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Cook, George S. (1819-1902) [Confederate Flag raised over Ft. Sumter]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.01.0013 Author/Creator: Cook, George S. (1819-1902) Place Written: Fort Sumter, South Carolina Type: Photograph Date: 15 April 1861 Pagination: 1 salt print ; 15.8 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

Extremely rare salt print taken by George S. Cooke of the interior of Fort Sumter after it was taken by Confederate troops. With pencil inscription at the top of the mount: "With the new flag of the south now raised and our Southerners in the stronghold at Fort Sumpter [sic], we will see which sister states join the cause." The flag described is the first flag of the Confederacy, with 7 stars and three horizontal stripes. The image has been published: Davis, Image of War v.1 p.102. On back side of photograph there is penciled a note from M.J. Davis to General Gideon Johnson Pillow:
"General Pillow,
The seriousness of the situation can best be shown, needless to say: leadership is important and Southern Sons are called to free our oppressions. Such a call as made to you without demand. Pillow - Tennesee, your life, your heritage in in [sic] the [illegible] of jeopardy! Rally and lead without hesitation in [illegible] means defeat. Defeat means death.
Death means failure under the hands of scoundrels but [illegible] to who we allow to guide our destiny-. M.J. Davis, Char[leston]. S.C. April "

Notes: The photograph is a Confederate salt print taken on 15 April 1861, just two days after the Confederate forces first occupied the fort, shows Southern troops lined up on the parade ground.

[draft]
[Pencil inscription at the top of the mount:]
With the new flag of the south now raised and our Southern Sons in our stronghold at Sumpter [sic], we will see which sister states join the cause.
[Pencil inscription to Pillow on the back of the mount:]
General Pillow,
The seriousness of the situation can best be shown, needless to say. Leadership is important and Southern Sons are called to free our oppressions. Such a call is made to you without demand. Pillow - Tennessee your life, your heritage in in the fore front of jeopardy rally and lead without hesitation in [illegible]. Hesitation means defeat. Defeat means death. Death means failure under the hands of scondrels [sic] but for God who we allow to guide our destiny.
M. T. Davis. Char. S. C. April

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