New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-16
DETAILS OF THE TAKING OF FORT SUM
TER
CHARLEsroE, April II, 1861.

The terrific hrlng reached an awiV CLIMAX ~ Tea
o'clock NJ night. The keaveDs we're obscured by rain
clou's aud II WAS as dark as Eretus The guns Were
heard distinctly, the wind blowing in s,ose Son@-
tines sbc would burst in mid air directly over Font
SlnJer. Nearly all night long all tbs streets were
thronged with people Gil Of excitement, aud enihusi-
asln The house-tops the Battery, the wharvss, the
shipping, in fact every available place was taken pos
session Of by the multitude. The discharges of csrnon
gradually diminished the sun rose. All the clouds
| which rendered the night dark and dismal disap-
| peared.
| AS day began to break, while the air became most
beautiful bany, and refreshing, the streets were filled
again with persons, male and female, old and young
| white and black; some wont to the Battery, some to
the whaves and 10 the steepes OF the churches
| 4 few random shots fired from the Confederate
batteries 10 which Fort Sumter only replied occasion
ally. Soon it became evident that Sumter was on fire.
and all eyes were rveted upon it. The dense smoke
that issued from it was gradually to rise TO the
ramparts. Some supposed that this was merely sig
nal from Major Andersont to draw in the feet to aid him
AT this time the fleet in re ohng quietly riding
at anchor and could clearly be distinguished. -Four
vessels were ranged in ne directly over tao bar ap-
parenuy blockadng the port. Their long black huils
and smoke stacks proved them to be Federal steamers.
Livery one auAlOusiN dWhltcu ~ ect NHat it. "Ou1
do. The suspense was very exciting On all sides
could be heard "Will the vessels in aud engage
the batteries 2" If they do they cowardly pol
troons" Every person on the Battery fully expected
that the engagement would become general. BY the
aid of glasses it was thought that movement was
being made to this end by two of the ships, and it
was thought that the sand would begin TO y from
the Morris Island batteries.
A. nofolo IN he OF, snuaip
| rve,ed upon Fort Sumter, which beyond q
doubt on ire. The flames TO burst through
the roofs of tho houses within its walls and dense col
| umns of smoke shot quickly upward. AT this time,
Major Anderson scarcely fred shot. The guns
the rampars of Fort Sumter had no uerance in lhcu.
Bursting shells and grape scattered Ike hail over the
| doomed fort and drove the soldiers under COVER
From the Iron Battery at Cummings Point con.
tnuous fire was kept mp. lis nAed cannon played sad
havoc with that portion Of Fort Sumter facing it. The
firing from the Floating Battery and from Fort Moul-
tre continued very regular and accurate. Standing on
the Charleston Battery and looking seward you have
on the right mortar battery and Fort Johnston dis
tant from the city two aud a half miles. Half a mile
from Fort Johnston is the Iron Battery Of Cummings
Point mounting three ten-inch coumbads three sixty
four Founders, three morars and one rfed cannon.
Cummings Point ia only Siteen hundred yards from
Fort Sumter and so any one can imagine what havoc
the regular Gre of the Cummings Point Bcitey must
have created. The men working the guns made them
terribly effective. The sand redoubt scarcely in
jured by the weak fire Major Anderson kept up the
battery. 1t was commanded by Major Stevens of the
Citadel Cadets Under his direction each shell that
was fred found destination within Fort Sumter, and
during the entire bombardmen scarcely missile Of
this character missed its mark.
On the other side of the barbor directly opposite Fort
Sumter is one of the strongest sides of Fort Moultrie
During the last three months has been strengthened
by every appliance that military art could suggest Its
merons moats, glaces and embrasures are perfectly
protected The weak walls of the fort made per-
fectly secure for the gunners while at work. From
this point throughout the engagement vast Numbers OF
shot and heavy balls were discharged. Behind this
and near Suvans Island, the floating battery wa sta
toned with two sxiy-four and two fortytwo pound
ers. Its sides Of iron and palmetto logs were mpene-
trabe. Every shot from it told on For Sumter, and
the men in charge of it secure in their position
that come of them INDUCED in soldiers pasmes, while
others played fve-cent anti, euchre, and bluff.
The mortar battery at Mount Pleasant 500 yards
from the floating battery, and was mounted with two
mortars, within excellent range of Fort Sumter. The
csion. You now have all the positions Of the works
bearing directly on Fort Sumter.
All through Friday morning the greatest activity at
all points was displayed. Three times Major Ander-
sons barracks were set on fire. and twice be succeeded
in putting out the flames, and to do this 1t was neces-
sary employ all his force passing along water. To
get water it necessary for of bis men to go
outside the walls and hand the buckets in through the
portfolios, during all which time they were exposed TO
most terrific fire from the various batteries. This
ast expedent was not escorted to until the fort
fire for the third time and the flames had increased to
an alarming pitch. Meantime Major Andersons guns
were client He allowed his men TO be exposed to the
calling fire upon them but for few moments, and
then ordered them in and shut the batteries, the
smoke was 100 thick to work them. At the flames
bunst from every quarter Of Fort Sumter, and the
destruction of it was complete.
CHARLESTON, Monday, April Is, 1861.
The Confederate flag was hoisted late in the after
noon.
Major Anderson embarked on board the steamer isa'
bel His baggage and that OF hls men was put on the
steamer Clincb. He anchored oil Fort Sumter, ana
will 90 out tonight and be taken aboard the Baltic
Major Anderson expressed great regret at the de-
struction of property.
The FIRST gun from Fort Sumter WAS hfeu " 0aP''
Doubleday.
An the officers and men look hearty, ana appear 70
be well fed 1t is said they have plenty OF provisions
Major Anderson complmentcd MAJOR stevens OF inc
South Carolina ronbattery. he SAID that ion nrea e
best but be did not think much OF the o'neis nre
The Forts tSumter) walls are not mucn oamAs'''
except in appearance beng almost as strong as ever
Major Anderson ssid he expected aud ron SCUM
-. ha oQtA
Carolina in putting out his fire. Tbs, ne sa,o was
nothing more than usual in civilized warfare. ne INC