The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-18

Gus light just mentioned was that of a steam
or at our right. Now the situation of tn
channel is ascertalned and We are under wav
and now the steamer at our right is burnin,
red and blue lights, and now she sends III
rockets. There is no installing her move
ments ;she is giving the alarm signal to For
Moultrie.
On We go +; the soldiers are below witt
loaded muskets, and the officers are ready Il
give the word if there is ANYTHING to do
Now it is broad daylight and We are maxim.
directly in to the guns Of Fort Moullri'
whose black walls are distinctly visible Tn
little steamer at our right is burning sigma
light att, and is making all possible headwa,
up the harbor. Now we discover red Pal
metto flag at our left on Morris island, at ;
little village called Cummings Point, and ap
parently but little more than amile from For
Sumter.
is it possible that those fellows have got a
battery off here p asks one.
No. answers another, there is no battery
there
But there is. 1t is now quarter past
seven and We are about two miles from Fort
Sumter and Moutrie, which are equally dis
tant from US, and suddenly, whiz-z comes a
richochet shot from Morris island. 1t plunges
into the water and skips along, but falls short
of our steamer. The line was forward of our
bow, and was, of course, an invitation to
stop. But We are not ready to accept the
protfered hospitality, and the captain pays no
attention to it, except to run up the stars and
stripes at the masthead-the garrison flag
mentioned before. a moment of anxious
suspense, and bang goes heavy cannon
from the same masked battery. The shot
falls short Of US a hundred yards or more,
and bounds over our vessel aft, nearly on
line with the head of sailor, but luckily a
little above it.
On We go, and-whiz-z again goes the
smaller gun first fired, and another richochet
shot skips along the water and falls short of
Boob p exclams the captain, you must
give US bigger guns than that, boys, or you
cannot hurt u.s.
On we go, without needing the compl-
ments of our Charleston friends. Another
moment and bang again goes the heavy
gun. The ball now strikes our ship in the
fore chains, about two feet above the water.
A seaman was holding the lead to take the
soundlngs, and the bail struck directly under
his feet. 1t is not surprising that, under the
circumstances, Jack was strongly inclined to
take to his heels, and he begins to scramble
up with might and main, when the captain
assures him that there is no danger, one ball
having struck So near him on the principle,
suppose, that lightning never strikes twice
in the same place. Jack, thus treasured,
patiently takes his place and drops the lead
again.
The ball, fortunately, was too far spent to
90 through the side of our vessel, although
it left an honorable scar
The battery continues to play upon us, and
huge ball comes clean over US near the
whee!-house. We are not We: within range
of the guns of Fort Moultrie, and yonder is
cutter III tow of a steamboat, preparing to
open FIRE upon US. 4 moment longer and
We shall be in range of these three batteries
The gunners on Morris island are growing
confident if they get the right range they
will send shot through our side, scattering
death and destruction. Moultrie, directly in
front, i'll bring her heavy gums to bear and
will drive the deadly missiles into our bow,
while the cutter will open on our right.
Why does not MAJ or Anderson open fire
upon that battery and save us ? We look in
voin for help the American flag flies from
Fort Sumter, and the American flag at our
bow and stern is fired upon; yet there is not
the slightest recognition Of our presence
from the fort to which We look for protection.
The unexpected battery on Morris island has
cut off all hope Of escape by running the
vessel aground gear Sumter and taking to
the boats. Is it possible that For, Sumter
has been taken by the South Carolinians p
If it has not, why does not Major Anderson
show that he will protect us, or at least rec
ognize US in some way To 60 within range
of the guns of Fort Moultrie is to expose
vessel, men and stores to almost instant de-
struction, or to capture by the enemy.
Helm out of port " shouts the captain,
and the Star of the West is turned about
without any great loss of time, as YOU may
wei! imagine. We turn without accident and
steam away with the stars and stripes still
floating, and the battery still playing upon
us by way Of a parting salute.
As We steam away, the steamer near Moul-
trie having the hostile cutter in tow steams
away into Swash channel, evidently with the
intention Of cutting off our retreat but she
soon abandons the chase and We sail out
without man killed or wounded, with our
stores Unframed and proceed unmolested,
probably on our homeward Journey.
The militar! men on board highly compli-
mcnted the South Carolinians on their shoot
ii!g. in this first attempt They say it was
well done 4; that all which was needed was a
little better range, which they probably could
have obtained in few minutes. Their line
was perfect and the opinion is expressed
that some one had charge of the guns who
understood his business.
1t is very good sport for Them remarked
one of our officers, TO shoot at US, and there
was nothing to trouble them. They had it
all their own way. But when Uncle Sam
gets man-oi-war in the channel, throwing
shells into that sandhiIl, they will learn the
difference
Two guns were employed the smaller, il
IS believed, a twelve FOUNDER, and the larger
thirty-two FOUNDER. This, however, is on
ly conjecture Whatever their size they were
we'll manned. They were fired rapidly and
with will.
One of the officers hazarded joke soon
after we left the Charleston harb"r. The
people of Charleston he remarked, pride
themselves upon their hospitality; but it ex'
ceeds my expectation. They gave US several
tails before We landed
1t is believed that if the South Carolinans
had not made mistake, We should have par
taken Of their hospitality, whatever it may
be, as prisoners. If the battery on Morris