A thrill pervaded the loyal landThe joy of the Loyalists was equaled in intensity by the sadness of the Secessionists everywhere. The latter perceived that an irreparable blow had been dealt against their cause, and throughout the Confederacy there was much wailing, lamentation, and bitter recriminations. It was believed that Charleston and Savannah would soon be in possession of the National forces, and that Forts Sumter and Pulaski would be “repossessed” by the Government. General R. S. Ripley, an old army officer who had abandoned his flag, was the Confederate commander of that sea-coast district,2 having his headquarters at Charleston. He had arrived on Hilton Head just before the action commenced, but retired to Coosawhatchie, on the main, satisfied that no glory was to be achieved in a fight so hopeless on the part of his friends. It was under his advice that the Confederate troops abandoned that region to the occupation of the National forces. The latter fact was officially announced by General Sherman, in a proclamation to the people of South Carolina on the day after the battle. Unfortunately, a portion of that proclamation was couched in such terms, that neither the personal pride nor the political pretensions of the rebellious leaders was offended. It was so lacking in positiveness that they regarded it with perfect indifference.3 Indeed, it was difficult to get them to notice it at all
When the gladdening tidings came to hand;
Each heart felt joy's emotion!
The clouds of gloom and doubt dispersed,
The sun of hope through the darkness burst,
And the zeal the patriot's heart had nursed
Burned with a warm devotion.
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retributive justice, so long withheld, was about to be laid heavily upon the chief offender, South Carolina.1
1 In all the cities and towns in the Free Labor States flags were flung out, and in many places salvos of cannon were fired. The chimes of Trinity church, in the city of New York, beneath its great flag that floated from its spire, rang out two changes on eight bells, and twelve airs, under the direction of Mr. Ayliffe, the celebrated chimist. The airs were as follows: Hail Columbia; Yankee Doodle; Air from “Child of the regiment;” Rome,. Sweet Home; Last Rose of Summer; Evening Bells; Star Spangled Banner Airs by De Beriot; Airs from “Fra. Diavolo ;” Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean; Hail Columbia; and Yankee Doodle.
The Secretaries of War and of the Navy publicly tendered to the commanders of the expedition and to their men thanks, and the latter issued a General Order on the 16th of November, in which it was directed that a national salute should be fired from each navy-yard at meridian on the day after the reception, to commemorate the signal victory.2 See page 311, volume I.
3 He acknowledged their pretensions to State sovereignty by speaking of “the dictates of a duty” which he owed “to a great sovereign State ;” and he flattered them by speaking of them as “a proud and hospitable people, among whom he had passed some of the pleasantest days of his life.” Then he assured them that they were in a state of active rebellion against the laws of their own country, and that the civilized world stood amazed at their course, and appalled by the crime they were committing against their “own mother.” He narrated some of their crimes, implored them to pause, and warned them that they would bring great evils upon their State. He assured them that he and his troops would respect any constitutional obligations to them, and begged them <*>o believe that if, in the performance of their duty in enforcing the National authority, some of those obligations should be neglected, such neglect came only because of the “necessities of the case.” The general had been specially instructed by the War Department to treat all slaves as General Butler had been authorized to treat them at Fortress Monroe, and to assure all loyal masters that Congress would provide just compensation to them for the loss of the labor of their slaves taken into the public service.
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