Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-26
THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMPTER.
The New York Herald publishes the fol
lowing extract from a private letter received
bv a rom tIanoor in tbat cifv.

The New York Herald publishes the fol
lowing extract from a private letter received
by gentleman in that city:
CHARLESTON, April Il, IS6l.
1t is n painful duty to chronicle the first efIu-
sion Of blood, which inauguTates revolution that
history will blush to record. At 20 minutes 10 ,
o'clock this morning, after making the demand
and beng refused its surrender, the batteries at
Morris and Sullivan Islands opened upon Fort
Sumter and have been constantly firing ever since.
1t was not till after IL that Anderson returned
their fire; but when he did open, it was with
power and vigor which carried conviction to every
one that they had one to deal with who under
stood his business and had the will to carry it out.
1t is indeed gloomy day ; all business is sus-
pended, and nothing but the heavy booming of
tho artillery, which is shaking the city to its
very foundations, disturbs the silence and gloom
which hangs like pail over US. Every eligible
spot that can be obtained is occupied, and every
eye strained by the eager multitude of men, wo-
men and children to witness the conflict, though
but little can be seen, the smoke Obscures the
Notifications but we can see the bursting Of the
bombs and the striking of the balls. Tho prin-
cipa batteries in service are the iron battery
on Morris Island, the floating battery and Fort
Moultrie. Tho chief discharges have been from
morars, which could tell from the bursting ofthe
shells. Most Of the firing has b very poor many
Of the shells bursting quarter and half mile
away, while Anderson has made ma jority of his
tell with fearful execution. 1t is impossible to
certain with any correctness the amount Of damage
that he has done as all accounts which have come
up are particularly BIASED, coming as they do
| from their own camp; but 1 accidentally over,
heard confidential talk, in which one VINO had
| come up from the batteries admitted tnat thlIty
| had been killed at Fort MouItrie' De-
| sides a great many WOUNDED. Inc news
| from uo9ris Island is that none are hurt;
| hut how unreasonable to one who has witnessed
a. ;r.sssant firing Is this statement. Anderson
| has done nobIy. For ten consecutive hours be
ba. kept up q constant fire, at an average of two
| JiscbaIges a minute. Now tell me that he has
| dome no damage. 1t has been acknowledged that
| one end of the floating battery has been knocked
| of which will render it useless. 1t is now over
| twelve hours since the action commenced, and the
discharges from the South Carolina batteries have
averaged five per minute; and notwithstanding
| this vast amount of shot and she'll which has
been directed against Fort Sumter, as far as can
! be seen By the glass, no damage has been done
beyond the knocking away Of the
chimneys and the roof of the wooden railway. 1t
has been reported that the United States feet has
arrived of the harbor. II go why don't they come
to the relief Of Anderson? If they do not shall
think they have country unworthy of the man
| All it is a sad sight TO see the flashing Of the
| guns and hear the booming of heavy artillery,
| directed against the devoted garrison. If my
country can stand this insult, she is unworthy her
national name, and lost to her national honor. If
! eloquence, energy or perseverance could do it,
with my present feelings, I could 60 home and
raise raise regiment to wipe out the disgrace.
Are you Wide Awakes dead? Never let it be
said that they are.
P. M.-The fire is increased with tremendous
power by Anderson, who has Just sileneed the
Stevens battery, All hail to the noble man.