Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-05-17

"""'ionS anu aupP.co, dcsiSueu LOT nOStlle
operations against us, he would still feel
himself bound to fire upon us, and to hold
possession of the fort. As in consequence
of communication FROM the President of
the Uuited States to the Governor of South
Carolina, we were in momentary expecla-
lion OF an attempt to reinforce Fort Sum
ter, or of descent upon our coast, to tina,
end, from the United States feet, then ly-
ing off the entrance Of the hnrbor, it was
manifestIy an apparent necessity to redace
the fort as speedily as possible, and not to
wait until the ships and the fort should
unite in combined attack upon us. Ac-
cordingly my Aids, carrying out my in
structions promptly, refused to accede to
the terms proposed by Major Anderson, and
notified him in writing that our batteries
would open upon Fort Sumter in one hour.
This notification was given at $50 A. M.
of Friday, the 18th inst. The signal shell
was fred from Fort johnson at 4.3O A. NJ
At about S o'clock the ire from our bate.
ries became general. Fort Sumter did not
open fire until o'clock, when it COM
menced will, vigorous fire upon the
Cummings Point Iron Battery. The ene-
my next directed his fire upon the Enfilade
Battery on Sullivan'o Island, constructed to
sweep the parapet of Fort Sumter, to pre-
vent the working of the barbette guns, aud
to dismount them. This was also the aim
Of the Floating Battery, the Dahlg'eu Bat.
terry, and the gun batteries at Cummings
Point: The enemy next opened fire on
Fort Moullie, between which and Fort
Sumter, a steady and almost constant. fire
was kept up throughout the day. These
three points, Font Moultrio, Cummings.
Point. and the end Of Sullivan's Island,
where the Floating Battery, Dahlgren Bat
terry, anl the Enfilade Battery were placed,
were thepoia,s to which the enemy Sc emed
almost to confine his attention, although he
ttireda number Of shots at Captain Buffers
fh1ortar Battery, situated 10 the East Of
fFort M"ultrie. apda few at Captain James
Mortar Batteries, at Fort johnson. Dur.
tlng'ths days. 9th inst) tile fire of my bat
ftef'es was keptup most sp,ritedly, the guns
and mortars being worked. in the coolest
manner, preserving the prescribed inter
walls Of firing. Towards evening it beenmc
evident that our fire was very effective, as
the enemy was driven from his barbette
guns, which he attempted to work in the
morning, and his fire was confined 10 his
casematcd guns, but in a less active manner
than in the morning, and is:was observed
that several Of Ills guns en- bar6ctte were
disabled.
During the whole of Friday might our
mortar batteries continued4to throw shells
but, in obedience to orders, at longer inter-
vals., The night was rainy and dark, and
as it<was confidently expected that the Uni
ted States, fleet would attempt to land
troops uDap the islands, orto throw men
INTO Fort Sumter, by means of boats, tho
greatest vigilance was oRerved at all our
chaunel batteries; and be Dur troops on both
Morris and Sul!ivan's Islands. Early on
Saturday morning all Of our batteries re-
opened upon Fort Sumter, whichfrespon-
ded vigorously for . tine, directing its fire
specially against Fort. Moultrie. About 8,
4o'ciock, A. ~, smoke was seen Issuing
tfromthe quarters Of Fort Sumter, upon
ISRg. ~ -..g
this, the fire Of out batteries was increased
/ as . matter discourse. tor;ths purpose OF
Infringing the enemy to terls 5as sspeadiiy as
possible. ipasmuch as his flag was still flost-
ing defantly above him. Fort Sumpter
eou.i6usd TO fire from time to time; but at
long and irregular intervals, amid the dense
smoke. fyiog, shot and Bursting shells. OR
brave troops, carried: away BY their. .natu.
rally gsperou, ippulsss, mounted tFsSia Siaiez
fasent battariss and at syergdisebsree from
the foft ebesred The garrison for I'd, pluck
and ga,Iaptrs, and hocted tie asef iyi1e
inactive just outside tie bar: bout 40.
P.FM., II being reported to me Hat the fsa;
was down, {it asetvards sappearsa thalshe;
tlaag5sssf .bad beer shnt saasy aud tGss
4 tasIop from ths .ls,ge Yolataes 81,
sIaoRs being appsssall orr lbs ineseass,
issast ,ibTsa. aiay Aids With ssmssss NO
fatajor>A AhdersoE 30 sbs Nit seeing
OIL ase n5 ioagsrs bis- qnastssis inns inss
aafnss, and snppesla B to be 10 an
[tress, 4 desired to oIfst bipl,sny assIsl
tuieht sand in Bstore my Aids.
reached tase Siklss ai,saS States ssss.
aisz on sths safspst. hut ,a,sslsSl
t6s sstya .lisr tue, tlass ~ke6 issss 1a6l.,
4 down, and asEbstss asa spbssitassd Sisfs9
plses. rhsa tbs Dniisd snssss Gag 6rst
lIajssgp ada sseH sr spr sSaSies
| slptes ssd, sibut xa,e ,epsned Syliih
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