Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-04-19

tween Fort Sumter and the ships of war.
The latter have not yet opened fire.
An explosion has occurred at Fort
Sumter. A dense volnme of smoke was
seen suddenly to rise.
Mai. Anderson ceased firing for about
an hour, bis flag still up. 1t was thought
the officers quarters were on fire.
Another account says the batteries on
Sullivan's Island, on Cummings Point
and Stevens Battery are pouring shot
and shell into Fort Sumter.
Major Anderson does not return the
fire.
Two of Major Anderson's magazines
have exploded. Only occasional shots
are fred at him from Fort Moultre.--
The battery on Morris Island is doing
heavy work.
1t is thought that the magazines which
exploded on Fort Sumter are only the
smaller ones.
The greatest excitement prevails
The wharves, steeples and every avails-
BILE place are packed with people.
The ships in the ofing are now too late
to come over the bar to Andersons aid,
as the tide is now ebbing.
CHARLESTON, April IS. 1t is stated
from a reliable source, that up to 10
o'clock to-day no one at Fort Moultrie
had been killed. Shots from Fort Sum
ter penetrates the floating battery below
the water line.
A few shots fired by Major Anderson
in the morning knocked the chimnies off
the officers quarters at Folt Moultaie
like a whirlwnd.
Major Anderson's only hope is to hold
out for aid from the ships Two ships
were making in towards Morris Island
with a view to land troops and silence
the batteries there.
The ships in the ofiing appear quietly
at anchor, and have not fired a gun.
The entire roof of Anderson's bar
racks are sheet of flames, Shells from
Cummings Point and Fort Moultrie are
bursting in and over Sumter in quick
succession. The flag still waves.
Anderson's force seems occupie only
in extinguishing the fire. Every shot
seems to tell. The striking of Ander-
sons flag is anxiously looked for.
Fort Sumter is undoubtedly on FIRE, as
L-me age ging all around it. Major
Audel % has thrown out a raft loaded
with men who are passing in water to
eXhnEuish the flames.
The Fort is scarcely discernabIe. The
men on the raft are now objects of the
lire from Morris Island, and viii, glasses
balls can be plainly seen skipping over
and striking the unprotected ran
Great havoc IS creating among tho
poor fellows. II IS surmised that Auder-
son is gradually blowing up the fort.
At half-past eleven flames were burst
ing from all the port holes. The destruc-
ton of Fort Sumter is inevitable.
-Four vessels and two or three large
steamers are in sight over the bar. The
larger one appears to be engaging Nor
lis island.
The G4aes have nearly subsided in
Fort Sumter, but Major Anderson does
not fire any guns.
General Beauregard has just left the
wharf in boat for Morris Island. Elk
element is increasing.
A letter from S. c. Byl-ton, dated
Fort Moultrie, o'clock this morning,
says not a man has been killed or wound
ed.
The iron battery is damaged. The RI
fed cannon of the battery did great ex-
ecntion on Fort sumter They were
all aimed into Andersons portfolios.
Three of Fort Sumtors barbette guns
were dismounted, and one was an eigh-
teen inch columbiad. A corner Of Fort
Sumter opposite Fort MouItrie was
knocked off,
Another correspondent says that the
bombardment has closed Major An
derson has lowered the stars and stripes.
and displays a white flag, which has
been answered from the city, and boat
is on the way to Fort Sumter.
SURRENDER OF FORT SUMTER
CHARLESTON, April, Is. Fort Sem
ter has Internationally surrendered. The
news has Just come. Ex-senator Chest.
nut, Ex-Governor Manning and W. 7.