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April 25, 1861 – Editorial Correspondence

Sullivans’ Island, Tuesday Evening, April 23rd.

There is some little talk in camp to-day, of our regiment being divided; part to stay here and part to go to Virginia. No official sanction, however, has been given to this expectation. If it should prove true, the Jasper Light Infantry is likely to be one of the companies that will go. We are living as well as heart could wish, and all on that account, simply, would prefer to remain here. But we all dislike the idea of lying idle during the summer, while others may be fighting, and of being an expense to the government without returning something of blood, or hardships, or danger, or all of these combined, to repay. It is thought too, that the Old Dominion, or any region farther North, will be healthier during the hot season. All of these considerations, together with the promptings of patriotism and valor, will, in all likelihood, determine the Jasper Light Infantry to a Northern field whenever called upon.

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Our Warning

We have constantly warned our secession friends, that if they arrayed Maryland against the General Government, the war with all its fearful consequences would be transferred from the South to…
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April 24, 1861 – Attack upon the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts troops at Baltimore

Massachusetts Militia Passing Through Baltimore (Baltimore Riot of 1861) engraving of F.F. Walker (1861)

The Secessionists of Baltimore having torn up the railroad track leading from the Northern Depots to the Southern Depots, the military were obliged to march through the City. On the arrival of two Regiments, one from Massachusetts and the other from Philadelphia, on the 19th instant, an attack was made upon them by a mob, with stones, brick-bats & other missiles. This drew a fire from the soldiers, discharging their pieces into the crowd, killing live or six, and wounding many others – among them several innocent spectators. Three of the Massachusetts men were killed and eight wounded. The Philadelphia Regiment was unarmed, and but few of them had left the cars when the riot commenced – some of them, however, seem to have been roughly handled. The train was ordered back, and the Regiment returning to Philadelphia early on Sunday morning.

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April 23, 1861 – Pawnee Honors Mount Vernon

USS Pawnee

A letter written on board the United States sloop-of-war Pawnee, recently dispatched on foreign service, records this touching incident:

“In passing down the Potomac river, and arriving opposite Mount Vernon, a beautiful and graceful tribute was paid to the sacred remains that lie entombed in that hallowed spot. All hands were called, officers in swords and epaulets, sailors in their neat uniform, the fine guard of the Pawnee drawn up, with belt and musket ; at a given signal the large American ensign fell at half-mast, the ship’s bell tolled out its muffled tones, the melancholy drums rolled their funeral salute, while the presented arms and uncovered heads of officers and men paid a sad tribute of respect to him who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen;” and so the Pawnee passed on silent and mourning, for he by whose grave she glided was the Father of his Country—a country scarcely a lifetime old ; yet the children of the second generation are ready to tear it to pieces, and with its ruins hide forever from the eye of men that grave and all the deeds which make it so famous in the world.

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April 22, 1861 – Explosion of a Stereotyped Phrase

The Louisville (Ky.) Democrat, under the head of “Our Sister States of the South,” says:

This is a common style of speech just now, and quite ad captandum. We should like to see some of the sisterly affection reciprocated. They deserted us in spite of our petitions. We did not feel the hatred and distrust of the Union that inspired them. Our judgment was, that our rights could be better secured in the Union. We had some interest in the Union beyond the loyalty which every good citizen should feel for established forms and habits – of political action, and which should not be disregarded for light and transient causes. We had “sister” States of the North our next neighbors; tens of thousands of them of our own blood. They were our personal and political friends. We had an interest in their friendship, for domestic peace on both sides ; we judged, and judged correctly, that this breaking up of the Government would lead to war, and that our soil, here on the border, would again be the dark and bloody land. We had always stood by them in the Union, in defense of a common interest, and had a right to expect some regard for our interest and our position. Has any regard whatever been shown?

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Going South

Major Beall, late paymaster in the United States service, arrived in this city yesterday from St. Louis, and is stopping at the Gayosa House. Major Beall will leave this afternoon…
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April 20, 1861 – Captain Doubleday’s Statement

The bombardment of Fort Sumter (Currier & Ives)

Major Anderson landed at the Battery, and was received by an immense crowd. His carriage was surrounded by the people, who expressed in cheers and other demonstrations their congratulations. He was followed by an immense throng through Broadway to the Brevoort House, where he was joined by his wife.  

The following is a digest of Capt. Doubleday’s statement :

The demand to surrender Fort Sumter was made on the 11th, and refused, not only by Major Anderson, but the unanimous voice of his command. On Friday morning, at 3 o’clock the rebels sent word that a fire would be opened in one hour, and at 4 o’clock the fire opened upon us in every direction, including the hidden battery. The fire was opened with a volley of seventeen mortars, firing ten inch shells, and shot from thirty three guns, mostly Columbiads. We took breakfast, however, very leisurely. The command was divided into three watches, each under the direction of two officers. After breakfast they immediately went to the guns, and opened fire on Fort Moultrie, Cummings’ Point and Sullivan’s Island. The iron battery on Cummings’ Point was of immense strength, and most of our guns glanced off. Major Anderson refused lo allow the men to work the guns on the parapet, on account of such a terrific fire directed there.