Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-18
Return of the steamer ssStar of the
Wesi,'-Omcial Report OF the Expe-
dition TO Charleston.


The steamer Star Of the West, under COM
mand OF Captain MCGOWAN, which left New
York ON Saturday, the 9Th inst, with large
number of troops on board to reinforce Major
Anderson, at Fort Sumter, South Carolina,
returned on Saturday morning, her mission
having proved unsuccessful. The following
report is made to the owners of the vessel by
her commandant, Captain MCGOWAN
CAPTAIN M'GowAN's STATEMENT.
STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEST,
New York, January IL. 1861.
NC. ROBERTS, Eso.-Sr: After leaving
the wharf on the 5th instant, at i've O'Clock
p. NJ, we proceeded down the bay, where we
hove to and took on board four officers and
two hundred soldiers, with their arms, ammu-
milton, &C., and then proceeded to sea, cross
ing the bar at nine o'clock z. NJ. Nothing
unusual took place during the passage, which
was pleasant one for the season OF the year.
We arrived off Charleston Bar at half-past
one A. NJ, the 9th inst, but could find no
guiding marks for the bar, as the lights were
all out We proceeded with caution, running
very slow, and sounding until about four o.
clock A. NJ, being then in four and a half
fathoms of water, when we discovered light
through the haze, which at that time crossed
the horizon Concluding that the light was
on Fort Sumter. after getting the bearings OF
it, we steered to the southwest for the main
ship channel when we hove-tO to await day
light; our lights having all been put out since
twelve O'Clock to avoid being seem As the
day began to break, discovered steamer
just in shore of US. which, as soon as she saw
US, burned one blue light and two red lights,
as signals, and shortly after steamed over
the bar and into the ship channel. The sol
diers were now all put below, and no one
allowed on the deck except our own crew.
As soon as there was light enough TO See, we
crossed the bar and proceeded on up the
channel (the outer bar buoy having been
taken away;) the steamer ahead of MS send
ing off rockets and burning lights until
after broad daylight, continuing on her
course up, near two miles ahead of u.s.
When we arrived about two miles from Fort
Moultrie, Fit. Sumter being about the same
distance, a masked battery on Morris Island,
where there was red Palmetto flag flying,
opened fire upon us Substance about o-oths
of mile. We had the American flag flying
at our flagstaff at the time, and, soon after
the first shot, hoisted large American en-
sign at the fore. We continued on under the
fire of the battery for over ten minutes; sew
eral of the shots going clean over US. One
passed just clear of the piiot-house. An
other passed between the sm0ke-stack and
walking-beams of the engine. Another struck
the ship just abaft the fore-rigging, and
stove in the planking; and another came
within an ace of carrying away the rudder.
At the same time there was movement OF
two steamers from near Fort Moultrie-one
of them towing schOoner-Q presume an
armed sehooner) with the intention OF cut
ting US off. Our position now became rather
critical, as we had to approach Fort Moultrie
to within three-fourths of a mile before we
could keep away for Fort Sumter. A steam
er approaching US with an armed schooner In
tow, and the battery on the island frlug at
US all the time, and having no cannon to de-
fend ourselves from the attack OF the vessels,
we concluded that, to avoid certain capture
or destruction, we would endeavor to get to
sea. Consequently, we wore round and
steamed down the channel, the battery firing
upon us until their shot fell short. AS it was
now strong ebb tide, and the water having
fallen some three feet, we proceeded with
caution, and crossed the bar safely at $50 A.
NJ, and continued on our course for this port,
where we arrived this morning, after bois-
ferrous passage. A steamer from Charleston
followed as for about three hours, watching
our movements. In justice to the officers
and crew of each department Of the ship,
must add that their behavior while under the
fire of the battery reflected gIta. credit on
them.
Mr. Brewer, the New York pilot, was of very
great assistance to me in helping to pilot the
ship over Charleston Bar, and up and down
the channel. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
MCGOWAN, Capt.