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Fort Moultrie (South Carolina, United States) (search for this): chapter 1
attending the execution of these requirements, the highest praise cannot be withheld from those who managed its operations. Every man who held position of honor and trust in the Navy Department in those trying times is dead and gone, and the multiplying events of a quarter of a century have crowded out for a time the great works which emanated from their conjoint exertions; but those who will take the trouble to hunt up and read over the documentary history of the times, will find ample evidence that to the Navy Department and the Navy is the present generation largely indebted for the happy condition of affairs now existing in a united country — a prosperity never exceeded in the history of the land — and the most substantial proofs that the Navy will always be found foremost to support this union of States, no matter what may be the sacrifices made by its officers and other personnel. Attack on Fort Sumter by the Secessionists, April 12, 1861--Fort Moultrie in the Foregro
1865 AD (search for this): chapter 2
the sailors? As this narrative continues people will learn with surprise that the Navy did so much towards putting down the rebellion; yet the author will scarcely find time or space to give a fair account of all the Navy did do, and must leave untold many events to be related hereafter by some more graphic historian. As years pass on, people who have been born long after the great War of the Rebellion, will long to know of the great battles by land and sea. which took place from 1861 to 1865, and it is to be hoped that by each one contributing his mite, in the course of time a true history will be written. The best of efforts will be made in this history to make it a true if not an interesting one. When President Lincoln entered upon the duties of his office, his position towards Virginia differed somewhat from that which he assumed towards the States farther South. It was deemed desirable that the Administration should do nothing to wound the sensitive feelings of the Virgi
1861 AD (search for this): chapter 2
ument to the sailors? As this narrative continues people will learn with surprise that the Navy did so much towards putting down the rebellion; yet the author will scarcely find time or space to give a fair account of all the Navy did do, and must leave untold many events to be related hereafter by some more graphic historian. As years pass on, people who have been born long after the great War of the Rebellion, will long to know of the great battles by land and sea. which took place from 1861 to 1865, and it is to be hoped that by each one contributing his mite, in the course of time a true history will be written. The best of efforts will be made in this history to make it a true if not an interesting one. When President Lincoln entered upon the duties of his office, his position towards Virginia differed somewhat from that which he assumed towards the States farther South. It was deemed desirable that the Administration should do nothing to wound the sensitive feelings of t
April (search for this): chapter 2
neither to be daunted by a few shot and shell. The story of that day is known to all who read history, and it is not necessary to further refer to it, excepting in connection with the naval expedition which was fitted out in the earlier part of April to go to the relief of Sumter, the history of which will appear further on in this narrative. Secretary Welles, with a decision worthy of the occasion, did fit out an expedition for the relief of Sumter, the last vessel of which sailed from Neg well taken care of; but this was merely the calm which precedes the storm — the fearful storm which was soon to burst upon the country, when Hope for a season bade the world farewell, and truth and honor hung their heads with shame. Early in April the Navy Department began to get very uneasy for the safety of the Navy Yard, for it was by this time well understood that the Secessionists would make an aggressive movement on the first favorable opportunity. The Department was most anxious
Abraham Lincoln (search for this): chapter 2
. Hamilton's floating battery. Major Anderson. Sumter returns the fire. unequal contest. tardy attempts to relieve Sumter. indignant people. Anderson's gallant fight, and surrender to the secessionists. effect of the surrender of Sumter. Lincoln's position toward Virginia. Gen. Scott and the Virginians. Commodore McCauley. secrets of the Navy Department made known by disloyal officers. conspirators at work. a plot to seize Norfolk Navy Yard. the Navy Department powerless. Commodoce from 1861 to 1865, and it is to be hoped that by each one contributing his mite, in the course of time a true history will be written. The best of efforts will be made in this history to make it a true if not an interesting one. When President Lincoln entered upon the duties of his office, his position towards Virginia differed somewhat from that which he assumed towards the States farther South. It was deemed desirable that the Administration should do nothing to wound the sensitive fe
14th (search for this): chapter 2
e revenue steamer Harriet Lane, which vessel was ordered to proceed at once to Norfolk. It shows the miserable condition of the Navy when the department had nothing but a revenue cutter to depend upon. Days went by before anything else was attempted. On the 11th of April Commodore Jas. Alden was ordered to report to Commodore McCauley to take command of the Merrimac, and Chief Engineer Isherwood was sent to Norfolk to get the ship's engines in working order as soon as possible. On the 14th the work was commenced, and on the 17th the engines were in working order — so much for the Commandant's assertion that it would take a month to get the ship ready to move, as he was made to believe. It is no wonder, under these circumstances The steamer Harriet Lane. that the loyalty of the Commandant should have been questioned, yet he was simply influenced by officers whom he trusted and who were desirous that the Merrimac should be retained for the future navy of the Southern Confede
April 20th (search for this): chapter 2
bustibles, and the whole saturated with oil and turpentine. The ship-houses and other buildings were prepared in the same manner, and nothing left to chance so that the rebels could derive any benefit from what was left behind. The fine dry-dock that had cost millions to build was undermined, and a hundred men ran to and fro with heavy hammers trying to knock off the trunnions of the heavy guns, but with a few exceptions these attempts were failures. It was a beautiful starlight night, April 20, when all the preparations were completed. The people of Norfolk and Portsmouth were wrapped in slumber, little dreaming that in a few hours the ships and public works which were so essential to the prosperity of the community would be a mass of ruins, and hundreds of people would be without employment and without food for their families. The Pawnee had towed the Cumberland out of the reach of the fire, and laid at anchor to receive on board those who were to fire the public property.
April 9th (search for this): chapter 2
ted by a few shot and shell. The story of that day is known to all who read history, and it is not necessary to further refer to it, excepting in connection with the naval expedition which was fitted out in the earlier part of April to go to the relief of Sumter, the history of which will appear further on in this narrative. Secretary Welles, with a decision worthy of the occasion, did fit out an expedition for the relief of Sumter, the last vessel of which sailed from New York on the 9th of April, but owing to various reasons did not reach Charleston harbor in time to be of any use, and the attack on the fort commenced soon after the leading vessels showed themselves off the bar. A number of the smaller vessels never arrived at all, and under the circumstances could have been of no use had they arrived twenty-four hours before the attack. The expedition arrived only to see the declaration of war between the North and the South, which was promulgated by the thunder of cannon and t
April 15th (search for this): chapter 2
r wrath as if the fort standing out in the bay had been some vengeful foe on which they desired to wreak their vengeance, instead of considering that it had been placed there for their protection against all foreign enemies. It was well understood by all those in that beleagured fort what would be the result of building all those earth-works, and that it was only a matter of a few days or perhaps hours, ere the South Carolinians would proceed to extremities — had they waited until the 15th of April the garrison would have been starved out, and obliged to surrender for want of provisions. But that would not have suited them; they wanted to strike a blow that would make separation inevitable. and one that would unite the whole South in the measures then pending to form a Southern Confederacy, or whatever kind of government they might finally drift into. Major Anderson, the Commander of Sumter, received the first shot and shell in silence; the batteries at regular intervals conti
April 21st (search for this): chapter 2
, under the impression that the force that had arrived at Norfolk was for the purpose of holding the yard and relieving him of responsibility, and when he was called at midnight and informed that the torch would be applied to everything, he could hardly The burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard, the frigate Merrimac, and other vessels, April 21, 1861. realize the situation, and was chagrined and mortified at the idea of abandoning his post without any attempt to defend it. At 2:30 A. M., April 21st, a rocket from the Pawnee gave the signal; the work of destruction commenced with the Merrimac, and in ten minutes she was one vast sheet of flame. In quick succession the trains to the other ships and buildings were ignited and the surrounding country brilliantly illuminated. The inhabitants of Norfolk and Portsmouth, roused from their slumber, looked with awe at the work of destruction, and mothers clasping their children to their breasts bewailed the fate that cut them and their off
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