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CHAPTER III.

FALL OF SUMTER-IMMEDIATE RESULTS.

Rebel Rejoicings-Effect upon the "Border States"-The President's Procla mation-Excitement at the North-Number of Volunteers - Liberality of the State Governments-Extra Session of the Rebel Congress-Its ActionDisloyalty of the Border State Governors-Enlistments in the Southern Armies — Attack upon the Harper's Ferry Arsenal — Its Destruction — Baltimore Riot-Details-Intense Excitement-Rapid Concentration of TroopsProclamation of Blockade-Great Union Meeting in New York-Destruction of the Gosport Navy Yard-Loyal Movements in Western Virginia — Arsenal at Liberty Seized by the Rebels.

Night closed upon Fort Sumter. The American flag had been hauled down, and in its place floated that bastard conception of traitorous minds, the Palmetto of South Carolina. The rebels in and about the city of Charleston, were jubilant over the victory; and as the telegraph carried the news to Savannah and New Orleans, guns were fired in honor of the event. In Richmond, and other cities of the Border States, the news was received with similar demonstrations. But those who were thus triumphant, little dreamed of the retribution that was to follow them so closely. Could they have seen the grand uprising of the North in defence of the old flag, and the old Union,—could they have seen the thousands of strong men marching from the east, the west, and the center, to the defense of the Capital, could they have seen in the future their own silent and deserted cities, ruined by an effective blockade,—could they have seen the bloody battle fields, where the best blood of the South was poured out like water, could they have seen all this, we cannot but be

PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION.

175

lieve that they would have paused, ere they ventured so far. But all this was hidden from them. They could not lift the veil which concealed the future; and so the day on which Sumter fell, was one of general rejoicing throughout the South.

The effect upon the Border States was electrical. It aroused the secession element into activity. The Union men were silenced by force or terror, and soon North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas, arrayed themselves in open hostility to the Government.

So far all was well with the traitors. But immediately following the congratulations of Virginia, came news of a different nature from Washington and the North. The President issued the following proclamation :

"WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law now therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed.

"The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities, through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces

176

POPULAR RESPONSE.

hereby called forth, will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property, which have been seized from the Union; and in every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within twenty days from this date.

"Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at 12 o'clock noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

"Done at the city of Washington, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyone, and of the Independence of the United States the eightyfifth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

This proclamation was responded to by all classes and parties, with the wildest enthusiasm. Men had looked on quietly, while State after State seceded, not approvingly or indifferently; but because they knew that with the imbecile and corrupt Administration then in power, all remonstrances were useless. But now, roused by the insult to the flag, all men rallied to its protection, animated by a common purpose, and that, the preservation or restoration of the Union, and the punishment of those who had attempted its overthrow.

It is estimated that within fifteen days from the date of

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this proclamation, no less than 350,000 volunteers offered themselves, to supply the contingent of 75,000 called for!

The Government was without funds, and Congress not in session, so that the cost of mustering, equipping, and arming the recruits, must, in the first instance, be borne by the individual States, trusting for reimbursement to the future action of Congress. The response of the States was most prompt and hearty. New York voted to raise 30,000 volunteers for two years, though her quota was but 13,000, and organized a Military Board to superintend its military affairs. She authorized a loan of $3,000,000, and vast sums were subscribed by citizens and corporations, to aid the families of volunteers, and to promote enlistments. New England and the West were equally prompt and liberal, as were also all the free States.

In the South, the President's proclamation, and the reports of the popular excitement at the North, were received with astonishment and indignation. But, confident of their superior prowess, and believing the storm at the North to be but a sudden ebullition of popular excitement, which would subside as soon as it was brought into actual contact with the realties and horrors of war, they were not discouraged; but immediately prepared for the approaching contest. Enlistments in the southern army rapidly increased; and soon large bodies of armed men were moving towards Washington, and the Potomac.

The rebel Congress was summoned by President Davis to meet at Montgomery, on the 29th day' of April, in extra session, at which time he delivered a long message, assuring the Congress that the permanent Constitution had been ratified by the several Confederate States, and that it only remained to elect the officers under it, to complete the organization of the Government. The special cause of convening the Congress in extraordinary session, he stated, to be "the declaration of war made against their Confederacy by Abraham

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