The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-19

over Fort Sumter, Nearly all night long the
streets were crowded with people full Of excite
ment and enthusiasm. The house-tops, the
battery. the wharyes, the shipping, and, in
fact every available place, were taken posses,
SION Of by the multitudes. The discharges oil
cannon became less frequent as the sun rose
All the clouds which rendered the night so
darn and dismal, disappeared as day began TO
IraaL shi,s the air became most beautiful and
bainy The streets we're filled with persons,
male and female, old and young, black and
White Some went to the battery, some to the
wbaryes. and some TO the steeples OF the
churches. A few random shots were fired from
the confederate batteries, to which Fort Sum-
ter only replied occasionally. Soon II became
evident that Sumter was on hire, and oil eyes
were turned towards IL. The dense smoke that
rose from il was seen gradually TO rise above
the ramparts. Some supposed tnat 'h,s was
signal merely for Major Anderson to draw IN
,Ls Acct and 10 aid him. At this time the fleet
was In the oiling quietly riding at anchor, and
could clearly be distinguished. Four vessels
were ranrei in line directly over the bar, APP
parently blockading the port. Their long
black hulls and stacks proved them to be Fed,
oral steamships, Every one anxiously waited
20 ace what they would do. The suspense was
very exciting. On all sides could be heard,
, WIN the vessels come in and engage the bat
teries IN they do not they are cowardly poll
troops Every person on the battery fully
expected that the engagement would become
general. BY the aid Of glasses It was thought
that a movement was being made to this end
by two of the war ships, and 1t was surmised
that tue sand would soon begin to ny from
,he Morris Island batteries.
At 10 O'Clock In the morning attention was
SumtpF-
now. without doubt, on fire. The flames were
seen 10 hurst through the roofs of the houses
within its walls. Dense clouds OF smoke shot
onickIy upwards. At this time Major Ander-
SON had scarcely fired shot. The guns OF the
ramnarts of Sumter had no utterance in them.
busted shells and grape scattered like hail ov-
or the doomed fort and drove the soldiers I'M
From, the iron battery at Cummings Point
n continuous firelwas kept up. Its ritiled can
non PLAYED sad havoc with that portion OF
Fort Sumter facing it. The fire from the hoat-
ing battery and Fort Moultrie continued very
regular and accurate.
Standing on the Charleston battery and look
ing seward you have on the right mortar
battery and Fort johnson, distant u miles.
iJoifn. mile from Fort johnson is the iron bat
tery at Cummings Point, presenting their ten
inch columbiads, three sixty-four Founders
three mortars, and one rifle cannon.
Cummings Point is only 1900 yards from
Fort Sumter, so any ono can imagine what
havoc the regular fire Of the battery these must
have created. The men working the guns
made them terribly effective. The sand redoubt
was scarce injured by the weak fire Of Major
Anderson, Ii was commanded by Major Stew
ems of the Citadel Cadets. Under his direction
each shell that was fired found n destination in
Fort Sumter, and during the entire bombard-
ment scarcely one missile OF this character
missed its mark.
posite Fort Sumter is one Of the strongest sides
of Fort Moultrie. During the last three
months Il has been strengthened by every APP
pliance that military art could suggest. Its
marlons, moats, glacis, and embrasnres were
An perfectly protected. The weak walls OF the
fort were made perfectly secure for the gunners
while at work. From this point throughout
the engagement vast quantities .of shot and
heavy ballsIwere discharged. Behind this and
near Sulliyan's Island, the floating battery was
stationed, with two sixty-four and two forty
vo FOUNDERS, its sides Of iron and Palmetto
Iogs were irpenetrable. Every shot from il
ton with formidable effect, on Fort Sumter,
md the men in charge Of II were so secure in
heir position, that some Of them INDUCED In
soldiers pastmes, while others played hye cent
ante, euchre, and blun.
The mortar battery at Mount Pleasant was
500 var Is from the floating battery and was
with two lmortars within excellent
range of Fort Sumter. The shells from these
mortars were thrown with great precision.
You have now all the positions OF the works
bearing directly on Fort Sumter.
All through Friday morning the greatest
sctiyityat all points was displayed.
Three times Major Anderson's barracks were
set ON fire and twice he succeeded in putting
out the flames, and to do this 1t was necessary
TO employ oil his force passing along water.
To get water IL was necessary for some OF. ms
men TO 20 outside the walls and hand the buck
cts in through the portfolios, during which time
they were exposed 10 most terrific tre from
the batteries. This last expedent was not re-
sorted TO until the fort was on hire for the
thjrd time and the flames hod increased TO au
pitch. Major Anderson's guns were
silent. lie allowed his men to be exposed to
the calling fire upon them but for few mo-
ments and then ordered them in and shut the
batteries as the smoke was too thick to work
them. At noon the flames burst from every
ouarter of Fort Sumter and the destruction OF
il was complete.
WASHINGTON, April, 10.
The following Is the reply OF President Lin
coin to the Commissioners from Virginia.
To Hon. .Messrs. Preston, Stuart, and Ran
dolph:
GENTLEMEN AS Committee Of the Virgin
In Convention, now in session, you present me
A preamble and resolutions rs follows:
+" WHEREAS, in the opinion OF this Con-
yention the uncertainty which now prevails
in the public In mind rs to the policy which the
Federal Executive intends to pursue towards
the seeded States, is extremely injurious to
the commercial interests Of the country and
tends 10 keep up an excitement which is I'M.
favorable to the adjustment Of the pending
difficulties of the public peace, therefore,
Resolved, that committee Of three dele
gates be appointed to wait on the President
of the United States, present to him this pre-
amble and respectfully ask him to communi-
cate to this Convention the policy which the
Federal Executive intends to pursue in regard
to the Confederate States"
In answer, have to say that having ut the
beginning of my official term expressed my in
tended policy as plainly as | was able, IL Is
with deep regret and modification now learn
there is great and injurious uncertainty in the
public mind as to what that policy,is, and what
course intend to pursue. Not having as yet
seen occasion to change, 1t Is my purpose to
pursue the course marked out In the inaugural
address. I commend q careful consideration Of
the whole document as the best expression can
give to my purposes, as | then and therein
said, now repeat:
"The power confided to me will be used to
hold, occupy and possess property and places
belonging TO the government, and to collect
the duties and imports. but beyond what Is
necessary for these objects, there will be no in
yasion no using Of force against or among
the people anywhere
BY the words property and places belonging
to the government, chiefly allude to the mill
itary posts and property, which were in the
of the government, when II came n-
to my hands, but II, as now appears to be true
in pursuit Of purpose to drive the United
States authorities from these places, an unpro-
yoked assault has been made upon Fort Sum-
ter, shall hold myself ut liberty to repossess
II IL can. like places which had been seized
before the governmeutiwas devolved upon me,
and in any event, shall, to the best Of my
ability. repel force by force. lu case 1t proves
true that Fort Sumter has been assaulted as is
shall perhaps cause the United
States mails to be Withdrawn from all States