A remarkable instance of Southern magnanimity was that of W.T.  Wigfall, a volunteer aide to General Beauregard.  As he stood watching the progress of the battle from Cummings’ Point and saw the great volume of black smoke curling and twisting in the air—­the storm of shot and shell plunging into the doomed walls of the fort, and the white flag flying from its burning parapets—­his generous, noble, and sympathetic heart was fired to a pitch that brooked no consideration, “a brave foe in distress” is to him a friend in need.  Before orders could be given to cease firing, or permission granted by the commanding general, he leaped into a small boat, and with a single companion rowed away to the burning fortress, shells shrieking over his head, the waves rocking his frail little craft like a shell in a vast ocean, but the undaunted spirit of the great man overcame all obstacles and danger, and reached the fort in safety.  Here a hasty consultation was had.  Anderson agreed to capitulate and Wigfall hastened to so inform General Beauregard.

It was agreed that Major Anderson should leave the fort—­not as a prisoner of war, but as a brave foe, who had done all in human power to sustain the dignity of his country and the honor of his flag.  He was allowed to salute his flag, by firing a number of guns, and with his officers and troops and all personal belongings placed upon a transport, was carried out to the fleet.

The only melancholy event of the memorable bombardment was the sudden death of one of the soldiers of the garrison, caused by the premature explosion of a shell while firing the salute to the flag.

The prominence given to Wigfall’s exertion, and erratic conduct at the time, and his meritorious career during the existence of the Confederacy, prompt me to give a short sketch of this meteoric character.  He was born in Edgefield County along in the first quarter of the century of good old South Carolina stock, and educated in the common schools and in South Carolina College.  His large means, inherited from a long line of wealthy ancestors, afforded him opportunities to enjoy life at his pleasure.  He was full of that fiery zeal for honor, hot headed and impulsive.  His hasty and stubborn nature caused him many enemies; yet his charitable disposition and generous impulses gave him many friends.  He could brook no differences; he was intolerant, proud of his many qualities, gifted, and brave to rashness.  In early life he had differences with Whitfield Brooks, the father of Preston S. Brooks, Congressman from South Carolina, but at that time a student of South Carolina College.  While the son was in college, Wigfall challenged the elder Brooks to a duel.  Brooks, from his age and infirmities, refused.  According to the rules of the code duello, Wigfall posted Brooks at Edgefield Court House, and guarded the fatal notice during the day with a loaded pistol.  A relative of Brooks, a feeble, retiring, and unassuming young