Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-04-19
Details of the Attack on Fort Sumter.

the aSS0clducu 1853 Ni0
city till yesterday, Saturday morning
consequently he lost the opportunity to
give a description of the pyroteehnic dis
play on Friday night, which was accord
ing to eye witnesses, truly grand The
terrific firing reached an awful climax at
ten o'clock at night. The heavens were
obscured by rain clouds and it was as
dark as Erebus. The guns were heard
distinctly, the wind blowing in shore
sometimes a shell would burst in mid-air
directly over Fort Sumter. Nearly all
night long all the streets were thronged
with people, full of excitement and enthu-
siasm the house tops, the battery, the
wharves, the shipping, and in fact every
available place were tken possession Of by
the multitude.
The discharges of cannon were gradually
diminished as the sun rose all the clouds
which rendered the night so dark and
dismal, disappeared as the day began to
break, while the air became most beautl-
full and balmy. The streets were filled
again with persons, male and female, old
and young, white and black; some went
to the battery, some to the wharves, and
some to the steeples of the churches. A
few random shots were fired from the con-
federate batteries, to which Fort Sumter
only replied occasionally. Soon it became
evident that Fort Sumter was on fire, and
all eyes were placed upon it. The dense
smoke that issued from it was seen grad
ually to rise to the ramparts: some sup
posed that this was merely a signal of
Major Anderson to draw in the feet and
to aid him at this time. Cummings
Point is only 1900 yards from Fort Sum-
ter, and so any one can imagine what
havoc the regular fire of the battery there
must have created. The men working
the guns made them terribly effective,
The sand redoubt was scarcely injured by
the weak fire Major Anderson kept up on
the battery. 1t was commanded by Major
Stevens of the Citadel Cadets. Under
his direction, each shell that was fired
found q destination within Fort Sumter,
and, during the entire bombardment,
scarcely one missive of this character
missed its mark.
On the other side of the harbor directly
opposite Fort Sumter is one of the strong
est sides of Fort Moultrie. During the
last three months it has been strengthen
ed by every appliance that military art
could suggest. Its marlons, meats, gla-
ces and embrazures are perfectly protect
ed. The weak walls of the fort we're made
perfectly secure for the gunners while at
work. From this point throughout the
engagement vast numbers of shot and
heavy balls were discharged. Behind
this, and near Sullivan's Island, the float
ing battery was stationed, with two sixty
four and two forty-two Founders. Its
sides of iron and palmetto logs we're i'm
penetrable. Every shot from it told on
Fort Sumter, and the feet wa in the off
ing quietly riding at anchor, and could
clearly be distinguished four vessels
were ranged in line directly over the bar,
apparently blockading the port; their
long black hulls and stacks proved them
to be federal steamers; every one anxious
waiting to see what they would do; the
suspense waS very exciting on all sides
could be heard-.'Will the vessels comein
and engage the batteries? if they do not,
they are cowardly poltroons."
2 All through Friday morning the great
est activity at all points was displayed.
Three times Major Anderson's barracks
were set on fire, and twice he succeeded
in putting out the flames, and to do this
it was necessary to employ all his force
passing along water. To get water it was
necessary for some of his men to 60 out
side of the walls and hand the buckets in
through port holes. During all which
time they were exposed to a most terrific
fire from the various batteries. This last
expedient was not resorted to until the
fort was on fire for the third time and the
flames had increased to an alarming pitch.
Meantime Major Anderson's guns were
silent. He allowed his men to be exposed
to the Calling fire from them but for a few
moments, and then ordered them in and
shut the batteries, as the smoke was too
thick to work them. At noon the flames
hurst from oyarv ouarta,r of Eoyt g,mIor