Smyrna times., 1861-01-17
The Opening Of Host tilities at Charles
ton.

|
| We last week briefly announcei the firing
into the steamer Star of the West, having on
board troops and provisions for Fort Sumpter,
by the Charles eneans. The Charleston Cou-
rier, Of the lOIh inst, gives the following ac-
count of the ntflir:
This morning, about six and a. half o'clock,
the steamer Gen. Clinch dIscsVered the steam.
er Star of the West, and signal. ed the fact TO
the occupants of the battery at Morris Island.
As soon as she was slgEGlled, Morris Island
was usIir. Men were at the posts before the
orders were given. They remained in anxious
suspense, ready for what they believed was
sure to come, namely, yolley from Sumpter
The Star of the West ROUNDED, the point. to,,,L
TIE ship channel Inside of The bar, und proceed
cd straight forward until opp site to Morris Is.
land, three quarters of mile from the battery
ball was fired aihwa.t tho bows Of the steam
er. The Star of the West displayed the stars
and stripes. AS soon as they were untuiled I'd,
the Publications fred in succession heavy
shots. The vessel continued with Increased
speed. But one or two shots took effect, and
she concluded to retire. Fort Moultre fired d
lew shots, but out of range. The damage done
TO the steamer was trlLng. Only two out OF
seventeen shots took Ctloct Fort Sumpter
made no demonstrations, except opening the
por'-holes, and running oUt guns, which bear
on Morris Island and Fort Moutre About
eleven O'Clock, boat from Fort Sumpter
bearing Lieutenant Hall with white flag, up
preached the city, had al Interview with Gov.
FIckens, and was afterwards escorted to the
boat and re.enIL.rkcd for Fort Sumpter Ma
Jor Anderson demanded to know OF hlm if the
hrlng was by the authority of the Government
oI lhat State, and notifying him that If it was
IN obedience TO instructions aud not disclaim.
ed' he (MaJor Anderton) would regtr II as all
act OF war, and would not permit any vessel to
pass within range of the guns of Fort Sumpter
"In or.er," says Major Anderson, "to save
the shedding of blood. beg you will take due
notification Of my decision for the good of all
concerned" Gov. Pickens replies that any
attempt TO send U. s. troops into Charleston,
to reinforce Fort Sumpter or to resume posses
sion OF the fortifcation abandoned by Major
Anderson, could not be regarded by the autho.
rifles of the State as indicative of any other
purpose than the coercion OF the State by the
armed force of the Government The Star of
The West had been notified that she could not
enter The harbor; Notwithstanding which, she
persisted IN the attempt, and was consequent
~ hred into; which act, says the Governor,
"ls perfectly justified by me. In regard to
your threat about vessels in the harbor, it ie
only necessary to say you must be the Judge
of your responsibility.
Subsequently. an arrangement was entered
into between Governor Plckens and Major An.
derson, that Lieut.. Talbot should be allowed to
go on TO Washington, without interference, as
the bearer of dispatches from Anderson to the
Government. Here the matter seems to end
Tor the present, although it is reported that the
United States sloop Brooklyn is expected in
the harbor, and that the Charlestoneans are
preparing 10 give her a warm reception.