Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-04-19
Che National Crisis.
OPENING OF CIVIL WAR!
COMMANDMENT OF FORT SUMTER.

CHARLESTON, April 12.-The excite
ment prevailing here for several days
past rose to the very highest pitch this
morning, when it was ascertained that
war had been actually commenced and
Fort Sumter attacked by the forces of
South Carolina.
1t appears that the fire was opened on
Sumter about four o'clock this morning
with considerable spirit from the Bate
ries on Sullivan's Island, (where Fort
Moultrie is situated Cummings Point,
Morris Island, and other points.
Major Anderson returned the FIRE, and
brisk canuonading has been kept up
throughout the day up to the hour of
sending off this dispatch.
We have no information from seward
yet with regard to the movements of the
United States vessels outside.
The militia are under arms, and the
whole of our population are on the streets.
Every available space facing the harbor
is filed with anxious spectators.
Correspondence Preceding the Bonn
CHARLESTON, April 12.-The follow
ing is the Geographic correspondence be-
tween the War Department and General
Beauregard, Immediately preceding the
commencement of the attack on Major
Anderson, which has been published fol-
public information. This correspondence
grew out of the formal notification given
by the government at Washington of an
intention to provision Fort Sumter by
force, if necessary, as disclosed in Gene
raj Beauregard's first dispatch:
mo. / CHARLESTON, April 8.
To l.. p. Walker, Secretary Of Var =
Sir: An authorized messenger from Pre-.
sident Lincoln has just Informed Gov
Piekens and myself that vessel contain.
ing provisions will be sent to Fort Sum.
ter. peaceably, if possible, otherwise by
force.
[Signed,l G. 7. BEAuREoARp.
mo. q. MONTGOMERY, April 10
Gen. @. T. Beauregard Sir: If you
have DO doubt of the authorized charac.
ter Of the agent who communicated tC
you the intention of the Washington go.
vernment to supply Sumter by force
you will at once demand its evacuation,
and if this is refused, proceed in such
manner as you may determine to reduce
it, Answer.
tSigned, L. p. WALKER
No. 3. CHARLESTON, April 10.
TO Il. p. Walker, Secretary Of Var
Sir: The demand will be made to-mor.
row at II o'clock.
[Signed,l G. 7. BrAuREoARD.
No. a. MONTGOMERY, April 10.
To General Beaaregard.-Sir: Unles,
there are special reasons connected with
your own condition it is considered pro-
per that you should make the demand al
an earlier hour.
tSigued, L. =. WALKER.
No. 5. CHARLESTON, April TO-
To Il. p. Walher, Secretary Of Var
Sir: The reasons are special for clever
o'clock.
[Sigued,l G. T. BrAuREoARp.
mo. G.. CHARLESTON. April II.
TO Il. p. Walker, Secretary of Var
Sir: Demand sent (for evacuation OF
Sumter) at 2 o'clock allowed until
o'clock to answer.
[Signedj 9. T. BEAuRreARD.
No. I. MONTGOMERY, April H.
TO General Beauregard. Sir: Telc.
graph Ito mel the reply of Major Ander.
son.
lSigned L. p. WALKER.
mo. .. CHARLEsToN, April H.
10 II. p. Walker, lSecretarg of Var.
Sir: Major Anderson replies as follows
Sir: have the honor to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your communication
demanding the evacuation of this fort.
and TO say in reply thereto that it is q
demand with which l regret tbs. my
sense of honor aud of my obligation to
my government prevents my compli.
ance."
Major Anderson also added verbally 10
the officer sent to make the demand: =.
~W sgait Me first shut, and If you don't
batter as TO pieces, zee piU be starred out
in a fe~ days"
Signed, @. t. BEAUREoARD.
mo. 0. MONTGOMERY, April IL.
TO General Bcowegard Sir: We do
not desire Deedlessly to lombard Fort
sumter. If Major Anderson will state
the time at which, as indicated by him.
he will cvacuatc, be starved out, and
agree that in the meantime he will not
use his guns against us unless we our
selves should be employed against Fort
Sumter, you are authorized thus to avoid
the efusion of blood. If this or its
equivalent be refused, you will reduce
the fort as your judgment decides to be
most practicable
Signed, i. P. WALKER.
No. 10. CHARLESTON, April II.
To h p. Walker, Secretary of War.
Sir: lie (Major Anderson) would not
consent. | write to-day.
lSigned, G. T. BEAUREeARD.
Accompanying the correspondence the
following note is furnished for pu5lica-
ton:
I" Note. Intercepted dispatches dis
close the fact that Mr. Fox, who bad
been allowed to visit Major Anderson un
der the pledge that his porrose vas pa