The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-09

MIA mas sometimes been alluded by persons ignorant
sse real facts of the case as proof Of the inability OF
o forcations resist naval attacks Even If IT were
a. ase Of decided failure would this single exception be
ssncient to overthrow the weight of evidence on the
sher slider We alude TO the reduction Of the 80 called
hort Washington by the British fleet that assembled the
Potomac in 1914 to assist in the dsgraceiui
and barbarous operation Of burning the Capitol
md destroying the archives OF the nation Fort Wash
hgton very small and inefficient work. incorrectly
planned by an incompetent French eng'neer ony snan
heve, yet been completed.
Some have also pretended TO find IN modern Enrofeah
history a few examples contradictory Of the relative
power which have assigned 70 ships ana iorts.
Overlooking tho numerous aud well authenticated exam
ples where forts Of small dimensions and OF sau ama
ments have repealed large fleets they would draw their
ooncusons from four five instances where fleets have
nained-as at first supposeda somewh hat doubtful
victory over forts But careful a2d critical examination
n these will show that even these are no exceptions
general rule of the superiority OF the guns ashore
ever guns choat
whe Unsuccessful Attempt to Reinforce
Fort Sumter, and Who Is Responsible
for the Failure.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The failure Of the above enterprise has called forth ami
nadversicn from the press generally, which, while
richly crted the quarter where the responsibility
properly belongs, have been chiefly directed against
Captain MCGOWAN Who was temporarily in command OF
the star Of the West and who, in my opinion
ners commentator and praise for the manner in which
he extrcaed the whole command from the perous posi-
bion in which It had been placed by the folly and mis-
management Of the government.
or theprofessiona abilities Of Captain MCGOWAN, of his
GOODNESS in times of trial and danger speak with
confidence. An intimate acquaintance of thirty-dve
years, and long professional association,
rant me in dong, and l feel that
can sstefy those who understand the tech
uicaiities and who not anxious for q
criminal sacrifce OF human life, that his whole course
was characterized by sound Judgment and consummate
urufessonal eki while the failure Of the enterprise is
scrednabe the projectors, and those who, under
tract, attempted its execution
Ssrsin MCGOWAN joined the Star of the West but few
hours prior 20 her departure. Hewas given to under
.nd that little garrison at Fort Sumter was great
distress from of provisions and that the sole and
hrnene object of the expedition its relief from
mine and not advised Of the design TO send body
q troops until the moment they we're placed on board
Here perserson Of truth at the outset
The rumor was current that the landmarks, buoys,
b. Seeding ever the slGr and through the channels
% Charleston had either been entirely removed
Or their positions had been changedGs to decoy
seh entering without experienced pilot into danger.
Under discouraging circumstances he sarcd-.he
vessel drawing thirteen ana a half feet of water.
is well known, and have witnessed i. myself very
recently that the Charleston steamers frequently touch
when crossing the.bar under The guidansf approved
pots with the buoy and landmarks in their proper
positions. The Marion recent trip Laid time
aground.
Under fnese circumstances 1t became necessary for
Capt MCGOWAN 70 observe the greatest caution enter
ing and fello1iD tho channel, and having nothing but
The lead guide him "A, also necessary that the
speed should be greatly reduced.
He arrived or the bar in the morning, the
weather clear and smooth, and found that
the outer bscys had been cemoved, and that the
mark ing esheast pontcr the bar had been placed
r upon the Eloal, with the view to- decoy him ashore,
his arrival having been ANTICIPATED by telegraph
Feeling his way with the ts he crossed the bar aad
directed hsooa5se towards Tia western side Of the chan
mel going slowly and taking standings along the edgs OF
the bank wha brought him within half to three
quarters Of Gnac Of Morris Island throughout nearly its
eAsre length.
HIS only aytreLe3aions we're from For. Mourie, but
- has surprise ahltery upon, slorrn Island, recently
erected, opened Its IRE upon hinat half nile rsnge
Theme the csa ell course Greet for Fort Moutre,
- the rakng hsos.vch he ssosd have been exposed
rlt.areughout TIE s1tne dista+ce while, should
he vessel take Ike ground she would pre-
sent nxed .osset to ososs'nre, with
te tion. In obel!eafo to, his isstructons, he had
h ted large garrison ensign 1T the fore, in the hope
tAs Fort Sumter usG. Ypen for his protection In this
heys az DISAPPOINTED MAJOR Andersoz had knowledge
Of charao.er Of the Vessel or are nature CT her
erraJ and Captain ksGssn Was not provided Tth the
mesr1 Of communicating wish him.
Had MAJOR Anderson Known that reinEorcements T. his
cousaaad were board, tastar of the West, itwoud
haye mech his duty e protect tn by sen ing
the Are sf the asaans as Il ahey had Ia en- actually in
the fort and woald douhless Love done &c
Who responsible for thls.f hlef element of fa4ep
is bG year eIvo since tts new otoc was Greats
IN the ssSy, that a. sgni Mrs1 and disappointment
conGx ed upon Isior kyorr, es reward for bis IL
s;enuity i, oerfcctins that m0desf communication.
How IL Y hat DeitLer the for. ssor seams- was pro
But this " dgresslxi. Al dle .Lst point OF my argu
necnt Fort A. ltre had opebe .anre, bnt vgs out OF
s2ihe vessel - would have beer reduced to To- than
hAk mile bss- she could reach Sri sumter 4. this
sow, Snd direcl her to tho nsaby way o. the
Gwask channel wh the evident desgnsf emitting e. the
rstreas Of the stai Of the Wet.
n tilis perilous AZ defenceess posh n what did crDt
l6c6pwE dor Why what any officer ofe5nd Judgment
would haze done-b determined upon .syy.2g the eeu
nand, wth could have been easily dessrcyed by vsg
sEaall force supplied Eth ordnance Hve stu rcoy
9 turn he SLt the steamer about during asich opers
% she rs .ss bar sss object e
il was an 90. Of SOUND Judgment, and w. lxesatet
with GOODNESS as consumt ate p,ofessionar ~
sad q dis cooness and pE mpt decision aa .g ~. :"
peril, tn officers ED men the comr1snd atelH beg,
a the steamer Emp.rs City curing the disisfh0usSnr
sraae Of September, A57, has been fully coVApsf~ed
They salvaiien, a. acknowledged long sin, vas
eolcy dae 70 he coolDss, deetE nation an v,sl's
sc s AL e ~ ss sosns p or r person dsxs
.nsek submission 70 the fury n the elem sn,s. !
:ssse ss Conduct r sS co, sssr Gxer ,sr en-,
committee on loss of stcamer Car,,-ai A,o..rfcf. 4
AL this however, has been forgotten by thos, whose
sompspsaon for reinforcing Fort Sumter iet led uvu
The OF the expedition, but VIII, event ~ dos
kucfion TO the steamer aud cnEimapd would Us vcrtha
Sess under the contract .aye effected profitable oc
vessel which, while employed IN the ordinary par wits
~ commercial enterprise, enjoyed very cauivoca,
1atbn.
The simple object which induced this communication
desire 90 defend former brother officer, who dur
long professional career has Tor the hrs time been
the of caluny reproach AMI 10 pre-.
sent the public the parties who arc really consurabs,
but who by their silence would shift the responsibility
upon him.
cannot, however, Withstand the temptation to con.
The Of the government IN 1882 aud 80 with
that which has characterized the present administration.
General Jackep minced matters be very
dsrnfy In the application 0 terms. What would now
come under tho Denomination VI political difference, NIL