| Title: | John Thompson, U.S.A. to Robert Thompson, Co. Londonderry |
|---|---|
| ID | 3112 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Thompson, John/5 |
| Year | 1861 |
| Sender | Thompson, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | army officer (private) |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Fort Sumter, S. Carolina, USA |
| Destination | Co. Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Thompson, Robert |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | son-father |
| Source | T1585/1: Presented by Mrs Hawthorne, Co. Tyrone |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9502244 |
| Date | 14/02/1861 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 23:02:1995. |
| Word Count | 1078 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Fort Sumter So. Carolina February 14th 1861 My dear Father Your letter dated January 11th has been duly received, and I am exceedingly glad to hear of your welfare. You are anxious you say in your letter to know all the war, or properly speaking the rebellion of South Carolina. I shall endeavor [endeavour?] to describe what has come under my notice. Ever since the election of President in November last great disatisfaction [dissatisfaction?] has prevailed in the Slave States, and during December this State [South Carolina] formally sexceded [seceded?] from the Union, and openly threatened to take forcible possession of the Forts Arsenals and other public property in this harbor. This they were certain could be easily accomplished, as two of the three Forts in this harbor were without any Garrison, and the third, Fort Moultrie being garrisoned by only seventy five United States Artillerymen. Certain of success they vigorously set about warlike preparations, all the time keeping a very strict watch on the helpless little Garrison of which I formed a member. Steamboats were nightly set to watch us to prevent our moving to Sumter, a far more formidable, may I say almost impregnable work situated directly opposite us, and distant about a mile. Our Commander [Major Anderson]fortifying himself in Moultrie, with such unparalleled vigor [vigour?] that our opponents soon became thoroughly convinced that he intended to make a desperate stand in the position he then held, and the duty of watching us was performed with a laxity corresponding to the strength of their conviction. So completely did our Commander keep his own counsel, that none in the garrison officer or soldier ever dreamed that he contemplated a move, until the movement had actually been made. On the night of the 26th Dec. [December?] shortly after sun down, we were formed in heavy marching order, and quietly marched out of Moultrie leaving only a few men behind on Guard, and embarking on board a number of small boats that were in readiness were safely landed in Sumter. The consternation of the Carolinians may be imagined next morning when they observed Fort Moultrie enveloped in flames and smoke, and at noon saw the Stars and Stripes proudly waving from the battlements of Fort Sumter. What they feared, and endeavored [endeavoured?] to prevent, had taken place, and they had the pleasure of witnessing Uncle Sam's troops in a position scarcely assailable in any other way than by the slow process of starvation. During the night of the 26th the men left behind spiked all the guns, and then set fire to the gun-carriages etc. at the abandoned Fort and then left it to quietly be taken possession of by the troops of South Carolina. This they were not long in doing, they can scale the walls of an occupied Fort with a gallantry highly commendable. In fact their martial ardour seemed to have taken a turn in this direction for the same day they assaulted the remaining empty Fort in the harbor and amid shouts, exultantly raised their Palmetto flag, to announce their bloodless victory. Of course they were boiling over to attack Sumter, and tear down the cursed Stars and Stripes, but of course they haven't done it yet, and if they do and live it will only be to repent their rash folly and mourn their loss. Fort Sumter which we now occupy is a five sided brick work walls from 12 to 5 1/2 feet thick mounting three tier of the heaviest calibre, and completely surrounded by water. It is situated on the very edge of the ship channel, so that every vessel passing in or out of the harbor passes directly under our guns. In fact, it is the key of the harbor and completely commands all the other fortifications. Sumter was far from being in a defensible condition, very few guns were mounted and everything was in admirable confusion. However we went to work assisted by 50 or 60 laborers [labourers?], and now we can say We are ready. The Carolinians have been by no means idle all this time however. At the nearest point of land on Morris Island about 1400 yds. distant they have constructed very formidable batteries, and are now I may say just as ready as we are. We are in daily expectation of a commencement, which must come from them as our orders are to act strictly on the defensive. That they intend to bombard us is evident, and that they will attempt to breach this work at its weakest point is equally sure, but we are sure their attempt will prove a failure. They may starve us out and harass us meantime by shelling our position, but we all feel confident that assault if attempted will prove a signal failure. Inside here we are all thank God in excellent health and spirits, in fact a more contented lot of men would be hard to scare up. We are only seventy five in number and have now only about twenty laborers [labourers?], the rest having taken their leave of us, no doubt thinking discretion was the better part of valor [valour?], and we are opposed to at least ten or twelve thousand Carolinians, our Commissariat scarcely in a condition to stand a long siege, cut off by the batteries of the enemy from reinforcement or supplies, depending on them for mail facilities etc and yet we are confident and contented because we all see the strength of our position and know that the chivalry of South Carolina are effectually scared to attack the frowning fortress the possession of which they so much desire. So matters stand at present, but how long they may continue so is a mystery. You need not be in any unnecessary anxiety on my account, for to tell the truth in spite of all their bluster I am almost sure they never will fire a shot at us, indeed I think they are only too glad to be let alone. I am in excellent health, and hope you all are enjoying that same blessing. At the expiration of my time I shall doubtless return to see you all and give you an account of America verbatim. Keep up this correspondence a letter from home is very refreshing in a place like this. I will endeavor [endeavour?] to keep you posted when opportunity offers regarding events on this side Jordan. Give my respects to all my friends and acquaintances, and believe me Your affectionate son John Thompson |
