The national Republican., 1861-01-11
Latest by Telegraph.
Details Of the Events

ffer SAYS, that about SIX and-analt o CLOCK tne
steamer General Clinch discovered the steamer
Star Of the West, and signalled the fact to the
occupants of the battery at Morris Island. AS
soon as she was signalled, Morris Island was
astir. Men were at the posts before the orders
we're given. They remained in anxious sus.
pense, ready for what they believed was sure to
come, namely, volley from Fort Sumter The
Star of the Wet rounded the point, took the
ship channel inside of the bar, and proceeded
straight forward until opposite to Morris Island,
three quarters of a mile from the battery.
ball was Gred athwart the bows Of the steamer.
The Star of the West displayed the stars and
stripes. As soon as they we're unfurled, the
fortifcation fired in succession heavy shots.
The vessel continued with increased speed.
But one or two shots took effect, and she con.
cluded to retire. Fort Moultrie fred a few
shots, but out Of range. The damage done to
the steamer was triHing. Only two out of
seventeen shots took effect. There is no idea
of the extent of the damage. Fort Sumter
made no demonstration, except opening the
portfolios, and running out guns, which bear
on Morris Island and Fort Moultrie. About
eleven o'clock, boat from Fort Sumter, bear
ing Lieutenant Hall with white flag, ap-
preached the city, had an interview with Gov.
ernor Pickens, and was afterwards escorted to
the boat and re reembarked for Fort Sumter.
The communication from Major Anderson is
as follows:
To His Ercellency the Governor of South Car.
lima.
Sir: Two of your batteries fred this morn.
ing on an unarmed vessel, bearing the flag Of
my Government. had not been notified that
war was declared by South Carolina against
the United States. cannot but think this hos.
tile act was committed without your sanction
or authority. Under that hope, i refrained from
opening fire upon your batteries. have the
the above. mentioned act-one believe without
a parallel in the history Of our country or any
other civilized Government-was committed in
obedience to your instructions; and notify you,
(if it is not disclaimed, that | regard it as an
act of war and shall not after a reasonable
time for the return of my messenger, permit
any vessel to pass within range of the guns of
my fort. In order to save, as far as in my power,
the shedding of blood, beg you will have due
notification of my decision served to all con-
cerned. Hoping, however, that your answer
may justify further continuance Of forbearance
on my part, am, respectfully,
ROBERT ANDERSON.
Governor Pickens, in his reply, after stating
the position Of South Carolina to the United
States, and saying that any attempt to send
United States troops to Charleston harbor, to
reinforce the forts, would be regarded as an
act of hostility, remarks, in conclusion, that
any attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Sum-
ter, or retake or resume possession of the forts
within the waters of this State, which you
abandoned, spiking guns and doing other dam.
age, cannot be regarded by the authorities Of
this State as indicative of any other purpose
than the coercion of State by an armed force
of the General Government. Special agents,
therefore, have been off the bar, to warn ap-
preaching vessels, armed and unarmed, having
troops to reinforce the fort aboard, not to enter
the harbor. Special orders were given to the
commanders Of the forts not to fire on such
vessels until shot across their bows would
warn them of the prohibition of the State.
| Under these circumstances, the Star Of the
West, it was understood, this morning, attempt.
ed to enter the harbor with troops, having been
notified she could not enter, was fired into.
The act is perfectly justified by me. In re-
gard to your threats as to vessels in the harbor,
it is only necessary to say you must judge OF
your responsibility. Your position in the har-
bor has been tolerated by the authorities of the
State and while the act Of which you complain
is in perfect consistency with the rights and
duties of the State, it is not perceived how far
the conduct you propose to adopt can find a
parallel in the history of any country, or be rec
onciled with any other purpose Of your Gov
ernment, than imposing on the State the con.
dition of a conquered province.
+. W. PICKEYs.
jor Anderson:
His Ercelency Governor Pickens Sir:
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt Of
your communication, and say that under the
circumstances have deemed it proper to refer
the whole matter to my Government, and in
tend deferriug the course indicated in my note
of this morning until the arrival from Washing
ton of such instructions as | may receive. 1have
the honor also to express the hope that no OBJ
structions will be placed in my way, and you
will do me the favor of giving every facility to
the departure and return of the bearer, Lieu
tenant Talbot, who is directed to make the
| Journey. Il. ANDERSON.
Governor Pickens Immediately granted the
permission desired, and directed every facility
and courtesy to be extended to the bearer O
dispatches, Lieut.. Talbot, when going and re
turning.
Charleston, Jan. 10, ll.55 P. M Dis
patches that the Brooklyn is coming here with
an armed force create intense excitement, and
great preparations are making in the harbor
A large steamer, the Marion, Of the Charleston
and New York line has been purchased by the
State, and ordered to be raced for man-of
war. The upper cabins are to be taken off
and an armament is to be supplied. The buoy
have been removed.
The Brooklyn will be fred into if she at
tempts to force passage. Fort Sumter will
open upon the Carolina forts, and the fight will
then become general The people are now pre-
pairing for it In earnest, and also for the wors
results which may happen. The BrooklyI
cannot come in without q great fight, and
Major Anderson will protect her. He onl,
pledged himself not to prevent communication
between the Carolina forts till Lieut.. Talbo
returned.
A steamtug called the Aid, Lieut.. Hamilton