Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-12
The Sumter Troubles.

|
The difficulty that has arisen with regard
! to the proposed evacuation Ut Fort Sumter,
and the present position Of atfairs are, as
near as can be ascertaned, as follows:
Nearly four weeks since the President and
! Cabinet, on the representation OF General
Scott, decided to eyacuate Fort Sumter as Il
military necessity-that is to say, the rein
forcing and provisioning Of it was not deem
ed 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 Major Anderson by spe-
cial messenger, with Instructions to open ne
gotiations with the military authorities at
Charleston to carry the projectinto execution,
These negotiations have been progressing
ever since, and the Numerous messengers
that have been passing between Charleston
and Washington have communicated to Ma.
ior Anderson the instructions Of the Govern
ment and to the President the demands of
the authorities Of the Southern CunioderacY.
1t is understood that Major Anderson re-
fused, under instructions, all unconditional
surrender Of the fortress to the CUniederaCy,
but proposed to abandon it with his garrison,
leaving the fort In possession 0t corporal
and two prlyates, to protect the property OF
the Government, and leave it thus to await
future events. He is MISC understood to have
demanded Of General Beauregard that Il
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 i'll charge should not be molested,
or his possession lis the nominal representa-
tive OF the Government interiered with.
80, a; Of
General Beauregard, who demanded that the
flag Of the United States should be. saIuted
and lowered, as was done at the Pensacola
Navy Yard, and that formal surrender OF
the Fort should be made by the Government
of the United States to the Government OF
the Southern Contederacy, and the Conted-
eracy flag of seven stars raised OH the ttag
staff and saluted.
This demand, which would be a virtual
recognition by the President and MAJOR All
derson of the existence OF the Southern Con-
fcderacy, was refused, and the decision OF
Major Anderson was subsequently sustained
and approved by the President and his Cab
met. Thus matters stood up 70 the com
mencement Of last week, when General Beau
regard intiuated TO Major Anderson that, it
the demand of the Confederacy was at COM
piled with, III order would be Immediately
issued to cut off all further communication
between the Fort and Charleston, and that
his regular supplies Of marketing would be
stopped. This fact WAS brought TO Wash
ington By Colonel Lamon, AZ the utlmhtum
of the Coniederacy. \ Cabinet meeting was
then called, and it is said that the refusal
to make 81 formal Surrender Of the Fort and
the lowering of the flag was unanimously
reathrmed.
Immediately aftor this decision orders were
given for the military and naval preparations
that have since accustomed So nGch excite"
ment, the object being to use them ii nace"-
sary in relieving the garrison OF Major Ander-
son from threatened starvation, Nc., or II not
required there to despatch the expedition 10
Texas to maintain the treaty stipulationa Of
the Government on the frontier, and drive
back the Indians and Meyicans who are
threatening to invade the State.
In the meantime Lieutenant Talbot was
despatched by Major Anderson to Washing
ton with further information ~ 10 the condl
tion Of affairs, in which rumor says that
MaiLr Anderson urged the Government not
to allow the hag which he had 50 long ma'n-
tanned in the face Of his heslesers to be hum
bled as they required-atli to compel The
gallant men who had stood 81 nobly by him,
including the mechanics who could have lett
him if they had DESIRED 10 witness the hu-
initiating sight Of any dag but that o their
country floating from its ba:ticmen'S.
This despatch, the last from Ma or Amber.
son. was received on Friday evening last.
when orders were sent 10 New York TO hurry
off the expedition at the earliest possible mo
ment, and its destination fixed for Sumter.
In the meantime information was received
at Washington that General beanregard had
notified Major Anderson that he would be
allowed To receive no further supplies, or
hold any communication with tharIe'ton.--
On receiving this information the President
despatched Lieut.. Tabot 10 Charleston with
Instructions to Ma or Anderson To notify the
Confederate authorities that the Government
proposed Immediately to despatch an unaTm-
ed vessel with food for the garrison at Fort
Sumter and that he WAS instructed, 1t the
vessel should be fired upon, 10 return the lire
from Fort Sumter Mr.. Chez Of the State
Department, was also sent on the evening ut
the same day to Charleston, to informally
communicate with the authorities, and iii
form them what was the decision and pGr-
.
bot was refused access TO Major AnderSon.
They were both denied the opportunity Of
communicating with Fort Sumter. ami are
expected to arrive here tonight.
The expedition from New York was accoT-
| dinghy ordered to rendezvous atf the Charles
ton Bar, where, if the rough weather has
nos interfercd with shern, they will probably
reach Tomorrow Commander Porter, !; sen
Of Commodore Porter, IN command OF the
Powhatan, has fnll charge ot the naval ex-
pedition and has instructions from the Pres
| ident and General Scott as 10 the course he
shall pursue. The military portion Of the
expedition, and the forces when landed, will
be under the command Of Lieutenant Colo
mel Harvey Brown, who has been stationed
for two years past at Old Point Cnmtort-a
most gallant and discreet officer. There VIII
! be, it is said, no preci plate asst calculated
to bring about IL collision, but an effort will
| be first made to induce General Beamregard
! to allow the unarmed vessel 70 proceed to
! Sumter aud land her cargo Of provisions. II
this is refused she will start in without OBJ
tanning permission, and if fred upon by the
| shore BATTERIES, Major Anderson will respond
from Sumter, and the forces will be landed
| from the steamers and the batteries attacked