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8B – Daily News – Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Fort Sumter: Somber 150th anniversary of Civil War CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Booming cannons, plaintive period music and hushed crowds ushered in the 150th anniversary of America’s bloodiest war on Tuesday, a commemoration that continues to underscore a racial divide that had plagued the nation since before the Civil War. The events marked the 150th anniversary of the Confederate bombardment of Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, an engagement that plunged the nation into four years of war at a cost of more than 600,000 lives. Several hundred people gathered on Charleston’s Battery in the pre-dawn darkness, much as Charleston residents gath- ered 150 years ago to view the bombardment of April 12, 1861. About 4 a.m., a single beam of light reached sky- ward from the stone works of Fort Sumter. About a half hour later, about the time the first shots were fired, a second beam glowed, signi- fying a nation torn in two. Nearby, a brass ensem- ble played a concert entitled “When Jesus Wept” as hun- dreds listened, some in fold- ing chairs, others standing. Fifty years ago during the centennial of the Civil War, there was a celebratory mood. But on Tuesday, the 150th anniversary events were muted. Even the applause seemed subdued. Of about 1,200 people attending two main com- memorative events, only a handful were black. One man whose Confederate ancestor is credited with fir- ing the first shot of the war acknowledged his family legacy as a ‘‘mixed bless- ing.“ “I think it signifies the mood of the nation. I think we’re much more sensitive to other people and the diversity in this country,” said Linda Marshall, a 58- year-old registered nurse from Charleston as she waited for the second beam of light as dawn creeped up. A little over two hours later, as a red sun rose on James Island across the har- bor, Confederate re-enac- tors fired an authentic 1847 seacoast mortar, signaling about 30 other cannons ringing the harbor. Those cannons quickly thumped and smoke rose in a re-enactment of the Sumter bombardment. In a dispatch to The Associated Press in 1861, an unnamed correspondent observed the fort’s parapets crumbling under the pound- ing of artillery. He wrote of gun emplacements being ‘‘shot away’’ and shells falling ‘‘thick and fast.’’ ‘‘The ball has opened. War is inaugurated ... Fort Sumter has returned the fire and brisk cannonading has been kept up,’’ the dispatch said. Sumter fell after a 34- hour bombardment. One of those on hand on James Island was John Hugh Farley of Roswell, Ga. Many historians credit Farley’s ancestor, Lt. Henry Farley, as firing the first shot at Sumter. “It’s a real big honor. We are very proud of our fami- ly,” said Farley, who had two other ancestors fight for the South. “It certainly is a mixed blessing because it’s bringing back a memory from way back but it also helps us to look at history and learn from history.” Later in the morning, Danny Lucas, 53 and black, was walking out after visit- ing Charleston’s Old Slave Mart Museum, where the history of Charleston’s role as an urban slave trading center is recounted. “I have no problem with the Civil War being honored as long as it is inclusive,” said Lucas, a Ridgeland, S.C. resident. “I don’t think whites should be so defen- sive and I don’t think blacks should feel they are unwel- come to these kinds of things. I think it will fade over time.” Lucas does think last December’s secession ball in Charleston, during which South Carolina’s leaving the Union was commemorated, may have soured some blacks on the 150th events. “The secession ball dis- couraged them because in their minds, they saw the ball as a celebration,” he said. With other events they may decide “I’m not going to go because there will be a whole lot of rebel yelling and carrying on.” ‘‘In this moment of remembrance, let us all do the tough truth telling nec- essary for our nation to finally heal from the sins of slavery and fratricide,’’ said Benjamin Todd Jealous, the president and chief execu- tive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in a statement released by the civil rights group. ‘‘Commemorative events must neither ignore slavery as the principal cause of the Civil War, nor romanticize those who fought to keep African Americans in slavery,“ he of disputes and controver- sies between regions, races and cultures,” he said. “Why was the war fought? Was it about slav- ery or states’ rights? What does the Confederate battle flag stand for? Is it a sym- bol of bigotry or a memori- al to the valor of fallen sol- diers,” he asked about 700 people gathered at a cere- mony commemorating the first shots of the war. “Many of the emotional issues still rage.” He said the South has said. ”This is a time for the nation to reflect and repent, not ignore - let alone cele- brate - the atrocities that tore our country apart.’’ State Sen. Glenn McConnell, president pro tempore of the South Car- olina Senate and a Civil War re-enactor, told the audience of about 700 on James Island that the effects of the war are still being felt. “The War Between the States triggered generations moved on and “the time has come to move beyond the petty disputes of the past.’’ Later a black Union re- enactor representing a sol- dier from the 54th Massa- chusetts, the company of black troops that fought at Battery Wagner on Charleston Harbor in 1863 in an attack memorialized in the movie “Glory,” threw a wreath into the water and saluted. Then seven re-enactors in Confederate gray fired a 21-gun salute in memory of all who died on South Car- olina soil. Two buglers then echoed “Taps.” As the event broke up, a small group of Confederate re-enactors in the back of the crowd took up singing “Dixie,” although only a handful joined them and not very enthusiastically. Save the Date! April 14th Thur., April 14th Red Bluff-Tehama County CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and ROUND-UP MIXER Big Cowboy fun, Music & More! 5:30pm @ Reynolds Ranch & Farm Supply CATTLEMEN’S ASSOC. 501 Madison St., RB Must be 21 or older to attend! 100 Main Street, Red Bluff Round-up Mixer Badges on Sale NOW at the Palomino Room and The Loft. Also available at the door only $8.00 www.redbluffchamber.com Bail Bonds “its quick and easy 2BFREE” Bail agent #1845617 Grand Opening April 16th 11:00 - 2:00 530-529-1344 Offices in Northern California Come by, say hello & mention this ad to get your FREE gift*. *While supplies last 340 Oak Street, Red Bluff Bring in this ad and M & M Ranch House will donate a portion of your meal ticket to Second Chance Pet Rescue Dinner 4pm - 8pm 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 530 527-1420 in Frontier Village across from the Fairgrounds You are Cordially Invited to Red Bluff Garden Club’s “Elegant Affair” 50th Annual Standard Flower Show Tehama Co. Fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8 10 am to 5 pm Free Admission HUGE PLANT SALE Flower Design & Plant Propagation Demo’s Info: Call 530-527-9403 Home Arts Building 90