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II FROM HOME TO THE BATTLE-FIELD ATTER the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, active war measures increased, arsenals and custom-houses were seized, and fortifications erected to reduce or capture existing forts guarding Southern harbors. A quasi-army was organized under General Beauregard (who had resigned his commission in the United States army), and on April i2th the country was shocked by the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor. Those guns may have been intended to solidify and unite the Southern people in favor of secession, but they had the effect of arousing the great Northern power and patriotism. These were awakened in every community and almost every home. The martial spirit and devotion to country were developed to an intense degree. No people were ever more universally aroused in any great cause. I believe the loyal sentiment of the North and West was more uniform than the desire for secession in the South. There was a very strong Union element in the Southern States, especially Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The call of President Lincoln for troops was responded to immediately, and whole regiments of State troops repaired to their armories, and many were prepared to march withintwenty-four hours. The first important measure was to save Washington. Large quantities of war material had been moved to Southern arsenals and forts, and then seized, which gave the Southern forces a better equipment at the commencement of the war. This was a serious embarrassment to the nation, and agents were immediately sent to foreign countries to secure arms and munitions of war, and were in many instances obliged to accept those thatwere obsolete or of an inferior quality. The Southern forces were advanced as far north as Ma...
