Newbern weekly progress., 1861-01-22
THE RETURN OF THE STAR OF THE
WESTTO NEW REPRESENTATIVE OF


HER EXPERIENCE.
The Steamer Star of the West arrived at New
York Saturday morning. The Journal of Com.
merce says:
As soon rs her identity was made out by peo-
pie along the river front. the piers in that neigh
borhood were thronged with spectators anxious
to see the vessel that had been fred at by the Sc
cessionists, and to know positively what damage
| had been done to her. The heavy blue overcoats
of U S. troops could be seen in dense mass for.
ward of her wheel-house Many persons were
anxious to crafty their curiosity by going aboard
of her in small boats but :his was sternly refused
by the officers of the vessel Capt. MCGOWAN
came ashore and repaired at once to the office of
NJ. o. Roberts. the owner of the boat After a
consultation between those gentlemen, kilograms
were sent to Washington for further instructions
and until they are received the Star of the West
will remain where she now is with the troops on
board, and no communication will be permitted
except to Government officers, between her and
the shore. The troops, two hundred in number,
are in excellent health and spirits
STATEMENT OF CAPT. MCGOWAN.
The following is an official account of the
trip:
STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEST,
NEW YORK. Jan. l2, 1861. (
NJ. 0 Roberts, Esq.:-SIR: After leaving the
wharf on the 5th inst, at ) 2. NJ we proceeded
down the bay, where hove to and took on
board four officers and two hundred soldiers with
their arms ammunitions, &C.. and then proceed
ed to crossing the bar at Sandy Hook at 9 P
M NOLnlnp unusual TOOK place Ourlng the
sage, which was pleasant one for the season of
the year.
We arrived off Charleston bar at 13O A. NJ. on
the 9th inst, out could find no guiding marks for
the bar as lights were all out We proceeded
with caution, running very slow and sounding
until about A NJ, being then in 41 fathoms of
water, when discovered light through the
haze. which at that time covered the horizon
Concluding that the lights were Fort Sumter.
after setting the bearings of it, steered to the
fort he nChI .han ! hara hnya
to. to await daylight, our lights having all been
put out since II o'clock to avoid being seen. As
the day began to break :ve discovered steamer
just in shore of u.s. which soon she us,
burned one blue light and two red lights sig
mails. and shortly after steamed over the bar and
into the ship channel. The soldiers were now
all put below, and no allowed the deck
except own AS there was
light enough to see, crossed the bar and pro-
ceeded on up the channel, (the water bar buoy
having been taken away the steamer ahead Of
us sending uprockets and calcium lights, until
after broad daylight continuing OH her up.
near two miles ahead of US. When we arrived
about two miles from Fort MOutrie Fort Sumter
being about the same distance, masked battery
on Morris Island, where there red Palmet
to flag flying. opened fire upon us-the distance
about five eghths of a mile. We had the Ameri-
can flag flying at our flag staff at the time and
soon after the first shot hoised a large American
ensign at the fore. We continued on under the
fire of the battery for over ten minutes. several
of the shots going clear over One ust passed
clear of the pilot house. Another passed between
the smoke-stack and walking beams of the
gine. Another struck the ship ust abaft the fore
rigging and stove in the planking. while another
came within an ace of carrying away the rudder.
At the same time there movement of two
steamers from Fort Moultrie. of them
towing schooner, q presume armed schoon-
er,) with the intention of cutting off. Our
position now became critical as we had to ap
Uroach Fort Moultrie to within three-fourths of
mile, before could keep away for Fort Sumter
y steamer approaching us with an armnd schoon
er i'll tow and the battery the island firing at
us all the tune, and having no cannon to defend
ourselves from the attack of the vessels
cludcd that. t" avoid certain capture or destruc-
ton, we would enfravor To set to sea Cnlse
qurntly around and stetred down the
channel the battery firing upon until their shot
fell short. As it sir,ng ebb tide. and the
water having fallen some three feet, proceed
el with caution and crossed the bar safely ut 80
a. NJ, and continued on course for this port,
where arrived this morning. after Il boSteious
passsage steamer from Charleston was about
three l"nrs Watching cur movements
In uStice to the officers and crew of each de
partmrnt of the ship, must add, that their beha-
viJr, while under the fire of the battery, reflected
great credit them.
Mr.. BIewer, th- New York pilot. was of very
great assistance to in helping pilot the
ship over Charleston bar, and up aud down the
channel
Very respectfully, your obt serv't,
J. MCGOWAN, Captain.
We learn from other sources that the firing
maintained from the Island about fifteen minutes
and that the guns sent good line Shots although
most of them were much too high and went over
the vessel. After two or three shots had been
fired, the troops on board exhibited more curiosity
than trepidation, and Gas many of them were
permitted went on the upper deck. and watched
the firing with great interest They had their
rifles loaded. and were prepared to repel any at
tempt to board the vessel, and, if ordered, wonld
have taken pleasure in trying to pick off the gun
ners at the the masked battery.
1t is not true, has been rumored, that the
American flag pulled down the Star of
the West, When Capt MCGOWAN turned about
he hauled down the private signal of the vessel to
let Major Anderson know that she was leaving.
Hau Major Anderson prevented the steamer
with the schooner supposed to be armed) from
passing under the guns of his fort, or had he at
tempted to silence the battory at Morris Island,
or in any other way evinced an intention to pro-
tect the Star of the West, Captain MCGOWAN
would undoub btedy have persisted in his efforts
TO land the reinforcements at Fort Sumter.
One of the balls within about four feet
of the rudfer
The ball that hit the vessel was a richocet shot
1t left dent about three inches deep on the
thick oaken planks
The officers of the ship furnish the following
report:
On Wednesday. 9th inst, at ] A NJ. made
Charleston Bar laid to until daylight, when
she proceeded to enter the harbor Wheu off
Morris Island, was fred into by the battery from
that point, seventeen shots being fired at her
one taking slight effect on her port bow, and
second Gas she turned to leave the harbor) on the
starboard quarter. One ball passed between the
smoke stack and the engine room. Finding it
impossible to land troops, returning to at
9 A. NJ, when the fire was continued several
shots being fired after her.
She succeeded in getting to sea without other
damage to vessel or those on board.
On coming out over the bar, struck twice
Remained outside the bar Wednesday
night. That night. steamers out of the har
bar, supposed i'll pursuit Extinguished all lights
and was not seen by them. Same night spoke
ship Emily S. Pierce, from Liverpool, of and for
Charleston, at anchor. She had been refused
admittance in consequence of having the Ameri-
flag flying
The following is correct copy of a com
munication from the Mississippi delegation
in Congress to the Speaker, resigning their
seats:
WASHINGTON, JAN -, 1861.
SIR: Having received official information that
the State of Mississippi, through convention
representing the sovereignty of the State, has