Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-16

Il,nd and WAC elected member of the Palmetto Guard,
fired the first gun from Stevens Iron Battery. All non
or to the chivaric virgnian May he live many years
to wear the deess wreath that honor placed upon MS
brow on our glorious Friday.
Another noble son of the Old Dominion, who rebuk-
ngly reminds her Of her past glory, was appointed on
General Beauregards staff on Thursday bore dispatches
to the General in command from Brigadier General JAS
Smons in command of Morris Island, during the thick
est of the fight and in the face Of muderous fire from
Fort Sumter Col Roger A. Pryor, the eloquent young
Virginan in the exec ton of that dangerous commits
sion passed within speaking distance Of the angry and
hostile fortress
Despite the fierce and concentrated fire from Fort
Sumter the rival fertilization on Suvans Island receiy
cd but slight damage Its Merons stood unmoved and
are this morning in good condition they were be-
fore their strength tested by the rude shocks OF the
shot
Tho Floating Battery came out OF the iron storm with
out losing plate Of its iron cover splinter OF its
pine. -
brisk FIRE was kept up by all the batteries until
about o'clock in the evening after which hour the guns
doomed at regular intervals Of 90 minutes
All the batteries on Morris Island bearing upon the
channel kept no steady fire for time at the dawn
of day It is reported they tcrew their shot into the
Harriet Lane and that that steamer having advanced as
far as the renowned Star of the West Battery was Grip
pied by well aimed shot, after which she deemed !.
prudent to give up the dangerous attempt and turned
! her sharp bow to the sea.
Stevens Iron Battery played conspicuous and impor-
ant part in the brilliant and as far as our men are con.
cerned bloodless conflict which has placed the 18th Of
April 1861, among the memorable days The callbre OF
its guns its nearness to Fort SUMTER its perfect impene
rabity the GOODNESS and skill Of its gallant gunners,
made this fertilization of the most formidable OF
| Major Andersons terrible opponents. The elect OF It's
Dahlgrens and 6i-pounders was distinctly visible AZ an
early stage of the conflict. Clouds OF mortar and orlck
dust arose from the Southwest wall of the fort as the shot
Kissed on their errand of death. Shot after shot told
with terrible effect the strong wall and at about three
o'clock Major Anderson ceased TO return this murderous
fire. In the of the afternoon the joyful tdIngs
that breach had BEEN effected in that portion OF the
| fortress borne 10 the city.
We dare not close this brief and hurried narrative of
the first engagement between the United States and the
Confederate States without returning thanks to Almighty
God for the great that has thus far crowned our
arms and for the extraordinary preservation OF our SOL
ders from casualty and death. In the fifteen hours OF
almost ncessin firing, enemy one OF the most ex-
perienced aud skul of artierss no Injury has been
| sustained by single one of our gallant soldiers
The result of the cotfct strengthens and confirms our
faith in the business OF the cause for whose achieve
ment we have suffered obOquy and dared pers oil vast
magnitude At the outset OF the struggle we invoked
the sanction and aid of hat God whom we serve, aud
His hand has guided and defended us all through the
momentous conflict His favor most sgnaly,we had
almost said miracuousy manifested on this eyentu day.
We call the roll of those engaged in the battle, and each
| soldier s here to answer to his name. No tomosiole
will throw its shadow upon that bright triumphant day.
If so it seemeth good in the eyes OF Him, in whose
hands are the issues OF fe ierventy pray that our
brave sons may pass unframed through the pers OF the
day now dawning
IscIDExrs-Two members of the Palmetto Guard paid
fifty dollars in cash for boat to carry them to MOTHS
Island, to join their company.
The Battery the wharves and shipping in the harbor,
and every seepe and cupoa in the city, were crowded
with anxious spectators OF the great drama Never be-
fore had such crowds OF ladies without attendants visited
our thoroughfares.
Business was entirely suspended. The stores on King
street, Meeting street and East Bay were all closed
DR.. Stalters, the Jasper correspondent OF the New
York Times arrested and locked up in the Guard
| House, where he get remains.
| One Of our reporters has calculated the number OF
pounds OF balls fired by both sides up to seven O'clock
the hour at which Fort Sumter ceased firing lie gives
as total 70 900 pounds thirtysix tons OF iron
Gen. Beaureglrd learn, has attached to his staff
Hon. Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia. and Hon. VIM. Por-
cher Miles volunteering their services and these gentle
men, in addition to Hon. Louis 7. Wigflll Hon. James
Chestnut and Hon. John L. Manning, with the regular
army staff appointments all busy yesterday in bear.
ing dispatches the various military posts sometimes
ncurring the risk of stray ball sent from Sumter.
To Lieut. Mitchell of the Irish patriot, belongs the
honor OF having fs dismoured two guns for Anderson
| At one shot,