e
26 Norro Caroiina TROOPS, 1861-65.

very limited. Colonel Cantwell and his aids embarked on a
slow sailing sloop which became becalmed within four miles
of Smithville. They were put into shallow water from
whence they waded and walked to Smithville, where they
secured, with difficulty, because the populace was almost
unanimously opposed to their supposed mission, a pilot boat
in which they sailed to Fort Caswell, arriving there after
dark.

After some parleying, and not without reluctance, they
were admitted and conducted to Major Hedrick, to whom the

following order was delivered:

“To Major John J. Hedrick, Commanding Fort Caswell:
“Siz :—In obedience to the order of His Excellency, John
W. Ellis, Governor, Ete., a copy of which I herewith trans-
mit, it becomes my duty to direct that you withdraw the
troops under your command from Fort Caswell, and restore
the same to the custody of the officer of the United States,

whom you found in charge. Respectfully,
“Toun L. CANTWELL,

“Qolonel Thirtieth North Carolina M tlitia.

“Ropert E. CaLper,
“Acting Adjutant.”

The garrison asked until the next morning to consider
what reply should be made and, on the morning of the 13th
this was returned:

“Oolonel John L. Cantwell:

“Srz:—Your communication, with the copy of the order
of Governor Ellis demanding the surrender of this post, has
been received. In reply I have to inform you that we, as
North Carolinians, will obey his command. This post will

be evacuated to-morrow at 9 o’clock, a. m.
“Joun J. HepRIcK, -

“Grorce WorTHAM, “Major Commanding.
“Acting Adjutant.”

The fort was evacuated on the next day. Colonel Cant-
well and his Aides returned to Wilmington and reported the

t
A Caprure BrerorRE THE WAR. 27

facts to Governor Ellis. The United States Sergeant again
assumed control of the Government property.

Thus matters remained in this section until April of the
same year, the State in the meantime drifting steadily to-
wards secession and war, and the people sternly arming and
preparing. The local military companies in Wilmington
were fully recruited, and the former ‘Minute Men” per-
manently organized as the “Cape Fear Light Artillery,” un-
der which name they served through the war. ;

On 14 April came the firing upon Fort Sumter, followed
on the 15th by a call from the Secretary of War upon the
Governor of North Carolina for “two regiments of military
for immediate service.” Immediately the Governor tele-
erephed orders to Colonel J. L. Cantwell, at Wilmington,
‘to take Forts Caswell and Johnson without delay, and hold
them until further orders against all comers.” Colonel
Cantwell, as commander of the Thirtieth Regiment North
Carolina Militia, promptly issued orders to “the officers in
command of the Wilmington Light Infantry, the German
Volunteers, and the Wilmington Rifle Guards, to assemble
fully armed and equipped this afternoon” (15th), which
was promptly obeyed.

On the morning of the 16th the Governor telegraphed
Colonel Cantwell to proceed at once to the forts “and take
possession of the same in the name of the State of North
Carolina. This measure being one of precaution merely,
you will observe strictly a peaceful policy, and act only on
the defensive.” The force under Colonel Cantwell’s orders
moved promptly. It consisted of the Wilmington Light In-
fantry, Captain W. L. DeRosset; the German Volunteers,
Captain ©. Cornehlson; the Wilmington Rifle Guards, Cap-
tain O. P. Meares; and the Cape Fear Light Artillery, Lieu-
tenant James M. Stevenson, commanding. At 4 p. m,,
United States Sergeant James Reilly surrendered the post at
Fort Johnson, where Lieutenant Stevenson was left in com-
mand with his company. The remainder of the battalion,
under Colonel J. L. Cantwell, proceeded to Fort Caswell and
took possession at 6:20 p. m., Sergeant Walker, of the United
States Army, being placed in close confinement in his quar-