Dear Captain, Sir,

 

I desire to write to you on this auspicious day of our nation's Independence, albeit bravely and rightfully divided, with regard to an English article of an interesting and timely nature that I have happened upon, which I have transcribed for you here presently. I may hope that you find the content of the article just and enlightening so that it may press upon you to share with your company of brave and honorable soldiers, being as I, a proper Southern lady, may not be afforded the opportunity to address such a fine group of gentlemen under your proud command directly. I submit the article in full as follows, however, 'tis a lengthy endeavor indeed, and I pray that the ramblings herewith do not deter your perusal.

 

   "Originally published in the Evening (London) Standard, Friday July 4, 1862:

 

The End of The Union

    Two lines of telegram inform us that on June 16, "a bloody battle was fought near Charleston, with great loss on both sides." As another episode in a desperate struggle, as another red page in the history of a civil war the most disastrous and disgraceful that has ever blotted the book of history, the mere bald fact of such a battle has, of course, its significance. Every such encounter must serve to deepen the animosity, to widen the impracticable gulf between the Northern and Southern section of the late American Union. But what its bearing mat be upon the fate of the second seaport of the Confederate States we cannot determine until we know its issue. By our last accounts there has been an encounter on James Island between the attacking forces and the defenders of Charleston. James Island is a tongue of land, thickly covered with forest and brushwood, by gaining possession of which the Northern troops would be able to approach the city on the southwest side, on which, we believe, its defences are very imperfect.In this first encounter the Confederates had brought together some 4,000 or 5,000 men, with three batteries of artillery. The Federal are said to have numbered about sixteen regiments, and they expected reinforcements. In attempting to enter the wooded country of the interior of the Island, they seem to have been driven back with some loss.

    Whether the city is unapproachable by the fleet and gunboats on account of the shallowness of the water of the inner bay, the Federals themselves having done their best to make this approach difficult by sinking the "stone fleet" in the main channel some time since, or whether Forts Sumter and Moultrie, with the other sea defences, are so formidable as to be able to check the advance of the fleet-whatever be the reason, it is clear that Charleston cannot be expected to fall an easy prey to such a naval attack as that which at once placed the city of New Orleans in the power of its enemies. It is said that Beauregard has detached a force from his army for the defence of Charleston. We have no reliable evidence of this. Should it be true, so that the attacking arm is outnumbered, the latter my be driven back to its ships, and the capture of Charleston be postponed for a while. We, however, think it more than probable that this heavily-offending city--the head and front of secession--has, ere this, fallen into the hands of the Northern army.

    The able military leaders of the Southern movement appear to have comprised, however reluctantly, in their programme, the gradual surrender of the whole of the seaboard to the naval forces of the enemy. This enemy no sooner enters into the possession than he seconds, in a truculent and heedless manner, the plans of the Southern chieftains. If to render reunion impossible and compromise hateful, to perpetuate session, and erect a durable nationality on a basis of undying hatred of anything that is North, be the aim and purpose of the Confederates, the Davis and Beauregard second the purpose but weakly in comparison with Gen. Butler and the Congress at Washington.

    The unmanly insult offered to the women of New Orleans--an outrage which has earned for Butler the execration of every man and woman in Europe--has gained him a notoriety which he must not mistake for fame, a tribute to groaning and hissing in an assembly of English youth,an certain flattering comparisons with Hayman and Nana Sahib. This disgusting proclamation, capped as it has been by such acts of unparalleled barbarity a the hanging of a poor man who pulled down a Federal flag, has settled the fate of New Orleans, There is an end of the Union forever in the Crescent City.

    Towards the people of Charleston the people of New York feel far more vindictive than towards these poor half-Creoles of Louisiana. We may expect a pendant ere long to the atrocities of Butler. The bloodless capture of Sumter, which inaugurated this vindictive war; the first hoisting of the secession flag of the seven stars--these were deeds of the hot-headed people of the capital of South Carolina. We fear they may be bitterly avenged. The New Yorkers never speak of Charleston without a tempest of big words and fearful denunciations. The inhabitants of this unfortunate city, should it fall into the hands of the North, will have to pass through a fire of persecution. Is it supposed that the remnant will survive to be good and true citizens of the American Union, which treats them in so paternal a manner? Such a victory of the North would be driving another nail into the coffin of the extinct republic of the "United States".

    To-day is the 4th of July. With the anniversary of American independence may be date also the end of the spring campaign which was intended to repair the fortunes of the shattered fabric founded which Washington and his friends founded in doubt and hope. By this time Charleston has fallen, or the siege has been raised. By this time, in all probability, Richmond has been taken, or the host of McClellan scattered. Such signal events cannot much longer be delayed; but whatever happen, the end will be the same. The subjugation of the South was never farther off than now. It may be considered postponed sine die."

 

Respectfully I remain your humble servant,

Mrs. Lisa Hart