The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-01-10

Particulars of the Evacuation Of Fort
Moultrie, aud the Capture of Forts Moul,
trie and Pinckney by the Insurgents.
The Charleston Mercury gives the
following particulars of the evacuation
of Fort Moultrie, and the capture of
Forts Moaltrie and Pinckney by the
South Carolina rebels:
The evacaation of the fort com.
menced little after shutdown on We'd
nesday evening. The men were or
dered to hold themselves in readiness,
with knapsacks packed, at a moments
notice, but up to the moment of their
leaving had no idea of abandoning the
post. They were reviewed on parade,
and were then ordered to two schoon-
ers lying in the vicinity, where they
embarked, taking with them all the
necessaries, stores, &c., requisite in
their evacuation.
Several trips were made during the
night, and great part of the provis-
ions and camp furniture were trans
ported under cover of night. The
brightness of the moon, however, af-
forded but slight conecalment to their
movements, and in one of their trips,
Lieutenant Davis in command, a
schooner full of soldiers and baggage
passed directly under the bow of the
guard-boat Nina. The officer who
made the statement expressed himself
| to be ignorant whether the watch on
board the Nina discovered the move
ment or not-at all events, he said they
did not signify any cognizance of the
fact.
,iw REASON FOR EVACUATION.
From conversations held with the
gentlemen in possession of the fort yes-
terday it was ascertained that the first
impetus given to the work of strength
ening the forts, was after the speech of
Messrs. Magrath, Memminger and 9TH
ers, when fears were aroused that the
time would shortly come, which would
call into exercise the use of force of
protecting the public property. Upon
this, all the energies of the officers and
men were called forth to render the po-
sition as strong as possible. Attacks
were expected only from the land side,
and to the strengthening of these points
all the available force was put. The
officers expressed themselves to be
able, after preparation, &c., to make a
successful resistance against any mob
or undisciplined force, but against or
gained troops the small garrison could
make no stand.
Major Anderson had been ordered
to hold the Fort, to protect the work,
and he intended to do it at every haz-
ard. He denied that either the Presi-
dent or Secretary of War had given
any orders for the evacuation of the
posts. Major Anderson had done this
on his own responsibility - thinking
that by such step he would make
himself secure against attack, protect
the lives of his soldiers, and could bet.
ter guard the public property, for in his
position at Fort Sumpter he could east
ly command and if necessary, silence
the batteries of Fort Moultrie.
| The Mercury gives the following ac-
count of the occupation of Fort Moul.
trie and capture of Castle Pinckney
The Rifle Battalion, under com
mand of Colonel J. j. Pettigrew, as
sembled promptly upon the Citade
Green. None of them, we believe, ex
cepting the officers, were aware of Their
destination. They embarked on the
steamer Nina, which Immediately head
ed for Castle Pinckney, and the sur
mise soon became confirmed that the
destination of the command was to take
possession Of that fortress. On near.
ing the fort, a number of men were OBJ.
served on the wharf, one of whom, in
advance of the others, was observed
holding what appeared to be paper
in his hand. This was said to have
been, the Riot act. AS soon as the
Nina touched the wharf, the stormine
party who had been detailed for thai
duty sprang ashore and rushed round
to ther rear of the fortress, where the
gate is situated. This was found closed
and a cry for stOrming ladders was
! soon answered by detachment bear
ing dozen or more of them. These
! were instantly planted, and under cover
of the rifles of the battalion, the walls
were escaladed and the gates thrown
open.
"On entering the fort it was founG
to be tenanted by an officer of the En-
gineers and small party of laborers--
a none of whom made any resistance
q The Engineer officer acas informed tina
e he scas at liberty to Leave, and remove
b his personal effects, and in a few min
+ utes he set outin a boat belonging to th
r fort, accompanied by four other men
b From the direction in which he steered
n tits supposed that he went to For
. Moultrie.
i The Courier of Friday also says:
1T T" At twenty minutes to eight o'clocl
IT the troops on board the Nina and Gen
IF eral Clinch landed on the Wharf O
Sullivan's Island. Rapidly forming