Star of the West - Lossing (1866)

Cadets from The Citadel were sent to Morris Island on January 1, 1861; they were among the first SC military volunteers on Morris Island, and they constructed and manned Stevens's Ironclad Battery [became Iron Battery, then grew into Fort Gregg at Cumming's Point on Morris Island in 1862], along with the Vigilant Rifles, the German Riflemen, and the Zouave Cadets. Serving as an Artillery Detachment and led by Capt. Hugh S. Thompson of Charleston, The Citadel Cadets fired upon the Union supply ship Star of the West on January 9, 1861—it was hit three (3) times, but suffered almost no damage, and immediately left Charleston Harbor without re-supplying Union forces in Fort Sumter. On January 28, 1861, this unit of Citadel Cadets was assigned to the newly-created SC Battalion of State Cadets-Local Defense, now led by Maj. Peter F. Stevens of Anderson District. This battalion was later led by Maj. James B. White, of Georgetown District, and it served until the end of the war. Of course, many of the cadets rotated in and out of service over the duration of five (5) years.

On January 9, 1861, less than three (3) weeks after South Carolina declared that it had seceded from the United States, but before other states had done so to form the Confederacy, the Star of the West arrived at Charleston Harbor to resupply Union Maj. Robert Anderson's garrison at Fort Sumter. The ship was fired upon by cadets from The Citadel Academy and was hit three (3) times by what were effectively the first shots of the American Civil War. Although the Star of the West suffered no major damage, Capt. John McGowan considered it to be too dangerous to continue and turned about to leave the harbor. The mission was abandoned, and the Star of the West headed for her home port of New York Harbor.

“A gentleman on the Island reports that after the “Star of the West” had cleared the bar and proceeded a considerable distance beyond, a steam propeller, of about 350 tons burthen joined her, apparently as a tender, and they steamed off together in E.N.E. direction.

"Two shots took effect, when the vessel steamed off for New York, it is supposed."

"New York Harbor,
"January 12, 1861.

"Colonel: I have the honor to report that I reached this post at 8-1/2 o'clock this morning with my command, having been unable to reach Fort Sumter. I will make a detailed report without delay.

"I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Chalres R. Woods,
"First Lieutenant, Ninth Infantry."

"Col. H.L. Scott, A.D.C."

As promised, he wrote again the next day:

"Fort Columbus, N.Y.H.,
"January 13, 1861.

"Colonel: Pursuant to instructions, dated Headquarters of the Army, January 5, 1861, I embarked on the evening of Saturdy, 5th instant, from Governor's Island, at 6 o'clock p.m., on a steam-tug, which transferred us to the steamer Star of the West.

"My command consisted of two hundred men, recruits from the depot, fifty of whom were of the permanent party. My officers were First Lieut. W.A. Webb, Fifth Infantry; Second Lieut. C.W. Thomas, First Infantry, and Assist. Surg. P.G.S. Ten Broeck, Medical Department.

"On Tuesday afternoon, 8th instant, arms and ammunition were issued to all the men. About midnight same evening we arrived off Charleston Harbor, and remained groping in the dark until nearly day, when we discovered the light on Fort Sumter, which told us where we were. The other coast light marking the approaches to the harbor had been extinguished, and the outer bouy marking the channel across the bar gon.

"During the night we saw what we supposed to be the light of a steamer cruising off the harbor, but she did not discover us, as our lights were all out. Just before day we discovered a steamer lying off the main ship channel. As soon as they made us out they burned one blue light and two red lights, and, receiving no response from us, immediately steramed up the channel. As soon as we had lifght enough we crossed the bar, and steamed up the main ship channel. This was on the first of the ebb tire, the steamer ahead of us firing rockets and burning lights as she went up. We proceeded without interruption until we arrived within one and three-quarter miles of Forts Sumter and Moultrie—they being apparently equidistant—when we were opened on by a masked battery near the north end of Morris Island. This battery was about five-eighths of a mile distant from us, and we were keeping as near into it as we could, to avoid the fire from Fort Moultrie. Before we were fired upon we had discovered a red palmetto flag flying, but could see nothing to indicate that there was a battery there.

"We went into the harbor with the American ensign hoisted on the flagstaff, and as soon as the first shot was fired a full-sized garrison flag was displayed at our fore, but the one was no more respected than the other. We kept on, still under the fire of the battery, most of the balls passing over us, one just missing the machinery, another striking burt a few feet from the rudder, while a ricochet struck us in the fore-chains, about two feet above the water line, and just below where the man was throwing the lead. The American flag was flying at Fort Sumter, but we saw no flag at Fort Moultrie, and there were no guns fired from either of these fortifications.

"Finding it impossible to take my command to Fort Sumter, I was obliged most reluctantly to turn about, and try to make my way out of the harbor before my retreat should be cut off by vessels then in sight, supposed to be the cutter Aiken, coming down the channel in tow of a steamer, with the evident purpose of cutting us off. A brisk fire was kept up on us by the battery as long as we remained within range, but, fortunately, without damage to us, and we succeeded in recrossing the bar in safety, the steamer touching two or three times. Our course was now laid for New York Harbor, and we were followed for some house by a steamer from Charleston for the purpose of watching us.

"During the whole trip downward the troops were kept out of sight whenever a vessel came near enough to us to distinguish them, and the morning we entered the harbor of Charleston they were sent down before daylight, and kept there until after we got out of the harbor again. From the preparations that had been made for us I have every reason to believe the Charlestonians were perfectly aware of our coming.

"We arrived in New York Harbor on the morning of the 12th instant, and disembarked at 8 o'clock this morning, the 13th, by orders from Headquarters of the Army.

"The conduct of the officers and men under my command during the whole trip, and particularly while under fire, was unexceptionable.

"Capt. John McGowan, commanding the steamder Star of the West, deserves the highest praise for the energy, perseverence, and ability displayed in trying to carry out his order to put troops in Fort Sumter. He was ably assisted by Mr. Walter Brewer, the New York pilot taken from this place.

"I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"Chas. R. Woods,
"First Lieutenant, Ninth Infantry, Commanding.

"Col. L. Thomas,
"Assistant Adjutant-General, U.S.A., Washington, D.C.

"To his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina:

"Sir: Two of your batteries fired this morning upon an unarmed vessel bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by South Caorlina against the Government of the United States, I cannot but think that this hostile act was committed without your sanction or authority. Under that hope, and that alone, did I refrain from opening fire upon your batteries. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask whether the above mentioned act—one, I believe, without a parallel in the history of our country or of any other civilized government—was committed in obedience to your instructions, and to notify you, if it be not disclaimed, that I must regard it as an act of war, and that I shall not, after a reasonable time for the return of my messenger, permit any vessels to pass within range of the guns of my fort. In order to save, as far as in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg that you will have due notification of this my decision given to all concerned. Hoping, however, that your answer may be such as will justify a further continuance of forebearance upon my part,

"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"Robert Anderson,
"Major, First Artillery, Commanding."

"State of South Carolina, Executive Office,
"Headquarters, Charleston, January 9, 1861.

"Maj. Robert Anderson,
"Commanding Fort Sumter:

"Sir, Your letter has been received. It it you make certain statements which very plainly show that you have not been fully informed by your Government of the precise relations which now exist between it and the State of South Carolina. Official information has been communicated to the Government of the United States that the political connection heretofore existing between the State of South Carolina and the States which were known as the United States has ceased, and that the State of South Carolin has resumed all the power it had delegated to the United States under the compact known as the Constitution of the United States. The right which the State of South Caorlina possessed to change the politial relations which it held with other States under the Constitution of the United States has been solemnly asserted by the people of this State in convention, and now does not admit of discussion.

"In anticipation of the ordinance of secession, of which the President of the United States has received official notification, it was understood by him that sending any re-enforcement of the troops of the United States in the harbor of Charleston would be regarded by the constituted authorities of the State of South Carolina as an act of hostility, and at the same time it was understood by him that any change in the occupation of the forts in the harbor of Charleston would in like manner be regarded as an act of hostility. Either or both of these events, occurring during the period in which the State of South Carolina constituted a part of the United States, was then distinctly notified to the President of the United States as an act or acts of hostility; because either or both would be regarded, and could only be intended, to dispute the right of the State of South Carolina to that political independence which she has always asserted and will always retain.

"Whatever would have been, during the continuance of this State as a member of the United States, an act of hostility, became much more so when the State of South Carolina had dissolved the connection with the Government of the United States. After the secession of the State of South Caorlina, Fort Sumter continued in the possession of the troops of the United States. How that fort is at this time in the possession of the troops of the United Staes it is not now necessary to discuss. It will suffice it to say that the occupancy of that fort has been regarded by the State of South Carolina as the first act of positive hostility committed by the troops of the United States within the limits of this State, and was in this light regarded as so unequivocal that it occasioned the termination of negotiations then pending at Washington between the Commissioners of the State of South Carolina and the President of the United States.

"The attempt to re-enforce the troops now at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of the forts with the waters of this State, which you abandoned, after spiking the guns placed there, and doing otherwise much damage, cannot be regarded by the authorities of the State as indicative of any other purpose that the coercion of the State by the armed force of the Government. To repel such an attempt is too plainly its duty to allow it to be discussed. But while defending its waters, the authorities of the State have been careful so to conduct the affairs of the State that no act, however necessary for its defense, should lead to an useless waste of life.

"Special agents, therefore, have been off the bar to warn all approaching vessels, if armed or unarmed, and having troops to re-enforce the forts on board, not to enter the harbor of Charleston, and special orders have been given to the commanders of all forts and batteries not to fire at such vessels until a shot fired across their bows would warn them of the prohibition of the State. Under these circumstances, the Star of the West, it is understood, this morning attempted to enter this harbor, with troops on board, and having been notified that she could not enter, was fired into. The act is perfectly justified by me.

"In regard to your threat in regard to vessels in the harbor, it is only necessary to say that you must judge of your own responsibilities. Your position in this harbor has been tolerated by the authorities of this State, and while the act of which you complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct which you propose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be reconciled with any other purpose of your Government than that of imposing upon this State the condition of a conquered province.

"F.W. Pickens."

"Fort Sumter, S.C., January 9, 1861.

"General [Joseph G.] Totten:

"My Dear Sir: I have only a moment to write by Lieutenant Meade, who comes with dispatches from Major Anderson. I wish to assure you, however, that the officers of your corps are doing everything in their power to make this work impregnable, even with the present small garrison of seventy men. We even mount all the guns, as we can do it much more rapidly than the garrison. We have twenty-nine guns on the first tier and eleven on the barbette tier. Four 8-inch columbiads are ready to mount to-morrow. I shall place the 10-inch on the parade as mortars.

"The firing upon the Star of the West this morning by the batteries on Morris Island opened the war, but Major Anderson hopes that the delay of sending to Washington may possibly prevent civil war. The hope, although a small one, may be the thread that prevents the surrendering of the Union. We are none the less determined to defend ourselves to the last extremity. I am in want of funds, and would respectfully urge that as soon as possible $15,000 may be placed in my credit in New York. In haste.

"Very respectfully,

"J.G. Foster,
"Captain, Engineers.

"P.S.—I beg to refer you to Lieutenant Meade for particulars.

"J.G.F.

"Received January 13 by Lieutenant Talbot, U.S. Army."

"War Department, January 10, 1861,

"Maj. Robert Anderson,
"First Artillery, Commanding at Fort Sumter, S.C.:

"Sir: Your dispatches to No. 16, inclusive, have been received. Before the receipt of that of 31st December (received January 5, 1861), announcing that the Government might re-enforce you at its leisure, and that you regarded yourself safe in your present position, some two hundred and fifty instructed recruits had been ordered to proceed from Governor's Island to Fort Sumter on the Star of the West, for the purpose of strengthening the force under your command. The probability is, from the current rumors of to-day, that this vessel has been fired into by the South Carolinians, and has not been able to reach you. To meet all contingencies, the Brooklyn as been dispatched, with instructions not to cross the bar at the harbor of Charleston, but to afford to the Star of the West and those on board all the assistance they may need, and in the event the recruits have not effected a landing at Fort Sumter they will return to Fort Monroe.

"I avail myself of the occasion to express the great satisfaction of the Government at the forbearance, discretion, and firmness with which you have acted, amid the perplexing and difficult circumstances in which you have been placed. You will continue, as heretofore, to act strictly on the defensive; to avoid, by all means compatible with the safety of your command, a collision with the hostile forces by which you are surrounded. But for the movement, so promptly and brilliantly executed, by with you transferred your forces to Fort Sumter, the probability is that ere this the defenselessness of your position would have invited an attack, which, there is reason to believe, was contemplated, if not in the active preparation, which must have led to the effusion of blood, that has been thus so happily prevented. The movement, therefore, was in every way admirable, alike for its humanity [and] patriotism, as for its soldiership.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"J. Holt,
"Secretary of War ad interim."

"War Department, January 16, 1861,

"Maj. Robert Anderson,
"First Artillery, Commanding Fort Sumter:

"Sir: Your dispatch No. 17, covering your correspondence with the governor of South Carolina, has been received from the hand of Lieutenant Talbot. You rightly designate the firing into the Star of the West as "an act of war," and one which was actually committed without the slightest provocation. Had their acted been perpretrated by a foreign nation, it would have been your imperative duty to have resented it with the whole forces of your batteries. As, however, it was the work of the government of South Carolina, which is a member of this confederacy, and was prompted by the passions of a highly-inflamed population of citizens of the United States, your forebearance to return the fire is fully approved by the President. Unfortunately, the Government has not been able to make known to you that the Star of the West had sailed from New York for your relief, and hence, when she made her appearance in the harbor of Charleston, you did not feel the forces of the obligation to protect her approach as you would naturally have don had this information reached you.

"Your late dispatches, as well as the very intelligent statement of Lieutenant Talbot, have relieved the Government of the apprehensions previously entertained for your safety. In consequence, it is not its purpose at present to re-enforce you. The attempt to do so would, no doubt, be attended by a collision of arms and the effusion of blood—a national calamity which the President is most anxious, if possible, to avoid. You will, therefore, report frequently your condition, and the character and activity of the preparations, if any, which may be being made for an attack upon the fort, or for obstructing the Government in any endeavors it may make to strengthen your command.

"Should your dispatches be of a nature too important to be intrusted to the mails, you will convey them by special messengers. Whenever, in your judgment, additional supplies or re-enforcements are necessary for your safety, or for a successful defense of the fort, you will at once communicate the fact to this Department, and a prompt and vigorous effort will be made to forward them

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"J. Holt" (Sworn in as official Secretary of War two days later, on January 18, 1861.)

The Citadel Cadets— led by Capt. Hugh S. Thompson with 40 men,

G.H. Walter's Company, SC Light Artillery—led by Capt. George H. Walter, (Militia at that time),

Unnamed Steamer followed the Star of the West "for some hours" north.

Others KNOWN to be there, unlikely that they actually participated:

1st SC Regiment of Militia (Rifles)—led by Lt. Col. John Luther Branch, with two (2) known companies:
- German Riflemen—Capt. Jacob Small, with 90 men.
- Chichester Zouaves—Capt. Peter F. Stevens and Lt. Charles E. Chichester, with 45 men

Vigilant Rifles (SC)-Local Defense—led by Capt. Samuel Y. Tupper with 90 men.

Star of the West—led by Capt. John McGowan, with provisions to resupply Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Pilot: Walter Brewer. Unknown how many other crew.

9th U.S. Infantry Detachment—led by 1st Lt. Charles R. Woods, with 200-250 men (2 sources), 50 men who were to be garrisoned at Fort Sumter.

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Journal of the Convention of the People of South Carolina Held in 1860, 1861, and 1862, P.516, P.518.

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume I, P.9-10, PP.134-137, P.140.

"South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States: Volume IV, Statewide Units, Militia and Reserves" by Robert S. Seigler, The History Press, 2008, PP.95-99.

The Charleston Mercury, dated January 10, 1861—reprinted by the Keowee Courier on Saturday, January 19, 1861, Page 2

Also take a look at these websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_the_West

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=67853

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/fort-sumter-star-west-continuing-thus-defiantly

https://nyslibrary.libguides.com/cwillustrations/starwest