Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-18

A. NJ, on the 9th, bat could find no guidin!
marks for the bar as the lights were al
out. We proceeded with caution, running
very slow and sounding until about A. Nj.
being then in four and halt fathoms o.
WATER when we discovered light through
the haze, which at that time covered the
horizon. Concluding that the light was OF
Fort Sumter, after getting the bearings o
it we stood TO the ). w, for the main shiI
channel, where we hove TO to await daylight
our lights having been all put out since
twelve O'Clock to avoid being seen. As the
day began to break we discoveries steamer
| just in shore of us, who, rs soon as she saw
us, burned one blue light and two red lights
as signals, and shortly after steamed over
the bar into the ship channel.
| The soldiers were now all put below, and
no one allowed on the deck except our own
crew. AS soon "a there was light enough
to see we crossed the bar and proceeded on
up the channel, (the outer bar buoy having
been taken away,) the steamer ahead of us
sending off rockets and burning lights until
after broad daylight, continuing on her
course up near two miles ahead Of us.
When we arrived at about two miles from
For Moalrie, Fort Sumter being about the
same distance, a masked battery on Morris
Island, where there was a red Palmetto flag
flying opened fire upon US, the distance be-
ing about five-eishts Oft mile. We had the
American flag flying at our flagstaff at the
time, and soon after the first shot hosted a
large American ensign at the fore. We
continued on under the fire of the battery
for over ten minutes, several of the shot going
clear over us one just passed clear of the
pilot house; another passed between the
smoke-stack and the walking beam Of the
engine another struck the ship Just abafi
the fore rigging and stove in the planking
another shot came within an ace of carry
ing away the rudder. AT the same time
there was a movement of two steamers from
near Fort Moultrie, one of them towing
schooner, q presume an armed schooner)
with the intention of cutting us off. Our
position now became rather critical, as we
had to approach Fort Moultrie TO within
of a mile before we could
keep away for Fort Sumter. A steamer
approaching us with an armed schooner in
tow, and the battery on the island firing at
us all the time, and having no cannon to
defend ourselves from the attacks of the
vessels, we concluded that 10 avoid certain
capture or destruction we would endeavor
to get to sea. Consequently we wore round
and stood down the channel the battery
firing upon US until their shot fell short. /
As it was now strong ebb tide, and the |
water having fallen some three feet we pro-
ceeded with caution, and crossed the bar
safely at fifty minutes past eight A. NJ, and |
continued on our course for this port where
we arrived this Saturday morning, after
boisterous passage. A steamer from Charles
ton followed us for about three hours, watch
ing our movements. In justice to officers
and crew of each department of the ship, | /
must add that their behavior while under
he fire of the battery reflected great credit
IN them,
Mr.. Brewer, the New York pilot, was of
'ery great assistance to me in helping to
blot the ship over Charleston bar and up
md down the channel.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
j. MCGOWAN, Captain.