14th [April]
Lewis went down yesterday afternoon and returned today by an express train, he brings us news that Fort Sumpter is given up, after a gallant defence, when Major Anderson evacuated it, he requested to be allowed to salute his Flag, and Gen. Boregard said, that he had defended his command so bravely that he should be permitted to do so. He wrote to his wife a letter which was sent to Gen. B. to forward, he had to open it,—and it was said to contain these words, among others, “My Government have shamefully abandoned me” and I shall now fight and die like a man”.
There were none killed on either side, the Fort has been destroyed inside,—Officer’s quarters burnt.—
The men looked thin & smoked up with the shells which were most of them sent by Stephen’s Battery; Fort Moultry was uninjured, 5 men wounded in the evacuated Fort.—
How thankful we are, not however as much so as we ought to be;
Yesterday after Church I stopped to see Papa, this I always do on Sunday and these visits are very pleasant to me. He loves us all in his way & gives me some oysters which he buys from Mr La Roche’s man who brings them for sale to the Church, —and I hear family news. During this excitement and anxiety I do not think Charlotte has been very kind in her manners, she I have no doubt felt, but on such occasions people ought to express themselves to be understood, I find her an excellent, well principled woman, with a disagreeable temper, & no manners: but in this world we must be thankful for the good we find in those who belong to us, and not judge them too harshly.—Charlotte has on many occasions been kind to us all, and I thank her. Mr Grimball remained in Town until tomorrow.—Mrs Butler writes to Papa that the Overseer came to her & said he had a letter from Mr Pierce Butler saying he must send a boat to take his to W. Simon’s & send Eleck. She ordered him not to send the boat and that Eleck was waiting on her. She said she was there, in charge of the property, & would continue so, has written to Judge Law to confirm her action she says her case is a very hard one, and she deplores it. Richard seems to be very ill, spits blood, & coughs, and she writes very wofully of him, & says she certainly will not leave him in Georgia, he has an Overseer, and leaves things to him. Charles also has an Overseer, and being engaged in fixing guns in Fort Pulasky, and expecting to be in a steamer in coast guard all summer will be able to visit his Plantation, & see about his affairs, I don’t think Richard & Charles get on very nicely,—& I am sure it must be Richard’s fault, for Charles is a very kind, good tempered man, and Richard has always been very self willed & passionate.—
Harry during the transaction of our business together wrote me a very nice letter, he expresses a kind interest in my boys and I love him for it; and he hopes still for a Reconstruction. That may be hoped for but can never, never, be.
There have been too many bitter feelings between the two sections and it seems to me it would have been just as reasonable for us to be rearranged as British provinces soon after the Revolution broke out, as for us to go back to a Government with our taunting, Fanatic, Northern brothers.—