The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18

" ont little more than nilc from Fort
Sumter.
Us IL possible that these fellows have got
battery of here p asks one.
NO, answers another; There Is no battery
there
But there Is. II is now a quarter past
seven. and we are about two miles frm Fort
Sumter and Aloultric. which are eaui distant
from us, and suddenly, whiz.E! comes u
richochd shot from Morris leland. !, plunge,
into the water and skips along. but falls
short of our steamer. The line was forward
Of our bow, and was, Of course, an invita-.
ton to stop. But we are not ready to accept
the profered hospitality, and the captain
pays no attention To IL, except Ia run uP tho
stars and stripes ut the masthcad-the garri.
son flag mentioned before. A moment ot
anxious suspense, and bang goes u heavy
cannon from the same masked battery. Tho
shot falls short Of US hundred yards or
more, and bounds clean over our vessel aft,
nearly on line with the head OF sailor,
but luckily little above II.
On we go, and-whiz-z! again goes tho
smaller gun frst fired, and another richooint
shot skips along the water and falls short 1t
us.
pooh " says the captain; you must give
us bigger guns than that, boys, or you can
not hurt u.s.
On we 60. without needing the compli.
mcnts Of our Charleston friends. Anothr
moment and bang! again goes the heavy gun.
The ball now strikes our ship in the foro
chains, about two feet above the water. a
seaman was holding the lead to take the
soundings, and the lall struck directly und'r
his feet. IL is not surprising that, under the
circumstances, Jack was strongly inclined 10
take to his heels, and he begins 10 scramble
up with might and main, when the captain
assures him that there is no danger, one ball
having struck 40 near him; on the principle,
suppose, that lightning never strikes twi's
in the same place. Jack reasured, patiently
taks his place and drOls the lead again.
The hall, unfortunately, was TO far spent
to 20 through the side Of our vessel, although
il LETT an honorable scar.
The battery continues 10 play upon us,
and n huge ball comes clean over us near the
wheel house. We are not yet within range
Of the guns of Fort Moultric. and yonder isa
cutter in tow Oft steamboat. preparing 10
open fire upon us. \ moment longer and wc
shall be- in range Of these three battr rics. The
gunncrs on Morris leland are growing conf
dent; f they get the right range, they will
send shot through our side, scattering death
and destruction. Moultric, directly in front,
will bring her heavy guns TO bear and will
drive their deadly misscls into our bow, while
the cutter will open on our right.
Why does not Major Anderson open fire
upon that battery and save us? Welook in
vain for help; the American dag les from
Fort Sumter, and the American flag at our
bow and stern Is fred upon; yet there is not
the slightest recognition ofour presence from
the fort to which we look for protcction.--
The unexpected battery ON Morris Island hrs
cut of all hope Of escape by running Ito
vessel aground near Sumter and taking 10
the boats. II il possible that Fort Sumtr
has been taken by the South Carolinians? lf
II has not, why does not Major Anderson
show that he will protect us in some way
To 60 within range Of the guns Of Fort Mou-
trin is to expose vessel, men and storcs 90 al-
most instant destruction, or to capture by
the enemy.
'Ilclm out Of port! shouts the captain.
and the Star OF the Wst il turned about
without any great loss of time. as you NAV
well imagine. We turn without accident
and steam away, with the stars and stripes
still floating, and the battery still playing
upon us by way ola parting salute.
AS we steam away. the steamer near Moul-
tric having tho hostile cutter in tow steams
away into Swnsh channel. evidently with
the intention Of cutting I'll our retreat but
she soon abandons the chase and we sail out,
without a mar killed or wounded, with our
stors unharuCd, and proceed unmolcsted,
probably on our homeward journey.
The military men on board highly COM
plimcntcd the South Carolinans on their
shooting. in this first attempt. They sy il
was well done. that all which was needed was
little better range, which they probably
could have obtained in few minutes. Their
line was perfect; and the opinion is cxpr~ol
that some Cnc had charge Of the guns who
understood his business.
1T was very good sport for them, remarked
one of our officers, 'to shoot at US, and ther,
was nothing Ia trouble them. They hal IL
all their own way. But when Uncle sam
gets man.0i.war in the channel, throwing
shells into that sandhill, they will learn tho
difference
Two guns were employed; the smaller, IL
is believed. q twelve FOUNDER, and the larger
thirty.two FOUNDER. This, however, B
only conjecture. Whatever their size, they
were well manned. They were fred rapidly.
and with will.
One ofthc officers hazarded joke soon
after we left Charlcstonh b rbor. The people
Of Charleston, he remarked, pride them
selves upon their hospitality: but II exceeds
my expectation. They gave us several tdHs
before we landed.
Ii is believed that if the South Carolinians
had not made mistake, we should have
partaken OF their hospitality, whatever il
may be, rs prisoners. II the battery on
Morris leland had waited ten minutes longer
before firing. we should have been complete
ly at their mercy. twas only necessary for
them to wait until we were within range Of
the guns OF Fort Moultrie. and escape would
have been impossible. So that, had II not
been for this new and unexpected battery on
Morris Island, and its premature firing. We
should inevitably have lallen into the hands
of,he enemy, il we had escaped shooting and
drowning
The steamer with troops on board, and
with steam up, remained in the stream op-
posite her dock, at late hour ON Saturday
afternoon.
When Freedom from her mountain height,