The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-01-09
How Fort MOuItrIe was Evac-
mufed


We find in the New York World Of jan
uary 4th the following highly interesting ae-
count Of the evacuation of Fort MoulIris,
written BY one Of Major Andsrson's troops.
1t presents the frst authsntic account OF that
important movement
The South Csrolinians were making pre-.
parations 10 erect three batteries aRaiast
him, to Surround bin with rife pits and open
trenches. They only swsited the signal
from their commissioners to begin. Their
engineer officers came down every day to
examine and ley cut their plans of attack.
Cannon had actually been sent to the island.
In few days the major would have been
surrounded with perfect network, and bis
hands were still tied behind his back
The government would not even give him
permission to level the immense sand hills
which overlooked his works. They would
not sead him the ammunition. be naeded, nor
would they allow him the necessary NOR
tars and shells to dislodge the clouds OF rHe
men who would pick off his cannoneers.-I
He and his.commsnd had, nevertheless, de-
termined to fight it out to the last, and blow
up everything. The Only possible safety
for them ives in burning down Moultrieville,
in the first place (or they were so hemmed
in that they could not see hundred yards
and n taking down the crests Of the higher
sand hills. It was all in vain bis hands
were tied and when it became apparent
that the heavy bsttrieS OF Fort Sumter were,
in addition, TO plunge their heavy frs into
the work, and enflads one and taxa In re-
verse two OF his lines, the caSe resolved it.
self into massacre, and not into 4 siege or
assault. Fort Moultrie itself 10 but a mere
dependency of Fort Sumter.
| Charleston is now at the feet Of Anderson,
whenever he chooses to exercise his power.
Not a vessel can come 10 or out without
his permission. Sensible they were driving
Anderson to extremity, and fearful ne might
make an attempt of the kind, they had sta
toned two steamboats,, having 100 man,
with two pieces of artillery, under the Com
mand oil Lieut.. Hamilton, recently resigned
from tas Navy. They had stationed tAsss
between Forts Sumter and Moutrs, to
cruise around and prevent any attempt to
transf fer the garrison, but Anderson foiled
them. H. carried out his project W lth con
summqte ability. He talked for weak oil
the absolute necessity OF sending the women
and children to the village Of Fort Johnson
for safety. Thsre 10 an old dlSpidated pub.
lie building there, 10 which be proposed to
put them until the battle was over. He
chartered three lighters TO carry them and
their baggage, and he added every thing to
ths cargo he could with out exciting suspi-
cion. The Charlestouisns did not wish TO
interfere with the transit Of provisions 10
Capt. Fosters men at Fort Sumter, because
they regarded him as in reality finishing the
W ,rk for them. This ha was actual!y do
ing, through neglect oil the adniniAtrssiou.
Under pretense of sending him provisions,
Maj1r Anderson sent over large amount OF
his stores. Thus dissmbarrasSed, he was
ready for move. The schoonsrS, with
tha camp women and children, h I'd orders to
sail from Fort Johnson to F)r: Slntsr
upon hearing t"o cannon fred at FJrt
MeuItr rie-the signal that the evacuation OF
the fort had beea completed. He then gave
orders to the mon to pack their knspsacks,
and hold themselves in readiness at alrtimes,
as>they might, some day, have To mpVe. He
took ore oil his officers aside about 6 P. NJ,
on the 26!h, and told him in about twonty
minutes he sh)uld m ke the attempt 10
reach Fort Sumter. The attempt was .
dangerous one. Two STEAMBOATS, lay off
the tort with troops and guns. end III 'se
boats would have run him down in mo.
ment, had they been aware Of the movement.
MniDt A Aadarson left orders to fire into the
Nina ste amboat, If she molested his mn,
and thirty two FOUNDER WAS osdSd up for
that purpose Fort Moultris is always sur.
rounded by paid spies and members of the
vigilance committee, but they did pot inter.
fers, and probably did net understand what
the command WAS doing. The troops
sprang into the boats and the men pulled.
Hall way the hostile steamboat approached
rapidly with ship in tow. 1t was a gIori-
Gus moonlight night, aud very cle.r. The
Steamboat passed within hundred yards,
but probably took the bOets to contain
workmsn returning from Fort Sumter
Sumter was reached at last in safety. An
exclamation OF surprise came from the
bricklsyers on the wh4rf. One of them
shouted, "Hurrah for the Union" H was
hurried in and made to keep quiet. In the
meantime ths officers who rcmsined 10 Fort
Moultrie held the lanya Of the guns in
their bands ready to fire upon the steamboat.
| if it molested the boats. The boats we're
cent back The remainder OF the command
embarked and reached Sumter in safety,
though one bsat passed amsst undsr the
bow of the Nina. The movement was ac
compIisbed, and Charleston was at the feet
of the gallant Major. The chagrin Of the
people in the city wns i1tense. They bad
counted on this stronghold az their own,
and the tables had been compietely turned
on them. With the exception Of coal and
6rewood, believe everything OF import
ance was brought over.