Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-17


brayely.
! CHARLESTON, April l3-Erening Hos =
tilites have for the present ceased and
the victory belongs to South Carolina.
With the display of the flag Of truce on
theramparts of Fort Sumter at halfpast
o'clock, the firing ceased and an uncon>
idtional surrender was made. The Car
olinians had no idea that the fight was at
an end. So, soon alter the flag staif
of Major Anderson was shot away, Colo
mel Wigfall, the aid of General Beaure-
gard, at his commanders request went to
Fort Surnte- with n white flag to offer
assistance IN extinguishing tie flames.
/ Morris Island, and while the firing was
raging on all sides he effected a landing
at Sumter. lie approached a port-hole
and was met by Major Andersen, the
commandant at the Fort.
The latter said that he just displayed
white flag but the firing was kept up
nevertheless. Col. Wigfall replied that
Major Anderson mast hand down the
American tiag-that no parlsy would be
granted. Surrender or fight was tae
word. Major Anderson then hauled down
his flag and displayed only the flag OF
truce. All firing instantly ceased, and
two others of Beauregard's staff, Tx Sem
ator Chesnut and Ex-Governor Manning,
came over in a boat and stipulated with
Major Anderson that his surrender should
/ be unconditional for the present subject
] to Gen. Beauregards' terms. Major An
J l. Ill col J, lti
men i'm actual possession of the fort while
| MessIs. Chesnut and Manning came over
to the city accompanied by member o!
the Palmetto guards, bearing the colors
| of his company. These were met at the
pier by hundreds of citizens and as they
marched up the streets 90 the generals
quarters the crowd was swelled TO thou
sands.
Shouts rent the air, and the widest JOY
was manifested on account of the welcome
tidings After the surrender Il boat with
an officer and men was sent from one OF
the four ships in the otling. to Gen Sim,
mons, commanding on Morris Island,
with the request that a merchant ship, or
one of the vessels of the United States,
be allowed to enter and take off the Com
mander and garrison of Fort SUMTER
IGen. Simmons replied that ifnO hostli~
ties were attempted during the night, and
no effort was made to reinforce or re,
take Fort Sumter, he would give an an
swer at nine o'clock on Sunday morning.
The officer signfed that lac was satisfied
with this, and returned to his vessel.
Your correspondent accompanied the
officers of Gen. Bcauregard's staff, on a
visit to Fort Sumter None but the Off
GERS, however, were allowed TO land
They went down in a steamer, and carried
three fra engines for the purpose Of put
ting out the flames. The fire, however,
had been previously eXtinguished by the
exertions of Major Anderson and his men
The visitors reported that Major AM
derson surrendered because his quarters
aud barracks were destroyed and he la
nc hope Of reinforcement as the fleet lay
idly by during three hours and either
woold not or could not help him Be-
sides this, his men wee Frustrated from
over exertions. There are but five Of his
men hurt, four badly and one it is thought
mOrtally.
But the rest were worn out, and phys
lcally incapable Of continuing the fight
the explosions that were heard and seen
from the city, in the morning were caused
10y the bursting Of loaded shells, ignited
by the fire, which could not be extin.
cuishe quick enough. The fire in the
barracks was caused by the quantities OF
hot shot pou. ed in from Fort Moultrie.-
Within Fort Sumter everything but the
easements are in utter rui il. The whole
interior looks like bluckened mass of
ruins. Many Of the guns are dismounted.