The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-03-23
SsFes local items market report ETC., see FouRrH
PAGE.
FORT SUMTER.

On the 9Th inst. the Federal Government
received dispatches from Major ANDERSON,
stating that his supply of provisions had
diminished almost to the vanishing point.
In fact, that he bad scarce provisions enough
to last his garrison fifteen DAYS. Since the
reception Of this important and startling
information, the country has been flooded
with rumors respecting the action of the
Government in the premises. One dav we
have the positive assurance that the Fort
will be evacuated; the next, that the "mil-
tary status in the seeded States now held
by the Federal Government, wi ! be presery-
ed.' NotwiI outstanding these contradictory
statements, the country has pretty generally
settled down into the belief that Fort Sumter.
with its magnificent armam ent and munitions
Of war, will soon be surrendered to men VIII
are in arms against the Government. There
seems to be no escape from this humiliating
sacrifice. The great military lenders, who,
three months ago, insisted upon the rein
forcement of Fort Sumter, and pointed out
the ease with which this might be accom-
pllsaed, now declare that to reach and relieve
Major ANDERSON an army of twenty thou
sand men, landed from feet of transports,
and pitched battle, must be the sapguinary
instruments of his relief. But neither trans
ports nor troops are AZ the command Of the
III - II
vested with the power to call for SUCH And
ii he were, some two months must elapse,
before such an expedition could be organ
lied, while the garrison is in no condition.
even 10 the absence Of an attack, to hold
out for one-fourth that period. Under
these circumstances, what is the manifest
duty of the Federal Government? Or,
rather, what can the Government do, but
evacuate Fort Sumter? Without the means,
means, necessary to hold possession OF
Sumter. there would seem to be no alterna-
tive left, but its abandonment to the traitors
Of the "Confederate States"
The Washington correspondent Of the
New York Times says the "rcport of the
intended withdrawal Of the troops scattered
CONSERVATION among the Secesslonlsts.-
Wigfall, who is undoubtedly honest, how
ever fanatical, expresses the greatest con-
cern on the subject, and says if it is done
he and his friends are all ruined. Mason.
Hunter, and other secession leaders are in
perfect agony Of apprehension that the
report is true. If it is done, they say there
is no shadow of chance to push secession
any further, and every Southern man who
favored it will be tomahawked.
"Antlrew Johnson freely advises a with
drawal, in the present condition Of affairs.
He says that as an orig inal question he
would have reinforced without hesitation,
but now the policy is no. to precipitate a
conflict between the sections, but to leave
it to Southern men themselves to deal with
the Dsunionists, and to dispose of them.
lie says Mr.. Lincoln should have no false
pride on this subject; that his Administra-
ton is not responsible for the existing con.
diiion of affairs. which makes it wiser now
to withdraw the troops than to reinforce.
"Of course there are divisions Of opinion
on this policy. Wade says it's a surrender,
but many who at first doubted its propriety,
accept its wisdom on reflection"