The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-04-24
I THE BATTLE Ar FORT SUMTER.

| s9 TIE DAi LIE Al FOhA cbMA IH' 8f st
The Savannah Republican Of Monday last,
in its editorial correspondence. has graphic
account OF the battle at Fort Sumter. from
which, emitting description OF the different
forts and batteries, we extract the following:
Soon after daylight Friday morning the
contest was opened by two guns. hired in
quick succession, from the battery at Fort
Johnson. The sound was caught up by the
other batteries, and in few minutesa show
er Of iron hail poured in upon Sumter from
nearly every point Of the compass. Two
hours and quarter elapsed before Major An
derson returned the fire. All things ready,
he finally opened his ports aud turned his
guns on Fort Moultrie and the Morris Island
battery, but chiefly on the former, nearly
every ball taking effect. The engagement
then became general, and the rapidity and
accuracy with which Major Anderson re-
turned the fire throughout the day is highly
complimented by the officers of the opposing
army. Some express the greatest admira-
ton for lis gallautry.
The firing was kept up with but little in
PERMISSION throughout the entire day, and
though fierce storm Of rain was falling dur
/ ing good portion Of the time it did not cool
the ardor of the combatants. Towards night
the firing almost ceased, but soon after dark
the battle was resumed and kept up steadily
throughout the night. We will not attempt
10 describe that which battles description.
The scene was grand almost beyond concep-
ton. w:
Saturday dawned brig and lovely day,
but the flags Of each Of the belliserents were
still flying in stately defiance. and the deep
mouthed cannon continued to bech forth
their fiery thunder. Major Anderson's men.
though, were evidently weared By the ia
tigues Of the past twenty -four hours, as they
returned the FIRE of the enemy only at long
intervals. About eight o'clock smnke was
seen issuing from the southern side Of his Tort,
showing evidently that shell or hot shot
had taken effect 10 the woodwork OF the in
terror. II attracted no great attention at
first, but the smoke continued to rise, until /.
lin the course of some two hours, an expl0-
sion, as Of gunpowder, yet not loud enough
for a magazine, proved that the fort was on
ERE. and Anderson was blowing up his quar-
tiers 10 arrest the flames. A second explo,
sion. but all 10 m effect. In few moments
his entire barracks were on fire, and The en-
tire fort was wrapped in flames and smoke.
IN the midst Of this disaster, when almost
suffocated. il is supposed, with heat and
smoke. Anderson's men were al their guns
fighting with desperation, and pouring the
iron instruments of death into the works OF
his assailants. The fact is spoken OF with
the greatest admiration.
In the course Of an hour Major Anderson
succeeded 10 reducing the flames, Or rather,
We should say. they went nut Tor want Of fu
el. il being understood that the officers quar-.
tiers are entirely destroyed.
Exhausted with labor. and hndlng al
chance Of reinforcement hopeless, Major An
derson, about ten o'clock. hung out white
Gag from the parspet, his flagstaff having
; previously been felled by ball from For
Moultrie. Boats went over Immediately from
Mouitrie and Morris's Island. and il is said
Major Anderson surrendered Internationally
though Of this there Is some doubt.
Throughout the long aud tiresome engage
! msnt, the South Carolina troops-to whom
with their gallant commander Beauregard
. all the honor Of this great victory IS due
; conducted themselves with perfect order
and with seourage that proved they were IN
yinclblc.
And nnw for the most remarkable circum
! stance 81 this most remarkable, and We ma,
add. unnatural Struggle. The battle lasted
: thirty-fwo hours With hardly and intermis
I sion. some fifty tons Of canilon balls wer'
exchanged between tile beiligerents, som'
j eight TONS Of powder burnt; the weapons us
ed the INST destructive known TO moderl
1 warfare. and in skillful hands, aud yet on nei
! fher side ,cas there SOLITARY hfs lost. w
may almost say. in the language Of Lincoln
. that " nobody is hurt" We are eredibl,,
informed that not one is seriously wounded
b and but very few slightly. The fort
!. though. especially sumter and Moullrie. az
greatly damaged. There is nothing lik'
!, this in the annals Of the world. and verify !
! seems that Providence had interposed an,
/ resolved that Americans should not shed
6 brothers blood.
n