Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-04-18
ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER.

LDOulAS DEGI SOACkCu ~ N-NSN
commanding that work, felt themselves
brave enough last week to attack the hand-
| tul of halfstarved men who had garrison
ed Fort Sumter with 50 much honor to
their fac. The order of events which
preceded the opening Of the dre from the
South Carolinans upon Fort Sumter Is
shown by the official correspondence be-
tween General Beauregard and the Secre-
tarv OF War Of the Confederate States
On the Sth, Gen Beauregard informed the
Secretary that the Federal Government
had presented formal notification through
an authorized messenger that a vessel with
provisions would be sent to Fort Sumter
peaceably ifpossible, otherwise by force,
On the 10th, two days afterwards, the See
retary replies, authorizing Gen. b. to de-
mand the evacuation Of Fort Sumter, and
if it is refused, to proceed to reduce it"
Gen. B's response is that the demand for
the evacuation will be made next day. He
is urged, by succeeding despatch from
Montgomery, to make the demand at an
earlier hour, but replies that special rea-
sons require the delay. The demand is
accordingly made at the time indicated,
Thursday noon, and six hours allowed for
consideration. Whether Major Anderson
took the time allowed fer consideration or
replied at once is not stated, but his reply
was a decided refusal, expressed in the
manly, soldierly tone which all through
the painful circumstances by which he was
surrounded, las so developed the elevated
character Of the man. Acknowledging
the receipt of the demand, he replies
''that it Is a demand with which [ regret
"that my sense Of honor and of my obliga-
ton to my government prevent my compli-
''ance.' To the official brevity of the re-
ply he added verbally 81 wW aigaH the
'..tjrst shot, and Vyou don't batter as to
''pteces, IRE 1eW be starred ont IN a fc,c
'dayS." There is touching pathos in these
few words that would have been felt by all
except natural tories, and will appeal
strongly to the feelings of the people of
the country. The Secretary Of war next
authorizes General BeaQregard to propose
to Major Anderson that if he will state the
time at which starvation will force him to
evacuate the fort, and agree in the mean
time not to use his guns against the bat
teries unless the fort was attacked, then
the bombardment would be postponed
These terms, which would in effect have
rendered Major Anderson a silent witness
of any attempt to relieve him so long as
Fort Sumter itself was not fred upon, were
as a matter Of course rejected.
@ Friday morning at / o'clock the fir
ing was Commenced by the South Care
Inians, and some-ao after the fort replied,
which continued With but little intermis-
sion until Saturday near noon, when the
fleet outside having been prevented from
assisting him by the stormy weather, and
his men worn out by continued labor in
working the guns and putting out the fire,
Major Anderson felt himself impelled to
surrender. lis command subsequently
embarked ior New York. Nearly all the
accounts received came through secession
hands, an! are therefore to be taken with
due allowance. 4 correspondent Of the
Associated Press gives th2 following des-
criPtion airer the surrender:
CHARLESTON, April .2-E-ca:re-Uostii-
ties have, for the pre5eut, ceased, nna the vic
tory belongs TO South Carolina.
with the display oi lie nag &C truce on the
ramparts OF Fort Sumter, at balf.past o'clock
the firing ceased and az unconditional surren.
der was made. The Carolinians haI no idea
that the fight was at au end Son after the
Hag staff Of isaior AL 'grs9a was shot arrav.
Coione! NIgiali, the aid Of General Beanre.
G0~t. at his commanders request. gaDt To
rort sumter with e white flag to offer assis-
taace 2 ezt,nguishing the flames He ap.
proac-et he burning fortress from Morris Is
land, an1 while ire firing vas raging on all
s!des elected lanG.u. at Fort Sumter. lie
.APpio@ChGN port noe ana was met by Ma
jor Anderson, the comm2ndant Of the Fort
Lhe latter said that he mad just displayed
WTh!te heg but the firing ~2s kept up never
theies5
Col. Nigfall replied that Major Anderson
must haul down the American flag; that no
Pa'!ey would be granted-surrender or fight
vas the wcrd. This report is denied Ma
Jor A. did uot haul dowa the fag at ALL
Manor Anderson then haulaI Iovvp b;s
and displayed only the flag of truce. All firs
ing Instantly ceased. and two officers Of Gen
beaursgaFd's staff, Ex Senator Chestnut and
hxdaverner Manning came over il boa.
and stipulated alIn Major Anderson that his
surrender should be unconditional for the
regard.