Pvt. Anthony W. Riecke
Civil War Memories
A. W. Riecke had just turned 18 when South Carolina's Convention of Representatives passed the Ordinance of Session. He was present at the convention, immediately joined the Charleston Zouave Cadets, later served with the Washington Artillery, and was a Confederate Soldier until Gen. Johnston's surrender in April, 1865. The following are previously unpublished exerpts from his book Recollections of A Confederate Soldier of the Struggle for the Lost Cause
Session of South Carolina, Dec. 20th 1860
A convention of representatives of the people of the state was called to meet at Columbia on the 16th December 1860, but the city not having a sufficiently large hall ... they adjourned to meet at Charleston on the 19th ... at St. Andrew's Hall, afterwards called Session Hall ... At 1:15 P.M. on 20th December they passed the Ordinance of Session, declaring all connection between the State of South Carolina and the United States as severed, and establishing the state as a free and independent republic. Alone those who witnessed it can know the great enthusiasm that this act caused among the people of the city and the state ... The report of a gun was heard, followed soon by others, which was ascertained to be a salute of 100 guns in honor of the new-born republic, fired by the Washington Artillery; I did not think that day that I would for 3 years be identified with that company, and help to man those same guns, not for a holiday salute, but in the sad and stern reality of war.
The blue cockade became general that day, that color having been chosen as the national color of the new nation, the convention having adopted ... a blue flag with white Palmetto and Crescent ... as the national flag of the state.
The blue cockade was worn by almost every one, even the ladies and children joining in showing their devotion to the Palmetto State. I too wore the same, and not wanting to be only by birth a South Carolinian I joined the "Charleston Zouave Cadets" resolved to do my duty to my state even if it should come to the worst. This company, the discipline of which had a moral tone had that afternoon made its first appearance on parade, making a favorable impression on me, and I resolved to connect myself with it.
If the excitement during the day had been great that night it was intensely so; banners were flung to the breeze from the housetops and across the streets, transparencies with significant mottos flashed through the darkness on all sides; Meeting Street, from Broad to Wentworth, was lighted by bonfires of barrels of tar; a tall liberty pole was erected at the northeast corner of Meeting and Hayne Streets, with the Palmetto flag flying; and hung from top to bottom with colored lanterns; the sky was brilliant with rockets, roman candles, &etc. while crackers, serpents & pistols were fired about the streets in every direction.
At ... Session Hall, and at the Mills House, and Charleston Hotel large crowds were assembled listening to the speakers, many of whom were of the highest ability; with what wrapt attention were not the speeches of Wm. L. Yancy, Henry R. Jackson and others, famous afterwards in the council and the field of the newly created nation, listened to by the multitude, and what a thundering applause greeted them, or rent the air when they uttered some sentiment that went to the hearts of the people, or when the band struck up the now so famous tune of "Dixie", only those can know who were present and saw and heard; surely, if our people were ever in earnest it was then, on that day; though there was quite a difference of opinion about the results of the act, some there were who prophesied years of war, others were willing to drink every drop, as they said, of blood that was spilt, a job though they would have had of it.
Battle of Fort Sumter
Battle of Fort Sumter
Creation of the Washington Artillery
Battle with the Frigate "Pawnee"
Battle of North Carolina/Surrender
Journey of the German Fusiliers, Oct. 1881
