New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-01-22
The Stnr of the West.



New York. Jan. 12-The now famous steamship
Star Of the West unexpectedly made her appear
ance in this port early this morning, three days
from Charleston bar. She brings back with her
the two hundred United States troops, whom she
failed TO land at Fort Sumter, and has besides a
proper crew Of sixty men.
Captain Mcf10wan has handed the following
statement to o. 81. Roberts, Esq., the owner OF the
ship:
Sb'-After leaving the wharf on the 5th inst. at
5 o'clock P. H., We proceeded down the bay, when
we hove to and took on board four officers and two
hundred soldiers, with their arms, ammunitions,
etc, and then proceeded to sea- crossing the bar
at Sandy Hook at 9sF. NJ. Nothing unusual took
place during the passage, which was q very pleas
aut one for this season of the year We arrived at
Charleston bar at 1880 A. H., the 9th inst.
AS the day began to break, we discovered a
steamer just III shore Of us, who, as she
saw US, burned one blue light and two red lights
and signals, and shortly after steamed over the
bar and into the ship channel. The soldiers were
now all put below, and no one allowed on deck
except our own crew.
As soon as there was light enough to see, we
crossed the bar and proceeded on up the channel,
(the outer bar buoy having been taken away the
steamer ahead of sending off rockets, and burn
ing lights until after broad daylight, continuing
her course up near two miles ahead Of us. When
we arrived about two miles from Fort Moultre,
Fort Sumter being about the same distance, we
could find no guiding marks for the bar as the
lights were all out. We proceeded with caution,
NJ, being then in q fath0ms water, when VIC dis
covered a light through the haze, which at that
time covered the horizon. Concluding that the
lights were on Fort Sumter, after getting the bear
ings, we steered to the s. W to the main ship
channel, where we had to await daylight, our
lights having all been put out since II o'clock to
avoid being seen.
a little after rcloek masked battery on Nor
ris Island, where there red Palmetto flag
flying, opened fire upon us-dstanGe tiveeighths of
a mile. We had the American flag flying at our
n3g.sta at the time and soon after the first shot,
hOiSted large American ensign at the fore. We
continued under the fire of the battery for over
ten minutes, several of the shots going clear
us; one just passed clear of the pilot hoase, an
other passed between the smoke-stacl3 and walking
beams OF the engine, another struck the ship abEft
the f0rc-rigging ard stove in the planking while
another of the shots fired came within an acc of
carrying away the rudder. At the same time there
was a movement Of two steamers, from near Fort
MoUltrie, ona Of them towing q schooner e pre-.
sumc an armed schooncD with the intention of
cutting us of. Our position now became rather
critical, as we had to approach Fort Moultrie to
within threa-quartcrs OF mile before we could
keep away FOR Fort Sumter.
A steamer approaching us with an armed schooner
n tow, and the battery the island firing at us all
the time, and having no cannon to defend
selves from the attack Of the vessels concluded
that 10 avoid certain capture destruction we
would enaeavor to get to sea. Consequently we
wore round, and steered down the channel, the
battery firing upon until the shot fell short. As
fallen some three feet, we proceeded with caution,
and crossed the bar safely at $50 A. NJ, and con
tinued our course for this port, where we ar
rived this morning, after hoisterous passage. \
steamer from Charleston followed us for about
three hours, watching our movements
In justice to the officers and crew of each de-
partnlont of the ship, I must add that their be-
haVior while under the fire Of the battery reflected
great credit on them.
Mr.. B! ever, the New York pilot, was of very
great assistance to me, in helping to pilot the ship
over Charleston bar, and up and downthe channel.
Very respectfully your 1GMN 2GilioH MfUWN .n
Another account says that Capt. Anderson was
observed on the ramparts of Fort Sumter watching
the same and leveIing his glass ia, all directions.
Tho general impression of the North respecting the
easy access of Charleston harb0r by vessels Of
large draft, is erroneous. as only vessels of light
draft could get within distance to do service.
Those in charge of the batteries on Morris Island
are by no means the inexperienced gunners that
they were supposed to be, which was plainly
proved by their shots, which for time flew lively
about the vessel Two of them took effect, and
one passed between the smoke stack and the
beam. The general feeling among the troops and
crew on board is in favor Of being landed at Fort
Sumter, and they are anxious to return with the
it imprudeut to again attempt landing of the
troops she left for Now York for further orders,
which will probably reach here to-day (Friday.)
The suppOsition on board is that they will return
to Charleston.
TAKING HIS CHOICE OF INsULTs.-The Paris Gta-
riUdri lately gave account Of aspiring gentle-
man, who had written five act play, and proposed
to celebrated dramatist to divide with him the
honors of the authorship very common practice
in Paris, which explains the seeming fecundty of
many French writers in repute The dramatist,