Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-01-03
THE EVACUATION OF FORT MoU1TRIE
CONFIRMED.
south Carolina in Possession!
REBELLION AND TREASON RAM
PANT!

lished in THE PHOENIX Of the Goth ult., is fully
confirmed by subsequent advices. Fort Moul-
trio is abandoned, the United States troops re-
firing to Fort Sumter, and South Carolina
troops are in possession.
1t appears that the subject of the occupancy |
of the forts in Charleston harbor was discussed
at Length in secret session of the South Caro-
lima Convention, on Wednesday of last week.
From limitations made in various quarters and
from other apparently reliable sources of infor-
nation, Major Anderson, the commanding Off |
Ger at that station, had reason to believe that
an attempt would be made by the seccssonists
to gain possession of Fort Sumter, then un-
occupied, and thus compel him to surrender at
discretion. Acting upon this understanding
and entirely upon his own responsibility as
commanding officer, he spiked the guns of
Fort Moultrie, burned their carriages, and 9TH
erwise rendered the Fort as valuecss as posi-
BILE TO an enemy, and the same evening, re-
tired with his command to Fort Sumter. At
Fort Moutre his little band could not hope to
hold the place against an assault of five hun
dred troops; where he now is he can safely de-
fy all the forces that South Carolina can bring
against him. His post now commands not on
ly Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckncy, but he
can shell the city of Charleston at will without
any danger to his command, Fort Sumter
being in every respect supplied with munitions
Of war, impregnablc to any land forces, and
bomb proof.
When the Charlestonians woke up Thursday
morning and saw the stars and stripes waving
over Fort Sumter and nothing but smoke
floating over Fort Moutrie, they at once felt
that they had been entirely outwittcd, and that
their "rattlenake and cabbagc-trce" ensign
could not slpplant the American flag. The
Charleston correspondent of the New York
Tribune thus describes their emotions at the
sight:
To say that the excitement was intense,
would be filling short of the truth. Rage, cha
grin, disappointment, fury, were depicted on
the countenances, and forciby expressed by
the language of the Revolutionists, as they
comprehended the character of Major Ander-
sons strategic movement. They were con-
founded, and utterly at loss what to do.
During the succeeding twenty-four hours the
seceders occupied Fort Moultric and Castle
Pinckney with their own forces, and the Pol
metto flag has suppantcd that of the United
States without any remonstrancc on the paat
of the national administration.
On Saturday the Rcvolutioniss went a step
further in their REASONABLE conduct. The flag
of the United States was hauled down from
the Custom House and the Post Office and the
Palmetto raised in its place. Collector Col
cock informed the Convention and President
Buchanan that he had entered the service of
the State of South Carolina, and that he had
commenced receiving duties and transacting
the usual business of entries and clearances of
vessels in her name and on her behalf
The revenue cutter in the port of Charleston
was seized by the State authorities, and the
captain who is native of Charleston, resigned.
Lieut.. James p. Foster, commanding the
SLAYER Bonita, which was carried into Charles
ton, telegraphs the navy department, stating
that his prisoner, the captain of the SLAYER, had
been taken before a state Judge by writ of ha-
beas corpus, that the judge remanded the pris-
oner to his custody on the ground that he had
no jurisdiction, and that on his way to the
Bonita with his prisoner he had been taken by
force from his custody by mob.
The Arsenal, containing thousands of stands
or arms belonging to the Government, has been
formally take possession of by the State troops
and the muskets appropriated 10 their USE
The Charleston Courier of Friday says:
"Major Anderson has achieved the unenvia-
BILE distinction of opening civil war between
American citizens by an act of gross breach of
faith; and that he has pitualiy and grossly rio
Idted solemn pledge giren By his chief and ac-
cepted by South Carolina; that he had all pos
sible assurances from South Carolina that his
honor. position, and duty would be respected
until proper and open declaration OF war"
How the News was received at Washington.
The intelligence of the abandonment of Fort
Moultrie and the occupation of Fort Sumter.
by Major Anderson, created lively sensation
at Washington. The South Carolina Commits
sioners cody informed the President that unless
this act of Anderson was disavowed by the
government and he was ordered back to Fort
Moultrie, they should leave for home first, we
suppose, demanding their passports. A Cabi-
net session was Immediately called when Sec
retaries Floyd Thomas and Thompson, were for
complying with the demands of South Carolina,
and Floyd even went so far as to insist that the
Z federal troops should all be Withdrawn from
the harbor, in which demand he was supported
by Thompson. Secretaries Stanton, Black and
Holt, manfully resisted the withdrawal of the
troops. The President, within usual imbecili-
ty, seemed to be influenced by every pressure
of opinion come from which side it might The
crisis eliminated Sunday night, by the refusal
TO withdraw Maj Andersons command from
Fort Sumter, which practically involved a sur
render of the public property to the secession
lists. This question was decided by formal
vote in the cabinet as follows: for the removal
of the troops, Floyd, Thompson, Thomas
against their removal, Holt, Black, Stanton and
Toucey.
Mr.. Floyd Immediately addressed a letter to
the President rendering his resignation, and
offering as a reason therefor that he considered
the action of the Cabinet as branch of faith
toward South Carolina His resignation was