Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-15

THE STAR OF THE WEST EXPEDITION.
Account from enc of the Exoursionists.

The STAR OF The WEST EXPEDITION.
Account from enc Of the Exoursienists.
The n: Y. Evening Post had correspondent
on board Of the Star of the West, who has
written quite a lively account of the trip. We
copy that portion of it relating to the attempt
TO enter Charleston harb0r.
WEDNESDAY,, Jan. 9.-I awoke at 3 O'Clock
this morning and went Immediately to the
upper deck, where found the captain, mate,
pilot and two military officers. learned that
we arrived in the vicinity of the Charleston
bar about midnight; that all the coast-lights
had been extinguished, and that thus far it
had been impossible to find the main channel
1t is evident from these indications that the
hospitable South Carolinians do not mean that
we should go in without a salute.
light was seen of the coast, but we could
not make out what it was. A little after three
O'Clock We discovered the light on Fort Sum-
ter, and with these exceptions every thing was
dark. IL was, Of course, impossible to get
over the bar without the Lighthouse, and 80 we
waited the break of day.
have never seen finer morning than the
one which dawped upon us. The sky was
clear, and the moon, a faint crescent of silver
had just arisen, and the low coast looked like
dense forest OF evergreen. The spires of
Charleston became visible in tho approaching
daylight, and on the walls of Sumter we des-
cried the American flag floating in the breeze.
Now, about 81 o'clock, we see the lighthouse;
and now, too, We discover that the mysterious
our right. Now the situation Of the channel
Is ascertained, and we are under weigh; and
now the steamer at our ri ght is burning red
and blue lights; and now she sends up rockets.
There Is no mistaking her movement; she is
giving the alarm signal to Fort Moultrie
On we go; the sol liers are below with loaded
muskets, and the officers are ready to give the
word if there is anything to do. Now it is
broad daylight, and we are making directly
into the guns of Fort Moultrie, whose black
-,
at ou- right Is burning signal light aft, and
Is making all possible Roadway up the harbor
Now We discover a red Palmetto flag at our
left on Morris Island, at a little village called
Cummings Point, and apparently but little
more than mile from Font Sumter.
- Is il possible that those fellows have got a
battery off here ~ asks one.
"No" answers another; there is no bat
terry there"
But there Is. 1t is now quarter past seven,
and we are about two miles from Forts Sumter
and Moultrie, which are equi-distant from US.
and, suddenly, whiz-z. comes a richOchet shot
from Morris Island. 1t plunges into the water
and skips along, but falls short of our steamer
The line WAS forward Of our bow, and was of
course, an invitation to stop. But we are not
ready to accept the profered hospitality, and
the captain pays no attention to il, except to
run up the stars and stripes at the masthead
the garrison flag mentioned before. mo-
ment Of anxious suspense, and bang goes a
heavy cannon from the same masked battery.
The shot falls short of US hundred yards or
more, and bounds clean over our vessel aft,
nearly line with the head of a sailor, but,
luckily, little above it.
On we 90, and-whiz-z again goes the
smaller gun first fred, and another richochet
shot skips along the water and falls short of u.s.
Boob :" exclaimed the captain, " you must
give US bigger guns than that, boys, or you
cannot hurt u"
On we 60, without needing the compliments
of our Charleston friends. Another moment
and bang again goes the heavy gun. The
ball now strikes our ship in the fore chains,
about two feet above the water. seaman
was holding the lead to take the soundings
and the bail struck directly under his feet. 1t
is not surprising that, under the crcumstan-
ces, Jack was strongly inclined to take to his
heels, and he begins to scramble up with
might and main, when the captain assures him
that there is no danger, one ball having struck
so near him; on the principle, 1 suppose that
lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
Jack, reassured, patiently takes his place and
drops the lead again.
. The ball, fortunately, was too lar spent to 20
through the side of our vessel, although il left
an honorable scar.
The battery continues to play upon Us, and
q huge ball comes clean over us near the wheel
house We are not yet within range of the
guns of Fort Moultrie, and yonder is a cutter
In tow of a steamboat, preparing to open fire
. upon US A moment longer and we shall be in
range of these three batteries. The gunners
on Morris Island are growing confident; if they
get the right range they will send a shot
through our side, scattering death and destruc-
ton. Moultrie, directly in front will bring
her heavy guns to bear and will drive their
deadly missiles into our bow, while the cutter
will open on our right.
Why does not Mai. Anderson open FIRE upon
that battery and save US, We look In vain for
hslr, the American flag flies from Fort Sum-
ter, and the American flag at our bow aud
stern is fred upon; yet there is not the slight
est recognition Of our presence from the fort
TO which we lock for protection The timex.
pected battery on Morris Island has cut of all
hope OF escape by running the vessel aground
near Sumter and taking to the boats Is il
possible that Fort Sumter has been taken by
the South Carolinians2 II it mas not, why
does not Maj Anderson show that he will pro-
1ect US, or at least recognize US in some way!
To 60 within range Of the guns Of Fort Moul
trie is to expose vessel men and stores 10 almost
instant destruction, or be captured by the
enemy.
"Hslm out of port" shouted the CAPTAIN,
and the Star Of the West is turned about with.
out any great loss Of time, as You may we'll i'm
agine. We turn without accident and steam
away, with the stars and stripes still floating,
and the battery still playing upon US by way
Of a parting salute
As we steam away the steamer near Moul-
= away into Swash channel, evidently with the
intention Of cutting OF our retreat; but she
soon sbandons the chase and we sail out. with
out man killed or wounded, with our stores
-unharmed, and proceed unmolested, probably
on our homeward journey.
, After the brief but exciting experience of
the morning, I am prepared, without hesita-
tion, 70 concur with the captain in the opinion
that IL is very unpleasant 70 be fred at with
: hard cannon balls without any chance to FIRE
back. wish to say, however, that no one on
board displayed any symptoms Of fear. Capt.
McGowan and the pilot, Mr.. Brewer, were pro.
2 badly especial marks for the Morris Island bat
I, terry, since q good shot through the wheel
house would have been most disastrous. The
? soldiers, although two-thirds Of them are
cruits, appeared to be quite Indifferent to the
y music, while the officers agreed thst it was
scandalous that they could not fight back.
- The military men on board highly compli-
+, mented the South Carolinians on their shoot
ysing. in this first attempt They say il was
Il, tbs all hiohr aoIo I'D