Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-01-19
Latest Details from the South.


Friday last contain the particulars of the
attack on the steamer Star of the West.
Our telegraphic dispatches, however, have
already giveh pretty much everything of
interest, including the correspondence be-
tween Governor Pickens and Major An
derson. The South Carolina Legislature,
having been officially informed of this
correspondence, oil Wednesday adopted
the following resolutions;
Resoivei, That this general assembly
looks upon any attempt to reinforce the
troops now in possession at Fort Sumpter,
as an act of open and undisguised hostility
on the part Of the government OF the uni-
ted States.
Resoived further, That this General
Assembly learns with pride and pleasure
of the suscessful resistance this day by the
troops of this State, acting under the or
ders Of the Governor, to an attempt to
reinforce Fort Sumpter.
Resc ived tu'ther, That this General
Assembly entirely approves and endorses
the communications of the Governor this
day made to Major Anderson.
Resoiuea t,ythe,, That this General
Assembly pledges itself to an earnest,
vigorous and unhesitating support OF the
Governor in every measure adopted by
him in defence of the honor and safety Of
{ the State.
The resolutions being put there was a
universal aye.
Mr.. Buist moved that the word uEAN-
E 1MousLY be inserted, which called forth
another spontaneous aye.
} The Charleston papers, in their ac-
counts of the attack on the Star of the
West give some incidents not without in
E terest. We subjoin the following:
5 TIE FEELING AT CASTLE PINCKNEY.
. At Castle Pinckney, under command OF
Col. Pettigrew, the ardor of the men
knew no bounds. The greatest eagerness
was shown by all to have shot at the
) stranger, with the intention of bringing
f out the fire of Fort Sunpter. The guns
of the Castle we're all manned simply upon
the spontaneous movement of the men
themselves. Each sprang to his post,
S without command of the officer in charge.
D 1t was with the greatest difficulty that he
could restrain them from firing; and ii
was not until peremptory order to that
effect was given that they held themselves
: aloof from the batteries. The eagerness
e at Forts Moultrie and johnson were great
: though the garrison at the former were
grati6ed in the privilege of number oi
harmless shots. Better luck to them next
time.
. WHO FIRED THE FIRST SHOT!
:, Since the event of the crisis, much Gu.
S riosity has been excited to learn the man
. who fred the first shot After diligent
: inquiry, we believe it is settled that the
t honor belongs to the Washington Light
= Infantry. Though this corps Is uo
f stationed in the cntrenchments on Nor
C ris' Island, from which the first gun wa'
: fired, still, single representative of the
+ corps, We are informed, was at one of thu
C guns, and to him befell the duty. W,
!. believe the name of the gentleman i
o Lieut. j. l.. Branch.
+ ARREST FOR TREASON IN SOUTH
r CAROLINA.
!. j. n Merriman, collector of the por
of Georgetown, S. c., was on Monda,
last arrested Ly the people of that tow
d on charge of treason against the State
c A letter was found written by him AM
y addressed to Mr.. Buchanan, stating tina
C he (Merriman) had just cleared vessel
n in the name of the United States, an,
$, that he would continue to do SO. TIL
IS letter calls upon the President to send
" poat ana men TO collect the federal reve
l.. nue., and informs him of the progres
J. made in the construction of the work
lie near Georgetown, and promises to kcc
N him posted from time to time in relatio
to the same. The letter is signed by hi
initial, j. N. NJ. When arrested he ac
l. knowledged having written it. Lopst
''' his deputy, was also arrested He sal
~ he had been in the habit of writing ou
i Merrimans letters, but had not done S
&c in this case, as ho considered it Treason
~ Both have been committed ior trial
CRUISE OF THE STAR OF THE WEST
STATEMENT OF CAPT. MCGOWAN.
!; STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEST,
= New York, Jan. II, 1861.
. M. o. ROBERTS, Esq,-Sir: Afte
leaving the wharf on the 9th inst, at s
" - m, We proceeded on down the bay, wher
10 we hove to and took on board four officer
q and two hundred soldiers, with their arm
- ammunition, &C., and then proceeded t
- sea, crossing the bar at Sandy Hook
nine p. IN. Nothing unusual took plac
during the passage, which was pleasar
for tb;e eao.o,, &c 81, .,oo.