The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1861-01-02
The Startling Events at Charleston
Harbor.

The intelligence of the removal of the UNI
ted States troops from Fort Moultrie to fort |
Sumpter which is supposed to be q more I'M
pregnabIe position than the former, awakened
intense excitement throughout all parts Oh
the country. North as well as South. IL was
regarded as the first signal of its determine
tion by the Federal Government to assume an
attitude of hostility towards the State oil oou'ii
Carolina, and the manifestation oil purpose
to enforce the laws of government against an
unwilling people after their solemn anu ior-
NAL declaration of separation from said gov
eminent. In this light the act was VleWed'
and throughout the South it has kindled a
feeling of indignation which has found I'M
mjstakabIe utterance through the press and
through voluntary or spontaneous gatherings
of the people The manifestation of an intent
to coerce State into submission to federal
DEGREES, will be the signal for the union of
the entire South around common banner,
and summons to Southern patriots to make
the last appeal. Georgia and Alabama at once
responded by sending aid to the sister sove-
reign thus threatened, and millions of swords
in all parts Of the South will be promptly I'M
sheathed in the same cause.
The movement intensified the feeling of in
dignation with the authorities of South Car
DINA, because it was in direct violation of the
pledge of the government. 1t turns out, how
ever, that the step was taken by Col. Ander
son, the officer in charge, without authority
The South Carolina Commissioners at Wash
ington, it is we'll understood, will take thi
: grave proceeding into the general account O
matters requiring settlement with the fedora
government At last intelligence it was sub
iect of anxious deliberatiOn in the Cabine
councils of the President. Meantime tn
South Carolina forces have taken possession O
Fort Moultrie, and we presume will continu
to hold it. This is as it should be. The fort
were erected for the protection of the peopl
of the State within whose limits they stand
and it is proper new that they have reverted
to her by her act of secession that they shoul'
5 be manned by those rvho have enlisted unde
: her flag The following particulars are takel
from our last Charleston exchanges:
From the Courier
On Thursday morning it was found tina
Fort MouItrie was dismantled, its guns al
spiked, and several guns ranging towards For
! Sumptcr completely dismounted, and thei
carriages, SC, tarred and burned. Capt Eos
ter, o. S. Engineer, who had been in charg
J of the works on Fort Sumpter, was left wit
a small detail in Fort Moultrie.
By command of Gov. Pickens steame
t was chartered to bear a dispatch to Major Al
derson, at Fort Sumpter. The orders of tn
: Governor were committed to Col. Pettigre-
and Major Capers, of the Rifle Regimen
. whose return from Fort Sumpter was avail
ed by thousands.
Col. Anderson replied that the transfer ha
been made without orders from headquarter
Doubtless it was done under apprehensiCns
an assault upon him at Fort Moultrie, and
1 consciousness of inability to maintain his d
$ sition.
This act was gross violation of the pied,
es which the Government had made to Il
i people Of SoGth Carolina. They were just
a incensed at this clandesline movement, whe
relying upon the assurances of the Cover
ment, they had taken no precautions to pr
! vide against such contingency. The mil
r ktary were ordered out and promptly obey,
d the summons. The excitement was mut
/ abated in the afternoon when it became pos
r. lively known that Major Anderson had act
upon his own responsibility, and in Violate
of orders. Fort Mouitrie was taken posse
sion Of by Carolina troops between and
Il O'Clock on Thursday evening and the PalmC
N to Flag hoisted amid the huzzas of the occ
m pants.
h At II O'Clock last night, when our Report
left the Island, all was quiet and orderly.
Sentries were pacing the ramparts, and t
he hail of .'AlI weIl'' resounded at regular
n. tervals from the several posts.
The Mercury has lengthy account of t
~ events above referred to. We can give OF
= q summary. As telegrapheds Maj Anders
:" has evacuated Fort Moultrie, (see below
- The South Carolina troops now ho'd that e
tifcation as well as Castle Pinckney. T
Mercury says:
This transfer Of the troops from Fort Mo-
trie to Fort Sumpter is regarded as an OIL
L rageous breach of faith. For there was
es distinct understanding with the General &c
or eminent, upon the highest authority, that
such transfer would be made, no reinfort
ments of either of the forts attempted, and
r. transfer of arms or ammunition. Relyi
upon these declarations the authorities
cd South Carolina had not taken the forts VIII
Ut completely in their power. They have act
with good faith. and expected it in return.
Maj. Anderson alleges that the moveme
or was made without orders and upon his o.
responsibility, and that he was not aware
such an understanding. He is gentlem
and we will not impugn his word or his Il
n tives. But it is due to South Carolina and
ee, good faith, that the act of this officer be rel
of dated by the Government, and that the trot