The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-19
War Commenced. --Bombardmen
and Surrender of Fort Sumter,

Anderson replied with three of his bar
bette guns, after which the battery on
Mount Pleasant. Cummings Point, and
the Floating Battery, Opened brisk fire
of shot and shell.
Major Anderson did not reply, except
at long intervals. until between seven and
eight o'clock, when he brought into action
the two tiers Of guns looking towards Fl.
Moultrie and Stevens iron battery.
Major Anderson has the greater part
of the day been directing his fire princi-
pally against Fort Moultrie and Stevens
aud Floating batteries; these and Fort
johnson being the only five operating
against him. The remainder of the bat
teries are held in reserve.
Some fifteen or eighteen shots have
struck the Floating battery. but have not
the slightest impression upon her iron
cased sides The Stevens Battery is also
emincntly successful, and does terrible
execution on Fort Sumter.
Breaches, to all appearance, are being
made in the several sides exposed to the
| fire. Portions of the parapet have been
destroyed. and several of the guns there
mounted have been shot away.
The fight is going ON with intense ear
nestness, and will continue all night.
1t is not improbable that the fort will
be carried by storm.
The soldiers are perfectly reckless of
their lives, and at every shot jump upon
the ramparts, and then jump down cheer
| ing
Governor Pickcns has all day been in
the residence of q gentleman which COM
mands view of the whole scene.
| General Beaurcgard commands III per-
son the entire operations. and thus far
Al Il
and success.
a party on the Stevens battery are said
to have played a game in the hottest fire.
The excitement in the community is
indscribable. With the very first boom
of the gun, thousands rushed from their
beds to the harhor front, and all day
every available place has been thronged
by ladies and gentlemen, viewing the
spectacle through their glasses. Most of
these have relatives in the several iortif-
cations, and many fearful eye attested
the anxious affection of the mother, wife
and sister, but not n murmur came from
a single individual.
The spirit of patriotism is as sincere MS
it is universal. Five thousand ladies
stand ready to-day to respond to any
saclfice that may be required of them.
The brilliant and patriotic conduct Of
Major Anderson speaks for ITSELF and
silences the attacks lately made at the
North upon his character and patriotism.
Business is entirely suspended. Only
| these stores ar open necessary TO supply
articles required bv the army.
Troops are pouring into the town by
hundreds, but are held in reserve for the
present, the force already on the island
ample. People are also arriving every
moment on horseback. and by every other
conveyance, within an area of fifty miles.
Where the thunder of artillery can be
heard, the scene is magnificently terrible.
1t is reported that the Harriet Lane
has received a shot through her wheel
house. She is in the otling. No other
government ships are in sight up to the
present moment but should they appear,
the entire range Of batteries will open
upon them.
Charleston, April -ITostilities have
ceased for the present. The victory be-
longs to South CAROLINA! A Flag of truce
was displayed on the ramparts of Fort
Sumter at half past one o'clock. when the
firing from the batteries ceased. and an
unconditional surrender of the Fort was
made. The brave Carolinans had no
idea that the fight would end so soon.-
AMER the tIag statl was shot away, Col
Wiglall, aid to General Beauregard. went
to Fort Sumter with a white flag. to offer
assistance in distinguishing the flames; he
approached the burning fortress from
Morris Island, and while the fire was
raging, all hands effected landing. lie
approached a port hole, and was met by
Major Anderson who said, ''he had lust
displayed the white flag, but that the
firing from the Carolina batteries kept up
nevertheless" Mr.. Wigiall replied, that
Anderson must haul down the american
flag: that no parley would be granted
while that odious sheet fioated over the
fort; that Surrender or fight" must be
the word. Anderson hauled down the
Stars and Stripes, and in its place dis
played the flag of truce, when all firing
instantly ceased. Two others of General
Beaurcgard's Staff Ex-senator Chestnut
and EX-Gov. Manning, also came over in
a boat. and stipulated with Major Ander-
son, that his surrender should be uncon.
ditional for the present, subject to the
terms of General Beauregard. Anderson
was allowed to remain with his men in
actual possession Of the Fort, while Mr.
Chestnut and Mr.. Manning came to the
city, accompanied by number of the
Palmetto Guards bearing the colors of his
company. These were met at the pier bv
hundreds OF citizens, and as they marched
up the street to the Generals Quarters.
the crowd was swollen by many thousands
Shouts rent the air, and the widest ioy
was manifested on account of the welcome
tidings.
After the surrender, boat with officers
and ten men was sent from one of the
four ships in the oiling TO General Sim
mons, with'the request that merchant
ship, or one of the United States vessels
might be allowed to enter the harbor,
and take off the Commander and Garrison
OF Fort Sumter. Simmons replied that if
no hostilties were attempted during the
night. and no effort was made to reinforce
or re-take Sumter, he would give an
answer by 0 o'clock on Sunday morning.
The officer sgnified that he was satisfied
with this and returned, accompanied by
the olhceIs OF Beauregard's staff on visit
to Fort Sumter. None but the officers
were allowed TO land however. They
went down in a steamer and carried three
fire engines for the purpose of putting
out the flames at the Fort; the fire had,
however, been previously eXtinguished by
the eXertions of Anderson and his men.
The visitors reported that Anderson had
surrendered, because the quarters in the
barracks had been destroyed. and there
was no nope OF any reinforcement, The
iieet had lain idly by during thirty hours,
ana either could not or would not helm
nim; besides, MS men were PROSTATE from
their exertions. Only five of them were
injured -four badly, one it is thought.
MORALLY; all the rest were thoroughly
worn out. The explosions that were heard
and seen from the city in the morning.
were caused by the bursting of loaded