CHARLESTON HARBOR.
C. A. Doolittle, Augusta, Georgia: According to promise I give you some points connected with Fort Sumter during its occupancy by Major Anderson, and its bombardment by South Carolina troops.
As you are aware, the Ordinance of Secession was passed by South Carolina on December 20, 1860, and Major Anderson, with his small garrison, feeling insecure in Fort Moultrie on account of its land approaches, evacuated it on December 27th, moving his garrison to Fort Sumter, which he held until April 13, 1861, when he surrendered to the South Carolina forces after a furious bombardment of thirty-six hours.
During the bombardment hot shot was used so effectively as to set the quarters on fire, and forced the garrison to the casemates, as the men could not endure the heat and smoke from the burning quarters.
Major Anderson saw at once that it would be foolhardy to attempt to hold out longer and gracefully surrendered after a gallant defense. On the 14th, Major Anderson was allowed to salute his flag, after which he and his garrison were taken outside the bar and turned over to a United States transport lying there.
While the bombardment was attended with very few casualties, it was carried on under great excitement, the Battery in Charleston being crowded with men, women and children, anxiously awaiting the result, and when the white flag was displayed on the ramparts of Fort Sumter the concern was intense, the witnesses, not anticipating the trouble and hardship that came to their lot in after years during the prolonged and terrible bombardment of the city.
It being the first time I was under fire, much interest in it asa child with a new toy, but realized later in the war that that bombardment was child's play.
While the preparations were going on, the command of which I was a member, the famous Washington Artillery of Charleston, was stationed on Morris Island, having in charge the Stevens Iron Battery in which were two 64 Columbian guns.
One morning during our drill there was quite a commotion caused by a ball having been placed in one of the guns and instead of firing a blank cartridge as we supposed, we astonished Major Anderson and a force of men who were working on the outer wall of Sumter, by landing the 64 shot in close proximity to them. One of our officers was at once sent over to Sumter to make an explanation and apology to Major Anderson, which he very gracefully accepted on the condition that it should not occur again. How the ball got into the gun is a mystery up to the present time.
I felt as
The able and beloved Rev. Dr. John Johnson has established in history a record of the achievements of Confederates in defending the Charleston Harbor, and especially Fort Sumter, against the most powerful and persistent siege with ability to blockade, that was ever maintained upon this continent. The Veteran commends his record with sincere pride.