to his old home in New Orleans at the close of the war, to find it ruined, his fortune wrecked, his wife dead, and his country at the feet of a merciless foe.  He took no further part in military or political affairs, and passed away gently and peacefully at a ripe old age, loved and admired by his many friends, and respected by his enemies.  Such, in brief, was the life of the man who came to control the destinies of South Carolina at this most critical moment of her history.

On March 6th he placed Morris’ Island under the immediate command of Brigadier General James Simonds, while the batteries were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W.G.  DeSaussure.  Sullivan’s Island was under the command of General R.G.M.  Dunovant, and the batteries of this island were under Lieutenant Colonel Ripley.  Captain Calhoun commanded at Fort Moultrie, and Captain Thomas at Fort Johnston.  A floating battery had been constructed by Captain Hamilton, and moved out to the western extremity of Sullivan’s Island.  This was under command of its inventor and builder.  It consisted of very heavy timbers; its roof overlaid with railroad iron in a slanting position, through which trap doors had been cut for the cannon to project.  The Stevens’ Battery, as it was called, was constructed on the same principle; was built at Cummings’ Point, on Morris’ Island, and commanded by Captain Stevens, of the Citadel Academy.  It was feared at this time that the concussion caused by the heavy shells and solid shots striking the iron would cause death to those underneath, or so stun them as to render them unfit for further service; but both these batteries did excellent service in the coming bombardment.  Batteries along the water fronts of the islands were manned by the volunteer companies of Colonel Gregg’s Regiment, and other regiments that had artillery companies attached.

On the 8th of April a message was received at Montgomery to the effect that a fleet was then en route to reinforce Sumter, “peaceably if they could, but forcibly if necessary.”

General Beauregard was instructed to demand the immediate evacuation of the fort; Anderson failing to comply with this demand, he was to proceed to reduce it.  The demand was made upon Major Anderson, and was refused.  General Beauregard had everything in readiness, only waiting the result of the negotiations for the surrender or evacuation, to give the command to fire.  The night of the 11th was one of great excitement.  It was known for a certainty that on to-morrow the long looked for battle was to take place.  Diplomacy had done its work, now powder and ball must do what diplomacy had failed to accomplish.  All working details had been called in, tools put aside, the heating furnaces fired, shells and red-hot solid shot piled in close proximity to the cannon and mortars.  All the troops were under arms during the night, and a double picket line stretched along the beach, and while all seemed to be life and animation, a death-like