Front-faced, the cost of honor—
Nor did shrink from its full payment."
On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added herself to their number.
This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to ensue.
On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.:
War Department,
Washington, D.C., April 15th, 1861.
To J. W. Ellis:
Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military for immediate service.
Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War.
Governor Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following reply: