Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/117

 nt of Fort Sttmtcr. 107

shows plainly the effect of the terrible cannonade from the formida- ble product of the C. H. Stevens's patriotism and ingenuity.

"A half hour later the gladsome tidings came that Stevens's Bat- tery was fast damaging the southwest wall of Sumter.

" Henry Buist is doing gallant service with the Palmetto Guards, delighting all hearts by assuring us in the city that everything was go- ing on well at the Iron Battery, which is still proof against 68-pound- ers, and the men in good spirits.

"A boat reached the city from the Floating Battery about half-past 12 o'clock and reported that a shot from Fort Sumter penetrated the top, or shed, of the structure, and three shots struck the sand bags in the rear of the battery.

"Another messenger, who arrived a short time after the above was bulletined, confirms the cheerful news.

"Twelve o'clock. We have just learned by an arrival from Cum- mings Point that the batteries there are doing good service Stev- ens's Battery very successful. Not a single casualty has happened. The troops are in the best spirits. Two of the guns at Fort Sumter appear to be disabled. Considerable damage has been done to the roofs of the officers' quarters.

"At i o'clock the following was received from Morris Island: Two guns in Stevens's Battery temporarily disabled; Anderson's fire hav- ing injured the doors of the embrasures. The damage will be re- paired speedily. It is thought that Fort Sumter will be breached in two hours. Three steam vessels of war are seen off the Bar, one of them supposed to be the Harriet Lane.

"Captain R. S. Parker reached the city from Fort Moultrie at half-past 2 o'clock and makes the following report: ' Captain Parker visited Fort Moultrie and the Enfilading Battery nearby, and found all well and in high spirits. He left the Mortar Battery, Lieutenant Hollinquist, at ten minutes past 2. The soldiers stationed there are giving a good account of themselves. The Floating Battery has been struck eighteen times and received no material injury.

"The venerable Edmund Ruflfin, who, as soon as it was known a battle was inevitable, hastened over to Morris Island, and was elected a member of the Palmetto Guards, fired the first gun from Stevens's Battery. All honor to the chivalric Virginian! May he live many y ars to wear the fadeless wreath that honor placed upon his brow on our glorious Friday.

"Another noble son of the Old Dominion, who rebukingly re-