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Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 24. (ed. Reverend J. William Jones), First gun at Sumter. (search)
ons before the 15th of April he would receive them, and in that event he would not surrender. This reply being unsatisfactory, Colonel James Chestnut and Captain S. D. Lee gave the Major a written communication, dated Fort Sumter, S. C., April 12, 1861, 3:20 A. M., informing him, by authority of General Beauregard, that the batteries of General Beauregard would open fire on the fort in one hour from that time. The party, as designated, then proceeded in their boats to Fort Johnson, on James Island, and delivered the order to Captain George S. James, commanding the mortar battery, to open fire on Fort Sumter. At 4:30 A. M. the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, and at 4:40 the second gun was fired from the same battery. Captain James offered the honor of firing the first shot to Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia. He declined, saying he could not fire the first gun. Another officer then offered to take Pryor's place. James replied: No! I will fire it myself. And he did fire it. At 4