The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-03

THE DEFENCE OF sUMPTER,
Detailed Account OF the Defence OF the
Fort, by Major Anderson.
Uatr "afnr- 4T
From the New Times, April IL.
We are indebted to the officers in COM
mand of the forces at Fort Sumpter, for
what the public have not had hitherto, q
detailed account of the defence of the Fort.
Of the preliminary negotiations we have
already had reports. On Thursday the
18th Of April, boat was seen approaching
the work, with Col. Chestnut, Col. CHS
holm and Capt. Lee, Aids to Gen. Beaure.
gard. They handed Major Anderson q
communication from General Beauregard,
which was summons to evacuate the Fort.
1t was to this effect: that the Confederate
authorities had refrained from any hostile
act against Fort Sumpter with the antici.
patton that the Government of the United
States would withdraw their troops from
the Fort: that it appeared probable at one
time that this would have to be done, but
that the authorities of the Oonfederated
Ststes could no longer refrain from taking
possession of q position that commanded the
entrance to one Of their principal harbors,
and that the order to evacuate the Fort was
now made upon the following terms: The
troops to be allowed to carry with them
their arms, all personal baggage and COM
pany property of every description, and
that the flag which had been maintained
with so much fortitude, might be saluted
when hauled down. Major Anderson re-
piled that his word of honor, and the duty
he owed to his Government, forbade his
compliance with the demand. These gen.
tlemen then left the Fort displaying red
flag. At ~ A. M. on Friday, a boat con-
tanning Col. Chestnut, Capt. Lee and Col.
Roger A. Pryor, approached the work with
q communication from Gen. Beauregard,
making inquiry as to what day Major An
derson would evacuate the work, and asking
if he would agree not to open his batteries
unless Fort Sumpter was fired upon.
After consulting his medical officer as to
the probable time the men would be able to
make effective resistance after their bread
had given out, and being told that, owing
to the enthusiasm of the men, they could
probably hold out five days, Major Ander-
son made written reply, stating that he
would evacuate the fort at noon, on the
18th, provided he did not receive supplies
or controlling instructions from his Govern
ment to the contrary. That he would not
open his batteries unless the flag of his
country was fred upon, or unless some
hostile intention on the part of the Confed.
crate forces should be manifested. This
communication was handed to Col. Chess
nut shortly after three o'clock, when, after
short consultation with the officers who
had accompanied him, handed a commune
cation to Major Anderson, and said, "Gen.
Beauregard will open his batteries in one
hour from this time, Sir" Major Ander-
son looked at his watch, and said, "It is
half-past three. l understand you, Sir,
then, that your batteries will open in an
hour from this timer" Col. Chestnut re.
piled, "Yes, Sir, in one hour" They then
retired, and at signal of shell fired from
Fort johnson at half-past four o'clock, and
which exploded close to the work, the firing
commenced from all the batteries. Shells
were thrown until daylight, when they
opened their gun batteries. The firing now
became continuous, and as they got the
range of the fort, the shot and she'll took
effect constantly, inside and outside of the
work, which was kept up without cessa-
sation the whole day. The officers quar-
tiers were twice set on fire near the maya.
zine, which was, however controlled, and
they were constantly penetrated by shot
and shell.
The command of Fort Sumpter consisted
of officers, IA con commissioned officers
and soldiers, and 43 laborers. Of these,
six were on the surgeons report of sick.
The command was divided into three reliefs,
OF Jour hours each, for services at the guns.
The first was under the command of Capt.
Doubleday, DR.. Crawford and Lieut.. Sny-
der. The second relief was commanded by
Capt. Seymour and Lieut.. Hall, and the
third under the charge of Lieut.. Davis and
Lieut.. Mead. Major Anderson, not wish
ing to hurry the men, allowed them to take
their time, and firing began from Fort Stump.
ter at 10 minutes before Z o'clock. The
first shot was fired by 42-pounder at the
battery on Cummings Point. The firing
was steadily maintained, from three AZ.
Founders and seven 80 Founders, through
the day. The barbette guns we're fred
three times, wien, from the number of shells
thrown upon the terraplin of the parapet,
and from the fact that all the TANKS and
faces OF the work were taken in reverse by
batteries which had been established by the
enemy, Major Anderson, in order to prevent
the inevitable destruction of his men, with
drew them from the barbette to the lower
tier of guns in casemate. Three guns bore
upon the iron battery and the other bait
teries on Cummings Point, and seven guns
on Fort Moultrie, the iron floating battery
of Capt. Hamilton and the remaining bat
teries on Sullivan's Island. The day be-
fore they opened fire new battery, con-
sisting of four heavy guns, was unmasked
on Sullivan's Island. In the afternoon, on
account of the scarcity of cartridges, the
firing was slower, and in order, also, to re-
serve supply of cartridges for the night.
The men not engaged at the guns were
employed in bringing up ammunition and
making cartridges, flannel shirts, sheets and
holAiprr bo