Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-31

lined force but against troops the small
garrison could make no stand.
Maj. Anderson had been ordered TO hold the
fort 10 protect the work, and he intended to do II
at every hazard. He denied that either the Presi-
dent or Secretary Of Wat had given any orders
for the evacuation Of the post. MAJ. Anderson bad
done this on his own OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES thas
by such a step he would make himself secure
against attack, protect the lives Of bis soldiers
and could better guard the public property; for,
In his position at Fort Sumter be could easily com
mand, and II necessary, silence the batteries OF
Fort Moultfie.
THE OCCUPATION OF FORT MoULTRIK BIT SOUTH
CAROLINA TROOPS.
At twenty minutes TO eight o'clock the troops
on board the Nina and Gen, Clinch landed on the
wharf of Splllvans Island. Rapidly forming,
they proceeded Under the command Of Colonel
DeSaussure towards the walls Of Foft mouluie.
sergeant and ten men held possession OF the
place On the approach Of Col. pesauss ,f1es
without offering aSy resistance.
The gates were not closed even and forty min
utes after the steamer touched the wharf the Pal
metto flag, mounted on hastily prepared stan,
las the original one had been cut away was flung
| to the breeze amid the huzzas Of the occupants
| Active preparations were immediately commenced
to render the place defensible. The spiked guns,
and those dismantled by the burning Of the car
| riages, will soon be In position TO respond TO
any hostile demonstration made against the place
| At 10 O'Clock last night when our reporter LETT
| the Island, all was qniet and orderly. Sentries
| were pacing the ramparts, and the hail of " All
well't resonnded at regular intervals from the
| several posts
| to the hour Of going to press The spirited CONS
mands In possession active in their vigilance,
and perfectly competent to take care Of them
selves.
| THE sroRMINe OF CASTLE PINcKSEY.
The Charleston Mercury gives the following
account Of the storming Of Castle Pinckney by
| the State troops:
J. J. Pettigrew, assembled promptly upon the
Citadel Green. They were substantially equipped
In winter uniform, with blankets, knapsacks and
| revolvers. The battalion numbered some one
hundred and fifty men, and consisted of detach-
| ments from the Meagher Guards, the Carolina
Light Infantry and the Washington Light In
fantry. Shortly after four o'clock the word was
| given, AID the companies advanced In double
| quick time, without music, towards the Cooper
river. None Of them, we believe, excepting the
officers, were aware of their destination. They
en- barked on the steamer Nina, which imuedi.
ately headed for Castle Pinckney, and they soon
became confirmed that the destination of the COM
mand was to take possession Of that fortress.
On nearing the fort a number Of men were OBJ
served on the wharf, one Of whom, In advance Of
| the others, was observed holding what appeared
| to be per In his band. This was said to have
been the Riot Act As soon as the Nina touched
the wharf the storming party who had been de:
tailed for that duty, sprung ashore and rushed
round to the rear Of the fortress where the gate
situated This was found closed, and a cry for
forming ladders was soon answered by detach-
ment bearing dozen or more Of them. These
. were instantly planted, and under cover of the
rifles Of the battalion, the walls were escaladed
| and the gates thrown open
On entering the fort il was found to be tenanted
| only by an officer Of engineers and small party
| of laborers, none Of whom made any resistance
The officer informed that he was at liberty tc
leave and remove his personal effects, and In a
few minutes he set out In a boat belonging to the
fort, accompanied by four other men. From the
direction In which he steered 1t is supposed hs
. went to Fort Moultre.
The flag Of the Nina, consisting Of a white sta
, on a red ground, was then hoisted amid loud
cheers; and when our reporter left strong guard
had been mounted and preparations for garrison.
ing the fortress were well advanced
= | MAJOR ANDERsoN's REPLY TO THE cHARLEsro,
, | AUTHoRITIRs.
: The Wilmington IN. CO Herald says: Ate
o Major Anderson removed to Fort Sumter, Gov
n Pickens sent Col. Pettigrew and Major Caper
\ down to him with dispatch. The Courier say
v his reply had not transpired, but we learn that
!, | gentleman who arrived here yesterday from
. Charleston says that Major Anderson received til
abovenamed gentlemen courteonsly, and stated
| them that he had acted upon his own responsi
, bility, and for security-that he deprecated th
d necessity for 1t, and hoped no attack would b
made upon him-that he should hate to turn hi
e gunsupon hiscountrymen, but, unless commando
u by the Government Of the United States, he woul
never surrender the post while he lived, and tha
8 IL an attack was madeupon him, he hoped til
first shot fred at the fort would pierce has hear
1t is said he has one years provisions in the for
! and over two hundred men,.
}, The Charleston Mercury says Captain Foster
y u 9. Engineers, visited Charleston on Thursday
u and remained for some time during the great el
= element resulting from the transfer Of the CARR
u son from Fort Moutrie, with which he acti Va
= lyconnected. The act shows that United State
officer relied on the faith and honor Of South Cal
v ona even after his superior officer had insulted
- outraged and defed the State.
. SECESSION on UNITED STATES VESSEL.
- Captain n. l.. Coste, late of the ). Revenu
= service, In command Of the cutter VIM. Aiker
has given official notification of his resignation
N and has discharged his crew The crew, o
,, being notified Of the position Of Captain Cost,
;, under the late ordinance concerning the custom,
A prom pity volunteered to remain under his con
# mand as an officer Of South Carolina under tn:
ordinance.
;. lTTHE UNION PRAYER MEETING