Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-17
THE STAR OF THE WEST AT
CHAIR ESTON

which left New York on the evening OF Sat
arday, Jan. 5th, under charter of the govern
nent, with $50 additional troops and qnan-
tity of provisions for Mai. Anderson, entered
the harbor of Charleston about daylight
Wednesday morning. The Charleston Cou-
rer of Thursday says that at about SIX
o'clock the steamer Gen. Church, on the look
out for her coming outside the harbor, dis
covered her and signalled the fact TO the
State troops on Morris island, who soon had
their batteries manned, expecting a volley |
from Fort Sumter after their first attack on |
the steamer. The Star of the West rounded |
the point of Sullivan Island Opposite Morrisl |
and took the ship channel inside the bar, pro- |
ceeding straight forward until opposite the
battery on Morris Island, from which she was
three-quarters of a mile distant A ball was
then fred from Morris Island, across the bows
of the steamer, warning her not to proceed
further. Upon this the Star Of the West dis
played the federal flag, and as soon as this
was unfurled the fortiications-Fo Moul-
trie now taking part-fred a succession of
heavy shots. The vessel continued, however,
at increased speed; but one or two Of the
shots taking effect, she concluded to retire.
Fort Moultrie fred but few shots, and those
out of range and only two of the seventeen
shots in all struck the steamer, doing but
trifing damage. The Star of the West then
put about and went to sea. At Fort Sumter
| the only demonstration made was to run the
guns out of the port holes towards Morris
Island.
At 10 o'clock the same "wednesday fore
noon a boat with a white flag, from Fort
| Sumter, arrived at the wharf in Charleston
| bringing Lieut.. n. j. Hall, who bore COM
munication from Major Anderson to Gov.
'Pickens. He repaired to the Governors
quarters, followed by large crowd OF citi-
zens, and was in secret communication with
the Governor and council for two hours At
o'clock he was escorted by the Governors
aids to his boat and returned to Fort Sumter.
| Major Anderson's communication was as fol-
| lows -
| 10 the Gorcrn0r Of South Car0iina:
SIR:-Two of your batteries, this morning,
! fred on an unarmed vessel Tearing the tiag
OF my government. As | have not been no
| flied that war has been declared by South
| Carolina against the United States, can but
| think this hostile act was committed without
| your authority. Under that hope RETAINED
| from opening a fire on your batteries re-
| specially ask whether the above mentioned
act-without parallel IN the history OF this
/ country or y.other civilized government
was-in obedience TO your Instructions; and
notify YOU II 1t IS not discldimed shall regard
| 1t as an act Of war, and shall not, after rea-
| sonable time for the return Of my messenger
permi' any vessel bearing the col0rs Of South
Carolina TO pass within range OF my guns
In ORDER TO save, as far as is in my power, the
| shedding OF blood, beg you to take due no.
tee Of my decision hoping. however, thai
your answer may justify further continuance
OF my forbearancc
| e(Signed) ROBERT ANDERSON.
To this the Governor realies and after
stating the position. of South Carolina, de.
clares that any attempt TO send government,
troops to reinforce the forts will be regarded
as an act Of hostility, and he adds that any
attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter, or to retakt
any Of the forts within the waters of Soul
| Carolina will be regarded as coercive of the
State. He says that his special agents, of
the bar, have warned vessels with troops fol
| Fort Sumter not TO enter the haTbOr, and ht
says that special ord rs have been given no
to fire upon any such vessel until shot ha
been thrown across her bows to warn Der 0
the prohibition. Under such orders anC
circumstances the Star OF the West was free
mo. The act is perfectly justified by me
The GOV ernor, in response to the threat, say
that Major Anderson must be the Judge o
his own responsibility, saying that his owl
Cumbersome position in the harbor has only
beer tolerated" He concludes by savin!
that the act proposed by Anderson cannot b,
reconclIed with any other purpose than tn
OF your governments imposing on SOUL
Carolina the condition of a conquered prov
ince.
The messenger was again returned t.
Charleston with reply from Major Ander
son, who says to Gov. Pickens that he deem
1t proper to refer the matter to his govern
ment, deferring the course indicated in III,
former note until the receipt of instruction
from Washington. He asks, therefore, 70
the safe departure and return of Lieut. Tai
bot to and from Washington. The Governor
Immediately granted every f,ciIity to Lieut.
Talbot, who left the same "wednesday even
ing for WASHINGTON with dispatches from An
derSon for the President A party of gentle
men entertained Lieut. Talbot at the bote
before his departure