Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/490

 The Wee Nee Volunteers of Williamsburg District. 489

from Washington to Anderson and no apparent results from their visits.

About the 3d of April a vessel attempted to come into the harbor and was fired into by one of our batteries. She proved to be the schooner, R. H. Shannon, loaded with ice, on her way to Savannah, coming into Charleston by mistake. Some flags passed between the Governor and Major Anderson, and the Major sent Lieutenant Theodore Talbot to Washington with a communication to his Gov- ernment in relation to the matter. The vessel was allowed to pro- ceed on her journey. Lieutenant Talbot returned on the 8th with a message to Governor Pickens that the Government at Washington intended to provision Fort Sumter.

At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the loth General Beauregard sent Colonel James Chesnut and Captain Stephen D. Lee to bear a de- mand to Major Anderson for a surrender of Fort Sumter. The sailing of the fleet from New York was known to both Anderson and Beaure- gard. Anderson refused to accede to the demand, but stated that his provisions were nearly out. This refusal and the information communicated by Anderson were conveyed to Beauregard. That officer, still anxious to avoid a collision, sent Colonel Chesnut, Col- onel Pryor and Captain Lee to inquire of Anderson what day he was willing to evacuate if he was not attacked. They reached the Fort about eleven o'clock P. M. Anderson named the isth, at noon of that day, provided that he did not receive fresh instructions or was not relieved by that time. In view of the approach of the fleet with supplies and reinforcements, it was plainly out of the question for Beauregard to delay. Anderson was therefore notified on the nth of April that fire would be opened on Fort Sumter at half-past four o'clock A. M. on the I2th.

On the afternoon of the nth the commanders of batteries were informed, in orders from General Beauregard, of the demand made upon Major Anderson, of his refusal, and of the time at which firing would begin. They were also notified that the first shot would be fired from a battery at Fort Johnson, on James Island, com- manded by Major James. Soon after the order was received, the Wee Nees manned both of the batteries in their charge. Though these men afterwards learnt to sleep under fire, it can well be under- stood that there would not be much sleep that night. We I anxiously and often towards Fort Johnson, all intending to hear first shot, and determined not to lose the opportunity of witnes one of the most notable events in the history of ihe State. \ ery