The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-26

| eVaCu.
alton of this fort, and to say in reply thereto
that it is demand with which regret that
nv sense of honor and my obligations to my
government prevent my compliance.
From the moment that this answer trans.
pired, every lingering hope of peace ex.
pired. Each party now set itself to COM
plete the offensive preparations for the coll
lision which had now become inevitable.
Troops and ammunition, in addition to the
vast numbers already there, were poured
into the city of Charleston from every
available point, and the batteries along the
coast were further strengthened and rein
forced. Thousands of people Of both sexes
were collected along the shore, on the
housetops and in adjacent houses, in state
of terrible suspense, awaiting the first sounds
of battle AT last they came. At twenty
seven minutes past four the guns of old
Moultrie belched forth the challenge to An.
derson. Nothing 10th, the gallant Major
promptly responded with three of his bar
bette guns. Thereupon the batteries on
Cummings Point and Mount Pleasant, with
the floating battery, Joined in the cannonade,
and opened brisk fire Of shot and she'll on
the beleaguered fort.
During the fire, when Major Anderson's
flagstaff was shot away, boat put off from
Morris Island, carrying another American
flag for him to fight under-a noteworthy
instance of the honor and chivalry of the
South Carolina seceders. and their admira>
ton for brave man.
An old slave passed through the hottest
fire, with sloop load of wood, on Friday
evening, and came safely to the city. Some~
body told him he would be killed in the at
tempt. "Can't help dat" said be, "must
60 to de town tonight. If anybody hurt
dis chile or dis boat, massa see him about
it shuah. His sloop received four shots.
When Col. Chestnut, Aid of Gen. Beau
regard, went to offer assistance, after the
fire, he says the fort was like an oven, and
be could hardly breathe. Itwas so hot that
Major Anderson received him in one of the
classmates. Inquiry being made how many
were killed, he said, "None." GLOW many
on your slider" "None," was the response.
"Thank God," replied Major Anderson,
"there has been higher power over u.s."
Major Anderson says it is preposterous
to fight such people. One of the officers
in the fort remarked that they had endeav-
Ored not to fire on exposed individuals.
eyes," said Major Anderson, al gave Or
ders not to sight men, but to silence bate.
ries." Both men and officers were be-
grimmed with smoke and powder.
One of the aids carried brandy to Major
Anderson in boat, after the fire, and tie
latter said it was very acceptable, as the
men were completely exhausted by their la
bors. mention this to show the kind and
chivalrous relations between the officers.
Before going into action, Major Ander-
son sent word by an aid of General Beau.
regard to the Governor, thanking him for
kind attentions during the past two months,
and very solemnly said, Farewell, gentle
men. If we do not meet again here,
hope we shall meet in better world"
just before the demand for the evacua-
ton, he received letter from his wife, in>
forming him of the Herald reports that the
demand would be made. He was much
surprised, but more so when the TACT was
verified three minutes afterward.
When Fort Sumter was in flames, and
Anderson could only fire his guns at long
intervals, the men at our batteries cheered
at every fire which the gallant Major made
in bis last struggles; but looked defiance at
the vessels of war, whose men, like towards,
stood outside without firing a gun or at
tempting to divert the fire of single bat
terry from Sumpter.
During the confagrution, Gen. Beaure-
gard sent boat to Major Anderson, with
offers of assistance, the bearers being Coils.
W. P. Miles, and Roger Pryor of Virginia,
and Lee. But before it reached him a flag
of truce had been raised. Another boat
then put off, containg ex-Gov. Manning,
Major D. r. JONES' and Col. Charles ALI
ston, to arrange the terms of surrender,
which were the same as those offered on the
18th inst. These were official. They sta
ted that all proper facilities would be
afforded for the removal of Major Ander-
son and his command, together with the
company arms and property, and all private
property, to any post in the United States
he might elect. The terms were not, there
fore, unconditional. Major Anderson stated
that he surrendered bis sword to General
Beauregard as the representative of the
Confederate Government. General Beau
regard said he would not receive it from so
rave a man. He says Major Anderson
made staunch fight, and elevated himself
in the estimation of every true Carolnian.
Had it not been for the unexpected dis
aster of fire in the fort, the possibility is
that the Major would have been able to
hold out until the feet could have made an
effort to reinforce him. Taking all the facts
together, it does not appear possible that a
more gallant defence could have been made.
The anxiety of the officers and men must
also be borne in mind. For several months
past they have been in expectation of the
attack or the evacuation of the fort; and as
the offensive preparations of their assailants
| were nprfectpd thew had tn nervo thor,oolro,
to the work which was before them. not
knowing when it would begin. Not man
in that fort had a moments rest from the
time that the first shot was fred on FRIDAY
morning until the work was surrendered on
Saturday afternoon. They must have been
on the qus vivs from two o'clock P. M. of
Thursday, when the ultimatum of General
Beauregard was sent to Sumpter, until
actual hosilities commenced. The contest
thus may be said to have lasted fully forty.