EYEWITNESSS ACCOUNT OF THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER A historic content letter describing in rich and vivid detail, the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter which signaled the beginning of the Civil War. The account is narrated by sailor George H. Rexford who served on the U. S. mailship Baltic which was initially sent to Charleston to re-supply Fort Sumter, but ended up evacuating the beleaguered garrison, 12pp. 8vo., New York, May 19, 1861, to his friend recounting what must have been the most impressive event he had witnessed. Rexford writes, in part: "...We sailed in the U.S. Mail Steam Ship ÔBaltic' charted by the government for the purpose of transporting men and provisions to Southern ports- We left the pier at the foot of Canal St. on Monday the 8th of April...with about 200 troops from Governor's Island together with ammunition, and provisions sufficient for (our then present company) at least a year- As we sailed under sealed orders, of course our destination was entirely unknown but we were directed to steer south...There was much excitement in N.Y. when we left, and a deal of speculation as to where we were bound — Some thought fort Sumpter[sic] while others believed we were to supply Fort Pickens...The docks were lined with people and as we pushed into the stream, cheer rose upon cheer...At 11 A. M. we broke Ôseal' and found that we were bound for Charleston, S.C....to send a small boat with a flag of truce to Governor Pickens and to inform him that we had supplies for ÔSumpter' and to ask his permission to land them- When the soldiers heard of their destination they became very enthusiastic, cheering, throwing up their hats &c &c...Friday the 12th 4 a.m. we arrived off Charleston after a very rough passage- at 4.15 we heard and saw the firing from ÔFort Moultry'[sic] and the Batteries on the beach - and 7 precisely Sumpter returned fire. There was great excitement on board as we could see everything from the deck...At 7.45 spoke the gun boats ÔHarriet Lane' and ÔPawnee' and at 8 A. M. Capt Fox (commander of the fleet) was sent on board of ÔPawnee' shortly after his departure we received orders to make everything ready to start for Sumpter with men, and provisions...when Signal should be given from the ÔPawnee', all hands were now set at work Muffling oars, hoisting provisions on deck and getting the boats in complete order- Sumpter and the Charlestonians blasting away at each other all day. At 4 P.M. Sumpter has dismounted two guns on the Iron Battery - completely demolished one Battery on ÔSullivan's Island', and greatly damaging ÔFort Moultree' [sic] at 4.30 P. M. our Third mate with a boats crew of twelve men made a point for Sumpter with a flag of truce when they were fired upon by the batteries, a shell exploding, but about fifteen feet from them, finding it impossible to make their port they beached the boat - where an interview with the Commandant of the batteries was had...At 12...the boats and provisions on deck were all ready to lower, oars muffled and the boats crew selected of which I had the honor of being Ôin'- every man was up in arms and ÔEager for the fray'- not one showing the Ôwhite feather'- we watched the firing Ôtill 2 P.M the sight was both fearful and grand to behold- Sumpter ceased her fire at 7P.M...The Charleston people were at work all night, but Sumpter's guns were only busy from 7 a.m.' till 7 pm. The Surgeon from Sumpter told us that the men were so ex[h]austed when night came (although red hot shell was pouring into the fort every moment) that they slept as soundly as if they had been under their own roofs...We kept on deck until 3 a.m. and as we had received no signal to take to the boats, we concluded to try our bunks...just now we were summoned on deck...that we were aground and the officers feared that the Ship would go to pieces...there were found the utmost confusion Soldiers running in all directions...there being a heavy swell at the time caused the Ship to strike very hard on her bottom, you would hear every timber crack and strain again...hoisted a flag of distress...but [the gun boats] could be of no assistance to us- we finally sent all the men Ôaft' as far as possible, in order to lighten the Ship's bows then backed the engine and in about 30 minutes we rode safely again - one of the soldiers was heard to say...'he wanted to live long enough to kill three or four of them white niggers in Charleston before he was drwon'd' On Saturday at 7 a.m. Sumpter commenced her defence [sic] again, and 10 a.m. the wood work in the fort was all in flames and the men nearly exhausted [sic], at 12 N[oo]n. the firing ceased, nothing remarkable occurring during the night.- on Sunday a t 10.45 a.m. Capt. Fox gave orders to get as near the post as possible to receive Maj Anderson with his command and then to sail for N.Y. Let go anchor at 12.15 passed a quiet day nothing important occurring until 8 P.M. when the gun boat ÔPawnee' ran across our bows, carrying away our cutwater and damadging [sic] her starboard quarter considerably, causing no little excitement on board, at 10 .p.m. Charleston as brilliantly illuminated rockets were sent up from all parts of the city...Monday 15th at 10 a.m. had made great preparations for the reception of the Sumpter troops, at 1P.M the Maj and his gallant little band marched out from Sumpter with pieces loaded, the ÔStars and Stripes' flying over their heads, and the fife and drums playing ÔYankee doodle' - The Steamer ÔIsabel of Charleston brot' them off and all was on board the Baltic by 4.30 P.M. The Maj. and his troop were received in silence while they were temporarily under the ÔPalmetto' flag, but the moment the company were on board the Federal Ship the Sumpter flag was run up our Main mast, which was the signal of immense enthusiasm, cheer after cheer, and the booming of cannon told deeply upon the gallant officer and his men. The scene was truly imposing, Major Anderson bowed his head and wept like a child, At 5 P.M we weighed Anchor and stood out to sea the ÔHarriet Lane' ÔPawnee' and ÔPocahontas' saluting us as we past. At 7 P.M clouded up and 7.15 blew a perfect hurricane from the west...Thursday the 18th at 6 am off ÔSandy Hook' at 10 am. passed Fort Hamilton and saluted also saluted ÔGovernors Island' and came to anchor in the stream at 3 P.M. Sent Maj. Anderson to the City on board steamer chartered for the purpose, at 6 p.m. heavy anchor, and made fast to dock at 10.30 p.m..." Much more fine content. Usual folds otherwise very good condition. Offered together with an L.S. of Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,1p. 4to., Charleston Roads, S.C., Sept. 18, 1864 to Rexford ordering him to "report without delay to Fleet Captain J. M. Bradford, for duty, on board the Flag Steamer ÔPhiladelphia...". Fine. Together two pieces. Rexford's narrative of the Fort Sumter attack is the finest we have ever encountered. $2,000-3,000