Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-03
From the Charleston Mercury, Dec. 28th

Charleston was yesterday morning thrown into state of
troops had been transferred from Fort Moutre Fort
ter. At first TIE flying rumors numerous and
contradictory that easy matter get the TRUTH
but in short time the leading facts began to be pretty well
established. 1t that Wednesday night about eight
o'clock Major Anderson and his command having spiked
the guns fred the gun carriages of Fort Moure, and
ed down the flagstaff evacuated the place. and took possess
sion of Fort Sumter instead The ladies' who had hitherto
lived III the FORT had been previously sent to Charleston
and whatever furniture ammunition and provisions that
could be moved without exciting suspicion had been quiet
Y transferred to Fort Sumter The that the deences
of Fort MOultre had been shameuy mutaed naturally
aroused great Indignation in the city. People Immediately
sought the steepes and cupOas OF the public buildings and
telescopes brought tive requston to crafty
the general curiosity Little however could be deserted
large gangs OF at work unloading the cargoes of schoon
ers into Fort Sumter
MoULTR1E.
At halfpast two O'Clock reporter visited Sullivan
Island Quetneas reigned throughout Moureve and it
not until the fort reached that he noticed any signs
of activity Here, however, change Instead of
mass OF smoking ruins the weldefned lines of the
Fortress unchanged at least in outward appearance In.
stead of utter abandonment the of the garrison
senior officer OF Engineers and six maintained posses
sion of the stronghold Instead OF gaining ready
lance, sold sentinel barred the way whist succession
of carts loaded with canister and grape cooking utensils
and cooking stoves made their devious way the lighter
IN attendance to convey the assorted cargo Fort Sum
ter 1t was easy to that the fort had been virtually
abandoned but it was not easy ascertain the full
tent Of the damage The barracks were still standing
though stripped of their furniture and deserted by the
tenants In short was plain enough evacuation
taken place. and that visitors to ANDERSON
pected leave their Sumter From the c
zens CLEANED that the had been uarred spiked
and that the small columns of smoke rising from the interior
proceeded from the burning gun carriages One
myster than the rest, stated with shak
had been undermined and that peous venture
within its walls.
The effect of the news was immediately visible in the
streets OF our city The volunteers full force
and under The Cadet Rifemen and the Palmetto
Guard, with detachment of City Police were detailed t.
aHe charge OF the Arsenal and line OF patrols esab
| lshed around the walls.
| THE OCCUPATION OF CASTLE PINCKNEY
The Rifle Battalion, under command Col. J. J. Petit
grew, assembled promptly upon the Citadel Green They
were substantially equipped in winter uniform with blank
ets knapsackS and revOvers The battalion numbered some
$50 men, and consisted of detachments the Meaghe
Guards the Carolina Light Infantry and the Washington
gven and the companies advanced in double quick time
without music towards Cooper River None of them WI
nation They embarked the steamer Nina which imme
dlatey headed for Castle Pnckney and urmse soon be
came confirmed that the destination of the command
take possession OF that fortress On nearing the fort
Der OF men were observed the wharf, one of whom
advance OF the Others was observed holding what
10 ee paper In his hand This said to have been thu
Riot Act As soon as the Nina touched the wharf tn,
ormng party who had been detailed that duty spruns
ashore and rushed round to the of the fortress Wher
the gate situated This found closed and cry fo
tormng ladders was answered by detachment bear
ing dozen or more OF them. These instantly plant
ed and under cover of the rifles the battalion the wall
were escaladed and the gates thrown open.
on enterng the tort found be tenanted only b.
an officer Engineers and small party olaborersnon
OF whom resistance. The Engineer officer wa
informed that he at liberty to eave and remove hi
personal effects and in few minutes he set out in boa
belonging to the fort accompanied by four other
| he went to Fort Mousre So 8 = : -i feo sna
The flag Of the Eiaa consisting Of white star on RET
ground was then hosed amid loud cheers and when nm
reporter left strong guard had been mounted and
for garrisoning the fortress well
Apout seven clock the tramp of detachmens from tn
aery regiments was heard and the Washington Ariille
the German Artery the Lafayette Artillery and the Mar
ion Ariery making total of two hundred and twenty
nVe men, rank and hie under command of Col Wmot {;
DeSaussure were soon embarked on board the Nina an
GeneraI Cnch, and steamed away down the harbor r.
Charles Aston, Aid to the Governor and Capt
OF the Arsenal On reaching the island these two last nam