The Nevada Democrat., 1861-06-04
EFects Of Major Anderson's Firing.

that person simply seeking the truth must
be in doubt relative to the matter. The En-
glish papers, taking the first uncoDtradicted
dispatches from Charleston, to the effect
that no one was hurt, as true, are disposed
TO regard the affair as sham fght-believ-
ing it impossible that such cannonading
as reported could be kept up for thirty
six honrs, without hurting some one of the
1000 or 5000 besiegers. Although there
we're only about seventy men in Sumter, it
is somewhat remarkable that only four were
wounded. Had the garrison consisted of q
thousand men they would of course have
been more exposed, and in all probability
as many as hundred would have been
killed. All accounts agree that the shots
from Major Anderson's guns had very de-
structive effect upon Fort Moultrie, and as
there were some 1900 or 1000 men in that
fort, we could hardly believe, even If un-
contradicted, the statements of the Charles
tonians, that no one was either killed or
wounded. The following account of the
condition of MoHltrie is taken from
Charleston paper, published two or three
days after the battle. If true, as stated,
that not life was lost, we must agree with
the Charleston paper, that it is the "most
extraordinary case ever recorded"
The raking fire from Fort Sumter against Fort
Moultre was terribly destructive, and when viewed
In connection with the fact that no life was lost is
the most extraordinary ever recorded in history
As you enter the eye falls upon the battered walls
of the archway, with openings in places large
enough for windows In other places may be seen
the hanging spnters of the rafters large pieces OF
ceiling seemingly about to drop, while the holes in
the roof throw clear light over the scene Of destruc
tion which renders il very impressive 1t would be
an almost impossible task to count the number Of
balls discharged at this devoted fortress All of the
officers quarters were battered with seven eight
ten balls, which penetrated the whole depth of the
building. The western wall on the upper balcony
was entirely shot away. The barracks were almost
entirely destroyed. The furnace for heating hot
shot was struck four times the flag OF the Confed
crate States received three shots and the Palmetto
flag four; rather singular and peculiar circumstance
when viewed in connection with the seven COnfed-
crate States. The merons of sand bags &c, remain
unbroken.
On the outside walls we counted over one hundred
shots. Laborers we're engaged in clearing away
fallen bricks, &c II viii be necessary 10 pull down
the old walls and rebuild anew. Even the beds and
bedding in the officers quarters and the mems bar
racks were cut and torn into splinters and shreds.
Had II not been for the bomb proof shelter the loss of
life would, no doubt, have been appalling. One shell
entered the brick wall of Major Ripley's bedroom,
ran down the wall, and burst on the bureau imme-
diately over the head of the bed. Our limited time
prevented us from visiting the battery to the north
of Fort Moultrie. We learn, however, that though
many of the buildings around it had been struck
several times and fences, trees, &c, cut away, the
battery sustained no injury.
The foregoing statement relative to the
damage done by the shots from Sumter is
corrobOrated by other accounts, with the
addition that there was a great loss Of life.
The New York Tribune, Of May 9th, pub
fishes statement made by the son of
New York -four merchant, engaged in busi-
ness at Charleston, who was forced to en-
list aud was in MoultFie at the time of the
bombardment. He says there were by sew
eral hundreds too many in the fort, and no
effectual protection for one half the men,
Of the effects of the cannonading be says:
The very first shot from Fort Sumter came boom
ing into one of the port holes near which was sta
toned, dismounted the gun, and shvered the car.
riage into thousand splinters These splinters
were scattered with terrible force throughout the
fort, killing thrty-three men instantly and wound
ing many more. This was the most destructive
single shot we received, but throughout the entire
cannonading the havoc in Moultrie was terrible The
dead and dying lay about us in every direction, and
we're tamped under foot by the soldiers in their ar
duOus aboTs. We bad not surgeons enough to at.
tend to them all, and the groans OF the dying and
their peous cries for help distressing In the ex
IRENE. When Sumter finally captulated, without
losing man, thank God, the relatives Of our dead
and wounded hastened to Moultre to learn their fate
Mothers came asking for sons, sisters for brothers,
sons Tor fathers, and all told that all were we'll
that none were killed, but that confusion prevailed
and the soldiers could not be seen. That night the
bodies Of the dead were boxed up and conveyed ON
shore, where they buried in trenches In the ne
gro burrying ground. One hundred and sixty bodies
were conveyed to the burial place q small schoo-
ner, and the others by various other conveyances
On the following day, when relatives inuuiried for
those who were dead they were told that they had
gies, Every possible means was then resorted to- 10
keep the truth from being known. | myself counted
over two hundred dead bodies in Moultrie and know
that there were Others which did not see
have no means OF knowing the extent of the
slaughter at the other fOr6catiOns, but heard Incl
dentaly that 1t was serious although not so great
as at houltrie. was told that one shot at Stevens
Battery dismounted cannon and killed seven
persons.
Without inquiring as to the object of the
confederate officers In concealing their loss,
or of the reliability of the sources from
whence the conflicting statements are de-