The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-11
How Fort Moultrie was 1svacuate

soE's troops. IL presents the first au-
thentic account Of that important move
ment:
The South Caiolnians were making
preparations TO erect three batteries
against him. to surround him with rifle
pits and open trenches. They only
awaited the signal from their commission
ers 10 begin. Their engineer officers
came down every day to examine and
lay out their plans Of attack. Cannon
had actually been sent to the island. In
a few days the Major would have been
surrounded with perfect network, and
his bands were still tied behind his back.
The Government would not even give
him permission to level the immense sand
hills which overlooked his works. They
would not send him the ammunition lie
needed, nor would they allow him the
necessary Elortars and shells TO dislodge
the clouds OF rihemen who would pick off
his cannoncers. He and his command
had, nevertheless, determined to Fight it
out to the last, and blow up everything.
Tns only possible safely for them was in
burning down MoultrieviiIe, in the first
place, (for they were so hemmed in that
they could not see a hundred yards, and
in taking down the crests Of the higher
sand bills. II was al in vain his hands
were tied ; and when it became apparent
that the heavy batteries of Forl Sumpter
were, in addition, TO plunge their heavy
fire into the work, and eDtiade one and
take in reverse two of his lines, the case
resolved itself into a massacre, and not
into siege or assault. Fort Moul:rie
itself is bu: meIe dependency OF Fort
Sumper.
Charleston is row at tho feet OF Ander.
son, wherever he chooses TO exercise his
power. Not a vessel can come in or out
without his permission. Sensible they
were driving Anderson to extremity, and
fearful he might make an attempt OF the
kind, they had stationed two STEAMBOATS,,
having l20 men, with two pieces Of arlil.
lery, under the command OF Lirut. Ham
iItcn, recently resigned from the Navy
They had stationed these between Forts
Sumpler and MouIuic, to cruise around
and prevent any attempt TO transfer the
garrison, but Anderson toiled them. He
carried out his project with consummate
ability. He talked Tor a week of the alb
solute necessity Of sending the women and
children to tie village ot Fort johnson for
safety. There is an old diiapidated
public building there, in which be pro-
posed to put them until the ballle was
over lie chartered three lighters to
carry them and their baggage, and he
added everything 10 tho cargo he could
without exciting suspicion. The Charles.
toniars did not wish TO interfere with the
transit OF pi DIVISIONS TO Capt. Fosters men
at Fort Sumpter, because they regarded
hln as in reality finishing The woik for
tLsm. This he was actually doing,
through the neglect Of tic Administration
Under pretense OF sending him provisions
Maj jor Anderson sent over a large amount
Of his stores. Thus embarrassed, he
was ready for a move. The schooners
with the camp women and children, had
orders 10 sail from Fort Johnson 10 Furl
Sumpter upon hearing two cannon fred
at Fort Moul' rie-tbe signal that the
evacuation Of the Tort had been completed
He then gave orders 10 the men to pack
their knapsacks, and hold themselves in
readiness al all times, as they might,
some day, have 10 move. He took one
ni his officers aside about P. NJ, on the
26 h, and told him in abont twenty
minutes he should make the altempl 10
reach Fort Sumpter. The attemp! was
II dangerous ore. Two steamboats, lay
of tic fort with troops and guns, ard
these boats would have run him down in
mon!cnt had they been aware of the
movement. Major Anderson loft orders
TO lire luto the Nina steamboat, If she mo,
Tested his men, aud thirty-lwo pounder
was loaded up for that purpose Fort
Mou!irie IS always surrounded by paid
spies and members Of the vigilance com
mtItee. but they did not interfere, and
! probably did rot understand what The
command was doing. The uoops spraug
into the boats and The men pulled with II
will. Half way the hostile steamboat ap.
preached rapidly with a ship in tow. Ii
WIS glorious moonlight night, and very
clear. The steamboat passed within a
hundred yards, but probably took the
boats TO contain workmen returning from
Fort Sumpler. Sumpter was reached a,
last in safety. An exclamation OF surprise
came from bricklayers on the whaif.--
One Of them shouted. "Hurrah for The
Union" He was hurried in and made tc
keep quiet. Iii the meantime the officer.
who remained in Fort Mouitrie held ths
Ianyards OF the guns in their hands read '
TO ire upon the steamboat If it moles,ed
the boats. The boats were sent back
The remainder of the command embarke ed
and reached Sumpter in safety, though
one boat passed almost under the bow o
the Nina. The movement was accom-
plshed, and Charleston was at the feet oI
the gallant Major. The chagrin OF the
people in the city was intense. They
had counted on this stronghold as thei
own, and the tables had been completely
turned on them. with the exception o
coal and firewood l believe everything o.
any importance was brought over.
Reinforcement for Maj, Anderson
Three Cheers for Gen. Scott,
Let us thank God that there is a MAJ
at Washington in whose veins there il
not one drop Of craven fear, or base
lreachery, or vile criuging before the de,
mon of Disunion. General WINFIELr