President George Washington’s Birthday at Fort Sumter*

Though nearly three-quarters of a century had passed since Pres. George Washington’s 1791 tour of Charleston, his legacy as the “Father of His Country” was revered by both the Confederacy and the Union. His week-long visit included, breakfast at Snee Farm and the inspection of the remains of the original Fort Moultrie – the former now preserved as Charles Pinckney National Historic Site and the later within Fort Sumter Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. Even a bloody Civil War did not halt the celebration of the first president’s birthday; the following describes one such commemoration held within the besieged walls of Fort Sumter.

On February 12, 1864, Co. A, 25th South Carolina Infantry Regiment arrived at Ft. Sumter. Its 53 officers and soldiers were members of Charleston’s Washington Light Infantry. Following tradition, on the evening of February 22^nd, they held their annual observance of George Washington’s birthday. Joined by the regimental band and a few guests, the festivities were held in the refitted left flank casemates. According to the fort’s engineer, Capt. John Johnson, they “banqueted with toasts, songs, speeches, and the music of their favorite band.” Pvt. William R. Greer, of Co. A, reminisced after the war, the “menu on this occasion insofar as the private soldiers were concerned was indicative of the period; simplicity itself, for each one a baked sweet potato with the accompaniment of some very fiery, potent corn whiskey, contained in a tin cup.”

The Charleston Mercury provided details of the toasts. First, the men saluted Washington. “May we as soldiers of the South, ever strive to emulate that devotion to duty, that consistent piety and sacrificing patriotism, which rendered him the hero of the first Revolution.” The band then played the “Eutaw Banner Song.” The second drink toasted the fort’s commander, whose “chivalric bearing and soldiery demeanor justly entitle him to the confidence and esteem of his countrymen.” The fort’s commander, Col. Stephen Elliott responded in kind, and the band played “Hail to the Chief.” Next came a toast to “The Engineer Corps of Fort Sumter— Who, with energy, courage, and skill, have continually met and overcome, apparently, insurmountable difficulties.” After Johnson’s response, the band struck up “Root Hog or Die.” The next one honored the fort’s medical staff. “Surgeon’s Call” was sounded, and Dr. Lewis C. Hasell spoke followed by another musical piece. The fifth toast saluted “Our Departed Comrades—Their names are now inscribed on the Rolls of the Martyrs of Liberty. Their sacrifice will ever impart to us a sacredness to the cause of Southern Independence.” All stood and drank in silence as the band played “Rest, Spirits, Rest.” The final toast honored “The Women of the South—Whose heroic fortitude, patriotic devotion and Christian virtues have rendered unconquerable the armies of their country.” The band followed with “Am I Not Fondly Thine Own.” The evening ended with several “volunteer sentiments and songs by the ‘Glee Club,’ all highly pleased with the entertainment.”

The Confederates weren’t alone in honoring the first president. The Charleston Courier reported that the Union warships “celebrated Washington’s birthday Monday by displaying all his colors from his fleet and firing national salutes at sunrise, noon, and at sunset.” Capt. Johnson also recalled the US Army batteries on nearby Morris Island joined the fleet in the commemoration and remarked that, “Doubtless, there were many such festive gatherings under the Union flag that day – significant all that when hostile camps concur in such an observation that they are preparing unconsciously for pacification and reunion.” And remembered that three years earlier before the start of the war both celebrated George Washington’s birthday with artillery salutes. South Carolina forces at Castle Pinckney fired an early morning salute followed by US Army Major Robert Anderson’s garrison in Fort Sumter at noon. 

*This is in part an excerpt from Thunder in the Harbor: Fort Sumter and the Civil War by Richard Hatcher III. (2023 Savas Beatie).

For more information about this event see:

• Comstock, Jr., Rock L., Organizations at Fort Sumter. 1861-1865. Fort Sumter National Monument, Project No.12, 1954, p. 53.

• Hatcher III, Richard W., Thunder in the Harbor, Fort Sumter and the Civil War. Savas Beatie, 2024, p. 151-152.

• Johnson, John. The Defense of Charleston Harbor, including Fort Sumter, and the Adjacent Islands. 1861-1865. Freeport, NY: Books For Libraries Press, Freeport, NY, reprint 1970, first published 1889., p. 201.

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