40119: Prior to the firing on Fort Sumter, a soldier in

Prior to the firing on Fort Sumter, a soldier in Manigault's Battalion of Light Artillery, S. C. Roberts, describes the situation in Charleston. This two-and-a-half page letter (due to the scarcity of paper, Roberts concludes with only one half sheet), is written in ink and was written by Private S. C. Roberts, Co. A of Manigault's Battalion Light Artillery. He provides much interesting information to the turbulent times in April 1861: "About three weeks ago there was a fall of snow in our city but it did not last long. Commencing about 3 o'clock in the morning and lasting till 6 or 7 o'clock. On the night of the 27 of March between the hours of 7 & 8, a fire was discovered in the German Catholic Church Society St. near Anson. The fire destroyed a great part of the wood work consisting of platforms and the wood used to repair the church. Mr. John T. McDowall, a member of the Charleston Fire Company, was severely injured by the falling of a scaffold." Next Roberts discusses the Democratic National Convention. Delegates had begun to assemble in Charleston for the Convention which was to be held April 23 - May 3, 1861: "On Saturday the members of the Convention and several other persons were invited to go on an excursion around the harbor and visit the fortifications. Two large steamers, the Carolina & the Genl Clinch, were engaged and at 10:00 o'clock they moved from the wharf, the Band playing "Dixie's Land." They had a pleasant time and saw the "Big Guns" and were honored by a salute from them." Roberts goes on to state: "Today a dispatch from Washington says that the Tribune on high authority says Fort Sumter & Fort Pickens are to be reinforced, but these dispatches are not to be relied upon. Even if it was true, we would like no better fun than to have a shot at the vessel that attempts it." Less than two weeks later, the Confederate forces in Charleston would fire on Fort Sumter beginning the great Civil War. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved