The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-01-16
From the Lancaster Ledger Extra Of Sat-
urday morning.
Commencement of Hostilitiesl

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Commencement Of Hostilities,
The first effort Of the Federal Govern
ment to coerce South Carolina was made
on Wednesday morning the 9th inst. The
Steamer, Star of the West, with $50 troops
on board atte mp;ed to enter Charleston
hnrbor, and was fred into by the batteries
OIL Morris Island, disabled and compelled
10 turn back. We are indebted to the
Mercury of Thursday for the following
particulars
PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR.
Yesterday morning, shortly after "reveil-
le," the sentries on Morris Island reported
a steamship standing in for the ship chan
mel. The long roll wss Immediately beat,
and all the troops were promptly under
arms, LIEUTENANT Colonel J. L. Branch, of
the Regiment of Rifles commanding. These
compri'ed the Vigilant Rifles, Capt Tup.
per 600 men); the German Rihemen. Capt.
Small 600 men); the Zouave Cadets, Lieut..
Chichester (45 men) and detachment OF
40 from the Citadel Cadet Corps. The last
named body were at once marched to the
battery, commanding the ship channel,
which, at this point, passes within from one
half to three quarters of a mile of the beach
Att o'clock, when the Star Of the West
had reached a point within range of the
guns, Major Stevens fired shot across her
bows, as signal for her to heave to. Af.
far, g,
mutton in the speed or change in the course
Of the steamer could be noticed. A mo.
ment after, the United States flag was run
up at her foremast. The Star of The West
continuing thus defantly to pursue her
course towards Fort Sumter, the order was
given to the men ut the Morris Island guns
10 open fire. Five rounds were nc cording-
ly discharged in quick succession. Two
one forward and the other abaft the wheel.
Al the sixth discharge the Star gf the West
rounded to and steered outward towards
the bar. At the same time, the ensign
which she displayed Immediately after the
warning gun, was lowered. Three more
shots were fired from Fort Morris and three
from Fort Moul,ric one of these latter i,
is thought, took effect.
A gentleman on the Island reports that
after tho Star ofthe West had cleared the
bar and proceeded considerable distance
beyond steam propeller, of about $50
tons burthen, joined her, apparently rs n
tender, aud they steamed off together in an
+. N. f.. direction.
Thus terminated the first attempt of the
Federal Government TO reinforce the great
stronghold of coercion in our harbor. The
approach Of the Star Of Ue Wea to Fort
Sumter, taken in connection with the facts
that her clearance ,pas for NeD Orleans, and
that her troops ,oere smuggled GJraad outside
The hardor Of Nem Ywk, proves clearly
enough that the President has ch osen the
coercivs policy. aud that his official. will
not hesitate to promote its success.
After the above occurrence, Mai. Andcr.
son, the U. ). officer in charge of Fort
Sumter, sent white flag TO tho city to
know if the State authority supported the
Morris Island action : it ~, he would fire
on any vessel within reach Of his guns
The Governor replied that it was by the
sovereign authority of the State, aecouu-
table TO no one and if Anderson chose to
declare war, he was accountable to his Gov.
eminent.
Later in the day, Anderson sent another
flag. and said he had recon sidersd the mat
ter, and would refer the whole affair TO the
authorities at Washington.
Governor Pickens permitted his bearer
Of dispatches, Lieut. Talbot to go on to
Washington for Instructions.
This overt act Of the Federal Govern.
ment is conclusive of its purpose to coerce
the South. Civil war is now regarded ~
inevitable