The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-23


| of which II only struck-on the 14th, 90 we're
fired, and only struck-one passed through the
roof and fell on the floor, the others that struck
lodged in the palmetto logs and visible outside.
The success of the battery is very satisfactory.
The Battery of Stephens is equally SO, and balls
striking it shivered and were thrown off.
special incident has not been fully reported,
which we give eircumstantially When we'll di-
rectej shot from gun which Frustrated the flag
staff and laid low the stars and stripes, Col L. T.
| Wigfall was Morris Island. He thought it a
fine opportunity to demand the Fort, and he got
permission from Gen. Simons, commanding, to go
to Sumter. Taking a small boat, with Col. Young
and three negroes, he left the Island, ard imme-
diately after the United States flag was again run
upon the ramparts of Sumter. The men the
Island called loudly to him to return, but he pur-
sled his course with shot and shell from Fort Moul-
trie and the batteries falling around him. At
great peril he reached the wharf and landed; the
gate was open and on fire, and flames pouring forth.
Ii walked around to an embrasure, and with the
aid of scaDtling got into it; and crept by a gun
in the easement. lie found private standing
within, and asked for Maj. Anderson He went
to call him, when the Colonel walked into the par
ade, and finding groupe of several he again call
cd for Maj. Anderson, who sent for. On
coming to him the Major requested to know whom
he had the honor of addressing, and was informed
he saw that it was inn o xitle for him to hold the
fort, and that he had come on an errand of mercy
at the risk of his life to demand its surrender.
The Maj asked upon-what terms? He said sun
condtlohaly; that the parapet guns were sllenced;
and guns could be depressed to dismantle those
in his casemates and that the flames prevented
his making further efforts to save his men-that
he had made a gallant fight, and it was not proper
to risk the lives Of his men any longer. The Maj.
still asked the special terms, when the Col. told
HIM that the surrender must be unconditional, and
that Gen. Bcauregard soldier who could ap-
preciate gallant conduct, and would doubt
grant him honorable terms, but that the fort
must be surrendered Immediately. Maj. Ander-
son agreed and bis flag was hauled down. Imme-
diatcly the firing upon him ceased amidst the
cheers of the troops at all points, and the garrison
of Fort Sumter rushed out upon the bastions in
all directions to breathe fresh air and avoid being
stifed by the smoke and hot air which now alone
filled the area
Thus fell Fort Sumter, after gallant resistance
of 36 hours, ard the American flag was yielded to
the glorious Palmetto of Fort Moultric and her
aids, as did the British in the days OF rs.
Upon the white flag being raised, Col Chestnut
and Gov Manning, of Gen. Beauregards staff, with
the Surgeon General and several other officers,
visited the fort to tender such assistance as might
e needed and carried with them fire engine,
(the Palmetto) Upon reaching the wharf, it was
found that the engine was not needed, and the
Surgeon General upon rendering his aid and the
use of his hospital at Mount Pleasant to Major
Anderson, courteously thanked and informed
that the casualties were trifing. there being but
fue men roundcd by contusions The worst
case was that of an lrishman who was struck
senseless by the shock of a she'll and when he re-
covercd he was asked how he was, and replied,
20 cir I " cd
We asked soldier on the wharf which battery
had done the most serious damage to the walls,
and he pointed to the deep holes in the walls.
which seemed to be in process of being drilled
through, and said, g the gun that fired them quarc
shot (the rifcd cannon) had been the most affec-
tive towards making brcech h'-''the fellow that
fred that goon is igilar boy-he is rae dim
mycrat" Upon inquiry, we learned that Capt
Thomas, Of the Citadel, hac charge of that gun
Its power, precision and frequency Of fire caused
Major Anderson and his officers to suppose there
must have been several, and they complimented it
highly.
The explosion on saluting the flag by the garri-
son caused the death of three men and wounded
four others. 1t is remarkable providence, THAI
the last salute of the flag of opprcssors should
have been so terribly visited by loss of life, on
their side, after bloodless battle.
gentleman who visited Fort Sumter, on Sun
day, by invitation from Gen. Beaurcgard, gives
the following information, which he received from
Capt Foster and other officer:
Major Anderson, Capt. f. says, placed un
der peculiar circumstances, and has, no doubt,
been highly censured by the Southerncrs. lie
has twice sent his resi- gnaton to Washington. The
first was sent just before the Buchanan Admins
tration went out, and the second after the Lincoln
Administration came in-neithcr of which recev-
ed any attention.
der on Sunday, DIS his provisions entirely
out.
The cartridges gave out on Friday afternoon,
and after that the men manufactured them out OF
their flannel shirts.
The officers quarters were entirely consumed,
and the heat was so great, that the men were near
ly roasted.
The Fort is considerably damaged, but can be
in a short time
Major Anderson and his officers express great
Indignation at the officers in command of the feet
for rot making an attempt at reinforcing Sumter
Signal rockets had been fired, and the flag was
lowered to half mast several times
Major Anderson is confident that if the attempt
at reinforcement had been properly made, it would
have been successful, as he c0nld have drawn the
fire from the batteries almost entirely upon the
fort When he was offered the privilege of 60
ing to the fleet after his uncoadnional surrender
he peremptoriy refused tosail with such coscard-
him to New York.
An officer of our navy said to one of the officers
of the fort that the shclng was not very good.