The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-20
Major Anderson at New York-Statement OF
Captain Doubleday.


The steamer Baltic with Major Anderson
and his command on board, reached the Bat
terry at New York on Thursday, at O'Clock.
The following account of the arrival is given
by telegraph, together with a highly -colored
statement of the valiant Doubleday, one of
Anderson's officers:
She had as she came up the flags of Fort
Sumter and Fort Moultrie flying. Mai. An
derson, OH landing on the Battery, was re-
celved by an immense crowd, and his carriage
was surrounded by the people, who expressed
in cheers and other demonstrations their ad-
miration of his conduct. He was followed
by an immense throng through Broadway TO
the Breyoort House, where he joined his wife.
Capt. Doubleday says that the demand to
surrender Fort Sumter WIS made on the IL tn,
but was refused not only by Major Anderson,
but by the unanimous voice of the command.
On Friday morning, at 3 O'Clock, the rebels
sent word that the fire would be opened in
an hour. AT o'clock the fire opened on US
from every direction, incl uding hidden bat
terry. The fire opened with yOliey from
seventeen mortars firing ten inch shells, and
shot from thirty-three guns, mostly colum-
biads.
We took breakfast very leisurely. The COM
mand was divided into three watches, each
under the direction OF two officers. After
breakfast, they Immediately Went to the guns
and opened fire on Fort Moultrie, Cummings
Point, and Sulliyan's Island Iron Battery
Cummings Point Battery was Of immense
s strength. ana most OF our snOt glanced OIL -
Major Anderson refused to allow the men to
turn the guns on the parapet, on account of
such q terrific fire being direc ted there.
There was scarcely room in Fort Moultrie
left in habitibie condition, and several shots
went through the Floating Battery, but il
was bat little damaged. Two guns on the
Iron Battery were dismounted. A man WAS
stationed, who cried shot she'll when the
rebels, fired, and the garrison was thus
enabled to dodge.
At first the workmen ware relucf mi IN ba,,
70 work the guns, but afterwards served most
willingly and efectually against the Iron
Battery. The barracks caught IRE several
times on Friday, but were extinguished BY the
efforts Of Mr.. Hart, of New York, and Mr..
Lyman, OF baltimore, both volunteers.
+ On Saturday the officers quarters caught
hre from n shell. The mail gates were burnt
and the magazine was actually surrounded by
fire, and ninety barrels Of powder, which had
been taken out, were thrown into the sea-
When the magazine was encircied by fra all
our mater fats tcere cut OF, aad are knd eateu u
our tust 6iscsit too days before. The man had
TO lay on the ground with wet haudkerchi 4 n
on their faces 10 prevent smotherinr. and 4
favorable eddy OF wind was all that saved our
lives Our cartridge bags gave out, and i've
men were employed 10 manufacturs them out
OF our shirts, sheets, blankets, de- IL viii
Jake half million dollars TO repair Fort
Sumters interior. Most CT their shot were
aimed 1T our flag.
The following was the conversation that
passed between Major Anderson aud ex.Sena-
tor Wigfail. The latter said
Gen. BsauTeEard wishes to stop this, sir.
Maj, Anderson only replied. asWrll, well !"