CIVIL WAR FORT SUMTER]. TOWNSEND, Edward (1817-1893), Assistant Adjutant General . Two partly printed documents signed ("E D Townsend"), an announcement and invitation to the Governor of Missouri, Thomas C. Fletcher (1827-1899), to attend the flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sumter, "War Department," Washington, 30 March 1865. Together two pieces, 8vo and an oblong, accomplished in manuscript, on heavy paper, minor soiling . THE CEREMONIAL FLAG-RAISING AT FORT SUMTER MARKING THE END OF THE WAR A very rare invitation to attend the celebratory April 14, 1865 flag-raising over Fort Sumter exactly four years after the surrender of the fort which marked the beginning of the Civil War. On April 14, 1861, after a 34-hour bombardment, Major Robert Anderson the fort's commander, had asked for surrender terms. The Confederate authorities in Charleston allowed Anderson to ceremoniously lower and safeguard the Fort's tattered garrison flag (which had been a main target of rebel artillerymen). Anderson had been permitted a 100-gun salute, which, he sadly exclaimed was "scarcely enough" (Hendrickson, Sumter: The First Day of the Civil War , p. 226). On February 17, 1865, after repeated Union bombardments, the Confederates in turn evacuated the fort, now little more than rubble. Recognizing the symbolic importance of the recapture of Sumter, a ceremony was planned in which Anderson would again raise the same tatered garrison flag that he been forced to strike four years before. The special event was open to northern dignitaries by invitation only. Here, Townshend, on behalf of Secretary of War Stanton, invites "Your Excellency Gov. of Missouri to witness the ceremony of raising the United States Flag on Fort Sumter by Major-General Anderson, on the 14th of April next, pursuant to the order of the President." The printed announcement explains that "The steamer Arago will sail from New York on Friday the Seventh April, with General Anderson. Upon receiving notice of your acceptance, an order will be given to furnish you with passage on board to Charleston and back." Governor Fletcher, the invitee, an early Lincoln supporter, was brevetted a brigadier general and was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bayou. On April 14, the 60-year-old Anderson, "pale and silver-haired, still militarily erect...raised the same flag that had begun it all to the top of Sumter, along with a garland of roses" (Hendrickson, p.234). (2)
CIVIL WAR FORT SUMTER]. TOWNSEND, Edward (1817-1893), Assistant Adjutant General . Two partly printed documents signed ("E D Townsend"), an announcement and invitation to the Governor of Missouri, Thomas C. Fletcher (1827-1899), to attend the flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sumter, "War Department," Washington, 30 March 1865. Together two pieces, 8vo and an oblong, accomplished in manuscript, on heavy paper, minor soiling . THE CEREMONIAL FLAG-RAISING AT FORT SUMTER MARKING THE END OF THE WAR A very rare invitation to attend the celebratory April 14, 1865 flag-raising over Fort Sumter exactly four years after the surrender of the fort which marked the beginning of the Civil War. On April 14, 1861, after a 34-hour bombardment, Major Robert Anderson the fort's commander, had asked for surrender terms. The Confederate authorities in Charleston allowed Anderson to ceremoniously lower and safeguard the Fort's tattered garrison flag (which had been a main target of rebel artillerymen). Anderson had been permitted a 100-gun salute, which, he sadly exclaimed was "scarcely enough" (Hendrickson, Sumter: The First Day of the Civil War , p. 226). On February 17, 1865, after repeated Union bombardments, the Confederates in turn evacuated the fort, now little more than rubble. Recognizing the symbolic importance of the recapture of Sumter, a ceremony was planned in which Anderson would again raise the same tatered garrison flag that he been forced to strike four years before. The special event was open to northern dignitaries by invitation only. Here, Townshend, on behalf of Secretary of War Stanton, invites "Your Excellency Gov. of Missouri to witness the ceremony of raising the United States Flag on Fort Sumter by Major-General Anderson, on the 14th of April next, pursuant to the order of the President." The printed announcement explains that "The steamer Arago will sail from New York on Friday the Seventh April, with General Anderson. Upon receiving notice of your acceptance, an order will be given to furnish you with passage on board to Charleston and back." Governor Fletcher, the invitee, an early Lincoln supporter, was brevetted a brigadier general and was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bayou. On April 14, the 60-year-old Anderson, "pale and silver-haired, still militarily erect...raised the same flag that had begun it all to the top of Sumter, along with a garland of roses" (Hendrickson, p.234). (2)
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
