THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
A. D. 1861.
The people of North Carolina loved the Union of States that
had been in such large part constructed by the heroism and
wisdom of their own fathers. They well knew its value to
themselves under an unbroken Federal Constitution; they knew,
too, the danger incurred in the attempt to absolve them selves
from further Federal connections. But they knew, also, their
rights under the Constitution, and were fully determined neither
to surrender them nor to aid in the subjugation of their sister
States. As the State had entered the Union by action of a
convention of her own people, she now resolved to leave it in
the same manner.
2. For more than a month before the memorable 20th day of May,
1861, when the secession ordinance was passed, troops were
volunteering and being received by Governor Ellis from many
portions of the State. The first ten companies were embodied in
a regiment, of which Major Daniel H. Hill was elected colonel by
the commissioned officers. They were at once sent to Yorktown,
in Virginia.
3. On June 9th, General Benjamin F. Butler, who was in command
of the United States forces at Fortress Monroe, in Virginia,
sent a column of troops up the peninsula for the purpose of
ascertaining the possibility of reaching Richmond, which city
had recently become the Capital of the Southern Confederacy.
Early the next morning the Federal advance became confused in
the darkness and two of their regiment, fired upon each other.
4. At Big Bethel, on the 10th, they found the regiment of
Colonel Hill supporting a battery of the "Richmond Howitzers."
There were also present two infantry and three cavalry companies
belonging to Virginia. This force was assailed by the Federal
army, but the attack was repelled and the assailants retired in
disorder to Old Point Comfort. Only one Confederate soldier was
killed in the action, and that was private Henry Wyatt, of
Edgecombe county. He belonged to Captain J. L. Bridgers'
company, and was the first Southern soldier slain in the war
between the States.
5. The whole affair was insignificant, both as to the number
engaged and the results achieved, but was hailed as a happy omen
by the South. North Carolina, with all her deliberation in
taking part in the struggle, was thus to afford the first martyr
of the South, and was present with her troops to arrest the
first Federal invasion of Southern soil.
6. On the 18th and 21st days of July occurred much greater and
more serious conflicts at Manassas and Bull Run, also in
Virginia. Another Federal army, commanded by General Irvin
McDowell, and numbering more than forty thousand men, left
Washington with orders to attack the Confederates under General
G. T. Beauregard. The Fifth, Sixth and Twenty-first Regiments
of North Carolina troops were present, and gallantly aided in
the Federal defeat.
7. Colonel Charles F. Fisher was especially valuable in the aid
he rendered in restoring a ditched train to the track, and thus
making possible the timely approach of the reinforcements under
General E. Kirby Smith, which so speedily resulted in the flight
of General McDowell's army. It is mournful to add, that, after
performing this signal service, and after gallantly capturing
the celebrated Rickett's Battery, Colonel Fisher was slain in
the battle. He fell at the head of his regiment, beyond the
battery and still in pursuit of the enemy. This memorable
victory was very grateful to the South, but it did not delude
the people into the belief that the war was at an end; it was
useful, too, in that it gave them time to prepare for the
greater conflicts still to come.
8. It had been hoped by Mr. Lincoln and his advisers that all
Southern opposition would be overcome in ninety days, but at
Bull Run and Manassas they were convinced that only by a great
and prolonged struggle were such adversaries to be subdued. The
short periods of enlistment were abandoned by both sides, and
the winter was spent in preparation for a gigantic struggle in
the spring.
9. It was early seen in North Carolina that fortifications were
necessary at Hatteras for the defence of the many broad waters
covering so large a portion of the eastern counties. A small
sand-work, known as Fort Hatteras, with an outlying flank
defence, called Battery Clark, was the only reliance for the
protection of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.
10. Before these weak defences a large Federal fleet appeared on
August 27th, 1861, and by means of its superior armament, lay
securely beyond the range of the guns mounted in Fort Hatteras,
while pouring in a tremendous discharge of shot and shell. The
Federals having effected a landing on the beach, and most of the
caution being dismounted in the fort, it was thought best by
Colonel W. F. Martin, on the 29th, to surrender the fort.
11. In two days' operations the whole tier of eastern counties
was thus laid bare to the incursions of Federal troops and
cruisers. There was great sorrow for the captured garrison, and
general alarm and uneasiness; but the spirit of resistance was
undaunted, and troops continued volunteering by thousands.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the subject of this lesson? How did the North Carolinians
consider their departure from the Union?
2. What preparations for war were made by the State, even before
its secession? Who commanded the first regiment?
3. Relate General Butler's exploit.
4. Give an account of the battle of Big Bethel.
What Confederate soldier was slain?
5. What is said of this event?
6. Where were North Carolina troops next engaged in battle?
7. What signal aid was rendered by Colonel Charles F. Fisher?
What were the effects of this victory?
8. What did Mr. Lincoln learn from these battles?
9. At what point on the North Carolina coast were fortifications specially needed?
10. Describe the Federal attack on Fort Hatteras. Point out Hatteras on the map.
11. What was the result of the fall of Hatteras?