The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-15
WIsuIsGrnN. March 10. 1851


moral effect ON the public mind Of orders to
Major Anderson to retire can only be counter
acted by a concurrent proclamation for an ex-
ira session OF Congress. Legislation to arrest
the action Of the Southern COnicdericy In re-
gard to importations seems absolutely ncccssa-
ry. a. . 81, r.
Much sensation was produced this morning
by a report, which obtained currency anu cred-
il in important circles, that Major Anderson
would be withdrawn from Fort Sumter. As
no official action has been taken by the Ad-
ministration, this runOr is not entitled to
weight with the public, though i has male
some impression here. IL is well known that
Major Anderson cannot be now reinforced
without imminent danger Of a serious collision.
Two steamers Of light draft, with supplies OF
men and provisions, have been In readiness to
make the attempt for some time, whenever or
dered, under the command Of nm oihcer who
is willing to take the risk, and feels confident
of success. But the military preparations In
and outside of the Harbor OF Charleston rem
der any such experiment hazardous, unless
sustained BY heavy naval force, which could
be used now, rs the main ship channel Is en-
tircly clear Of Instructions The War DEPART
ment has obtained detailed settlement Ut the
stock of provisions In Fort Sumter, AMI II Is
abundant for q considerable time, except In
bread. which Is not sufficient for even for over
thirty days. One OF the first and most import
ant gur-,n n =, therefore before the alministra-
ton will be. whether Major Anderson will be
supplied or withdrawn. That decision cannot
long he postponed, for, though he now re-
ceives meats and vegetables from the markets
of Charleston, this permission may be cut oil
nj any moment by an order from Gov. Pickens
or General Beauregarl, to whom Jefferson Da-
Wis has confded the direction Of military oper.
atoms there.
TheCabinet had o special session ofoyes three
hours last night, In which the policy concern
ing Fort Sumter was fully discussed. An in
formal conference was also held this morning,
at which several members were present. No
decision has yet been reached, but the general
opinion prevails tonight that the troops will
be withdrawn.
This condition of things was purposcly con-
triyed by Mr.. Buchanan, aud Mr.. Holt de-
clares openly that the present Administration
can in no way be made responsible for any
course thai may now be adopted. lie says
thrt the fort could have been reinforced thirty
days ago without serious difficulty, and mea-
sures had been taken for that purpose, and Mr..
buchanan positively refused to have them ex-
ecuted. Ills whole policy was To bequeath
complication TO his successor which compelled
one of two alternatives, either withdrawal or
reinforcement, with the certainty ofcivil war
FnoM wAsnISGroS.-We take the following
from the correspondence Of the New York
Times:-
"The question of reinforcing Fort Sumter
has been under consideration in the Cabinet,
and IL Is understood that the question, wheth-
err or no il Is not desirable to withdraw all the
troops, except two or three men, rather than
incur the bloodshed which will probably occur
before troops aud supplies are put into it, is
now TO he decided.
The immediate necessity of settling this qucs-
ton grows out Of the fact that there is only
limited supply OF brea1 at Fort Sumter, but
plenty Of salt meat. and that il must either be
resupplied or abandoned very soon. Theques-
ton has been under discussion in high military
circles Tor several days.
General Scott advises that reinforcements
cannot now be put In without an enormous sac
rifce Of life. Ofcourse his views on the sub
ject cannot be known officially TO the public,
but he Is understood to say that VIC have nei-
Their military nor naval force ON hand sufficient
to supply the Fort against the threatened OPP
position, which II would require twenty thou
and men to overcome. Beside, il It should ini-
tate civil war, In addition to uniting the South
and overwhelming the Union sentiment there in
the waves Of passion, II would require two hun
dred aud fifty thousand government soldiers to
carry on the struggle, and u hundred millions
OF money to begin with. In such an event,
twenty thousand men would be needed to pre-
serve Washington and the government ar
chiyes.
The general impression here on the streets
Is that the Administration has determined on
withdrawing the troops from Fort Sumter,
leaving one corporal, two men and the Stars
and Stripes, compelling the chiyalry to cap
ture the Fort after all. They have been threat
ening to do ii for three months, and failed
when there were only about seventy men In Il.
They may have nm opportunity to accomplish
II against only three.
Southern Union men express the earnest
hope that the Administration will pursue such
a policy as will render il unnecessary 10 send
Federal troops South. II that IL not done,
they say the pressure brought about by seces-
sion Is pushing ON reaction In the southern
mind which will sweep the Secesslohis's mt
oblivion. They fully expect to have an aru,eu
conflict in Texas, but prefer that u shall DC ne
tween the Unonists and Disunionists OF tue
Soutb. All the Union men ask Is the prNhese
of whipping out their own traitors
Prom the Worlds correspondence
..n;.,a,cbes were received yesterday from
N.ior Anderson, stating that the garrison Is
IN s,ooj condition, and that their supplies VIII
is.f trenty days longer. IL illusions are made
~ reinforcemcnis, they are not allowed To be
given publicly.
and Southern circles that there will be peace
abe solution Of all difficulties, and II Is evident
that such an end must be accomplished by with
drawing Major Anderson from Fort Sumter
n Il a,its certain that he will not be reinforced,
and apparent that additional supplies will not
be furnished him therefore, the natural infer
encc Il that the troops will be Withdrawn, and
TO this conclusion rumor has to-day arrived,
sustained by good authority"
FoRr SrxrER.-Tho n. Y. Even. Post