Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-17

Firing ON the Star of the West,
CORRESPONDENCE between Maj anderson and the Gorer-
nor of South Carolina.
We publish below from the Charleston Courier OF ne
10th inst "A Reliable Narrative of Facts relative to
the firing on the Star of the West also the correspon
dence between Mai Anderson and the Governor:
RELIABLE NARRATIVE FACTS.
the most reliable authority, eyeWtnesses vi sne
affair." enabled to lay before our readers the loo"
About six and half o'clock thereabouts the steamer
Gen. Clnch Capt Relyea having discovered the approach
of the Star Of the Vest sgnaed the fact to the occu
pants the battery lately thrown up on the beach at o
time during the evening BEFORE with guard of eighty men
the of the Palmetto Guards and the Irish oun
ees The duty assg ed them was to keep strict snryel
lance over the harbo and to make such signals as had
agreed upon the event of the approach OF
to the fortress in possession OF the United state
troops well report the approach of any vessel that
may appear il the Ong In the early grey OF the morn
ng guard boat first described the steamer heading in
from the sea-and with much celebrity possib per-
formed the remaining part of the task assigned her.
AS soon signaed, the entire camp Motifs Island
was astr There need for the reVee beat to quart
The already at their posts before the ORDERS
ready for what every believed sure to come
and that-a volley from the heavy guns of Sumter
took to what 'shp Channel inside the bar and
proceeded straight forward until nearly opposite the work
Morris Island, not than threequarters OF mile
from the battery and within excellent range OF the guns
At this position of affairs the command was given to fire.
ball WhZZng athwar the bows OF the steam
This significant hint to proceed no further was notced
in other by the vessel than by displaying large
flag of Federal Union AS the Stars and Stripes
up the masthead the act of defiance was met
with succession of heavy shots from the The
vessel continued her with increased speed but one
shots taking effect she concluded to advance
further and this conclusion fastened by the shots from
Moutre which, though harmless and out OF range OF the
steamer still gave evidence at hotter work was on hand
| if further attempt made to proceed.
The Star of the West' clearly made out the
of the VESSEL that there mistake this
point. She was possessed of no armament As soon as
five shots had heen fired upon her from Morris Island
and many from Moultrie it evident THAT she
would lower her colors to hamast She veered about so
as to avoid any further messengers OF this knd from the
Notifications which, with two discharges, final
ly ceased.
THE DAMAGE DONE
The steamer very trdng, only two of about seven
shots-all that fred-took effect upon her. One
struck the vessel about the forward part of the bow the
other amidships in the vicinity of the wheehouse No
idea the extent of damage done could be asceraned
deed could have been known whether she had been
struck at all had not been for the heavy dull sound and
subsequent crash always accompanying the ball that
Sc makes it's mark " in naval engagement At all events
she could not have been badly injured disabled for
while the firing continued she rounded to and started off
seward. AS this intention shown all firing was
instantly suspended
FORT SUMTER.
While the engagement lasted, demonstration whatev-
made by the command in possession of the rownng
the opening of the portfolios and
running out OF the guns which bear upon Morris Island and
Moulte Major Anderson however prudently orebore to
and doubt experienced relief when he the
vessel steaming out of the harbor
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MAJOR ROBERT ANDERSON AND
HIS ExcELLENcY, GOVERNOR PIcKENs
The following the proceedings OF the Legislature, at
the Evening Session. held on Wednesday:
EVENIhG SESSION.
The House re assembled at 7 o'clock.
The SPEAKER announced the following Special Com
mittee
Special Committee Message number four of his Excel
lency, the Governor Messrs James Farrow W. G. Black
+ B Fraser J: M DeSaussure, j. Pope, Jr Richard
The the House the Bill to alter and amend
the tenth section of the first article of the Constitution OF
the State of South Carolina.
The Bill read the third time, and passed by vote
50 ayes nays The title was changed to Ac and sent
to the Senate.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MAJOR ROBERT AN
DERSoN AND HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR PICK
Message No. of his Excelency the Governor was an.
nounced and read, as follows by mis- Private Secretary
L. Watts:
, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January g. 1861.
To the Members Of the Senate and House Of Representatives.
have received from Major Anderson, commanding the
United States forces at Fort SUMTER extraordinary
muncaon copy of which is herewith enclosed, and also
With the means now Immediately at my command, shall
! endeavor to do my duty. f. w. PICKENS.
Mr. Far1ow moved the Immediate consideration of the
: Message.
Mr. Boyston moved that the document be read Agreed
The communication of Major Anderson thenread,
follows:
8 10 HIS E1ceHency the Gorernor of South Carona-
SIR: Two OF your batteries fred this morning upon
unarmed vessel bearing the flag of my Government. AS
not been notified that has been declared by Soul
Carolina against the Government of the United States,
but think that this hostile committed with
out sanction authority Under that hope and tina
alone did refrain from opening fire upon your batteries
have the honor therefore, respectfully ask whether
above mentioned act-one believe, without parallel il
the history Of country any other civilized Govern
ment-was committed in obedience your instructions
and to notify if it be not dsclamed that must
it Of war, and that shall not REASONABLE
time for the return OF messenger permit any vessel
= pass within range of the guns of my Fort
It In order to save, far in my power the shedding
blood, beg that you will have due notification Of this
decision, 10 all concerned Hoping, however, that you
may be such will justify further continuance
0 tOrbearance my part
have the honor to be,
q Very respectfully,
l. our obedient servant,
= ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major Of the 1st Artillery United States Army ndng
e Fort Sumter, January 8, 1851.
IS