Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-15
ssStar of the West,' Fired at Seventeen
Times by the CarOlinians.

ssStar of the West's Fired at Seventeen
Times by the CarOlinians.
The steamer ''Star of the West" sent by the
President with $50 men to reinforce Maj. An
derson at Fort Sumter, was fred at II times by
the Oarolinians as she was attempting to enter
Charleston Harbor on Wednesday last. When
the Star of the West entered Charleston harbor
shot was fred across her bow. She immedi-
ately displayed the national flag and kept up to-
ward Fort Sumter. The batteries of Fort Moul-
trie and from Morris Island then opened on her
and the intention of a forcible resistance to q
further progress being developed, the vessel
was put about and returned to sea. Seventeen
shots were fired at the steamship but only two
struck her, and it is supposed that she did not
receive any serious damage. Fort Sumter did
not return the fire. but the guns bearing on fort
Moultrie and Morris Island we're run out. Sub
sequently correspondence took place under q
flag of truce between Major Anderson and Gov.
Pickens. Major Anderson recited the facts OF
the firing on an unarmed vessel, declared bis
ignorance of any declaration of war by the
State of South Carolina against the United States
and characterized the act as unparalleled in the
history of any country, and gave notice that un-
less it was disclaimed he would permit no YES
sci to pass Fort Sumter. Gov. Pickens replied
declaring that the attempt to reinforce Fort Sum
ter was an act of war, and assumed the respon-
sibility and defended The act of frihg upon the
steamer. Maj. Anderson, with careful cautious
ness as we'll as to secure communication with
Washington, in reply stated that he had deter
mined to defer his intention of prohibiting the
passage of vessels in and out of the harbor until
he could obtain instructions from his Govern.
ment, and requested facilities for the passage O.
his messenger through the city. This was
granted by Gov. Pickens, and Lieut.. Talbot
Major Anderson's messenger, was courteouslJ
received, entertained and started for Washing
ton on Thursday.
| The Authority Given.
"Upon what authority the editor of the Spec
tator bases the conclusion that the people o.
Augusta are opposed to State Convention, W.
are at loss to conjecture"
''We should like to learn the Spectators au-
thOrity for making the broad charge that The
people OF Augusta are opposed to a Convention.
| = indicator.
We reply that we state it upon the very high
est and best Guth0rity-that of the people them
seloes. At the very large meeting which wa
held in the Courthouse on Monday, tie 26tl
day of November last, when persons were pres
ent from all parts Of the county, the resolution
OF Mr.. Skinner recommending a State Conven
ton was rejected By large majority. Tha
there may be some who favor convention nov
who did not then is very likely, bat that Their
is as many, if not more, who are opposed to
convention now who favored it then, we ar
equally assured, for many now dread that it ma,
be used for secession purposes who had no sucl
apprehension at that time. They now, will
good reason, suspect that there is ''cat in tn
meal-tub."