The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18
STEAMSHIP STAR or THE WEsr.
New York. Jan. IL, 1861,


New York, Jan. -, 1861.
NJ. o. Roberts, Esq.-Sir-Aitcr leaving
the wharfo on the 5th instant ut 8 p. NJ, We
proceeded on down the bay, where we hove to
and took on board four officers and two hun
drcd soldiers, with their arms, ammunition,
&C., and then proceeded to sea, crossing the
bar at Sandy Hook at . =. NJ. Nothing un-
usual took place during the passage, which
was u pleasant one for the season OF the
year.
We arrived of Charleston Bar ut ] 30 a.
VI. on the 9th, but could find no guiding
marks for the bar, rs the lights were all out.
We proceeded with caution, running very
slow, and sounding until about 4 y. NJ,
being then in four and half iathoms water,
when we discovered light through tho
haze which ut that time covered the horizon.
Concluding that the light was on Fort Sum.
teo, after getting the bearings Of II we stood
to the y. W.. for the main ship channel,
where We hove to to await daylight, our
lights having all been put out since twelve
o'clock to avoid being seen. As the day be-
gun to break We discovered u steamer just in
shore oi us, who. as she saw us, burned blue
light and two red lights as signals. and
shortly after steamed over the bur and into
the ship channel.
The soldiers were now all put below, and
no one allowed on the deck except our own
crew. As soon ~ there was light enough
to sec we crossed the bar and proceeded ON
up the channel, 1.-THE outer bar buoy having
been taken away, the steamer ahead Of ul
sending of rockets and burning lights until
after broad daylight, continuing ON her
coursc up near two miles ahead OF us. When
we arrived ut about two miles from Fort
Moultrie, Fort Sumter being about the same
distance, q masked battery ON Morris Island,
where there was red Palmetto lag tying
opened fire upon US, the distance being about
fye.eighths OF mile. We had the Ameri.
can flying ut our flagstaff at the time, and
soon after the first shot hoisted u large Am.
erican ensign at the fore. We continued
on under the fire of the battery for over ten
minutes, several Of the shot going clear over
us one just passed clear OF the pilot house.
another passed between the smoke-stack and
the walking beam Of the engine another
struck tho ship just abaft the fore
rigging and stove in the rlanking another
shot came within an ace Of carrying away
the rudder. At the same time there was
of two steamers from near Fort
Moultric, one Of them towing q schooner.
ian armed schooner, presumc,) with the
intention of cutting US of. Oar position
now became rather critical, rs we had to ap-
proach Fort Monltrie to within three quar-.
ters of mile before we could keep away
for Fort Sumter. \ steamer approaching
us with an armed schooner in tow, and the
battery on the island firing on us all the time,
and having no cannon to defend oursel,eS from
the attacks of the vessels. we concluded that
to avoid certain capture or destruction, We
should endeavor to get out to sea. Conse-
auently we wore round and stood down the
channel, the battery firing upon us till their
shots fell short. As it WIS now strong ebb
tide, and the water having fallen some three
feet. we procceled with caution, and crossed
the bar safey at fifty minutes past eight a.
NJ. and continued ON our course Tor this port,
where We arrived this Saturday morning,
after q boisterous passage. steamer from
Charleston followed US for about three hours,
watching our movements. In justice to the
officers and crew OF each department OF the
ship, must add that their behaviour while
under fire Of the battery reflected great credit
upon them. :,
Mr.. Bowcr. the New York pilot, was ofvery
great assistance to mo in helping to pilot the
ship over Charleston bar and up and down
JOHN MCGOWAN, Capt.
A correspondent oft New York Evening
Post was on the Steamer and gives an inter.
esting account Of the voyage. Ills account
of the attack on the steamer we copy:
have never seen finer morning than the
one which dawned upon us. The sky was
clear, and the moon, u hint crescent oil silver
had Just arisen. and the low coast looked like
q dense forest Of evergreen. The spires Of
Charleston became visible in the approach
ing daylight, and ON the walls Of Sumter we
deserted the American nag floating in the
breeze.
Now, 6 l.2 o'clock, we see the light house;
and now, too, we discover that the mysteri.
Gus light Just mentioned was that Of steam
er at our right. Now the situation OF the
channel In ascertained and we are under way;
and now the steamer at our right Is burning
red and blue lights, and now che SINUS VI
rockets. There is no mistaking he1 n p,,,
men,s; she is giving the alarm s'sna' :"
Moultrie. ,u. h.,ow with
On we go; tho .oidiers ro arc .,a below rsdy r TO
loaded musksts, and the oinoes ale '0y
owe the word II there % anything 70 10 10 :
Sow @ Il Il broad daylight and we are making
.,;rcc,ly r in 70 the guns OF Fort MoultIle who's
bisek walls are distinctly visible. The i,ttle
steamer @ at our right Is Surning a signal light
an. and Is making all possible Roadway up
a.. L.rl.or Now we discover rod palmetto