The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-16

at night ne heavens obsoured BY rain clouds,
and II dark Esebos. Tho guns were heard
distinctly, the wind blowing in shore. Sometimes
shell would burst In mid air, directly Fort
Sumter Nearly all night long all the streets
were throDged with people full or excitement and
enthusiasm The house tops the Battery the wnarves,
the shippingin fact, every available place was taken
possession Of by the multitude The discharges OF
gradually dminshed the rose All the clouds,
which rendered the night 80 dark and dismal disap-
peared the day began 70 break while the air
most beautiful, balmy and refreshing The streets
filled again with pcrsons-nale and femse old and
young, white and black; went to tn attery
to the wharves, and some TO the sleeples OF the
churches. few random shots were fred from the
Confederate batteries, to which Fort sumterIonly re
piled occasionally. Soon il became evident tiat
Sumter was Ere, and all eyes riveted upon II.
The dense smoke hat issued from 1t gradually
70 rise 70 the rampas Some supposed that this was
merely signal from Major Anderson TO draw in the feet
to aid him.
At this time the feet in the o1ng quietly riding at
anchor could clearly be distinguished Four vessels
were ranged in line directly the bar, apparently
blockAdng the port. Their long black hulls and smoke
stacks proved them 70 be federal steamers Every
anxiousy awaited 70 SEQ what they would do The
suspense was very exciting. On al sides
could be heard, OWN tho vessels come in and
engage the batteresY'' "why do they hold on? Every
person the Battery fully expected that the engagement
would become general BY the aid Of glasses IL was
thought that movement being made 10 this end by
two the war ships and thought that the sand
would begin fly from the Norris Island batteries.
Al ten O'Clock In the morning attention again
riveted upon Fort Sumter, which was now, beyond a
doubt, fire. The flames were seen to burst through
the roofs Of the houses within its walls,
and dense columns Of smoke shot quickly
upward. At this time Major Anderson scarcely
fred shot, The guns the ramparts OF Fort Sumter
had utterance in them. Bursting shells and grape
acattered like hail the doomed FORT and drove the
soldiers under cover. From the iron battery at Cum
mipgs Point continuous fire was kept up. It's rfed
played havoc with that portion Of Fort Sum-
ter facing it.
The firing from the floating battery and from Fort
Moultrie continued very regular and accurate. Stand
ing Charleston battery and looking seaward you
have the right q mortar battery and Fort
johnston distant from the city two and half miles
half mile from Fort Johnston s the iron battery Of
Cummir gs Point, mounting three inch coumbiads
three sixty four Founders, three mortsrs and ried
Cumm Dgs Point s only fifteen hundred yards
from Fort Sumter, and 30 any one can imagine what
havoc the regular fire Of the Cummings Point battery
must have created The men working the guns made
them terribly effective The sand redoubt scarcely
injured by the weak fire Major Anderson kept up
the battery It commanded by Major Stevens OF
the Cit ade Ca1ets. Under hs direction each shell that
hred found destination within Fort Sumter and
during he entire bombsrdment scarcely missile Of
this character missed it's mark.
the other side Of barbor directly opposite Fort
Sumter is Of the strongest sides Of Fort Mourie.
During the last three months it has been strengthened by
every appliance that military art could suggest Its
marons meats aces embrasures perfectly pro
tectcd. The weak walls Of the fort were made
perfectly for the gunners while at work.
From this point throughout the engagement vast
numbers Of shot and heavy balls were dis
charged. Behind this and Sullivans Island
the floating battery wasstaoned with two sixty -four and
two forty two FOUNDERS It's sides Of iron and palmetto
logs impcDetrable Every shot from it told
Fort sumter, and the in charged Of
in their position that OF them INDUCED in soldiers
pastimes, while others played Ave cent ante ouchre
and bluff
The battery at Mount Pleasant five hundred yards
from the floating battery and mounted with two
within excellent range Of Fort Sumter. The shells
from these mortrs thrown with great precision You
have all the positions Of the works bearing directly
on Fort Sumter All through Friday morning the greatest
activity all points displayed. Three times Major
Anderson's barracks fire, and twice he
cecoed In putting out the ames and to do this was
necessary employ all his force passing along water
To get water necessary for or his to 80
outside the walls and band the buckets in through the
portfolios, during all which time they were exposed to
moe, terrific bre from the various batteries.
This last espedent not resorted . until the fort
was on Gre for the third time and the flames had iacreas
ed TO an alarming pitch. Meantime Major Anderson's
guns silent. He allowed his to be exposed to
the garg fire upon them but for a few moments, and
then ordered them in and shut the batteries, the
smoke wa. too thick work them. At the flames
burst every quarter Of Fort Sumter and the de-
structon Of IL WAS complete