Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-18
EXCITING NEWS FROu CHARLESTON
THE REBELS FIRE ON A U. s. VESSEL

Johh McOOWan, VINO was formerly connected
with the u s. Revenue service. On the 4th
of Jan. she was coaled with despatch and got
ready for sea. On the 9Th, she cleared for
Havana and New Orleans Moving down
the bay of New York, during the night $50
artillersts and marines were put on board her
by steam tug from Governors Island, to-
gether with an ample supply Of arms and pro-
visions The embarkation was made under
the personal superintendent of Col Thomas
the eid-de-camp of Gen. Scott. who was sent
from Washington for this purpose. The
steamer then proceeded to sea during the
night. Capt. MCGOWAN makes the following
report of the trip;
We arrived of Charleston bar at 30 a m. on the 9th
inst. but could find guiding marks for the bar-the
lights being all out, About O'Clock we discovered
light through the haze which that time the hor
lion Concluding that the light on Fort Sumter A.
ter steering for The main ship channel hove TO- to
wait the daylight our lights having been put out since
II O'Clock 20 avoid being seen.
As the day began 20 break, we discovered a steamer
just in shore Of which soon ar she saw US burned
one blue light and two red lights signals and shortly
after steamed over the bar aud into The ship channel
The soldiers we're all put below aud no one allow.
ed the deck except crew A. soon AS there was
hight enough To see we crossed the bar and proceeded
up te channel che outer bar buoy having been removed
The steamer ahead of sending off rockets aud burning
lights until after broad daylight continued on her course
up, near two miles ahead Of Us
When we arrived about two miles from Fort Moutrie
fot sumter being about the distance masked
battery un Morris Island, where there was a red Pal
metto tag diving opened FIRE upon us-di-tance about
0'b oi mile. We had the American flag on our flag.
stan at the time an soon after the first shot ho,tcd
large American ensign at The fore. We continued on
under the fire Of the battery for over ten minutes scyr
a. OF TIE shots going clean One passed Just
cca OF ine P,loi mousse Another raised between the
stack and walkingbeam Of the engine Another struck
the ship Just 1ha the fore-rggiug, and stove in the
plankhg and another came within Of carrying a.
way the rudder
Al the same time there was movement u two steam
crs from near Fort MoultHe--onc VI them towing
intention Of cutting us OIL
Our condition now became rather critical as we had 10
appr,ach Fort Moultfo 10 within "a Of mile before
/ could Keep away for Font Sumter
A steamer approa hing with an armed schooner in
tow and the battery the island firing on us all the
ume-and having no cannon to defend ourselves with.
concluded that 70 avoid certain capture destruction
we woult endeayor to get Accordingly we wore
round and steamed down the channel the batter, frnR
upon us until their shot fell short.
steamer from Charleston followed us for about three
hours, watching our movements"
The Star Of the West reached New York
on the 18th, and the troops we're debarked
on Governors Island on the next day. She
will not be sent back.
a iter the steamer withdrew from Charles
ton harbor. at II o'clock a boat from Fort
Sumter, bearing Lieut.. Hall with white flag
approached the city. Lieut.. Hall conferred
with Gov. Pickens, and was afterwards es-
corted to his boat. and re-embarked for fort
Sumter. The communication from Mai. An
derson is as follows
10 his Erceilsncy The Governor Of South Carolina
SIR Two Of your batteries fired this morning on an
un"rmed vessel bearngfhe hae Of my government As
have not been notified that war has been declared by
south Carolina against the United States can not but
think this hostile act committed without your sancton
or authority, Under that hope refrain from opening
FIRE on your batteries have the honor therefore re-
specially TO ask whether the aforementioned aetone
HHf he NTH .laaN 4.
country, or any other civilized Government-wss com
med Ia obedience TO your Instructions and notify YOU
II II is not dscaimcd that regard it an act Of war
Ana sha not, Aner reasonable time for the Of
my messenger, permit any vessel N pass within the
range OF The guns OF my fort In order 10 far
II Is IN my power the shedding Of blood beg YOU will
take due notification OF my decision for good Of ali
concerned. Hoping however your answer may Justify
a farther continuance of forbtarance on my part
remain, respectfully
ROBERT ANDERSON"
Governor Pckens, after stating the position of sou,h
Car9Ina 10 the united States, says that any attempt
send uuiied States troops into Charleston harbor
infoce the forts would be regarded act Of hosity
and in conclusion adds thar any attempt to reinforce
the troops at Fort Sumter retake aud resume pos-
session Of the forts within the South Carolina
which Maj Anderson abandoned after spiking the cam
and dong other dAmape-cau mot buf he r,gard.d
by the authorities Of the State as indicative Of any ohr
purpose han the coercion Of the State y the armed force
OF the poVtrnment Special agents, therefore. have
been OF he bar 10 approaching vessels armed and
unarmed having troops inforce Fort Sumter aboard
not 20 enter the habor Special orders have been given
Inc commanders al the forts not fire
until sha' across their bow, should them Of the
prohibition Of the Stale. Under these circumstances
the Star o the West II is understood this morning
tempted 10 enter the hafbor with troops after being no
titled that she could enter and consequently she vas
fired into The act is perfectly justified by me In re.
gard TO your threat about vessels n The harhor il s only
necessary Tor me 10 say you be the Judge Of your
own responsibility Your position in the harbor has been
tolerated by the authorities OF the stale; aud while the
aet o. Nhch you complain 10 perfect consistency with
the rights and duties OF the state il is NOT how
TAR the conduct you propose adopt can find parallel
~ Wv history ot any country or be recon iled with any
other purpose than that u your Government imposing
on the state the condition Of a conquered province
+. W. PICKENs.
SECOND LETTER FROM MAJ ANDERSON
Tohis Erceaeacy Cor. Pickens.
SIN have the honor to acknowledge the recent If
your communication and say. that under the oircum
stances have d'emtd it proper refer the whole mat
ter n my GOvemmen and intend deferfing tie cnnr.c
indicated in my note this morning until the arrival from
Washington q such instructions as may receive
have thg honor also to express the hope that obstc
lions will be placed in the way. and that YOU will do me
the favor Of giving facility for the departure aud
turn Il the bearer Lieut. Talbot who is directed to
make the journey. ROBERT ANDERSON.
Gov Pickens Immediately granted the per-
mission desired, and directed Lieut.. Talbot
to have every facility and courtesy extended
to him as bearer of dispatches to the U. S.
government both in going and returning.
Lieut.. Talbot is now in Washington. He
is awaiting orders.
and Lieut.. Hall, on the part of Mai. Ander-
son are also in Washington with proposals,
and to obtain further instructions. The spe-
cfc propositions of South Carolina are not
yet known.
Lieut.. Hall reports that Andersons force
is well, in good spirits, and we'll supplied.
Reports state that the arrival of the war
steamer, Brooklyn, off Charleston caused
great excitement. Preparations were being
made to fire into her, if she attempted to en-
ter the harbor.
The Legislature have unanimously adopted
resolutions approving. the firing on the Star
of he Vest that the sending of reinforce
ments to Anderson will taken as an act OF
hostility and a declaration Of war
The revolutionists seized the steamer Ma
rion, which is owned in New York, and pro-
posed to convert her into war vessel, but
finally abandoned the plan and restored her
to the agents Of her owners.
j N. Merriman. collector at Georgetown,
S. c., has been arrested and committed for
trial on the charge of high treason. The of
Tense was writing letter to the President
that he had cleared vessels and would contin-
ne to do so.
The South Carolina Commission will pro-
pose to the President a surrender of the IT,
S. Arsenal in Charleston, and other property