commenced. The cannonading was continued for several minutes. . . When opposite the five-gun battery, garrisoned for the last six weeks by the Vigilant Rifles, or rather the Vigilant Artillery (for they are good at either service), Capt. Tupper saluted with his battery. . . The detachment of the Charleston Light Dragoons, on out-post duty, were also under arms, and formed in line on the beach; they, too, fired a feu-de-joie from their revolvers. . . .

MORRIS ISLAND  

     . . . The scene upon the Island was indeed a beautiful one. The long row range of sandhills was covered with sentries, and squads of troops engaged in the drill. At short intervals the various posts were indicated by the flags streaming over them.  Some of these banners were extemporaneous patterns, but all, of what ever size or hue, bore the honored device of the Palmetto. . . .

LUNCH

     Meantime a very sumptuous and plentiful collation had been served up in the lower cabins of the steamers. The keen breeze and the trop over Sullivan's Island had been sufficient to give a zest to the appetites of the party, and the rapidity with which the edibles (and drinkables, too) disappeared, was only equalled by the agility with which the corps of sable caterers marshalled up fresh supplies. . . .

THE IRON BATTERY

     This unique work. . .was built under the direction of Major P.F. Stevens, Superintendent of the Citadel Academy, and attracts attention, chiefly owing to its simple but massive construction. . .The Columbiad guns, with which this novel battery is equipped, bear on the south wall of Sumter, the line of fire being at an angle of about thirty-five degrees. . . .

THE OTHER BATTERIES

     Passing on to the other batteries, we could not but marvel at the engineering skill displayed in the construction of these formidable works. We were soon roused from our admiration of these triumphs of military engineering by the report of one of the ten-inch mortars, which showed that the day's practice at the batteries had begun.

THE FIRING

     . . .One after another the mortars and heavy guns sent their shot and shell flying over the waters of the harbor. To a large majority of the spectators the flight and bursting of shell was something novel, and the scene was altogether grand and impressive. . .Among those who fired the mortars was ex-Senator Chesnut, and we heard one of the officers say that his shot was quite a creditable one. . . .

THE REVIEW

     After this splendid exhibition of gunnery, the visitors continued their walk a few hundred yards to withness the review of the First Regiment of Volunteers, Col. Maxcy Gregg, commander. They were drawn up on the beach in two ranks, and as soon as General Jamison and General Beauregard took their position opposite the centre, Col. Gregg ordered the regiment to prepare to review; the ranks were opened and aligned; officers stepped to the front; the band beat off; and the scene reminded us of a similar occasion previous to the departure of the Palmetto regiment for Mexico. Nearly 1000 men were under arms. . . .

THE RETURN

     By this time the sun was fast sinking, and the party hurried back from their rambles, and bidding good bye to the gallant men at the trneches, embarked for the city. On our way we passed close under the walls of Fort Sumter, upon which nearly all of Major Anderson's garrison must have been collected. In a short time we had reached the Southern wharf, and at six o'clock we stepped ashore, while the band played away at "Dixie" quite as vigorously as if they had never stopped since we started in the morning.