Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-01-17
The aNe1vs ut the WeRk.
From the Charleston Mercury, of the 10th inst.
THE "STAR OF THE WEST" AT
MORRIS ISLAND.

THE "STAR OF THE WEST" All
MORRIS ISLAND.
The first gun of the new struggle for in
dependence Gf struggle there is to be) has
been fred, and Federal power has received
its first repulse.
About seven o'clock yesterday morning
our citizens were startled by the firing ot
heavy guns in the direction of Sullivan and
Morris Islands. 1t was at once surmised
that the steamship Star oftAe Vest, which
had been reported by the special telegraph
ic correspondents of the Mercury as having
left New York with reinforcements and
stores for Major Anderson, had attempted
to pass the battery on Morris Island. Oul
reporters were Immediately despatched tc
the entrance of the harbor, and after visi
ting all the Notifications now occupied b.
our troops, the following facts were elected
PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR.
Yesterday morning, shortly after "rev'
eille," the sentries on Morris Island repor'
ted steamship standing in for the ship
channel The long roll was Immediately
beat, and all the troops were promptly un
der arms, Leutenant-C Colonel J. L. Branch
of the Regiment of Rifles COMMANDING
These comprised the Vigilaut Rifles, Capt
Tupper go men) the German Raemen
Capt. Small go meu) the zouave Cadets
Lieut. Chichester as men); and de-
tachmeut of 40 from the Citadel Cadet
Corps. The last named body were at once
marched to the battery, commanding the
ship channel, which, at this point, passes
within from one half to three quarters Of @
mile of the beach. At 7 o'clock, when the
Star OF the Vest had reached point with
in range of the guns, Major Stephens fired
a shot across her bows, as a signal for hel
to heave to After waiting three or four
minutes, no diminution in the speed OF
change in the course of the steamer could
be noticed. A moment after, the United
States flag was run up at her foremast.-
The Star Of the Vest continuing thus de-
family to pursue her course towards Fort
Sumter, the order was given to the men al
the Morris Island guns to open fire. Five
rounds were accordingly discharged in
quick succession. Two of these are repor
ted to have taken effect; one forward and
the other abaft the wheel. At the sixth
discharge the Star Of the West rounded tc
and steered outward towards the bar. Al
the same time, the ensign which she dis
played Immediately after the warning gun
was lowered. Three more shots were FREQ
from Fort Morris and three from For
Moultrie !; one of these latter, it is thought
took effect.
A gentleman on the Island reports tha
after the Star Of the Vest had cleared tht
bar and proceeded considerable distance
beyond, steam propeller, Of about 35(
tons burtben, joined her, apparently as {
tender, and they steamed off together in ar
E. n. Il direction.
Thus terminated the irst attempt of the
Federal Government to reinforce the grea
stronghold of coercion in our harbor The
approach of the Star Of the Vest to Fort
Sumter, taken in connection with the facts
that her clearance aoas for Nc,o Orleans
and that her troops ecere snauggled aboard
outside the harJor Of Neo York, proves
clearly enough that the President has cho
sen the coercive policy, and that his off
cials will not hesitate to promote its success
THE NEGOTIATIONS.
About ten o'clock, boat bearing white
flag came from Fort Sumter towards the
city. On its arrival at the wharf it was
found to contain Lieut.. Hall, of the garri
son of Fort Sumter, with dispatches for the
Governor of the State. The presence Of
this officer in the city, owing to the events
of the morning, gave rise to considerable
excitement, and speculation was rife as to
the object Of his visit. During his inter.
view with the Governor the public curiosity
rose to the highest pitch, but it was two
o'clock before the purport of his communi'
cation was made public. When the people
learned that Major Anderson had sent to
inquire whether the firing at Morris Is.
land was sanctioned by the Governor, that
the Governor had replied in the afirma'
tive, and that Major Anderson had there.
upon signifed his intention of cutting of
all communication by water between the
city and our forts, the expressions of iudig-
nation were deep and universal. The most
active measures were Immediately set on
foot to strengthen the forces at the various
points about the harbor, and people were
everywhere discussing how the threatened
affront and injury should be resented. On
his return Lieut.. Hall was escorted to his
boat by Gen. Suber and Lieut. G;bbes
Thus matters stood until half-past 6 O..
clock, when the white flag was again seen
comirg from Fort Sumter. This time the
communication of Maj. Anderson, brought
by Lieut.. Talbot, was of less menacing
character. 1t briefly stated that he design
ed deferring for the present the course in
dicated 10 his note of the morning, until
the arrival from Washington of the instruc-
tlons he might receive from his Govern
ment, and asked safe conduct for his bea-
rer of dispatches. Below is the correspon-
dence between Maj. Anderson and Gov.