The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1861-01-01

! the way, whilst Il Succession OF carts loadeu
with canister and grape, cooking utensils and
cooking stoves, made their devious way 10 the
lighter III attendance, 10 convey the ill-assortcd
cargo TO Fort Sumter. 1t was easy to see that
the fort had been virtually abandoned, but it
was not so easy to ascertain the full extent OF
the damage The barracks were still standing,
though stripped of their furniture, and deserted
by their tenants. In short, twas plain cfouglf
all evacuation had taken place, and that visitors
10 Major Anderson were expected to leave their
cards at Fort Sumter. From the citizens it
was CLEANED that the guns had been tarrcd and
spiked, and that the small columns of smoke
rising from the interior proceeded from the
burning gun carriages. One or two, more mys,
terous than the rest, stated, with ominoas
shakngs of the head, that the whole Of the in
terror of the fort had been undermined, and
that it was pcrilous to venture within its
walls.
The, effect Of the. news. was Immediately
visible in the streets Of our city. The voun-
tecrs were ort in full force and under arms.
The Cadet Ritlcmcn and the Palmetto Guard,
with detachment of the City Police, were
detailed to take charge Of the Arsenal, and a
line Of patrols was established around the
walls.
THE OCCUPATION OF CASTLE PINcExEY.
The Rifle Battalion, under command of Col.
J. j. PetEgrcw, assembled promptly upon the
Citadel Grcen. They were substantially equip
ped in winter uniform, with blankets, knap.
sacks and reroIvcrs The battalion numbered
some $50 nen, and consisted of dctacrlmcnts
from the AIcagher Guards, the Carolina Lighs
Infantry and ,Lc Washington Light Infantry.
Shortly after four o'clock the word was given,
ard the companies advanced in double quick
time, wiiToat masic, towards the Cooper River.
None Of them, we believe excepting the Off
| Gers were aware o. their destination. They
embarked ON the steamer Ninu, which imme-
diatcIy hca,led for Castle Pinckncy, and The
surmise soon became confirmed that the destil;-
alton of the command was to take possession
of that fortress. On nearing the fort, num-
ber Of men were observed on the wharf, one Of
whom, in advance Of the others, WIS observed
holding what appeared to be paper in his
hand This was said to have been the Riot
Act As soon as the Nina touched the wharf,
the storlning party who had been detailed for
that duty, sprung ashore. and rushed round 10
the rear of tic fortress, where the gate is stu
atrd. This WAS f3umd closed, and !; cry for
s;o:miug ladders was soon answered by g de-
tachmcnt Lcaringa dozen Or more of tl;en.-
These were INSTANTLY planted, and under covtr
of the rifles Of the battalion, the walls were
escaadcd and the gates thloSn open.
On cntcri:;g the fort it was found to be ten
asted only by ali officer OF Engineers and a
small party OF aborcrs-none of whom made
any resistance. The Engineer officer was in-
formed tlatlc- Mjs at liLeltI-te leave, and re-
~ n sssa's' a!4; u y @
accompanied by Our other meh. From the
direction in which he stccrcd, it is supposed
that he weut TO Fort Moultric.,
The flag of tho Nina, consisting of a white
star OH n rcd grounl, was then hosted amid
loud cheers; and when our reporter left, a
strong guard had been mounted and prepara-
tons for garrisonimg the fortress were we'll adj
vanccd.
About seven o'clock the tramp Of dctach-
ments from the artillery regiments WAS heard,
and the Washington Artillery, the German Ar
tillcrv, tic Lafayette Artillery, and the Marion
Artillery, making :. total Of two hundred ard
twenty-five men, rank and file, under commard
of Col. Wilmot &. DcSaussure, were soon en-
barkcd on board tic Nina ard Ge'seru! CIimch,
and steamed away down the barbor towards
Sullival's Island. Among those on board
were Col Charles Aston, Aid 10 the Cover
nor, and Capt. Humphreys, Of the Arscnal.--
On reaching tile Island these two last namcd
gentlemen approached the gate, aud the SEN
tincl. in accordance, it is said with orders,
surrendered on demand. The troops lScn
quietly took possession, and the Palmetto flag
WIS soon waving ovcr the time honorcd tcrtl'
fcstions. Three rockets (the signal agreed
upon) were then sent up to notify the people
in the CITY that the fort was in the Lands 81
the State, and tlen the ncwly-instalied garri,
.on br!ook themselves, as Lest they might, &c
devising the ways and means OF comfort and
protection. Thus far had the affair progressed
up to Il late hour last night.
The transfer Of the troops from Fort houl
tric to Fort Sumter is regarded as an outrage
OILS breach of faith. For there was Il distinct
understanding with the General Government
upon the highest authority, that 10 such trans
fer would bc made, no reinforcement Of either
OF the forts attempted, and 10 transfer of arm:
OF ammunition. Relying aupon these decIara
tious, the authorities Of South Carolina had
not taken the forts when completely within
their power. They have acted with good
faith, and expected 1t in return.
Major Anderson alleges that the movement
WAS made without orders and upon his OWL
responsibility, and that he was not aware O
such all understanding. lie is gentleman
and We will not inpHgn his word or his mo
tves. BGt it is due TO South Carolina and tt
good faith, that tic act OF this officer he rc
pudiatcd hv the Government. and that the
troops bc removed forthwith from Fort Sum
ter CHcriestou -Ne'cury, 2aM i''St
Commercial Relations OF South Car
oIin:s-y'hr Ordinance Passed
At the secret session of the Convention
Wednesday evening, the following Orlinanc,
WAS passed and ratified
TIE STATE Or SOUTH CAROLINA.
Al n Convention of the people OF the State
OF South Carolina begun and holden at Colum
bia, OH the l7th day of December, in the veal
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ant
sixty, and thence continued b, adioarnmen
20 Charleston, and there Ly divers nd ourn
ments to the 2Gth day Of December, in til,
same year:
An uRnINAHcE TO MAKE PROVISIONAL ARRANGE
MEHTS FOR TIE CONTINUANCE OF COMMERCE
Al FACILITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
UhertGS it is due to our late confederate