Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-16

Charleet0u- Particulars OF the Htrin8 INTO
her from Morris Island-InterestlnG Ace
count of the Feeling and Conduct OF the
Passengers on Board.
The New York Evening Post had corre-
spondent on board the Star of the West while
on her way to Charleston with re-enforce-
ments for Fort Sumter, and he thus writes
Of the firing into the vessel from Charleston, |
and the incidents of the trip, on the 9th inst: |
have never seen finer morning than the |
one which dawned upon us. The sky was |
clear, and the moon, a faint crescent of silver,
had Just arisen, and the low coast looked like |
dense forest OF evergreen. The spires OF
Charleston became visible in the approaching
daylight, and on the walls of Sumter we
deserted the American flag floating in the
breeze.
Now, about six o'clock, we see the light
house, and now, too, we discover that the
mysterious light just mentioned was that of
a steamer at our right. Now the situation of
the channel is asceTtained, and we are under
weigh; and now the steamer at our right is
burning red and blue lights; and now she
sends up rockets. There is no mistaking
her movement; she is giving the alarm sig
nal to Fort Moultrie.
On we 20; the soldiers are below with
! loaded muskets, and the officers are ready to
| give the word if there is any thing to do.
| Now it is broad daylight, and we are
making directly into the guns Of Fort Moul-
| tre, whose black walls are distinctly visible.
| The little steamer at our right is burning a
signal light aft, and is making all possible
headway up the harbor. Now we discover
| a red Palmetto flag at our left on Morris Is.
land, at little village called Cummings
| Point, and apparently but little more than a
mile from Fort Sumter.
SIS it possible that these fellows have got
battery off here" asks one.
''No," answers.another !. "there is no bat
terry there"
But there is. 1t is now a quarter past
seven, and we are about two miles from
Forts Sumter and Moultrie, which are equi-
distant from us, and, suddenly, whiz-zl
comes a richochet shot from Morris Island.
1t plunges into the water and skips along,
but falls short of our steamer. The line was
forward of our bow, and was, of course, an
invitation to stop. But we are not ready
to accept the proffered hospitality, and the
captain pays no attention to it, except TO run
up the stars and stripes at the mast head
the garrison flag mentioned before. A
moment of anxious suspense, and bang goes
a heavy cannon from the same masked bat
terry. The shot falls short of US a hundred
yards or more, and bounds clean over our
vessel, aft, nearly on a line with the head of
q sailor, but, luckily, a little above it.
On we go, and-whiz-zl again goes the
smaller gun first fred, and another Tichochst
shot skips along the water, and falls short
of us.
"Booh" exclaims the captain, "you must
! give us bigger guns than that, boys, or you
: can not hurt u.s." ..g-,-.
; On we 90, without needing the compli.
ments of our Charleston friends. Another
moment and bang again goes the heavy
gun. The ball now strikes our ship in the
: fore chains, about two feet above the water
A seaman was holding the lead to take the
: soundings, and the ball struck directly un'
der his feet. 1t is not surprising that, under
! the circumstances, Jack was strongly in.
u clined to take to his heels, and he begins tC
scramble up with might and main, when tht
y y captain assures him that there is ne danger
= one ball having struck so near him; on thu
u principle, 1 suppose, that lightning neve
e strikes twice in the same place. Jack, re
! assured, patiently takes his place and drop
y The ball, fortunately, was too far spent t
u go through the side of our vessel, although
left an honorable scar. -' -t
:, The battery continues to play upon us
and huge ball comes clean over us near tn
. wheel house. We are not yet within rang
l. of the guns of Fort Moultrie, and yonder
u q cutter in tow Of steamboat, preparing t
= open FIRE upon us. A moment longer an
II we shall be in range of these three batteries
y The gunners on Morris Island arc CROWN
p confident; if they get the right range the
will send shot through our side, scatterin
death and destruction. Moultrie, directly i
front, will bring her heavy guns to bear an
will drive their deadly missiles into urbov
y while the cutter will open on our right.
Why does not Major Anderson open fir
Ia upon that battery and save us2 We look
: vain for help; the American flag flies froI
10 Fort Sumter, and the American flag at ou
,s bow and stern is fred upon; yet there is nc
ne the slightest recognition of our presenC
Ill from the fort to which we look for protet
ne ton. The unexpected battery on Morr
in Island has cut off all hope Of escape by ruI
be | ming the vessel aground near Sumter an
" taking to the boats. Is it possible that Fo
lie Sum ter has been taken by the South Car
US linians2 If it has not, why does not Maj
TT Anderson show that he will protect US, or
H. least recognize us in some way To
at within range of the guns of Fort Moultrie
e. to expose vessel, men and stores to almo
ad instant destruction. or to capture by t
ns SHelm:hard a-portl' shouts the captai
tn and the Star of the West is turned abo
to without any great loss of time. as you mi
lee well imagine. We turn without accide
i'd and steam away, with the stars and strip
he still floating, and the battery still playil
upon us by way of a parting salute =,
he AS we steam away the steamer near MOI
Iet tfle, uuNluR III tOWy SIStsl
de away into Swash channel, evidently wi
of the intention of cutting off our retreat b
er. she soon abandons the chase and We sail ol
err without man killed or wounded with o
NO stores unharmed, and proceed unmolestt
er probably on our bomeward journey.
it, After the brief, but exciting, experience
er the morning, am prepared, without hesit
led ton, to concur with the captain in the opi
er. ion that it is very unpleasant to be fired
all with hard cannon balls, without any chan
led to fire back. wish to say, however, that
ett one on board displayed any symptoms
ne fear. Captain MCGOWAN and the pilot, n
inp Brewer, were probably especial marks
as the Morris Island battery, since good 81
yes. through the wheel-hOuse would have be
md most disastrous. Thesoldiers although tW
ere thirds OF them are recruits, appeared to
ner quite Indifferent TO the music, while the
I'D, fcers agreed that it was scandalous that th
could not fight back.
/ AN IEFIDEL's OATH REFUSED IN AN ENGLl
IA CoURT.-At the Roehdale County Court, s.
,;tS Manchester JourndL before @. Temple,
. y; ~ Samuel MAIDEN. artist, and his wife, sued
- stepfather of the later for f6 3s, the value
'GIn' q pianoforte, said to be wrongfully detain
NJ The defense was that the pisnoforte belong
tho todefendant's wife, the mother ofMrs. Mad
nS The only witness called to support the clt
aHS 1;tS was Mrs. MAIDEN, and when she stepped
',sd lsd the witness box, Mr.. Standring asked he
eon on she believed in future state OF rewa
he and punishments2
- Witness-"l do no."
and ~ ITs,. !. q W., dorit haliava IN