Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/119

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William 11. l.ipsromb, I.ucian I.rui-. Dr. Theodore P. Mayo, John Mathrws. 1'anl Michaux, Thomas |. Macon, La\\ re-nre S. Marye, T. < i. Peachy, Hugh R. Pleasants, Dr. William P. Palmer, Thomas Pollard, Jr., Edward Pistolette, Robert W. Powers, II 1114 h I.. Pow- ell, John H. Royall, John C. Shit-Ids, William B. Smith, Harrison Sublett, T. I-.. St ration, William R. Todd, R. D. Ward, William F. WaNon, Henry S. Williams, John H. Williams. Charles H. Wynne, Samuel T. Bailey.

[From the Richmond Tiitifs, April 5, 1896.]

FIRST GUN AT SUMTER.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO THE DISTINCTION OF FIRING IT.

What Edmund Ruff in, Who is Accorded the Honor by Many, Wrote the Day of the Historical Event.

To the I\ditor of tiie Times :

SIR, I enclose you an extract from the Southern Historical Society Papers of 1884, pages 501-504, in regard to " Who fired the first gun at Fort Sumter ? ' '

At the time I published this article, the statement made by Gene- ral S. B. Lee, that Captain George S. James fired the first gun, was the only claim to that distinction that had come to my notice.

Since then several more claim this honor.

Now, inasmuch as you have had an article from my friend and schoolmate, James P. Harrison, of Danville, asking for the facts in regard to the claim that Edmund Ruffin shot the first gun, I hope you will publish what he himself wrote the day of that event, and the clippings from newspapers of that date, which I think will es- tablish the fact beyond a doubt.

JULIAN M. RUFFIN.

Old Church, Va., March jo, 1896.

The extract referred to above follows:

WHO FIRED THE FIRST GUN AT SUMTER.

(Letter from General Stephen D. Lee.)

I wish to correct an error which has almost passed into an his- torical fact. It is this: That Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, did not