Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-09
INTERESTING FROM FORT SUMTER.

RETURN OF THE WOMEN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF The FoRT-PREP4RArIoSs FOR DEFENsE--A SUPPLY
0F PRovIsIoNs-DErALs IRON CHARLESTON, &c,
It was stated yesterday that the Marion, Capt.
Adkins arrived at New FORK on Wednesday, from
Charleston with the women and children from Fort
Sumter She brought sixty passengers in all, and of
these twenty-five are children. On their arrival New
York they were taken to Fort Hamilton where they will
remain for the present.
The APPEARANCES TIE wONEN ASB CHILDREN.
The women ard children mentioned above, the Times
saws were embarked by ord-r of Major Anderson, for
the double purpose OF relieving the garrison and placing
them out Of danger in case an attack should be made
rhev al appeared in good health and gave no ndica
tous Of having Suffered by their six weeks residence
a the fort. They all respectfully aud comfortably
clad and appear TO have been well prepared for com
ing from comparatively mild TO cold climate in mid
winter. With few exceptions they appeared in good
spirits and Of them even in theeriUl humor and
were not all inclined 20 put bad face upon Affairs in
sumter The more intelligent and thoughtful among
them however, appeared anxious aud cafeworn. They
had taken leave Of their husband, win heavy hearts
and might never them again The sight Of so many
women. mary of them intelligent and lady-lke, with lit
tie families OF helpless children cugng to them for sup
port and protection calculated to excite deep COM
miseration.
FORCE IL THE PORT
There had been no reinforcement of Major Anderson
the time OF their leaving frQay last seventy
nine persons including the officers and band aud eXcu
sive Of working corps Of some twenty men, under Cap
tain Foster constitute the whole garrsona force gen
orally felt TO be insufficient for rigorous prolonged
defense o. the place. 1T j. shame, said one OF the
most intelligent of the party that they should be left
there to be destroyed if the Government cannot send
them help they ought TO let them come away. When
Lieut. Talbot returned from Washington the command
we're assembled and the decision Of the President
muucated to them. The expressions of confidence re-
posed in them bv the authorities at Washington gave
them heart, aud every man declared he would fight
TO the last and die rather than surrender.
great many guns have been mounted on the second
and third tiers and they now in good condition to
defend the fort they will ever be- excepting that they
are short-hauded. light is Kept burning throughout
the night in each of the classmates and everything ready
for instant action There is no lack OF ammunition and
ans quantity Of grenades Of destructive character have
been prepared for close quarters There have been
no deseIons disaections exist and the entire COM
mand entertain the highest respect and even admiration
for Major Anderson with whom they ready to stand
or fall in their couu;rys defense.
PROVISIONS
For the first time during their stay in the fort they
ceived quantity Of fresh beef Thursday last, but
they could not tell where il came from, whether ar
r,pgemcnts had been made to obtain continued cup
ply The raons have consisted OF salt provisions with
beans and moderate quantity Of vegetables. The flour
is reduced TO twenty days supply and bard bread Is
dispensed twice week TO exc It out OF sugar and cot
fee half barrel OF each " believed ~ be all there IL
left The oil is also getting low and the greatest econo
my practced in the Ofthese latter articles There
is good supply Of pork and beef which must constitute
the main reliance Of the garrison, unless they are soon
supplied.
DEPARTURE.
As the Marion passed Fort Sumter on her way out the
whole garrison assembled on the ramplrts and gave
them three parting cheers which tearfuy respond
cd to by the departing aud children Great anE
ETY. was evinced by them know the events were
likely 70 take and the wishes express
ed that affairs might be peaceaby settled. and without
boodshed.