passing into the harbor from the ocean, and was not calculated to resist batteries from the land firing at short range. But now more than fifty of the heaviest siege-guns then known were raining shot and shell upon it. The crash against the walls was terrific, and many shells burst over and some in the fort, tearing up the parade-ground with the noise and force of an earthquake.

Major Anderson had made ready for the expected bombardment, but being out of oil and candles could not see to sight the guns until daybreak. He therefore ordered the men not to leave the bomb-proofs until the drum beat the call. After breakfast, the officers and men were divided into three parties to take turns in working the guns, for there were so few of them that they had to husband their strength. Fire was opened on

Cumming's Point and Moultrie about seven o'clock, when the Confederate batteries had been at work more than two hours. For four hours a heavy fire was kept up, for the men were so enthusiastic that they could not be kept from the guns, but after they had become tired by the hard labor, not more than half as many guns could be kept at work. The Confederate fire, too, was so incessant that the shot and shells came nearly every instant, and it was almost certain death to any one to leave the lower casemates, which were bomb-proof. Several vessels of the fleet sent to relieve the fort were seen about noon through the port-holes, but the batteries below the fort were too strong for them to pass. They dipped their flags, that is, lowered them a little, as a signal to Major Anderson, and he ordered the flag of Sumter to be dipped in answer. This was a danger

1861.]

SUMTER UNDER FIRE.

59

ous duty, for the shells were frequently bursting in the parade, in the centre of which the flag-staff stood, but it was safely done. It had scarcely been raised again when a shell burst near it and cut the halyards, but the rope was so twisted that the flag did not fall.

The wooden barracks in the parade were set on fire by bursting shells three times on Friday, but the flames were put out by the men, these being the only occasions on which Major An

derson would let them risk their lives. He had ordered them not to try to fire the barbette guns, that is, the uncovered guns on the parapet or top wall of the fort, on account of the great danger, for several of these guns had already been struck by shot. Notwithstanding this, several men slipped up there and fired some of them which had been loaded and pointed the day before, and came down unhurt. The cartridges gave out by noon of Friday, and a party of men were kept at work in the magazine making cartridges out of blankets and flannel shirts, the latter.

being found the best for this purpose because it was so easy to cut off the sleeves and fill them with powder, thus avoiding the necessity of sewing them up. Meals were served at the guns, so as to keep up the firing.

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On Friday afternoon the Confederate fire became very destructive. Heavy shot and shells plunged deep into the masonry, cutting out large masses near the embrasures or port-holes, and throwing pieces of stone and mortar among the cannoneers, but fortunately doing little harm to them. One old veteran of the Mexican war, Sergeant Kearnan, was struck on the head by a piece of concrete and knocked senseless. On being revived, he was asked if he was much hurt. "O no," he said, "only knocked down temporarily;" and he went to work again. The Confederates kept up their firing during Friday night, but Major Anderson did not reply. Some of the men climbed the flagstaff to try to fasten new halyards, but found it impossible to disentangle the old ones, so that the flag still remained flying. All night long men were kept on watch, Major Anderson partly expecting boats from the fleet, and partly fearing a Confederate attack in boats.

On Saturday the Confederate firing was hotter than ever, and before long the barracks in the parade were again in flames, burning so fiercely that it was found impossible to put them out, especially as the enemy were firing red-hot shot. The fire soon reached some of the shells and grenades in the fort, and they began to explode in every direction, fortunately hurting no one, but adding to the danger and confusion. It was soon feared that the fire would reach the magazine, and both officers and men set to work to roll barrels of powder out. This was very dangerous work, for a spark might at any moment reach the powder and blow the fort to atoms. About ninety barrels were got out and thrown into the sea through the embrasures. There were still two hundred barrels left in the magazine, but the heat had become so great that the men could not work any more. The great copper doors were therefore closed and locked, and a shot soon after struck the door and bent the lock so that it could not be opened again. The wind blew the smoke so as to fill the fort, and the men could neither see each other nor scarcely breathe; and soon they were obliged to lie flat on their faces and hold wet cloths over their mouths to save themselves

1861.]

THE SURRENDER.

61

from being stifled. Although but few cartridges were left, a gun was occasionally fired to let the enemy and the fleet know that Sumter still held out, but the smoke was so thick that the men could not see to aim. At this time the last biscuit had been eaten, and the only food left was salt pork.

In the afternoon of Saturday the flag-staff was cut by a shot, this being the ninth time it had been hit, and the flag came down. Lieutenant Hall rushed out and brought it in, and it was then nailed to a staff and planted on the parapet. The Confederates, supposing that the flag had been struck, that is,

INTERIOR OF FORT SUMTER AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT.

hauled down, meaning that the fort had surrendered, sent officers with a flag of truce to Major Anderson. Major Anderson told the officers that the flag had not been struck, but after several hours parley it was finally agreed that the fort should be given up, and that its brave defenders should be allowed to march out with all the honors of war, and that they should be permitted to salute their flag and take it with them.

After working hard to put out the fire, the men slept as well as they could on Saturday night. On Sunday morning the baggage of the officers and men was put on board a small steamer, the Isabel, sent down by General Beauregard. The men were then drawn up under arms on the parade, and a part

of them told off to fire the salute to the flag, which was still flying. When the last of the fifty guns had been fired, the flag, which had several shot-holes in it, was lowered. During the firing of the salute, a gun went off before it was fully loaded and killed one man, private Daniel Hough. A pile of cartridges at the foot of the gun were also exploded and several others wounded. Hough was buried with funeral honors, and at halfpast nine o'clock of Sunday morning, Major Anderson and his men marched out with their arms and their flag, the band playing "Yankee Doodle," and embarked on the Isabel, which transferred them on Monday to the steamer Baltic, one of the vessels of the fleet off the harbor. The next day they sailed for New York, leaving Sumter behind them a smoking, shapeless ruin.