The Cecil Whig., 1861-01-05
The EiirrinE Eyents in Charleston.

The news Of the evacuation of Fort Mnu.-
trie, and the occupation Of Fort Sumptcr by
Major Anderson. on the night Of Wednesday
the 9Th ult., as given by the city papc!s of
Friday week, created an intense excitement
throughout the eurire country. With the
events that rapidly followed the gallant con-
duct Of Major AndcrSon,-th seizure Of Fort
iIoulttie and Castle Plnkncy by the South
Carolin;ans; the occupation by tie Military
of that State of the L. S. Arsenal in Charles.
ton; the organization of large bodies Of S,
Carolina Military. the disagreement occa-
stoned in the Cabinet at Washington on ac-
count of Ma nr Anderson's course, and the
consequent retirement OF the Secretary Of
war with these stirring events, indicative
Of the dangerous tendencies of the times,
continual terlnent has been kept up this week
and bluze of excitement spread over the
country unequaled since the events of the
last war with Great Britain.
We give below, somewhat condensed, an
account of the proceedings in reference to the
forts, as copied hy the BALTIC. Sun from the
Charleston papers Of Deer. 25h.
THE EVENTS OF YESTERDAY.
Charleston was yesterday morning thrown
into state of,xcitement, by the news that
the United States troops had been transferred
from Fort Muultrlc to Fort Sumpter. At first
the ily ing rnInorS were SO numerous and so
contradictory that ii was no easy matter to
get the truth: but in a short time the leading
facts began to he pretty well established. 1t
seems that ON Wednesday night, about eight
O'Clock, Major Anderson and his Command
having spiked the guns fired the gun ca,ri.
agrss ct Fort Mnullric, and sawed down the
flag staff evacuated the place, and took pos
session of Fort Sumpt-r il stead. The lade<
who had hitherto lived in the fort had le,n
previously sent to Charleston, and whatever
furniture, ammunition and provisions that
could bs moved without exciting suspicion,
had been quietly transferred to Fort Sumptcr.
The report that the dcfcnces of Font Moul,iv.
had been so shamlully mutilat,d. naturally
aroused great Indignation in the city. pco
pie immediately sought the sttcples and
culolas Of the public buildings, and tcle-
scopes were brought into active rcqusiion,
to crafty the g.neiaI curiosity. Lille.
however, could he described beyond dense
smoke issuing from within the ramparts, and
large gangs of men at work unloading The
cargoes OF schooners into Fort Sunptcr.
The cftct of the news was imnedia ely
visible in the streets Of our city The volun-
Ieers were out in full force and under AIMS.
The Cadet Rtlemen and the Palmetto Guard,
with detachment of city police, were de.
tailed to take charge of the arsenal. and a
line of patrol was established around the
walls.
THE OCCUPATION OF CASTLE PINCKNEY.
The rifle battalion. under command orCol
j. j. Petisrew. assembled promptly upon
the Citadel Green. They were substantially
equipped in winter uniform. with blankets.
knarsacks and 1evolvcrs. The battalion
murdered some $50 men, and consisted Of
detachmcnts from the Acaghcr Guards the
Carolina Light Infantry and the Washington
Light Infantry. Shortly after four O'Clock
the word was given, and the companies ad-
vanced in double quick time, without music,
toward Cooper river. None of them, we be-
lleve, excepting the off :ers, were aware of
their destination. They embarked Oh the
steamer Nina, which Immediately headed for
Castle Pinckney, and the surmise soon be-
came confirmed that the destination of the
command was to take possession ofthat for
trcss. On nearing the fort, number OF men
Were. observed on the wharf, one of whom, in
advance oi the others. was observed holding
what appeared to be paper in his hand. -
This was said to have hrcn the riot act
As soon as the Nina touched the wharf
the stoiming party who had been detailed for
that duty, sprung ashore and rushed round
to the rear of the fortress. where the gate is
situated. This was found closed, and cry
for S!ornirg ladders was soon answered hy
detachment beariug dozen or more of
them. These were instantly planted, and
under cover of the rifles of tho battalion. the
walls were cscaladed and the gates thrown
open.
Cn entering the fort it was found to be ten
antcd only BY an officer of engineers ard a
small party of flaboTers-none of whom made
any resistance. The engineer officer was in
formed that he was at liberty to leave, and
remove his persona! effects, and in few
minutes he set out in boat belonging to the
fort, accompanied by four other men. From
the direction in which he steered, it is sup
posed that he went to Fort Moutre
The flag Of the Nina, consisting of white
star on red ground, was then hoistcd amid
loud cheers: and when our reporter left u
strong guard had been mounted, and prepara
tions for garlisonng the fortress were well ad-
vanced.
About seven o'clock the tramp of dvtach-
meht from the artillery regiments was heard,
and the Washington Artillery the German
Artillery, the Lafayette Artillery, and the
Marion Artillery, making total of 225 men,
rank and file, under command Of Col. Viii.
mot &. DeSaussure, were soon embarked on
board the Nina and General Ciinch, and
steamed away down the la, Dor toward Sui
livan's Island. Among those on board ere
Col. Charlts Aston, Aid to the Governor,
and Captain IIumphries, Of the Arsenal.
TIE OCCUPATION OF FORT MoULURiE BY SOUTH
CAROLINA TROOPS.
At twenty minutes to eight o'clock the
troops on board the Nina and Gen Clinch
landed on the wharf of Sullivan s Island. -
Rapidly forming they proceeded. un der the
command Of Col. De. Saussure, towards the
walls Of fort Moultre. A sergeant and ten
men held possession Of the place. On the
approach Of Col De Saussure's command the
detachment of United States troops retired
without offering any resistance.
The gates were not closed. even. and fort v
Minutes after the steamer touched the wharf
the Palmetto flag, mouuted on hastily pre-
pared flagstaff. las the original one had been
cut away.) was flung to the breeze amid the
huzzas ofthe occupants. Active preparations
were Immediately commenced to render the
place delensble. The spiked guns and those