Mccabe The Aide-De-Camp

A Romance Of The War
1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-3-8496-4375-1
Verlag: Jazzybee Verlag
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 183 Seiten

The romance of 'The Aid-De-Camp' was written during the fall of 1862, more for the purpose of beguiling a season of weariness than with the expectation of presenting it to the public. It was originally published in 'The Magnolia Weekly' and turned out to be the greatest success of its author and one of the most prominent belles-lettres of that time.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mccabe, James D.

Leseproben

MARSHALL passed through Richmond without stopping. He was delayed for an entire day in North Carolina, and did not reach Charleston until the night of the 10th of April.

He found the city in commotion. It was agitated by the wildest rumors imaginable. Troops were constantly arriving from the interior for service in the approaching engagement. The determination of the Federal Government had been communicated to Governor Pickens, and it had become very generally known in Charleston that an attack would be made soon upon Fort Sumter.

As soon as Governor Pickens received the message of the Lincoln Government, he communicated the information to General Beauregard, who at once telegraphed it to the Confederate Secretary of War, who instructed him to demand the surrender of the Fort, and in case the demand should be refused, to proceed to reduce it.

It was expected that the fleet sent to the relief of Fort Sumter would reach the harbor on the 11th. In all human probability it would have done so but for a storm, which delayed it some thirty-six hours.

On the 11th of April, 1861, General Beauregard demanded of Major Anderson the surrender of Fort Sumter.

On the day after his arrival in Charleston, Marshall hurried through with his business, and when he had finished it, called upon Governor Pickens.

He was received with great courtesy by that gentleman.

"You visit us at an exciting time, Mr. Marshall," said the Governor. "The next twenty-four hours may witness the opening of the great struggle for our independence."

"I have expected this, Your Excellency," said the young man, "and I have hastened here to offer my services to General Beauregard."

"I thank you for your sympathy, Mr. Marshall," said the Governor, grasping his hand warmly. "General Beauregard will not refuse your offer."

"Will you accompany me to General Beauregard's headquarters, Governor?" asked Marshall. I have some important information to lay before him, and, upon reflection, I think that you ought to hear it."

Governor Pickens seemed surprised, but replied at once:

"I was about to go to headquarters when you were announced. My carriage is at the door, and I shall be glad to take you with me."

The two gentlemen then left the house, and entering the carriage which was in waiting, were driven rapidly to the headquarters of the Confederate commander. They were immediately ushered into General Beauregard's presence.

He was sitting at a table, glancing over some papers, but rose as the gentlemen entered. He was of medium size and well proportioned. He was dressed in the plain blue uniform of a Brigadier General, and was scrupulously neat in his attire. His features were prominent, and indicative of his foreign descent. There was much of benevolence and good humor in the expression of his countenance, and through every action there breathed a quiet dignity which at once won the respect and confidence of all persons. You felt at a glance that he was born a soldier. It was impossible to see him without admiring him, and it was equally impossible to know him without honoring and loving him. Uniting that warm and genial disposition which at once endeared him to all, with that brilliant military genius which has ranked him among the greatest Generals of the age, it is not strange that every Southern soldier's heart should throb with devotion, and his eye glow with pride, when he hears the magic name of Beauregard. It is to him the embodiment of chivalry and patriotism. He greeted Governor Pickens cordially, and that gentleman presented Marshall.

"Is my friend well?" inquired the General, when he had read the letter Marshall had brought from Baltimore. "I am glad to meet you as a friend of his."

Marshall bowed, and replied, that the gentleman was well when he left him.

"Are you busy, General?" asked the Governor.

"Not at present," was the answer. "I have demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter, and am now waiting for Anderson's reply. I was about to send for Your Excellency when you arrived. But why do you ask if I am busy? Do you wish me to do anything for you?"

"No," replied the Governor, "but Mr. Marshall has told me that he desires to lay before you some important information, and he wishes me to hear it."

"Indeed," exclaimed the General, gazing earnestly at the young man. "Then, my dear sir, we must hear him at once. It will be some time before I receive Anderson's reply, and we can listen to Mr. Marshall while waiting for it. Now, Mr. Marshall," he added, placing himself in front of that gentleman, "His Excellency and myself are ready to hear you."

After informing General Beauregard of his original purpose in visiting Charleston, Marshall related all that he had seen and heard in the Cabinet Council at Washington. His auditors listened with grave attention, frequently exchanging glances of intelligence. When he had concluded his narration, Marshall turned to General Beauregard, and added:

"Seeing that war is inevitable, General, I desire to do what I can for the South. I will be glad if you will assign me to some duty during the approaching bombardment."

"I will, with pleasure, make you one of my Aides-de-Camp for the occasion," said General Beauregard, cordially. "The information that you bring is indeed important, Mr. Marshall, and I shall at once lay it before my Government." Then turning to Governor Pickens, he added, "So you see, Your Excellency, that my suspicions were not unfounded."

"I am utterly amazed by what I have heard," said the Governor. "I could not have believed any one capable of such diabolical villainy."

The conversation was continued for some time longer. In about an hour, the Aids who had been sent with the message to Major Anderson, returned with his reply.

"What does he say, General?" asked the Governor, eagerly.

General Beauregard tore open the package, and read aloud as follows:

"HEADQUARTERS, FORT SUMTER, S. C.,
April 11th, 1861.

"GENERAL:

"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication demanding the evacuation of this fort; and to say in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor, and of my obligations to my Government, prevent my compliance.

"Thanking you for the fair, manly and courteous terms proposed, and the high compliment paid me,

"I am, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

(Signed,) ROBERT ANDERSON.
Major U. S. Army commanding."

"Major Anderson desired us to say," said Colonel Chestnut, one of the aids who bore the message, "that they will await the first shot, and if you do not batter them to pieces, they will be starved out in a few days."

General Beauregard's face flushed painfully, and he rose from his seat and paced the room nervously.

"It is painful, gentlemen," said he, "to be compelled to attack a brave man with such fearful odds. Anderson is a brave soldier, and it is a shame that he should be sacrificed by the brutal folly of his Government. But if we do not reduce this fort before the arrival of the fleet, we do not know what mischief our enemies may do us."

He then seated himself at a table and wrote rapidly. When he finished, he handed the paper to an Aid, saying:

"Have this telegraphed to Montgomery immediately, and wait for a reply."

The Aid bowed and retired, and General Beauregard, turning to Governor Pickens, continued:

"I have telegraphed Anderson's reply to the Secretary of War, and have asked for further instructions. I appreciate Anderson's feelings, and do not wish to cause him any harm if I can prevent it. I am sure that the Government is anxious to avoid any effusion of blood."

"I honor you for your generosity, General," said the Governor. "But," he continued, while Mr....