Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Those who remember the impatience with which the American public watched his apparent inaction at one period of the Mexican war, will not have forgotten the shout of admiration which went up from the people, when it was at last discovered that the supposed inaction had been in reality the wisest and shrewdest action ; and that by the most masterly display of military strategy he had outwitted the enemy, and obtained a splendid victory, when nought but defeat and disaster stared our army in the face.

He who reads and compares carefully the despatches from Charleston, Montgomery, and Washington, in this morning's journals, can not avoid the gratifying conclusion that that which looks at first blush like a disaster to the government, is in reality but the successful carrying out of an admirable plan of military operations. Before this, the traitors see themselves caught in the toils. In fact, it seems to have sickened the chief traitor, Davis, already; for Montgomery despatches relate that when the news from Charleston came, and the mob serenaded Davis and Walker, “the former was not well and did not appear;” and even his secretary was costive of words, and “declined to make a speech.”

The facts which tend to the conclusion we have pointed out, may be summed up as follows:

General Scott has been averse to the attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter. He saw that it would cost men and vessels, which the Government could not spare just now.

As an able general, he saw that Sumter and Charleston were points of no military importance, and would only need valuable men to hold, if we took them — with no adequate advantage gained.

He saw that the two keys of the position were Fort Pickens in the Gulf, and Washington, the capital.

He knew that Davis had not generalship to perceive that on the 4th of March, and for some weeks afterward, it would have been almost impossible for the Federal Government to defend Washington against such a force as the traitors had already collected before Sumter, and which could be marched at any time on a capital not yet prepared for defence — not yet even purged of traitors.

His plans, based on these facts, were at once laid. By every means in his power, he concentrated the attention of traitors and loyal men on Sumter. He must have seen with infinite satisfaction the daily increasing force gathered at Charleston, while the Government lost no time in strengthening the capital. Every hour the traitors spent before Sumter gave them only more surely into the hands of their master.

To make assurance doubly sure, he pretended to leave Fort Pickens in the lurch. It was said to be in danger, when Scott knew that a formidable force was investing it. Men feared that all would be lost by the inaction of the Government, when it was never more shrewdly energetic.

At last Washington was reasonably safe. Forces were gathered. Once more our brave old General saw himself with means in his hands. Then came the armament, popularly believed to be destined for Sumter. The Government said not a word — only asked of the traitors the opportunity to send its own garrison a needed supply of food. They refused, and — fearing the arrival of the Federal fleet--drunk and besotted with treason, and impatient to shed the blood of loyal soldiers, they made the attack.

Scarce had they begun when they saw, with evident terror, ships hovering about the harbor's mouth; they plied their cannon in desperate haste; but no ship came in to Anderson's help. What was the matter?

Made bold by the furious thirst for blood, they dared the ships to come in. But no ship offered its assistance to Anderson. More,, the guns of Sumter were only directed at the works of the traitors, and Major Anderson evidently tried to fire in such a manner as not to kill men. He did not even try a few bombs on the city, though it is certain, from a letter of one of his own officers, that his guns would reach beyond the centre of Charleston.

What was the matter? Beauregard must have thought the Government officers both fools and cowards. When his own boats were sailing unharmed about the harbor, between Sumter and Moultrie, bearing his orders, was it possible that the forces outside could stand apathetic, while a brave garrison was being done to death? When the battle was to the death, would a shrewd officer neglect to divert his enemy's attention by firing his city?

If it seemed mysterious to us, waiting on Saturday with breathless suspense, it must have seemed incomprehensible to any cool head in the traitor camp.

Still no ships came in — and, in fact, the reports state that only three or four small vessels remained in the offing. After forty hours cannonade, in which not one man is killed, Major Anderson, an officer of undoubted courage and honor, runs up a white flag, surrenders the fort, and becomes the guest of General Beauregard. Let no man hastily cry traitor! He only obeyed his orders. He made an honorable defence. I-He took care to shed no blood. He “gave orders not to sight men, but to silence batteries.”

Meantime, while the rebels are ignorantly glorifying the victory of five thousand men over eighty, what news comes from Montgomery? The telegraph in the hands of the rebels says:

Fort Pickens was reinforced last night.

“It is understood that Charleston harbor is blockaded.”

Despatches from Lieut. Slemmer, captured by the rebels, gave Davis the first intimation of his defeat? No wonder the rebel chief was “sick,” and went to bed! No wonder that his Secretary, Walker, declined to make a speech!

And what from Washington? These significant paragraphs:

The report that Anderson has surrendered, and is the guest of General Beauregard, has been communicated to the President. The latter was not surprised, but, on the contrary, remarked, ‘The supply vessels could not reach him, and he did right.’ When he was told that the report was that nobody was injured in Fort Sumter, he seemed very much gratified, and remarked that he regretted that Major Anderson could not be supplied, as that was all he needed.