Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/83

 First Shot of the War was Fired in the Air. 75

that 'who fired the first gun' was the subject of much talk during the bombardment of the fort, and some days after Major Anderson surrendered. At that time and place I only heard that Lieutenant Wade Hampton Gibbes fired the first gun atSumpter; none disputed it; all conceded it, and' I have always believed, and do now believe, that he did it."

Major J. J. Lucas, of Society Hill, who commanded a battery of heavy artillery during the war between the States, writes Colonel Manning as follows:

' ' It was my privilege to share in the defense of Charleston during the entire war between the States, and although not a member of Camp Hampton, have thought a short paper on the beginning of the struggle for Southern independence would be of interest to my brother veterans, and herewith submit the same."

Major Lucas's paper, which is entitled " Recollections of the Be- ginning of the War Between the States, by Major J. J. Lucas, of Lucas's Battery Heavy Artillery (regulars)" is given:

"The prevalent opinion in South Carolina in 1860 was that war would not follow secession, and accordingly no preparation was made for it. A select militia of 10,000 men, armed and equipped for service, was recommended by Colonel L. M. Hatch, General A. M. Manigault and myself, to the legislature in 1858, but so satisfied were the political leaders that war was not probable, that the bill failed to pass. Hon. A. G. Magrath was an exception to this gen- eral view. He said at one of Governor Picken's cabinet meetings:

' This great government cannot be dissolved save by war, and we had better prepare for it. '

" On the Qth of January, 1861, the steamer Star of the West was sent to provision and reinforce Fort Sumter, and was forced to aban- don the expedition by a battery of heavy artillery on Morris island, manned by a detachment of Citadel cadets, under the command of Major P. F. Stevens, superintendent of the military academy, and afterward colonel of the Holcombe Legion. The first gun of this engagement was fired by Cadet Haynesworth, of Sumter. Not- withstanding this conflict, South Carolina still hoped for a peaceful separation, but began preparations for war, if forced upon her.

"As aid-de-camp to Governor F. W. Pickens, I was sent to the