Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

[330] he exclaimed, “the war is open, and we will conquer or perish. . . . We have humbled the flag of the United States. I can here say to you, it is the first time in the history of this country that the Stars and Stripes have been humbled. That proud flag was never lowered before to any nation on the earth. We have lowered it in humility before the Palmetto and Confederate flags; and we have compelled them to raise by their side the white flag, and ask for an honorable surrender. The flag of the United States has triumphed for seventy years; but to-day, the 13th of April, it has been humbled, and humbled before the glorious little State of South Carolina.” The populace were wild with delight, and while brave soldiers were sleeping in Fort Sumter, the insurgents were indulging in a saturnalia of excitement in the rebellious city.

On the following day — the holy Sabbath — the fall of Fort Sumter was commemorated in the churches of Charleston. The venerable “Bishop of the Diocese, wholly blind and physically feeble,” said a local chronicler,¹ “was led by the Rector to the sacred desk,” in old St. Philip's Church, when he addressed the people with a few stirring words. Speaking of the battle, he said :--“Your boys were there, and mine were there, and it was right that they should be there.” He declared it to be his belief that the contest had been begun by the South Carolinians “in the deepest conviction of duty to God, and after laying their, cause before God--and God had most signally blessed their dependence on Him.” Bishop Lynch, of the Roman Catholic Church, spoke exultingly of the result of the conflict; and a Te Deum was chanted, in commemoration of the event, in the Cathedral of St. John and St. Finbar, where he was officiating.

On Sunday morning,

April 14, 1860.

long before the dawn, Major Anderson and his command began preparations for leaving the fort. These were completed at an early hour. Lieutenant Snyder and Captain Hartstene soon returned, accompanied by Captain Gillis, commander of the Pocahontas; and at about the same time the Charleston steamer Isabel, provided by the military authorities at that city for carrying the garrison out to the Baltic, where Mr. Fox was waiting to receive them, approached the fort. When every thing was in readiness, the battle-torn flag which had been unfurled over Fort Sumter almost four months before, with prayers for the protection of those beneath it, was raised above the ramparts, and cannon commenced saluting it. It was Anderson's intention to fire one hundred guns, but only fifty were discharged, because of a sad accident attending the firing. Some fixed ammunition near the guns was ignited, and an explosion instantly killed private Daniel Hough, mortally wounded private Edward Gallway, and injured some others. The Palmetto Guard,² which had been sent over from Morris Island, with the venerable