The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-14

and CELEBRITY OF action ON the part OF the patriotic
military with whom are surrounded, gives feeling
Of universal confidence and security that will resu
benehcially in any event II We are to have war we ara
the preservation Of honor at least by The
liant hearts and strong that tight our battles and
victory crowns efforts know II will be property
and Justly used The spirit Of troops gives every evi-
dencc Of this The zeal and alacrty they have shown
manifest It, The hardships they have endured exhibit
the interest they have in the State and the loyalty
with which they stard up for the Of south
Carolina.
Nonc therefore, were surprised when the deeptoned
OF the batteries and FORTS occupied troops
Of the Commonwealth spoke in tones OF thunder We'd
nesday morning The telegraph had warned Of the ap
pr0ach of vessel bearing reuiorcements and supplies
the United States garrison in Fort sumter The orhca-
tons that had been thrown the points commanding
governments at Washington, and for twelve fourteen
hours had prepared himself for tho event that
was sure 10 come, with the attempt to land reniorc
The aid expected for tho garrison this phoe did
arrive Fairly in the morning, between the hours Of
and seven clock the city was Intensely excited tho
expected reports of heavy in harb0s 'rha
star OF the West was the exclamation Of all. Cones
two,o three" 'four, guns--lhe contest is begun.
In Few minutes people from all parts of th0
city came from their houses and were seen rushing
out to the waters edge The streets thronged
with eager men hurry ing towards the battery ha
wharves TO ascertain all that could be learned OF the noise
made by the guns in tho oing Tho cannon as long as
they dis iharged went of in Tcgar deliberate sue
cesson clearly evncng that in serving them the utmost
military precision had been attained and reflected great
credit upon those managing them
With the mixed eye nothing of what going on n
the hnrbor could be discovered and consequently the
most intense exCncmcnt prevailed ind what had
caused the cessation Of reports after seventeen eight
cen had been discharged.
1t not until half hour that the popuace,
by this time fully aroused to the Importance of the
movement evidently made by troops, put in pos
session of the facts of the affair In the crowda
people had gathered in the most convenient localities
for procuring information The bulletin boards OF tho
newspaper Offices the wharvcs and u.s. were
hled with people, and every scrap Of intelligence was
grccdy devourcd.
RELIABLE NARRATION FACTS.
From the most reliable authority, eyewitnesses Of the
tn h,.vn fob.
lowing account of it,
About and half O'Clock or hercabouts the steam-
General Cnch, Capt. Neyea, having discovered tho
approach of the Star Of the West sgnazed the fact to
tho occupants OF the battery lately thrown up the
beach at Morris Island This vessel It is known eft her
wharf sometime during the evening before, with guard
OF eighty men from the ranks Of the Palmetto Guard and
the Irish Volunteers The duty assigned them was to
keep strict surveillance the harbor, and to make
such signals had been agreed upon in the event Of hd
approach Of 10 the fortress in
Of the United States troops, well report the ap-
proach Of any vessel that may appear in the ofng In
the early gray Of the morning the guard boat first des
much celebrity as nosih1 PERFORMED tho REMAINING mart
Of the task assigned her.
AS soon as sgnaized the entire camp on Norris Island
was astr There was no need for the revele beat To
quarters The men were already at their posts before
the orders were given. For some minutes they rcmain
ed in anxious suspense, ready for what every be-
lieved sure to come, and that volley from the heavy
guns VI Sumter.
took to what is termed ship channel inside the bars
and proceeded straight forward until nearly opposite tho
work on Morris Island moi more than Of
nile from the battery, aud within excellent range Of
the guns. At this position of affairs the command was
given TO Ore, and bali was sent whzzing athwart
tho bows Of the steamer This significant hint 70
proceed further noticed in other
rer by tho vessel than 0y displaying large Gag
Vi Ae federal Union "a soon a. the stars and stripes
up TO the mas,hoad he Of defiance met
j a succession OF heavy shots from the forthcatIon.
but two shots taking effect, she concluded adj
vance fuYthcr, and this conclusion hlsened by
The snots from Moutrie which, though harmless and out
Of range OF the steamer still gave evidence that hotter
work was ON hand If further attempt was made 10
proceed.
The Star OF the West clearly made the
o the vessel that there no mistake on this point
she posscssed OF armament. A. 6ve or
six shots had been fred her from Morris Isard nt
~ many moro from Moultre, ,t eyideat thlt sbi
would lower her coors 70 hf mast. She yocrei ahyut
to avoid any further nossngers # this Kind frorr
The forthcatioDs, which, 18th or two more dis
charges, finally ccased.
TE DAMAGE poSE
the steamer very trinpp only OF ali mt
teen shots-g that lred--took efcat upon Opd
struck the about the forward the bow tho
other amidshps the vicinity OF the wheel house Nd
idea of the extent Of damage done could be ned
lniecj II could not have been known wbetel she hli
been struck at all hal y not been for the heavy duh
sound and subsequent crash always accompany ing tho
ball that makes It's mark In naval engagement AT
all events she could not have been badly injured or dis
ablcd for while the firing continued she rounded 10
and started on seaward. As soon this intention was
shown all firing was instantly suspended
PORT SUMTER
While the engagement lasted no demonstration
ever was made by the command in possession Of
frownng ss-Sumter--except the opening of a,
Morris Island and Mouitrie Major Anderson however,
-udeniy orborc 70 fire, and doubt experienced great
relief when he saw tho vessel ste aiming out OF the harbor
THE FEELING rrscxxEy.
At Caste Pnckney, under Command OF Colonel Petit
grew, the ardor OF the knew bounds The great
eagerness shown by all TO have shot at tho
stranger with the intention of bringing out the nre Of
Fort sumter The guns Of the Castle were all manned
simply upon the spontaneous movement OF the mem
themselves. Each sprang 70 his post without command
Of the officer in charge. with the greatest Diff
Guilty that he could restrain them from firing; and t
not until pcrempory order to that effect given
that they held themselves aoof from the batteries Tha
great though the harrison at the former were sratined
In the privilege Of number Of harmless shots Better
luck TO them next time.
WHO FIRED THE rIcsT sHorc
Since the event Of the crisis much curiosity has
been excited To learn the man WHO fired th0
inst shot After diligcnt inquiry We believe it
j. settled that the honor belongs 70 the Washington
Light infantry Though this cssps IL not oned in thd
nrenchments Morris island, om which the FIRST gun
are Informed was at one Of the guns and 10 him befeP
the duty We believe the name Of the gentleman -
LeutsnantJ. L. Branch.
After al the facts OF the affair in the h1rbor had be-
generally known throughout the city tho excite
mcIt in ~ wise absted. Several companies OF troops
before in actual service called out and sent o
different localities, where their presence might bd
needed aud every precauton was taken by the energetic
administration TO secure all points that might be useful
In hc streets military uniforms numerous. Old
and young assumed the 'coth Of war;, and took tner
but with lc thousapd and rumors that lew about,
nothing could be set down certain.
Tow ards eleven O'Clock boat from Fort Sumter,
bearing officer In full uniform with white nag waa
10 approcb the city The officer was met a. thd
whaif by one or two gentlcmen, and was suffered a
quiencss TO land. He gave his Isusnm, AaIs
United States Army bearer of dispatches from M9r AM
dcrsn, commanding Fort sumter, TO the oe..raor =
South Carolina, and inquired the way 20 te Governor
quarters Undcr tho guidance * several Gentlemen tho
Lieutenant was taken 10 the Cty Hall followed BY an
immersc though orderly and rnextcd hrong-ttracsed
by curiosity TO learn the ot'ct of his mission Mtcr
arriring nj the City Hall n found thss the 6over-
nCr did not occupy any portion Of the building aud after
delay Of several minutes learn where the Executive
could be found, tho officer WIS joined by gentle
man 10 military habit who undertook TO give him conduct.
While waiting at this point the crowd outside in
creased at a tremendous rate. The court room
filed the stairs hled, and even tho street was
dcpsely hronged, though not Tho slightest indgnty,
either by deed inflicted upon the represen
stive ~ tho United States. In perfect security he was
allowed 70 take his way TO the Governor with he
afterwards remained for two hours
no obipgt m moi laipo kuox~