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Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 1. (ed. Henry Coppee , LL.D.), Book II:—secession. (search)
of those who do not fear responsibility when the path of duty is clearly defined. He replied that he had only four days rations left, but that so long as he had anything to eat he should not deliver up the fort confided to his custody. On the following day, all the batteries which had been leisurely erected along the beach opened a converging fire on the fort. The excitement in Charleston, that hottest focus of secession, was at its height. An old Virginian seventy-five years of age—Mr. Ruffin—who had made himself conspicuous at all the popular meetings by speeches, the violence of which contrasted strangely with his venerable countenance and long white flowing hair, requested the sad honor of being allowed to fire the first shot against the national emblem. After one discharge, Anderson returned the fire, and the battle was fairly commenced. But the garrison of Sumter, being destitute of the proper accessories, could only serve a small number of guns, and was already sufferin