. SPIRIT SOUTH AT TIME OF FIRST BATTLE. Mrs. H. A. Chambers, of Chattanooga, Tenn., has a letter written in Charleston just after the fall of Fort Sumter which represents the spirit of that time in a way that posterity, North as well as South, should know and remember. There is not an expression in it but of patriotism and human sympathy. Mrs. Chambers resurrected it quite accidentally. It was written forty-nine years ago by Mrs. Langston Bowie, wife of a wholesale merchant in Charleston, to her mother, Mrs. Sophia Park, of Knoxville, grandmother of Mrs. Chambers. It reads like a pean of victory for the success of the writer's cause, and is as follows:
"CuHarceston, S. C., April 15, 186r. "My Dear Mother: That I have witnessed a battle of thirty-six hours and have not shed a tear over the body of friend or foe is most marvelous to tell. The Lord has heard us in the day of our trouble. We rest beneath the shadow of his wing. He has heard us from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. The strong are brought down and _ fallen, but we are risen and stand upright. In the name of our God we will set up our banners.
"Early Saturday morning, the second day of the battle, I went down to the house of a friend on the battery and took my seat in the second-story piazza. I saw every gun fired by friend and foe. I saw every bomb burst. I saw formidable Sumter belch forth its volumes of brimstone like a voleano. [ saw it enveloped in the black clouds of smoke that were destroying it. I saw the flag shot down by a ball from our own Fort Moultrie. I saw the white flag raised on the ramparts of our enemy. In a moment all was still. The battle was fought! I felt like 1 should burst, but in a moment the most deafening huzzas and shouts of victory rent the air. Not one killed, not one wounded. What else but the Almighty Arm could have protected us? "Yesterday was the Sabbath. Truly it was a Sabbath of rest, a holy day to us. I never before felt drawn so near to my Heavenly Father, and with a thrilling, yearning heart! And toward you, my earthly parent, I feel that I must give vent to my feelings. Langdon [her son] came down with his company from Columbia while the bombardment was at its height, and they were sent over to Sullivan Island. I knew they had arrived in the city, but never dreamed they would be sent over to the island until they were gone. I have not seen him since, as every soldier is still at his post.
"The fleet of five United States vessels is still anchored out of harm's way, but in our view. They saw it all. Major Anderson fought nobly. He and his men were furnished every facility and allowed to salute their flag as they marched out of Sumter. But, sad to say, some of his men were killed by an accidental explosion of one of their own grenades in the act of firing their own salute to their own flag.
"I hope some of the family will be able to read this to your satisfaction. [Her mother was blind] Accept our warmest love for yourself and all the family.
"From your affectionate daughter, Jane."