The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-04-25
History of Affairs at Fort Sumter.

The following, with heexception Of a
speculation at the close, is probably as
correct version of the Fort Sumter trou-
bles, up to the commencement OF hostili-
ties, as, in the existing ceDfusien of ru-
mors, can be reached. 1t is furnished by
the Washington correspondent of the Bal
timore american:
Nearly four weeks since the President
and Cabinet decided to evacuate Fort Sum
ter as military necessity--lhat is to say,
the reinforcing and provisioning of it was
not deemed essential, in view of the cost
of blood and treasure it would require to
accomplish the purpose. This decision
of the President was communicated to Ma
jor Anderson by a special messenger,
with instructions to open negotiations with
the military authorities in Charleston to
carry the project into execution.
The negotiations have been progressing
ever sirce, and the numerous messengers
that have been passing between Charles.
ton and Washington have communicated
to Major Anderson the instructions Of the
government and to the President the de-
mands of the Southern Confederacy. 1t
is understood that Major Anderson re-
fused, under instructions, an uncondition-
al surrender of the fortress TO the Confed-
eracy. but proposed to abandon it with
his garrison. leaving the Fort iE possession
os corporal and two privates. to protect
the property Of the government, and leave
it thus TO await future events. lie is also
understood TO have demanded of General
Beauregard tha, pledge should be given
him that no attempt should be made TO
take possession of it after the evacuation
Of the garrison, and that the officer left in
charge should not be molested. or his pos
session as the nominal representative OF
the government interfered with.
This proposition did not suit the views
of General Beauresard. who demanded
that the flag of the United States should
he saluted end lowered, as was done at the
Pensacola Navy Yard. and that formal
surrender Of the Fort should be made bv
the Government Of the United States TO
the Government of the Southern Confede-
racy, and the Confederacy flag Of seven
stars raised on the flag staff and saluted.
This demand, which would be virtual
recognition by the President and Major
Anderson of their independence, was re-
fused, and the decision of Major Ander-
son was subsequently sustained and ap-
proved BY the President and his Cabinet
Thus matters stood up to the commence
ment of last week, when General Beaure-
gard intimated to Major Anderson that. il
She demand Of the Confederacy was not
complied with, an order would be imm sdla-
tely issued to cut Of all further communica
ton between the Fort and Charleston. and
shat his regular supplies Of marketing
would be stopped. This fact was brought
to Washington by Colonel Lamon. as the
ultimatum of the Confederacy. A Cabinet
meeting was then called. and il is said
that the refusal to make formal surrender
of the Fort and the lowering Of the flag
was unanimously confirmed.
Immediately after this decision orders
were given for the military and naval pre-
paralions that have occasioned SO much
excitement, the object being to use them
if necessary in relieving the garrison OF
sion. and maintaining the dignity Of the
Government and the honor of the flag in
Charleston harbor; or ii not required
there to despatch the expedition to Texas
TO maintain the treaty stipulations of the
Government on the frontier, and drive
back the Indians ard Mexicans who are
threatening to invade the State.
In the meantime Lieutenant Talbot was
despatched by Major Anderson to Wash.
inglon with further information as TO the
coalition OF affairs, in which rumor says
that Major Anderson urged the Govern
ment not to allow the flag which he had
so long maintained in the face OF
his besiegers to be humbled AS they
re9uired-and to compel the gallant men
who had stood so nohy by him, including
the mechanics who cou have left him
if they hal desired, TO witness the humili-
ating eight of any flag but that Of their
country floating from lis battlements.
This despatch, the last from Major An
derson. was received on Friday evening
last. when orders were sent to New York
TO hurry off the expedition at the earliest
possible moment. and its destination fixed
for Sumter. In the meantime iniorma
ton was received at Washington that
General Beaureyaid had notified Major
Anderson tina, be would be allowed 10 re-
ceive no further supplies, or hold any COM
munication with Charleston. On receiv
ing this inform alton the President de-
spatched Lieut.. Talbot TO Charleston with
Instructions to Major Anderson TO notify
the Confederated authorities that the gov
ernment proposed Immediately to despatch,
an unarmed vessel with food for the gar
rison of Fort Sumter, and that he was in
structed. if the vessel should be fired up
on, to return the fire from Fort Sumter.
Mr.. Chew, Of the State Department, was
also sent on the evening of the same day
to Charleston, to informally communicate
with the authorities, and inform them
what was the decision and purpose of the
government, in case Lieut.. Talbot was re.
fused access to Major Anderson. They
were both denied the privilege of commu-
nicating with Fort Sumter. and are expect
ed to arrive here tonight.
The eynedition from New York was ae-