MOBILE Register
June 30, 1861
Page 2
Our Charleston Correspondent
New Flag over Fort Sumpter—South Carolina
Volunteers—Hampton’s Legion—Boykin’s Corps to Rendezvous at Kingsville—South Carolina Rangers—Three Companies of
Irish Volunteers for the War—Beauregard Advancing on Washington—The Privateers of the “Savannah” on Board the Minnesota—The Episcopal
Convention at Abbeville—Hot Weather
Charleston, June 25, 1861
An
elegant new Confederate flag was placed over Fort Sumpter
on Saturday last, which greatly improves the appearance of this majestic
fortress, and renders it a very conspicuous object from the city. The armament of the Fort is about being
increased by important additions, which will make it one of the most
impregnable defences [sic] in this country.
Governor
Pickens offers to receive nine companies of Infantry to complete the
organizations of the Second and Sixth Regiments of South Carolina
Volunteers. Each company must number not
less than seventy-five, nor more than one hundred, aggregate. They must bind themselves to enter the service
of the Confederate States, unconditionally, for twelve months.
Col.
Hampton’s Legion are still encamped in the Sand
Hills, 8 ½ miles from Columbia. The Beaufort District Cavalry joined them on
Saturday morning last. There are still
two more companies to arrive, to complete the Legion. I visited their camp last week, while
stopping for a day at Columbia. I found our brave volunteers in good health
and spirits, anxious to go on to Virginia
as soon as possible. It is not certain,
however, that Virginia
will be their destination. Since my
return to Charleston
I have learned that there is some probability of the Legion being ordered to Missouri.
The
South Carolina Rangers met last night to select a uniform and arrange other
business matters. A call has been made through the papers for three companies
of Irish volunteers for the war. The
first company has been organized, and the other two are progressing. They are encamped under Capt. Edward McCrady, at Hampstead
Village, near the city.
Col.
Boykin’s corps is summoned to rendezvous at Kingsville, on the South Carolina Railroad,
on the evening of Wednesday, 26th inst.
The
great battle to be fought in the vicinity of Washington is the prevailing topic
here. General Beauregard advancing
towards the Capital absorbs the thoughts of our people, who are looking to the
result of his march for something definite and terrible. The forty-five thousand Federalists in his
way will not retard the General’s progress.
It is said that Beauregard can concentrate sixty-thousand troops at a
given point within a week.
Speculations
are rife as to the probable fate of the crew of the privateer Savannah of this city, now confined on board
the Minnesota. We cannot make up our minds here that Lincoln
is so morally and mentally blind as to attempt to carry out the savage warfare
which he threatens, or that his people will permit him to initiate a policy
which must result in such bloody consequences to them as well as to us. Some of his organs tell us that “the
Government has decided upon a merciful course towards all armed rebels made
prisoners by its forces.” The war, they
say, will be conducted on the most humane and civilized principles, and they do
not propose to commence the hanging business of their side. They think that reprisals will be made by us,
and the war become one of murderous extermination. In this they show their good sense. Such a system of retaliation as the hanging of
the meanest South Carolinian would bring about, will soon render the privateering business entirely distinct from piracy, and
procure for all of our “rebels” the privilege of being treated according to the
laws of civilized warfare.
The
Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of this Diocese was in session at
Abbeville C. H. two days last week, and after a harmonious session, adjourned
on Thursday night. Delegates were
elected to the General Convention of Southern Dioceses to be held at Montgomery, Ala.,
on the 3d of July.
Resolutions were adopted protesting against the course of the “Northern
brethren,” that used to be once, and declaring very decidedly the position of
the Southern Church at this crisis. The
separation will be total, final and irrevocable.
We
are in the midst of a spell of scorching weather. The thermometer ranges between ninety and
ninety-seven. At Columbia on Saturday it was over one
hundred. Sunday was still hotter. In the evening a slight fall of rain with
heavy thunder and lightning gave us a little temporary relief. Yesterday was a creditable summer’s day and
this morning well sustains its reputation.
All who can conveniently do so keep within doors, and leave out door
business for a more propitious season. I
am writing now at great disadvantage, enduring the combined discomforts of
oppressive heat and sharp biting mosquitoes, of which we have any quantity at
this particular time.
--SPECTATOR--
