The following letter, written from Charleston to the New York Times, gives a very fair account of the surrender of Fort Sumter and my father’s connection with the affair. A Southern newspaper says: HON. LOUIS T. WIGFALL. “The gallantry, chivalry, and heroism of this distinguished son of the South is even applauded by those from [...]

“Saturday, April 13.         “The news is glorious for us. No one hurt on our side, and no damage of any consequence to our batteries. Your father has been at Morris’s Island all yesterday, and all night. He however wrote me not to expect him and I did not feel uneasy, as Captain Hartstein told me [...]

“My dear Colonel: “Will you do me the favor to prepare for the files of my office a clear and concise statement of the main facts of yesterday’s proceedings, so far as they related to yourself, and to Sumter, for use hereafter if required. “Yours truly, G. T. BEAUREGARD.” __________________ “Head Quarters, Confederate States Army, [...]

“HEAD QUARTERS, “Morris Island, “April 12th.”         ” . . . I take a moment to write you a line to say that I am well and that all is well. I cannot return till General Beauregard comes. I am very busy examining the position of the different batteries and arranging Infantry to support them in [...]

(excerpts from letter) “CHARLESTON, April 11th, 1861 . . . Your father was gone all night with Captain Hartstein, seeing to placing light boats, with fires of pine wood, in the harbor, for the purpose of detecting the approach of the enemy’s boats. He has gone again to-day and will not return until evening. . [...]

“MONTGOMERY, Alabama, “April 12th, 1861. “My dear friend, “Your despatch reached me after I had directed one to be sent, which anticipated your wish so fully that you might have imagined it to be an answer if the dates had been reversed. I shall attend to your request about the pistols. The Secretary of War, [...]

(excerpt from letter by Louise Wigfall’s mother, Charlotte) “CHARLESTON, April 10, 1861. “You see we are still here and it is quite impossible to say for how long a time. Your father has been with General Beauregard almost constantly since we came, until yesterday, when General Beauregard requested him to go on his staff, and [...]

“CHARLESTON, 10 April, 1861. “No one now doubts that Lincoln intends War. The delay on his part is only to complete his preparations. All here is ready on our side. Our delay therefore is to his advantage, and our disadvantage. Let us take Fort Sumter, before we have to fight the fleet and the Fort. [...]

(excerpt from letter by Louise Wigfall’s mother, Charlotte) “CHARLESTON, April 2nd, 1861. “ We arrived here yesterday morning and I find very little change in the appearance of things since we were here eighteen months ago. You meet a good many soldiers, but that is about the only difference. The people are all strongly in [...]

(excerpts from letter by Louise Wigfall’s mother, Charlotte) “Richmond, March 29, 1861. We got here Tuesday . . . and are staying at the Spotswood House. Mr. McCulloch is here to buy arms for Texas, and your father is assisting him in making the arrangements necessary. . . . I see by to-day’s paper that [...]

(excerpt from letter by Louise Wigfall’s mother, Charlotte) March 24th. My mother says: “Your father has gone over to-day to Alexandria to meet McCulloch. McCulloch arrived here last night and went right to Mr. Gwin’s. It was deemed imprudent by his friends for him to remain in Washington on account of the part he took [...]

(March 1861, writing to his son at school) “Political matters are in statu quo, ante bellum. The war has not yet begun, but I believe it will before the end of summer, though the general impression here is that we will have peace. “When I get to Montgomery I’ll write you fully all the news, [...]