Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-24
From the Harrisburg Patriot & Unionl
Events Preceding the Assault upon
Fort Sumter

fleet sent by the Government TO the
South, as we'll as the nature of the nego
tlations which preceded the attack ct
the Confederate batteries upon Fort Sum-
ter, Is still involved in doubt and uncer-
tainty. All we know is that several YES
sells crossed the bar and entered the har-
Dor OF Charleston, while the battle was
progressing, without striking a blow or
attempting to afford assistance to the be-
leaguered garrison. Their Instructions
may have prevented them from taking
any part in the conflict. The following
narrative, published in the Baltimore
american before the assault upon Sumter,
gives the most strH light forward and plaus-
ihle account Of the events preceding that
transaction
Nearly four weeks since the President
and Cabinet, on the representation of
Cen. Scott, decided TO eyacuate Fort Sum-
ter as military necessity-that is to say,
the reinforcing aud provisioning of it was
not deemed essential, in view OF the cost
OF blood and treasure it would require tn
acc ompllsh the purpose. This decision
! OF the President was communicated ia
MAJOR Anderson 10y special messenger,
with instructions to open negotiations
with the military authorities at Charles
ton to carry the project into execution.
These negotiations have been progress
ing ever ince, ard the numeroJ is messen-
gers that have been passing between
municated to Major Anderson the in.
structons of the Government and 20 the
President the demaids of the authorities
Of the Southern Confederacy. 1t is uu-
derstood that Major Anderson refused,
under instructions, an unconditional sur
render of the fortress to the Confederacy,
but proposed to abandon it with his garri.
son, leaving the fort in possession of
corporal and two prlvates, to protect the
property Of the Government. and leave il
thus TO await future events. lie is also
understood to have demanded of General
Reauregard that a pledge should be given
him that no attempt should bo made to
take possession Of it afte: the evacuation
Of the garrison, and that the officer left in
charge should not be molested, or his ros.
session as the nominal representative Of
the Government !nteriered with.
This proposition did net meet the views
of General Baauregard, who demanded
be saluted and lowered, as was done at the
Pensacola Navy Yard, and that Il formal
surrender of the fort should be made by
tie Government Of the United States to
the Government of the Southerp Conieder
acy, and the Confederacy flag of seven stars
raised on the flag staff and saluted.
This demand, which would be a virtual
recognition by the President and Major
Anderson of the existence of the Sothern
Conrederacy, was firmly refused, and the
decision of Mai. Anderson was subsequentS
ly sustained and approved by the Presi.
dent and his Caoinet Thus matters stood
up TO the cOmmcncement OF last week,
when Gen. Besuregard intimated TO Ma
jor Anderson that, ifthe demand of the
Conlederacy was not complied with, an
order would be Immediately issued to cut
oil all further communication between
the fort and Charleston, and tuat his reg
ular supplies of marketing would be stops
red. This fact was brought to Washing
ton by Colonel Lamon. rs the ultimatum
OF the Confederacy A Cabinet meeting
was then called, and IT is said that the
refusal to make lormal surrender OF Tho
fort and the lowering of the flag was UNI
ami mOusly re-atlimed.
Immediately after this decision orders
were given for the military and naval
preparations that have since occas icned
50 much excitement the object being 10
use them if necessary in relieving tho
garrison of Major Anderson from threat
ened starvation, and maintaining the Gig
nity OF the Government and the honor Of
the flag in Charleston harbor; or, if not
required there, TO dispatch the expedi-
tion to Texas 10 maintain tle treaty
stipulations of the Government on the
frontier, and drive back the Indians and
Mexiohs who ar threatening to invade
the State.
in the meantime Lieut.. Talbot was dis
patched 10y Major Anderson to Washing>
ton with further information a5 to the
condition of affairs, in which rumor says
that Major Anderson urged the Govern4
ment not to allow the flag which he had
so long maintained in the face of his be.
sogers to be humbled as they required
and to compel the gallant men who had
stood 50 molly by him, including the mes
cEanics who could have left him if they
had desired, to witness the tumiliatihg
sight of any flag but that OF their country
floating from its hattlements.
This account farther states that as soon
rs information was received at Washinga
ton that Gen. Beauregard had cut off the
supplies from Fort Sumter, the President
dispatched messenger to Charleston,
with instructions to Major Anderson to
notify the Confederate authorities that
the Government proposed Immediately to
dispatch an unarmed vessel with food for
the garrison at Fort Sumter; and that he
was Instructed, if TIE vessel should be
fired upon, TO return the fire from ths
fort. The messenger arrived at Charles
ton, but was denied the opportunity of
communicating with Fort Sumter. We
know what followed. The expedition
started fro.n New York, aud Immediately
tEe secession batteries opened upon For,
Sumter, which, in its almost deFenceless
cond iton, was compelled TO surren@
der.
This account, which is certainly plausl
bic and consistent. will. if IL turns out to