Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-18
From Charleston.

hand from that point:
About Gl o'clock Wednesday morning
the steamer Gen. Clinch discovered the stea-
mer Star of the West approaching the en-
trance to the hirbor, and signalled the tact
to the occupants of the battery on Morris
Island.
AS soon as the approach of the steamer
was signalled, Morris Island was astir with
men. aud all were at their posts before the
orders were given. All remained in anx-
ious suspense for some time. ready for what
they believed was sure to come-a volley
from Fort Sumpter.
After awhile the Star of the West round
ed the point and took the ship channel in
side the tar and proceeded straight forward
until opposite Morris Island, at point a.
bout three fourths of mile from the battery.
a ball was now fred athwart the bows of
the steamer, when the Star of the West dis
played the stars and stripes. AS soon as
her flag was unfurled the forti6cation fired
a succession of heavy shots, but the vessel
continued onward with increased speed, but
one OR two taking effect, she at length con-
cludcd to retire.
Fort Moultrie fired few shots, but the stea-
mer was out of range. The damage done to
the steamer is supposed to be triaing, only two
out of the seventeen shots fired at her taking
effect There is of course no means Of know
ing the extent Of the damage done to the
steamer.
Fort Sumpter made no demonstration,
except that the guns bearing on Morris Is
land and Fort Moultrie were run out Of the
port holes.
About II o'clock boat from Fort Stump
ter, bearing Lieut.. Hall, with a white flag,
approached the city, and on landing the
Lieutenant had an interview with GOV.
Pickens, and afterwards was escorted to his
boat and le- embarked for Fort Sumpter.
The communication from Major Ander-
son to the Governor is as follows:
MAJOR ANDERSON TO GOV. PfcKENs.
FogT SUMprER, Jan 8, 1851.
To HIS E.Ccetleacy.
the Gouernor Of S. Carolina:
SIR: Two of your batteries fired THIS
morning on au unarmed vessel bearing the
flag of nay government. am not notified
that war has been declared by South Caro-
lima against the United States. anc | cannot
but think that this hostile act has been COM
mitted without your sanction or authority.
Under that hope | refrain from opening IRE
on your batteries.
have the honor, therefore, respectfully
to ask whether the above mentloned act
one believe without a parallel III the his
tory Of our country or any other civilized
observation-disclosures committed in obedience
t. your instructions? | notify you if the
act is not disclalned, that shall regard it
as ala act of war. and shall not after a rea-
sonable time allowed for the return Of my
messenger, permit Any vessel to pass with
in range of the guns Of my fort.
In order to save, as far as is In my pow
er, the shedding of blood, beg you will
have due notification of my decision glven
to all concerned
Hoping, however, that your answer may
justify further continuance of forbearaHce
on my part, am yours, respectfully,
Robert ANDERSON.
Major Anderson, on receiving reply to
the above from Gov. Pickens, addressed
Kim as follows:
FoKr SuMpTER, JAN 8, 1861.
To HIS ErceNency Goo. Pachens:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication, and to
say that, under the circumstances, have
deemed it proper to refer the whole matter
to NV government, aud intend deferrlng
the course indicated in my note of this moru-
ing until the arrival from Washington OF
the instructions | may receive.
have the honor also to express the hope
that no Instructions will be placed in ny
way, and that you will do me the favor Of
giving every facility for the departure and
return of the bearer, Lieut., T. Talbot, wko
is directed to make the journey to Washing
ton. r, ANDERSON.
Governor pckens Immediately granted
the permission desired, aud directed that
every facility and courtesy be extended to
the bearer Of dispatches Qieut. Talbot Tor
his government going aud returning.
Lieutenant Talbos left Charleston late
last night with dispatches from Major An
derson to the President. He goes to Wash
ington for instructions from the President
A party of gentlemen entertained him at
the Charleston Hotel before he left.
The affair produced some excitement here
but all is now tranquil.
WASHINGTON, Jan 15.-Dispatches re-
ceivea in Southern circles say that Georgia
will pass an ordinance of secession by Sat-
urday. That in the happening of this event.
delegates from South Carolina, Alabama,
Florida, Mississippi and Georgia will repair
to Milledgeyille to institute provisional
government and elect President and Vice
President pro tempore, besides providing
for organizing a federal army and other de-
fensve measures. Ministers will at once be
dispatched to foreign powers to negotiate
,treatles
The conduct Of Capt Armstrong. in sur
rendering Pensacola navy-yara to the revo-
iutionists, is strongly disapproved by the
administration For several months the
workmen there have not been paid, and
have been subsisting on government rations
RocEsrER. Jan II, 1861 Rev. Mr.
May, Susan B. Anthony, and others of that
stripe attempted to hold a .saeetlpg here to-
night twas broken up by citizens, and
resolutions in favor of the Union were pass-
ed and cheers given for General Scott and
Major Anderson. A flag bearing the in
scripton. ''No compromise with slavery"
was not allowed to be SUSPENDED across Buff.