Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-01-16
The Particulars of the Firing in Charlestoa
Harbor into the steamer star Of the West. -

The Particulars of the Firing in CharlestoA
Harbor into the steamer star Of the West. .1sA
We copy from the Charleston Aercury Of Thur a
day last the following account of the recent attack
on the United States government vessel Star of tho
West by the South Carolina forts o. :, ,sla7 ,,e "a &,
"About seven o'clock yesterday morning, our !:
citizens startled by the firing of heavy guns in
the direction of Sullivan and Norris Islands. It
at once surmsed that the steamship Star Of the
West which had been reported by the special tele-
graphic correspondents Of the Mercury as having Z
Major Anderson had attempted to pass the battery
on Morris Island. Our reporters were iminetiateiy
despatched to the entrance Of the harbor and after
visiting all the fortifcations occupied By our n
troops, the following facts were elected: 4 s5,s
PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR. .e 81
Yesterday morning, shortly after :. reveille" " the
sentries on Morris Island reported steamship
standing in for the ship channel The long roll was
immediately beat and all the troops were promptly
under arms, Lieutenant Colonel j. L. Branch, of the
Regiment-o of Rifles commanding, These comprised
the Vigilant Rifles, Capt. Upper go mem; tha Il
German Rflemen, Capt Small go menG the Zou..
ave Cadets, Lieutenant Chichester as menG and .
detachment Of 40 from the Citadel Cadet Corps
The last named body were ut once marched to, the
battery, commanding the ship channel, which, at
this paint, passes within from one-half to three
quarters Of mile of the beach. At 7o'clock, when
the Star of the West had reached point within
range Of the guns. Major Stevens fired shot across
her bows, as signal for her to heave to. Alter
waiting three or four minutes, no dminution in the
speed change in the course of the steamer could
be noticed. \ momen. after, The United States flag
vas run up at her toremast The Star Of the West
ctntinung thus defiantly to pursue her course to-
wards Fort SUMTER the order given to the men
at the Norris Island guns to open fire. Five rounds
were accordingly discharged in quick successions-a
Two OF these reported to have taken effect; ore
forward and the other abat the whetla Atthe sixth
discharge the Star Of the West rounded to and steer
ed outward towards the bar. At the same time the
ensign which she displayed immediately alter thsa
warning gun, was lowered = Three more shots iwSfe.
fired from Fort Morris and three from Fort Moulhis;
one Of these. it is thaught took effect 4 ~,
4 gentleman on the Fslsnd reports that AftR the,
Star Of the West had cleared the lar and proceeds
considerable distance beyond a steam propellsf,s
Of about $50 tons burthen, joined her apparently -
tender, and they steamed off together in n EN.Es
direction. tessf ags. u,
. Thus Terminated the first attempt Of the Fsassslk
Governmentto to reinforce the great stronghold of CO.
ercion in onr harbor.s The approach Of tho Slir of
the West to Fort Sumter, taken in connection Withf
the facts that her eeaTanes ssas tos Msp 0rleGas
and that her troops sere susacgled a5oard cAfeiAS
the iar5or Of Ne0 1ork proves clearly enougb that
the President has chosen the coerciys policy and
that bis officials will not hesitate to promote its sua
cess" 4ss4at -, II u s.sf 80
{ Tie Mercury heads its account in flaming cspitSf,
+" WAR BEG UN!n ea> = ,.=-stT5 % saa.fs- ufiie
|, Subsequently, correspondence on the, subject
took place between Major Anderson and Gov. Pick,
ems the result OF which WAS Che dsterminasiop of
Major A. tolay the whole matter before the govern.
ment at Washington. Of course Gov. Pickens' tns.,
titles the firing on the United States vessel Wy.