John Luther Branch
Many people believe the War for Southern Independence (or the War of Northern Agression) started in April of 1861 at Fort Sumpter. My family lore would disagree. We argue that the first shots were fired on January 9, 1861 against the Star of the West.
My great great great uncle, John Luther Branch was a Colonel and an instructor at the South Carolina Military Institute. He was left in charge by General Boureguard when he went to visit Jefferson Davis... He was told NOT to allow the Star of the West, a transport ship, to enter Charleston Harbour and get to Fort Anderson to restock supplies. So when she did attempt to enter the harbor, he gave the orders for the cadets there to fire upon her. And so they did. and she was turned back.
So to me, the first shots were fired that early January morning. That was the first confederate victory. But those brave boys don't get credit because they weren't an official Confederate Unit. But I wouldn't tell them that!
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Of course you know the winners always write the "official" story. You've got some real history in your past.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. ALL my ancestors (back to Revolutionary War times) were SOUTHERNERS. South Carolina,Alabama and Mississippi. I also like to refer to that war as "The War for Southern Independence." I've often wondered why our Congress and Lincoln considered it justifiable to revolt against England but were horrified that a group of states could revolt against the "union." Slavery obviously was an abomination. That's an entirely different point. Good story.
