The devil went down to Fort Sumter

The Civil War’s opening salvo wasn’t a barrage of cannon fire but a masterful duel of fiddle prowess. Before the first shot could be fired at Fort Sumter, the Union and Confederate forces agreed to settle their differences with a high-stakes fiddle competition.

Prelude to battle

On April 12, 1861, with tensions at a boiling point in Charleston Harbor, Major Robert Anderson of the Union garrison at Fort Sumter and Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard of the Confederate forces met under a flag of truce. They proposed an unusual solution: a fiddle competition to determine control of the fort. Both leaders, understanding the cultural significance and deep tradition of fiddle music, agreed.

Gathering of instruments

Both sides hastily prepared for the musical face-off. The Union troops scoured their supplies and found a few serviceable fiddles, rosin for their bows, and even an old military drummer willing to keep time. The Confederate soldiers, known for their musical heritage, had no shortage of talented fiddlers and quickly assembled their band.

Practice sessions

The next day, practice sessions reverberated through the harbor. The Union band, dubbed “The Fort Sumter Stringers,” fine-tuned their instruments and rehearsed a set of patriotic anthems. The Confederate band, calling themselves “The Southern Strummers,” honed their harmonies and practiced the fast-paced reels and jigs of their Southern heritage.

The battle begins

On the morning of April 14, soldiers from both sides gathered in an improvised amphitheater within earshot of the fort. A panel of judges—esteemed local musicians and neutral townsfolk—stood ready to render their verdict.

“The Fort Sumter Stringers” took the stage first. Major Anderson himself picked up a fiddle and led the band through a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by a lively medley of popular Union tunes. Private Jenkins’s solo on “Yankee Doodle” brought the crowd to its feet, his bow dancing across the strings with impeccable skill.

Next, “The Southern Strummers” stepped up. General Beauregard, ever the showman, introduced the band before taking his place as the lead fiddler. Their soulful rendition of “Dixie” brought tears to many eyes, and their performance of “The Arkansas Traveler” had everyone tapping their feet. The highlight was a breathtaking solo by Corporal Billy Ray, who played so fast and flawlessly that it seemed his fiddle might catch fire.

Decisive moment

As the final notes faded into the warm morning air, the judges deliberated. Soldiers on both sides awaited the decision that would determine the fate of Fort Sumter. The head judge, a venerable old fiddler from Charleston, rose to announce the verdict.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “both bands have played with exceptional talent and heart. It has been a close competition, but the winner of this historic fiddle battle is…”

“The Southern Strummers!”

Aftermath

Confederate soldiers cheered, celebrating their musical triumph. Major Anderson, with a smile and a handshake, “First, congratulations. You boys can make a fiddle sing. But I’m sorry, we still have to take the Fort. It’s just the way it is.

“I knew it,” the General said.