Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-18
The First ButtIe-Dcfeat OF The
United States.

Carolina:
"SIR: Two Of your batteries fired this
morning on an unarmed vessel, bearing the
flag OF my Government As | have not
been notified that war has been declared by
South Carolina against the United States,
| cannot out think this a hostile act COM
mitted without your sanction or authority.
Under that hope ! refrain from opening
fire on your batteries have the honor,
therefore, respectfully TO ask whether the
aforementioned act, one which, believe,
without parallel in the history of our coun-
try, or any other civilized Government
was committed in obedience 10 your in
structions, and notify you, if it is not
disclaimed, that l regard it as an act of war.
And | shall not after reasonable time for the
return of my messenger, permit any vessel
to pass within the range of the guns of my
fort. In order to save, as far as it is in my
power, the shedding of blood, | beg you
will take due notification Of my decision for
the good of all concerned. Hoping, how
ever, your answer may justify further
continuance of forbearance on my part.
Il remain, respectfully,
ROBERT ANDERSON"
Governor Pickens, after stating the posi-
ton of South Carolina to the United States.
says that any attempt to send United States
troops into Charleston harbor to reinforce
tae forts would be regarded as an act of
hostility, and in conclusion adds that any at
tempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Sum
ter or to retake and resume possession of
the forts within the waters of South Caro-
lina-which Major Anderson abandoned
after splking the cannon and doing other
damage-cannot but be regarded by the
authorities of the State as indicative of anv
other purpose than the coercion of the State
by the armed force of the Government. |
Special agents, therefore, have been off the
Bar to warn approaching vessels, armed and
unarmed, having troops TO reinforce Fort
Sumter aboard not TO enter the barbor
Special orders have been given the COM
manders at the forts not TO fire on such
vessels until shot across their bows sbould
warn them of the prohibition Of the State
Under these circumstances, the Star of the
West, tits understood, this morning attempt-
ed to enter harbor with troops, after HAVING
been notified she could not enter, and con-
sequently she was fired into. The act is
perfectly justified by me. In regard to your
threat about vessels in the harbor, it is only
necessary for me to say you must be the
Judge OF your responsibility. Your position
IN the harbor has been tolerated by the
authorities ofthe State and while the act
OF which you complain is in perfect consist.
ency with the rights and duties ofthe State,
1t is not perceived how far the conduct Won
propose to adopt can find parallel in the
history of any country, or be reconciled
with any other purpose than that of your
Government imposing on the State the
condition of conquered province.
F. W. PICKENs,
SECOND COMMUNICATION FROM MAI. AND
ERsoN.
To His Ercellency Coz Pickens.
SIR: have the honor to acknewledoe
the receipt of your communication, and say,
that under the circumstances, have deem
ed it proper to refer the whole matter TO nv
Government, and intend deferring the
course indicated in my note this morning
until the arrival from Washington of such
Instructions as / may receive. / have the
honor also to express the hope that no
distractions will be placed in the way. and
hat you will do me the favor of giving every
facility for the departure and return of the
bearer Lieut. 7. Talbot, who is directed
% make the journey,
ROBERT ANDERSON.
Gov. Pickens Immediately granted the
permission desired, and directed Lieut..
Talbot to have every facility and courtesy
extended to him as bearer of dispatches to
he United States Government both in 90.
ng and returning.
CHARLESTON, Dec. 10, 1860.
Lieutenant I. Talbot left Charleston la..
asst night with dispatches from Major And 4,
erson to the President Of the United States
Lieut.. Talbot goes to Washington for
urther instructions from the President A ,
party OF gentlemen entertained him at the /.
charleston Hotel previous to his departure. q
The steamer Star of the West arrived a,
New York early on Saturday morninc
bringing back in safety Tie two hundred !
rOops and four officers which embarked , j
week previous for the harbor of Charleston
and the reinforcement of Major Anderson ,
The report of Capt. MCGOWAN to the owner.
5 as follows:
STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEsT.) a
New York, Jan u, 1861.
u. y. ROBERTS, Esq. Sir-Aiter Is.y
ns The wharf on the 10Th inst, at five p.
We proceeded on down the BAY. where we |
move 10 ard took on board four officers .r5 5
NO hundred soldiers, with their arms am
hunit'en, dc, and then proceeded 10 Sea
res sing the har NJ Sa,l ~ Sea' r