Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-17


States and that he would continue 70 do so.
The lsttsr calls upon the President y send a
boat and men 70 collect the Federal revenue,
and informs him Of the progress made in the
construction Of works near Georgetown, and
promises to keep him posted from time to
time in relation 70 the same. The letter is
signed by his initials, ], n. NJ.
When Merriman was arrested, be acknowl-
edged having written it. LOpse, his deputy,
was also arrested. BE said he had been 10
the habit Of writing out Msrriman's letters
but had not done so in this case as he con.
sidered il treason. Both have bsen committed
for trial. "a
GEN. SCOTT.
The Mercury says; ti.af
That military fools, like General Scott,
who think the highest Wisdom consists in the
bloodiest fighting, should counsel the MILF
tary possession Of the bay Of Charleston by the
Government is what might be expected -
Thousands, and tens Of thousands, longing
for Southern COniederacy, with an eternal
separation from the people of the North, will
hail him as their detested but most efficient
deliverer. By all means, let Charleston be
hlulhhAGA LNk AllG MuA NoAnFAANstNo NAAN
nations Of Europe, as well as the United
States OF one thing there need be no fursh-
er blunders. The people of South Carolina
viii fght and will establish the Southern
Copiederaey, auoUs-
s. WHO FIRED THE FIRST SHOT.
The Courier says
Since the event of the crisis, much curiosity
= 49,. Il. . II. 4
the first shot. After diligent inquiry, be
liaFe it is settled that the honor belongs to
the Washington Light Infantry. Though
this corps is not stationed in the entrench-
ments on Morris Island, from which the first
gun was fired, still, single representative
of the corps, we are informed, was at one Of
the guns, and to him befel the duty. We
believe the name ofthe gentleman is Lieuten-
ant ]. L. Branch
FORT SUMTER.
While the engagement lasted, no demon
ytrstion whateEerWas made by the command
in possession ofthe frowning fortress-Sumter
except the opening Of the PORTFOLIOS and
running out of the guns which bear upon Nor
ris' Island and Moultrie, Major Anderson,
however, prudehdy forbore to FIRE, and no
doubt experienced great relief when he saw
the vessel steaming out fthe harbor.
The following account of the arrivalot the
steamer at Charleston, is given by special
reporter of the NJ 7. Evening Post, who. was
Oh board : I'd "a '.-.ia. l., III 5its -
It is now a quarter past seven, and we are
about two miles from Forts Sumter and
Moultrie, which are equi-distant from US,
and, suddenly, whiz-zl comes q Tieh0shst
shot from Norris Island. It plunges into the
water and skips along, but halls short of our
steamer. The line was forward OF our bow,
aud was, of course, an invitation to stop
But we are not ready TO accept the pFotered
hospitality, and the captain pays no attention
to it except to run up the stars and stripes
at the masthead-the garrison flag mentioned
before. A moment of anxious suspense, and
bangl goes heavy cannon from the same
masked battery The shot falls short of US
a hundred yards ormore, and bounds clear
over our vessel aft, nearly on a line with the
head of a sailor, but luckilyya little above
it +i"
On we 20, and-whiz-zl again goes the
smaller gun first fired, and another Tiehoehet
shot skips along the water, and falls short Of
US. --r....I+a ..t -.,f t.a.
'BOohP' exelaims the captain; "you
must give US bigger guns than that,
boys, or yoa can't hurt usp So
"On we go, without needing the compli-
meuts of our Charleston friends. Another
moment and bang again goes the heavy
gun. The ball now strikes our ship in the
fore chains, about two feet above the water
A seaman was holding the lead to take the
soundings, and the ball struck directly under
his feet, 1t is not surnrisinG- that I41A--I l.
esTv tIIIrsUunCes, JACK was strongly inclined to
take to his heels, and he begins to scramble
up with might and main, when the captain
assures him there is no danger, one ball
having struck so near him; on the principle,
IsuppOse, that lightning, never strikes twice
in the same place. Jack, reassured, patient
ly takes his place and drops the lead again.
The ball, fortunately, was too far spent to
90 through the side of our vessel, although
it left an honorable scar.
The battery continues to play upon US, and
a huge ball comes clean over u.s. near the
" leel-house. We are not yet within range
Of the guns of Fort Moultrie, and yonder is
Il cutter in tow of a steamboat preparing to
0 en- FIRE upon US. A moment longer, and
" shall be in range of these three batteries.
Tie gunners on Morris Island are growing
ccu6dent if they get the right range, they
will send a shot through our side, scattering
dnath and destruction. Moultrie, directly in
'front.' will bring her heavy guns to bear, and
will drive their deadly missiles into our bow,
while the cutter will oper on our right.
Why does not Major Anderson open fire
upon that battery and save us2 We look in
vain for help; the American flag flies from
Fort Sumter, and the American flag at our
bow and stern is fred upon, yet there is not
the slightest recognition of our presence
from the fort to which we look for protection.
The unexpected battery on Morris Island has
cut of all hope of escape by running the
vessel aground near Sumter, and taking to
the boats. Is it possible that Fort Sumter
has been taken by the South Oarohnians If
1t has not, why does not Msjor Anderson show
that he will protect US, or at least recognize
US in some way To go within range OF the
guns of Fort Moultrie, is to expose vessel,
men and stores to almost instant destruction,
or to capture by the enemy. 80.
Helm out of portP shouts the captain,
and the Star of the West is turned about
without any great loss of time, as you may
well imagine. We turn without accident,
and steam away, with the stars and stripes
still floating, and the battery still plsying g
upon US by way of parting salute.