Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-17
CnAn1rsroN. Anril y. 1861

Civil war has at last begun. A terrible
fight is at this moment going on between
Fort Sumter and the iortificationS by
which it is surrounded.
In my last despatch stated that nego.
tiations had been reopencd between Gen>
eral Beouregard and Major Anderson
This was done with a view TO prevent an
unnecessary eiiusion OF blood.
The issue was submitted to Major An
derson Of surrenderiIg as soon as his sup-
plies were exhausted, or of having fire
opened on him within a certain time.
This he refused to do, and accordingly,
at twenty.seveu minutes past four o'clock
this morning Fort MouItrie began the
bonn mbardmcnt by firing two guns. To
these Major Anderson replied with three
Of his barbette guns, after which the bat"
ferries on Mount Pleasant, Cummings
Point, and the Floating Battery, opened
a brisk fire Of shot and shell.
Major Anderson did not reply except
at long intervals, until between seven and
eight o'clock, when he brought into ac-
ton tho two Tiers of guns looking towards
Fort Moutrie and Stevens iron battery.
Up to this hour (three o'clock Friday
afternoon) they have failed to produce
any serious effect
Major Anderson for the greater part
of the day has been directing his fle
principally against Fort Moultrie, the
Stevens and Floating Battery, these and
Fort johnson being the only five opera
ting against him. The remainder of the
batteries are held in reserve
Some fifteen or eighteen shots have
struck the Floating Battery, but made
not the slightest impression upon its iron
cased sides. The Stevens Battery is also
emiuently successful, and does terrible
execution on Fort Sumter.
Breaches to all appearance, are being
made ia the several sides exposed to fire.
Portions of the parapet have occn destroy.
ed, and several Of the guns there noun
ted have been shot away.
Major Anderson is at present using his
lower tier of casemate ordinance.
The fight is going on with intense ear
nes:ness, and will continue all night.
1t is not improbable that the fort will
lie carried by storm.
The soldiers are perfectly reckless of
their lives and at every shot jump upon
the ramparts, observe the effect, and then
jump down, cheering.
The excitement in the community is
.indescribable. With the very first boom
OF the gun thousands rushed from their
beds to the harbor front, and all day ev,
cry available place has been thronged by
ladies and gentlemen, viewing the sol
emn spectacle through their glasses. -
Most Of these have relatives in the sever
al Notifications, and many fearful eye
attes.ed tie anxious affection Of the mo,
ther, wife and sister, but not murmur
came from single individual.
The spirit Of patriotism is as sincere as
it is universal. Five thousand ladies
stand ready day to respond to ans sac
rifce that may be required of thom.
The brilliant and patriotic conduct Of Hijor
anderson speaks for ITSELF, and eiiences tie at
tackS lately nladc at tic North upon his char
dcter and patriotism.
Business is entirely suspended Only
those stores are opel which are necessary
to supply articles required by the army.
Troops are pouring into The town by
hundreds, but are held in reserve for the
present, the force already on the island
being being ample People are also
arriving every moTent on horseback, and
by every other conveyance. Within an
area of fifty miles, where the thunder of
the artillery can be heard, the scene is
mapnihcertly terrible