Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-23

.he forces &C Fort Sumter for what the public IN
have not had hitherto, detailed account OF the
defence of the fort.
OF the preliminary negotiations we have al
ready had reports On Thursday, the llth OF
April, boat was seen approaching the work,
with Col. Ohesnut, Col. Chisholm and Capt.
Lee, Aids to Gen Beautegard. They handed
Major Anderson communication from Gen.
Beauregard, which was summons to evacuate
the fort Twas to this effect; that the Confed
crate authorities had refrained from any hostile
act against Fort Sumter. with the anticipation
that the government OF the United States would
withdraw their troops from that fort; that IL ap'
peared probable at one time that this would have
to be done, but that the authorities of the Con-
fedefate States could no longer refrain from TAX
ing possession of q post that commanded the en-
trance to one Fof their principal harbors, and
that the order to eyacuate the fort was now
made upon the following terms: The troops TO
be allowed to carry with them their arms, all
personal baggage and company property OF every
description, and that the flag which had been
maintained with 80 much fortitude might be
saluted when hauled down. Major Anderson
replied that his word of honor, and the duty he
owed to bis government, forbade his compliance
with the demand. These gentlemen then lett
the fort displaying red flag. AT ~ A. M ),
on Friday, boat containing Col. Chesnut, Capt.
Lee and Col. Roger A. Pryor, approached the
work with communication from Gen. Beaure.
gard, making inquiry as t0~what day Major
Anderson would evacuate the work, aud asking
II he would agree not to open his batteries un-
less Fort Sumter was fired upon.
After consulting his medical officer as to the
probable time the men would be able to make Ell.
fective resistance after their bread had given out,
and being told that, owing to the enthusiasm OF
the men, they c)uld probably hold out five days,
Major Anderson made written reply, stating
that he wooid evacuate the fort at noon, on the
18th, provided he did not receive supplies or
controlling instructions from his government to
the contrary; that he would not open his bate
ries unless the flag of hiacountry was fired upon
or unless some hostile intention on the part Of
the Confederate forces should be manifested.
This communication was handed to Col. Chesnut
shortly after O'Clock, when, after short con-
sultation with the officers who had accompanied
him, he handed Communication TO Maj. Ander
son, and said, ,"Gen. Beauregard will open his bat
terles in one hour from this time, sir." Maj An
derson looked at his watch and said, at is half
past three. understand you, sir, then, that
your batteries will open in an hour from this
timeP Col. Chestnut replied, "Yes, sir, in
one hour" They then retired, and at a signal
of a ehell fred from Fort Johnson at half past
o'clock, and which exploded close to the work,
the firing commenced from all the batteries.
Shells were thrown until daylight. when they
| opened their gun batteries. The firing now be.
came continuous, aud, as they got the range of
the fort, the shot and shell took effect constant
| ly, inside and outside of the work, which was
kept up without cessation the whole day. The
officers quarters were twice set on fire near the
magazine, which was, however, controlled, and
they were constantly penetrated by shot and
shell
The command of Fort Sumter consisted of
officers, "a non-commissioned officers and sol
diers, and 43 laborers. OF these, six were Oh
the surgeons report of eick The command was
divided into three reefs, of four hours each, for
service at the guns. The fret was under COM
mand of Capt. Doubleday, DR.. Crawford, and
Lieut. Snyder; the second relief was commanded
by Capt. Seymour and Lieut.. Hall. and the third
under the charge of Lieut.. Davis and Lieut.
Mead. Major Anderson, not wishing to hurry
the men, allowed them to take their time
, and firing began from Fort Sumter at II
fred by 42 FOUNDER at the battery on Cum
mings' Point. The firing was steadily main
tanned from three AZ Founders and seven 81
} Founders through tho day, Tho barhatt
1 guns were fred three times, when, from tn
number Of shells thrown upon the terreplen Q
g the parapet, and from the fact that all the flank
and faces Of the work were taken in reverse b
:, batteries which had been established by th
enemy, Maj Anderson, in order to prevent th
IS inevitable destruction of his men, withdre
them from tho barbette TO the lower tier of gun
4 In casemate Three guns bore upon the iro
Q battery and the other batteries on Cumming
Point, and seven guns on Fort Moultrie, th
iron floating battery of Capt. Hamilton and til
a;ntn hatf Gall -
day before they opened fire new battery, con
d sisting OF four heavy guns, was unmarked O
/. Sulivan's Island. In the afternoon, on accoun
8 of the scarcity of cartridges, the firing wa
slower, and in order, also, TO reserve suppl
of cartridges for the night.
J. The men not engaged at the guns were EN-
lployed in bringing up ammunition and in max
e | ing cartridge bags; flannel shirts, sheets ON
e bedding from the hospital being used for tina
d purpose.
The iron floating battery was struck sever
o teen times. One ball penetrated the roof. A
o Fort Moultrie one gun was disabled, the ROO
Q and sides of the building were penetrated b
a shot, the Flagstaff was struck and the hag
8 slightly cut twice. Pieces were cut out of thes
Gags, and sent as mementoes, by Col. RIPPLE,
o commanding the fort, to Gov. Pickens and Gel
d Beauregard
The iron battery at Cummipgs' Point WI
q struck several times, but not much impreasic
i was made. Shells were fred every fifteen mil
utes during the night from the mortar batteri
Q around. An investigation Of the work at mig
v showed the following condition:-The low,
,f classmates were unnjured, except one embrasu
i, toward Cummings Point, which had broken
4 the edges. On the barbette, several of Ii
}. guns had been injured. One had been strut
4 BY ball from Moultrie, and cracked. One q
If was dismounted; two large guns, one Of the
: q 10 inch Columbiad, had been thrown over
the recoll, from the neglect to throw them out
lgesr,
in great many places; some of these throN
from the English rided cannon in an embrasu
at Cummings Point, had penetrated the wal
TO the depth OF from 10 to l6 inches. IT
crest of the parapet had been broken in mai
= places, and some of the buildings badly iDjure
ID The officers quarters were riddled with she
10 the aoors broken shrough, aud the roofs partit
ID ly destroyed. Some Of the officers effects th
}. tcould be removed were taken at once to Il
10 casematos.
Early next morning a fragment of shell G
70 OF one Of the flag hayards but owing to the ia
:. that the remaining ha'yards took turn roui
d the top mast, the flag did not fall, and thus
II remained through the night At daylight
, Saturday morning the firing from the gun bs
le teries was resumed on Fort Sumter. The ba
81 teries of the fort were opened soon after, al
9, the firing was kept up vigorouayl until the su
ir ply of cartridges gave out IL was observe
that about three shots minute took effect 4
ls Fort Sumter. About 81 o'clock the quarte
y took fire from shell fred from Fort Moultri
VI and after the quarters took Ere hot shot zoe
IS fred from Fort Moultyie, which scattered Il
or embers and spread the conaagration.
'el a 1t was now impossible to extinguish the FIR