Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-17
WAR COMMENCED!
Fire Opened on SUMTER!
Anderson Returned the Fire!
FORT sUMTER's GUNS sILENCED. /.
Surrender of the Fort /!

eu from NJ MontSomery 10 demand oil Anderson
the immediate surrender of Fort Sumter. On
| the 18th Anderson replied, ssit is demand
with which regret that my sense of honor
and my obligations to my Government pre-
vent my compliance.' He added, seI will a.
wait the first shot, and if you do not batter US
to pieces, we will be starved out in few
days" Gen. b. telegraphed this reply to
Montgomery. whcreupon he was directed to
say, that if Maj. Anderson would state the
time at which he would evacuate the fort, it
should not be bombarded.'' To this Ander-
son would not consent, and upon his refusal
hostilities began.
Fire was opened by Cen. Beauregard on
Friday the 18th, at a. m, from batteries.
Maj. Anderson promptly returned the fire, and
brisk cannonading was kept up all day.
The fire OF Fort Sumter was principally di-
rected against Fort Montrie and the floating
battery. The latter work it is said was struck
by 10 or is shots. but not the slightest i'm
preston was made upon its iron sides. On
the other hand, two of Anderson's guns were
sllenced and breach made in the south east
wall OF Sumter. At 6 p. m. only two persons
were hurt in Fort Moultrie, and at night-fall
firing ceased on both sides, except from the
mortar batteries, which continued to play du-
ring the night. Three vessels were reported
as being outside, but could not get in on ac-
count of the rough sea.
On Saturday the 18th, early in the morning,
the attack upon Sumter was resumed by all
the batteries in the harbor. The cannonading
was fierce, and Anderson replied constantly
with the heavy guns of Sumter. AT O'Clock
dense smoke poured from Sumter's walls
the wood work inside being on fire and sew
eral explosions occurred shortly after, when
Anderson ceased to fire for about an hour, du-
ring which time he was engaged in putting
out the flames. At p. m, he lowered the
federal flag to halt mast, signalling distress,
and ceased to fire. At about O'Clock, the
bombardment ceased, as Maj. Anderson had
hauled down the stars and stripes and dis
played flag of truce. and shortly after he
surrendered the fort Internationally. An
derson's men, under guard, were conveyed by
boats to Morris Island, while he was taken to
the city as the guest of Gen. Beauregard.
The Confederate troops took possession of the
fort in the evening. No lives were lost, but
some few persons wounded on both sides.
On Sunday the 14th, the steamer Isabel con-
veyed Gen. Beauregard to Sumter, which was
turned over by Major Anderson to the Con-
federate States.
On Monday the 18th, at IL O'Clock, Major
Anderson and his men left for New York, in
the Isabel. In salutng his flag before leav-
ing, pile of cartridges exploded, killing two
men and wounded four others. One was bu-
ried in the fort with military honors, and the
other is to be buried by the Carolina troops
The wounded were taken to Charleston. The
Confederate and Palmetto flags were raised on
the fort. Major Anderson had about 20 men
engaged in the fight, and the Confederate ar
my numbered about 10000 men. Col. Wig
fall received the sword surrendered by Major
Anderson, and then complimented his brave
ry by returning it to him.
PILADELPHlA, April l5.--Much excitement
was created at Fourth and Chestnut streets,
by crowd assembled before a printing office,
where small secession sheet called the Pal
,netto Flag was published. An American flag
was displayed and the excitement subsidized.
Market street was the next point of excite
ment. One of the firm of Martin & Smith
was charged with having made disrespect-
full remark about the National flag. This the
crowd took upon themselves to resent, the
timely closing of the establishment, and the
promise to display the Stars and stripes as
soon as they could be procured, was ali that
- 1,oi iaJ
Men OF all parties are participating in the
excitement and declare themselves for the o. |
Mon.
WASHINGTON, April l5.-President Lincoln |
has issued Proclamation, calling on the sew
eral States for volunteers to the aggregate of |
5000 men, and appeals to all loyal citizens
10 favor, facilitate and aid this effort to main
ain the honor, the integrity and the existence
'f the Union, and the perpetuity OF the Gov
He has also called an extra session
If Congress, which is to assemble on Thurs
lay the 4th day of July.
LANCASTER, April l5.-Secesson has no
ollowers here. All parties united In sus-
aiming the government at all hazards.
Ex.President Buchanan remarked to one of
lis most intimate and political friends to-day,
sIhat the government had gone to the utmost
erge Of for5eara1ce, and IL ,ras now the duty of
III good citizens 10 stand by the government.
BALTIMORE, April I5.-The Union feeling
n the city is strong this morning. The Min
tie Men, an organ ization $500 strong, which
las been drilling ever since the Presidential
lection threw ont the Stars and Stripes this
norning from their headquarters, with the
notto ssthe Union and the Constitution