Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-16

regarded as measurably practicable, but attend
ID with the probability if not certainty, of col
slon, which constituted the chief objection to
ts adoption. he is perfectly familiar with all
The approaches to the harbor of Charleston, hav-
ing been long connected with the coast survey,
and had practical experience as the commander
OF one Of Aspinwall's steamers. His sche me did
not contemplate any serious danger in running
the gauntlet of the batteries of the islands
which guard the channels, but only in landing
the men and provisions at Sumter after it had
been reached.
CHARLESTON, April 13-Hostilies for the
present have ceased. Victory belongs to South
Carolina
With the display of flag of truce on the
ramParts OF Fort Sumter, at - o'clock to-day
the firing ceased and an unconditional surrender
was agreed to- The South Carolinians had nc
idea the fight was to end SO soon.
After the flag staff of the fort was shot away,
Senator Wigfall, of Texas, who was acting as
Aid to Gen. Beauregard, went over to the fort
with white flag, to offer assistance in exiin
gushing the flames. He approached the burn
ing fortress from Morris Island, and while the
firing was raging on all sides, effected landing
he approached portfolio, where he was met
by Major Anderson, who said he had just dis
played white flag, but, Notwithstanding, the
firing was kept up from the batteries en- Shore
Mr.. Wigfall replied that he must haul down the
Stars and Stripes /; that till this was done nc
parley would be granted; that surrender OF
fight was the word. Major Anderson then
hauled down his colors, displaying only the flag
of truce, when all firing instantly ceased.
Two other officers of Gen. Beauregard's staff
ex-senator Chestnut and ex Governor Manning
then went over to the fort, aud stipulated with
Major A. that his surrender sshedld be uncondi
tional for the present, subject to the terms thai
Gen. Bea1regard should prescribe.
Major Anderson was allowed to remain with
his men in actual possession of the fort, while
Messrs. Chestnut and Manning came to the city
attended by member of the Palmetto Guards
bearing the colors of his company. They were
met at the pier by hundreds of citizens, and as
they marched up the streets to the Generals
quarters, the crowd swelled to thousands
Shouts rent the air, and the widest joy was
manifested on account of the welcome tidings
they brought.
After the surrender, boat with an officer and
ten men was sent from one of the four ships il
the offings, to Gen. Simmons, will a request thai
merchant ship or one of the vessels OF the Uni
ted States be allowed to enter and take off the
Simmons replied that if no hostities were at
tempted during the night and no effort was made
to reinforce or retake Fort Sumter, he would
give an answer at o'clock, Sunday morning.
The officer sgniied that he was satisfied will
this, and then went, accompanied by officers OF
General Beauregard's staff, On visit to For
Sumter. None but the officers We're allowed to
land, however. They went down in steamer
and carried three fire-eng;nes for the purpose O.
putting ont the flames. The fire, however, had
been already extinguished by the exertions O
Major Anderson and bis mea.
The visitors report that Major Anderson sur
rendered because his quarters aud barracks ere
destroyed and there was no hope of reinforce
ment from the fleet, which lay idly by during
thirty hours, and either could not or would no
help him. Besides bis men were Frustrated from
over exertion.
There were but five of the garrison hurt, four
of them badly, and one it is thought Inortally.-
The rest were worn out.
The explosions that were heard and seen from
the city in the morning were caused by the
bursting of loaded shell, which were ignited by
the fire on the fort, and could not be removed
quickly enough to prevent explosion.
The fire in the barracks was caused by the
quantities of hot shot poured IN from Fort Moul
trie. Within Fort Sumter everything but the
easements is an utter ruin. TIE whole thing
looks like blackened mass of ruins. Many o.
the guns are dsmounted on the side opposite to
the iron battery at Cummins' Point. The Rifle
cannon from this place made great havoc. The
wall of the tort looks like honey comb, and
near the top, on the side opposite Fort Aoultrie
is breach as big as cart. The floating bat
terry also told severely on the wall 10 front of it
Fort Monltrie is badly damaged. The Off
GERS quarters and the barracks are torn to pei
ces. The houses on the island are riddled with
shot, and in many instances whole sides are
torn away.
The fire in Fort Sumter was put out and re.
caught three times during the day.
DIR. Crawford, the surgeon OF the fort, re-
ceived slight wound in the face.
None of the South Oarolinans are injured
A boat was sent tonight to notify the fleet al
the mouth of the harbor, officially, that Major
Anderson has surrendered.
1t is not known when the South Carolina for
ces will occupy Fort Sumter or what will be
done with the vanquished.
Every one is satisfied with the victory, and
happy that no blood was shed. 10 the city af-
ter the surrender, the bells were rung and can
mons fired.
CHARLESTON, April 14-Negotiations were
completed last night. Major Anderson, with
his command, is to evacuate Fort Sumter this
morning, and embark on one of the war vessels
off the harbor.
When the Fort was in flames, and Anderson
could only fire at long intervals, the men of the
Confederate army cheered every shot, but looked
defiance at the vessels of war that stood on the
outside without attempting to divert the fire Of
single battery.
Five of Anderson's men are slightly wounded
Second Despatch-Fort Sumter has been
turned over to Gen. Beauregard. Major Ander-
son was allowed to salute his flag with fifty guns,
which were fired from the parapet and case
ments, Anderson embarking on the Isabel direct
for New York.
Third Despatch.-A boat just come over from
Fort Sumper brings news that while firing the
salute, one of the pieces bursted, mortally
wounding four of Anderson's men.
For the Spectator.
To the Voters of Augusta County.
The time is near at hand when you will be
called upon to select suitable persons to repre-