The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-14
TIL Z G. II i 8 i s i.


rom the positions held by The troops OF South carehna
there had been too many for any use in all the forth
feafions The warke ardor Of the people mad oeen 30
number would have suffsed. AS a consequence when
the appeared be at hand for action u became abs
Iately requisite that the garrisons should be thnned
oraer 10 prevent unnecessary Slaughter.
The variety of rumofs put afoat through the Guy OF
matters in Washington increased the excitement until u
was wrought up fever heat Every one protested read
ness ON the instant TO volunteer and believe that from
this city IL, 900 could have been obtained to
embark on overtae and capture the Star
al the West Still great the excitement among
all classes there many who gave no credit 70 the
desnatch which stated that the reinforcement and sup
plies were destined for this locality. among them lon
CURED in the belief that the steamer Star OF the West
destined for Key West to garrison and provision the
rtrc6s ToTtugas and that II government runor 10
deceive the people OF the other States that she was des
tined TO Charleston Still II might be that she was
coming here and knowing the determination OF our poo
pie, gave US all intense concern ON the streets eu
TO blow her TO - If she came inside OF the par
and within the closets Of the War Department tho same
The Council OF state and the Military Advisory council
concurred in the opinion that no reniorcenents should
D. allowed and orders despatched 10 the ioftihca
Aons OF our troops TO prevent ~
All day long tho people OF the CITY waited anxously
Cor the booming of 10 announce the war begun
towards evening the suspense was narrowing. Isn't IT
dime rhe had arrived the question from every
9. No guns vet aGs the nvarabe reply '.oh, she's
not coming this port, so we may as well make
men in q hulk like the star of the West 10 such
Natteree as have On Morris Island, Fort Moutrie,
suliyans Island, Fort johnson and the rest you may
yely upon it,
In the afternoon the streets OF the city as gay as
though the time festive and indeed il ami
versary daybe stn of Januaryannversary OF General
acksons victory of New Orleans; but noticed ii
seemed 10 care for ii. Usually his is day uni
versaly celebrated here, bnt yesterday 1t passed by
unnoticed. QtbeT Thoughts excited and rivetsd public
AT ntion. u was day long TO be remembered
Ill EAGER For IHH FRAY,
King street ms you know Is the principal retail tas
meas locality of Charleston and serves general pro
menadng ground during the afternoon Yesterday even
ing early after dinner 1t perfectly thronged with
people Ladies crowded the sidewalks and auxiously
discussed the exciting news the men. The streets
were thronged with military uniforms though by fur the
larger number OF soldiers other distinguishing
mark than pair of crossbelts, knspsack and bayonet
These some of the country soldiers that locked
into the city during the forenoon l suppose not less
than five hundred Of these raw recruits arrived during
The day from the uplands. Most Of them wore the
rough uncouh appearance Of countymen and appeared
70 be the subjects of no little mrth to the women. All
them, however, appeared to TO be OF the right
stripe. They seemed literally to be "spoiDg for 4
sight,
/ three companies Of them, numbering over three
hundred men altogether, drilling recruits the Ca-
del Green, and more sturdy looking Of fellows
never came across NO one seemed ever to have known
sickness or 10 have done anything else than cat hoppn
)ohn, y rice and grist.
The Green itself presented lively aspect than
nave it assume Besides the recruits there
review two artillery companies from the fort
numbering about hundred and fifty men, with four
teen pieces of ordnance portion Of the Ctade Cadets
date vicinity OF the school was numbered up with fifteen
o twenty pieces Of heavy ordnance, gun carriages, &C.
ec ready for transportation and use.
EXPECTED CONFLICT
AS night came on expectation of conflict grew apacc
md, possible, the excitement became Intensified,
that, ne the shades of evening advanced, every
Thought certain now was the time Every noise that
sounded like tho distant rumble Of artillery the boom
ing Of heavy guns brought people up all standing Tn
able 70 endure this suspense in the house longer started
"a t,e wharf, after hearing, in imagination, what
ight 10 he i've distinct shots walked upon the
longest wharf could ind, and peeped through
hazy darkness but all was STILL and signs u conflict
appeared.
From the quarters occupied by fortieto bright
lights were shining out as signals, but sumter
Eebus. To the right three glimmerng bcacons
shed their rays UPON the calm dark front the
hgh OF Castle finckney shed bright glare No sound
strrcd-not oven the regular humping of oars was
caught by the one by one watched the lghts 20
rut and reappear in such 70 indicate thu, they
used as signals. In this manner bali hour pass
ed ami afterwards when had reign supreme
III quarters, concluded that there wond y light
II least this time, AMI so made up my mini for
Portable nights rest and await the issue the day.
the FIGHT COMMENCED.
Excited as we were over night, you can wen imagine
how much more ~ we're tins morning when avs Ken.
I'd from slumber by the booming Of nj ,ilery.
People rushed from their HOUSES ~ the iest conf-
sion. rhrongs poured along the streets and lined the
whTvcs 20 ascertain the Of alarm. s7ny
general engagement All confidently anticipated that f
the star o the West Lad attempted entrance every Dat
tory possession ~ south Caroline troops would open
upon her and that Fort sumter would Immediately
sut her and throw heavy shot into them in return,
but this did not occur.
u took no great time 70 nl out that Tie discharge n
ordnance induced - the appearance OF the vessel
WI troops for sumter. Nothing, however, could be
1Ni.Acd 10 SATISFY the curiosity o. the people What
hal been done. The guns firing though sumter p
peared 70 be quiet From tn wharves 10 tho battery,
commanding good view 81 ne harbor, the crowd II
people lined every available Pot, and ali sorts
Found currency among them sumo said that the
had been captured others to' she hal sunk srk
iog. Many had reliable Information thu thirty soldiers
had been killed board by the shot from Morris Island,
and others had il that shc was prize IN haf nonr
immense number VI people The battery peer
ing into the horizon FOR signs u conflict spy glasses
requsition, but they must have been quite
rlousl constructed something the Kaleidoscope STYLE
for the observers such strange and totally different
sights. some clearly vessel Ia The 0ling, with
sa boats lowered and loaded it'll men about 10 effect
landing and take the battery Morris Island la the
Others thought the steamer sinking specula-
ton ensued as TO what would be done with the troops il
they should take to tho boats Thus things passed
certainty until eight O'Clock something hour and
haI after the commencement Of hostilities
PARTICULARS oY ATTACK.
was then learned upon accurate authority that about
half past six O'Clock A. NJ the steamer star Of the West
hove N sight Of the troops the lookout at Morris
Island. The tugboat General Clinch, which had been
the watch for her arrival had reported the stranger
In the ofng half an hour before she The
Tcvee beaten and the four companies Of men at the
tnuenehment promptly spra2s TO their posts The guns
were manned and double shotted.
As the steamer appeared abreast Of the work
sent athwart her bows, signify that she must
bring to and surrender Without obeyng the laundering
invitation the steamer kept with increased speed,
giving no other sign Of noticing the act than by hosting
the coors OF the federal republic The word Of command
given to tire, and volley directed into the ship
Five, six seven We're fred at her Of which only
two, certainly, took ,n,g one struck .ile forward
part Of the vessel the ether about the wheel house.
At this time the batteries 81 Fort Moultro opened upon
tie steamer and nome ten shots were hrcd. None Of
them took eject because the vessel entirely of
renge OF the gums o sui vans Island.
The position e the steamer at this time was directly
opposite the battery Morris Island, about three quar-
4 r. Of a mile out Her distance abou, nile from
Sumter and three from Moultric and they have yet
no guns mounted that bear upon this direction that
all ire from Sulivans Island waste of powder
II has not tra Inspired yet what damage done the
steamer, though Il could have been much, because
ehc soon rounded and put sea a. fast as she
could travel and that The last seen Of her these
p6rts
TIM uAG of TRrCE.
Al about eleven O'clock, after tho excitement in the
city lad somewhat quoted down. boat with a fac If
sent from sumter 70 Charleston. Il contained
oiCer dressed fun United states uniform OF art
ry service who landed ovcos wharf and attempted
TO proceed Immediately 10 tn Governor lie gave his
rans - Lieutenant U Of tn United states artillery
rer d dispatches undar lag Il truce and Inn
NJ lately escorted by SELF instituted guard Of cz,us
- IIalI nra