Civil War Has Begun - April 1861

Civil War Begun!  Fort Sumter Taken!!  An Appeal to Arms!

Chenango American, April 18, 1861

Civil War Has Begun!  The First Gun Has Been Fired by the Secessionists!!

Our space having in measure been taken up previous to the reception of this news, we are not enabled to give as much of the thrilling details as we would desire, but we have taken pains to sift from the voluminous dispatches, all that is of importance which seems reliable. The reports have been in great measure unsatisfactory, contradictory and unreliable.  We endeavor to give a correct synopsis of the events of the past week, as far as information in our possession will permit.

As we have before announced, the Government fitted out several vessels, a portion of which were to proceed to Fort Sumter for the purpose of furnishing her with provisions.  Notice of this intention was given to the Charleston authorities, who thereupon on the 11th last, made a demand upon Maj. Anderson for the surrender of the Fort. This Anderson firmly declined.

On Friday morning, at about four o'clock, hostilities were commenced.  The first two guns were fired from Fort Moultrie against Fort Sumter, when Major Anderson immediately replied with three of his barbette guns, and the action soon became general, all the batteries within reach of Sumter opening a heavy fire upon her.  Shot and shell rained incessantly upon her all day and during the night.  Maj. Anderson returned the fire with spirit, but if we can believe the reports, doing little or no damage. The United States vessels which had arrived off the harbor--four in number--took no part in the engagement, and made no effort to relieve the beleaguered garrison.  Whether they were unable to reach the scene of action, or whether it was part of their instructions to do just as they did, does not appear.

The telegraph reports from Charleston sources all agree that in the course of the day, on Saturday, the officers quarters and other wooden buildings within the fort, took fire, and that the horrors of a conflagration were thus added to the difficulties with which the scanty garrison were obliged to cope.  Numerous explosions of bombs were also caused by the fire, it being found impossible to remove them in time.  It seems almost incredible that no lives were lost during the bombardment, but such the telegraph states is a fact.  All this must be taken with considerable allowance.  The N.Y. Times Charleston correspondent, who was a portion of the time an eye witness of the battle, says that Sumter was not on fire, nor were her walls damaged, and that there is no doubt that several lives were lost on both sides.

On Saturday afternoon, Maj. Anderson's slender force being completely exhausted, and being satisfied that he must sooner or later give up the fort, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, the Major hauled up a flag of truce, and shortly after surrendered the fort to the Confederate authorities.  The news of the surrender, as may naturally be supposed, created the most intense feeling in Washington, and throughout the country, and absorbed exclusive attention.  Maj. Anderson and his command have been allowed to depart, and are now on their way to New York in the Baltic.

There seems to be little doubt in Washington that Fort Pickens will soon be attacked.

There is good reason to believe that it has been, if it is not now, the intention of the traitors to proceed to take the city of Washington directly after the fall of Sumter. There is not however, much fears on that score, as will be seen by the steps taken by the Administraiton.

In view of the present condition of affairs, and the necessity of meeting the issue presented by the authorities of the so called Confederate States with promptitude and decision, the President has issued a proclamation.  The number of men required from each State to be called upon to furnish contingents to make up the 75,000 called for by the President has been determined upon. The number for this State [New York] is 17 Regiments of 780 men each.  They are ordered to rendezvous at Albany, New York, and Elmira.  In addition to this the Legislature of this State has passed a law authorizing the raising of three million dollars, and 30,000 Volunteers to aid the Government.

Massachusetts had her men ready and last night they were to embark for Washington.  Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island and Ohio have also started troops.  The enthusiasm all over the North is intense, and thousands are flocking to arms, ready to fight in their country's cause.

Since these developments there has been no indication of what course the Border States will pursue.  Their attitude is looked for with painful interest

Proclamation by the President, 75,000 Volunteers Called For!

The following is the Proclamation issued by President Lincoln, in view of the terrible crisis in our affairs:

Whereas The laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of Judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the Marshals, by law; now, therefore, I Abraham Lincoln, President of the united States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call  forth and hereby do call forth the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed.

The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department.  I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the power, the integrity and the existence of our national Union and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured.  I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date.

Believing that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective Chambers at 12 o';clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures, as in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States, the eighty-fifth.

By the President, Abraham Lincoln,  William H. Seward, Secretary of State.