The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-15
THE WAR AT CHARLESTON.
Correspondence of the South Carolinian.

correspondence
CHARLESTON, Jan. 9-The citizens of Charleston who
slept late In the morning, awakened rather rude
y to-day by the unusual booming of cannon. Instant
ly every his feet
This morning about a. m, it discovered that
the Sar Of the Vest had entered the harbor with
soldiers aboard, and laden with provisions for Major
Anderson. Immediately the soldiers at Morris Island
Fort were on the alert. The steamer ordered to
halt, but refused. Immediately the cannons opened
fire on her. The port holes on Fort Moultrie were
thrown open, and three or four shots fired No
one knows how much damage done to the 'Star of
the West, for scarcely had she received fourteen
fifteen guns before her colors fel-she turned TAIL and
made as precipitate retreat Major Anderson did
from Fort Moultrie.
And why did not Fort Sumter fire? Some days ago.
Mai. Anderson sent to Mai. Dunovant commanding at
Fort Moultrie to ask him will you allow United
States vessel bringing provisions, to land?' Maj
Dunnovant returned laconic ''No' "Then," replied
Maj. Anderson, II will fire upon you" "Fire, and be
-" was the reply. When Fort Morris began firing,
open few the portfolios Fort Sumter-the bells be-
gan ring-the call to echoed from side to
sde-but never shot fired. Il is true, not one shot
in hundred, fired from Fort Sumter, reach Fort
Morris; but Fort Mourie firing why didn't he
silence the batteries that Fort? Fort Moutrie could
be shelled out in fortyeight hoursl Fort Sumter is
almost impregnabe, Except South Carolina troops)
The Marion has been ordered ont in pursuit of the
"Star of the Vest but it is doubtful whether she will
overtake her.
1t is rumOred that there is disaffecton among the
troops at Fort Sumter.
During the morning. a white flag was sent up to the
Governor. The bearer Immediately surrounded
by tremendous crowd. The subject of the message
from Major Anderson transpred during the of
the morning He (Maj. Anderson) sends word to the
city of Charleston that he will allow communication
between the forts That he will allow no boat of any
kind pass Fort Sumer That if any attempt is made
he will fire into whatever boat makes the attempt!
His idea is this is cut off all supplies reinforcemens
from being carried to the various posts Lieut.. Hall
the bearer of the dispatches to Gov Pickens. He
being roughly treated by the crowd On his
return to the boat he escorted in carriage by
lieutenant Gbbes and Col Suber.
In spite of Major Anderson's positive orders, the
Nashville left the wharf, at O'clock loaded
with balls for Fort Moultre and Fort Johnston;
and long AFTERWARDS the steamboat Excell with the
Cadet Rifemen" and the palmetto Guard board,
left for Morris Island Other companies sent
down to Fort Moutrie to the cannon Balls afore
mentioned have heard that three of the balls fired
from Fort Morris certainly took effect the ''Star
of the West"
Thus matters stood until half-past o'clock, when
the white flag again coming from Fort Sumter.
This time the communication of Maj Anderson brought
by Lieut.. Talbot of less menacng character. 1t
briefly taed that he designed deerrng for the present
the indicated in his note of the morning until
the arrival from Washington of the instructions he
might receive from his Government, and asked safe
conduct for his bearer of dispatches
The citizens still very much excited and exasper-
ated The companies daily increasing in number
and in members Many companies have arrived from
the up country all ready and anxious for the fight.