Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-17
Correspondence of the New York Herald
Our Special Dispatches from Charleston.

CHARLESTON, April H. 1861
Civil war has at last begun. terrible fight is at
this moment going on between Fort Sumter and the
Notifications by which it is surrounded
In my last despatch stated that negotiations had
been re-opened between Gen. Beauregard and Maj.
Anderson. This was done with view to prevent
an unnecessary effuson of blood
The issue was submitted to Maj. Anderson of sur
rendering as soon as his supplies exhausted or
of having fire opened on him within certain time
This he refused TO do, and accordingly, at twenty
seven minutes past four o'clock this morning Fort
Moultrie began the bombardment by firing two guns
To these Maj. Anderson replied with three of his
barbette guns, after which the batteries on Mount
Pleasant, Cummings Point, and the Floating Bate
ry, opened brisk fire of shot and SHE'LL
Maj. Anderson did not reply, except at long in
tervals, until between seven and eight o'clock when
ne brought into action the two tiers of guns looking
towards Fort Moultrie and Stevens iron battery.
Up to this hour 0hree o'clock Friday afternoonl
they have failed to produce any serious effect.
Dispatches received at headquarters from the va
rious forts report that all is going on admirably and
no men hurt
Maj Anderson has the greater part of the day been
directing his fire principally against Fort Moultrie,
the Stevens and floating Battery, these and Fort
johnson being the only five operating against him
The remainder of the batteries held in reserve
Some fifteen o. eighteen shots have struck the
Floating Battery, but made not the slightest mpres
sion upon its iron cased sides. The Stevens Bate
~ is also eminently successful and does terrible ex
ecution on Fort Sumter.
Breaches to all appearance, are being made in the
several sides exposed to fire. Portions of the para
pet have been destroyed and several of the guns
there mounted have been shot away.
Maj. Anderson is at present using his lower tier
of casemate ordnance.
The fight is going on with intense earnestness
and will continue all night
Il ., IL IL
by storm.
The soldiers are perfectly reckless of their lives,
and at every shot jump upon the ramparts, observe
the effect, and then jump down. cheering
A party on the Stevens battery are said to have
played game of the hottest fire.
The excitement in the community is indescriba
bic. With the very first boom of the gun thousands
rushed from their beds to the harbor front and all
day every available place has been thronged by Ia
dies and gentlemen, viewing the solemn spectacle
through their glasses. Most of these have relatives
IT. the several fortfcations and many fearful eve
attested the anxious affection of the mother, wife
and sister, but not murmur came from single in
dividua
The spirit of patriotism is rs sincere as it is uni
verSa. Five thousand ladies stand ready to-day to
respond to any sacrifice that may be required of
them.
The brilliant and patriotic conduct of Maj An
derson speaks for ITSELF and siences the attacks late
" maze az Me NORM upon hlS character and Pdtrl-
0tisu1
Business is entirely suspended Only those stores
arc open which necessary TO supply articles re-
quired by the army.
Gov. Pickens has all day been in the residence of
gentleman which commands view of the whole
scene, most interested observer. Gen. Beauregard
commands in person the entire operations, and thus
far they have moved with the utmost system and
success.
1t is reported that the Harriet Lane has received
a shot through her wheelhouse. She is in the
offing. No other government ships are in sight up
to the present moment, but should they appear the
entire range of batteries will open upon them.
Troops are pouring into the town by hundreds,
but are held in reserve for the present. the force al
ready on the island being ample People are also
arriving every moment on horseback, and by every
other conveyance. Within an area of fifty miles
where the thunder of the artillery can be heard, the
scene is magnifcently terrible.