The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-04-16
Exciting News from Charleston
Possibilities COMMENCED!!
New YORK, April 12.

New YORK, April 12.
The Herald's special says Fort Moul-
trie began the bombardment with guns,
10 which Anderson replied with three
shots from his barbette guns, after which
the batteries at Mt. Pleasant, Cum
ming's Point, and the floating battery
opened brisk fire of shot and SHE'LL
Anderson replied only at long inter
walls until between ana O'Clock, when
he opened from g tiels of guns looking
toward Moultrie and the Stevens battery,
but at 8 O'Clock had failed to produce
serious effect. During the greater part
of the day Anderson directed his shots
principally against Moultrie, the Stevens
and Floating Battery and Fit. Johnson.
they being the only forts operating
against him. Is or Is shots struck the
Floating Battery without effect.
Breaches TO all appearances are being
made in the sides of Sumter exposed to
the fire of the batteries. Parts of the
parapet were demolished and several
guns shot away. The fight will continue
all night. The fort will probably be car
| liOu Wy otoi
1t is reported that the Harriet Lane re-
ceived shot in her wheel house. She
is in the offing.
No other Government ships are in
sight.
The troops are pouring into the city
by thousands.
CHARLESTON, 13.-Two of Anderson S
magazines exploded.
Only occasional shots are fired at him
from Moutrie. The Morris Island Bat
terry is doing heavy work. 1t is though;
that only the smaller magazines have ex.
ploded. The greatest excitement pre-.
walls. Every available space is packed
with people. The U. S. ships are in the
offing, but have not aided Anderson. Ii
is too late now to come over the bar as
the tide is ebbng.
CHARLESTON, l3.-The ships in the
offing appear to be quietly at anchor
They have not fired a gun yet. The en-
tire roof of the barracks Of Sumter is
in vast sheet of flames. Shells from
Cummings Point and Fl. Moullrie are
bursting in and over Sumter in quick
succession. The Federal Flag still waves.
Anderson is busily occupied in putting
out fire. Every shot on Sumter seems to
tell heavily. The people are anxiously
looking for Anderson to strike his flag
1t was stated from reliable source that
up to ten o'clock to-day no one at Moul-
trie was killed.
Eleven shots from Sumter penetrated
the floating battery below the water line.
The few shots fired by Anderson early
this morning knocked the chimneys
from the officers quarters at Moultrie
like whirlwind. Anderson's only hope
now is to hold out for aid from the ships.
Two ships are now making in towards
Morris Island, with view to land troops
and silence the batteries there.
LATER.-Sumter is undoubtedly on
fire. The flames are raging all around
it. Anderson has thrown out raft
loaded with men who are passing up
buckets of water TO extingush the fire.
The fort is scarcely discernable. The
men on the raft are now objects of fire
from Morris Island.
With glasses balls can be seen skip
ping over the water, and striking the un
projected raft. Great havoc is created
am ong the poor fellows.
1t is surmsed that Anderson is grad
ually blowing up the Fort. He scarcely
fires gun.
At III o'clock flames were bursting
from all The port holes. The destruc-
| ton OF Fort Sumter is inevitable
-Four vessels, TWO of them large steam
ers, are in sight over the bar. The lar
gest appears to be engaging Morris Is
land.
The flames have nearly subsidized in
Sumter, but Major Anderson does not
fire any guns.
Gen Beauregard left the wharf just
now in boat for Morris Island.
The excitement if anything is increas-
ing. | have read letter from S. c.
Boylston dated Moultrie 6 O'Clock this
A. NJ. He says not one man was killed
or wounded.
The Iron battery has been damaged
The rified cannon of the battery did
! great execution on Sumter and were al
aimed into Andersons port holes. 3 o.
the Sumter barbette guns were silenced
one Of which ten inch Coumbiad op.
posite Moultrie was knocked off.
CHARLESTON, April l2.-The bonn.
bardment continues from the floating
battery. Stevens and other batteries
Sumter continues to return fire. 1t il
reported that three war vessels are now
of the bar.
LArER.--The firing has ceased for the
night, to be renewed early in the morn
ing. Arrangements are made to pre-
vent reinforcement tonight.
Special to the Herald Two were
wounded on Sullvan's Island and a mum
Der struck by spent projecllles. Three
ships are visible in the otfing. II is be-
lieved an attempt will be made TO rein.
force Sumter. From the regularity OF
the firing throughout Anderson has a
larger force than was supposed.
II has rained all day.