Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-04-18
THE WAR BEGUN.
FORT SUMpTER FALLEN.


which though sufficiently indicating the surren-
der Of Fort Sumpter are devoid of particulars
CHARLESTON, Friday, April IS. 12:30 a. II.
War has at last begun. A terrible Sight is
at this moment going on between Fort Sumter
and the Notifications by which it is surrounded
The issue was submitted to Major Ander-
son of surrendering, or of having fire opened
on him within certain time.
This he refused to do and, at o'clock this
morning Fort Moultrie began the lombard
ment by firing two guns Fort Sumpter re-
turned the fire and 0 GeTce cannonading has
been kept up.
CHARLESTON, April ls-Night.
Hostilites hare for the present ceased, and
the victory belongs to South Carolina With
the display of the flag of truce on the ramparts
of Sumter, at half.past one o'clock, the firing
ceased, and unconditional surrender was made
The Caronans had no idea that the fight
was at an end so soon.
After the flagstaff of Anderson was shot
away, Col. Wigfall, aid to Gen. Beauregard
at his commanders request, went to Sumter
with awhile flag to offer assistance in extin-
gushing the flames. lie approached the burn
ing fortress from Morris Island and while the
firing was raging on all sides, effected land
ing at Sumter. He approached portfolio
and was met by Maj. Anderson. The COM
maLder of Fort Sumter said he had just dis
played white flag, but the firing from the
Carolina batteries was kept up, nevertheless
Col. Wigfall replied that Maj. Anderson
must haul down the American flag; that no
parey would be granted. Surrender or fight
was the word. Maj. Anderson then hauled
down bis flag, and displayed only that Of
truce.
All firing instantly ceased, and two others
of Gen. Beauregards staff, ex Senator Chest
nut and ex-Goy. Manning, came over in
boat and stipulated with the Major that his
surrender should be unconditional for the pre-
SENT subject to the terms of Gen. BeauFe-
gard
Mai. Andersen was allowed to remain with
his men in actual possession Of the fort, while
MessrS Chestnut and Manning came over to
the city, accompanied by member Of the
Palmetto Guards, bearing the coors Of bis
company. These were met at the pier by
hundreds Of citizens and as they marched up the
street to the Generals quarters the crowd was
swelled to thousands. Shouts rent the air,
and the widest joy was manifested on account
Of the welcome tidings.
After the surrender boat with an officer
and ten men was sent from one of the ships in the
ofirg to Gen. SimonS, commanding on Morris
Island, with request that merchant shpo
one of the vessels Of the United States be al-
lowed to enter and take of the Commander
and garrison Of Fort Sumter
Mr.. Simons replied that if 10 kost!lities
were attempted during that night aud no efTor.
was made to reinforce or retake Fort Sumter,
he would give an answer ct o'clock on Sun,
day morning.
The officer siguifed that he was satisfied
with this and returned This correspondent
accompanied the officers Of Gcn'l. Beauregard's
staff on visit to Fort Sumter. None but the
officers we're allowed to land, however. They
went down in . steamer, and carried three fire
engines for the purpose OF putting ont the
flames The fire, however, had been previous
ly extinguished by the excrtious Of Major
Anderson aud his men.
The visitors reported that Maj. Anderson
surrendered because his quarters and barracks
were destroyed, and he had no hope Of recn
torcements. The feet lay idly by during the
30 hours Of the bombardment and either could
not or would not help him; besides, his men
were PROSTATE from over exerton.
There were but five of them hurt-four
badly, and one, it is thought, mortay-but
the res: were worn out.
The explosions that were heard and seen
from the city in the morning were caused by
tie bursting of loaded shells. These were
ignited by the fire, and could not be removed
quick enough The fire in the barracks was
caused by the quantities of hot shot poured in
from Fort Moultrie. Within Fort Sumter,
everything but the easements is an utter ruin
The whole thing looks like blackened mass
of ruins Many of the guns are diSmounted
The side opposite the iron battery of Cum
ming's Point is the hardest dealt with. The
rifed cannon from this place played great
havoc with Fort Sumter The wall looks like
a honeycomb Near the ton is breach as
big as cart The side oppsite Fort MOultrie
is honeycombed extensvely,as is that opposite
the floating battery
Fort Moultrie is badly damaged. The Off
GERS quarters and barracks are torn to pieces
The frame houses on the island are riddled
with shot in many instances, and whole sides OF
houses are torn out.
The fire in Fort Sumter was put out and re-
caught three times during the day.
DR.. Crawford, Major AndersOn's surgeon
is slightly wounded in the face. None of the
Carolinians are injured.
Major Anderson and all his officers and men
are yet in Fort Sumter l approached near
enough to the wall to see him bid adicu. In
addition to this, conversations were had which
have been repeated to me-
A boat was sent from the Fort tonight to
officially notify the fleet at the bar that Major
Anderson had surrendered.
CHARLEsroS, Sunday, April Il.
Negotiations were completed last night
Major ANDERSON, with his command, will
"a thic nd