The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-25

FULL PARTICULARS OF HER ATTEMPT TO ENTER
CHARLESTON HARBoR.

CHARLESTON HARBOR.
Tss New York Evsning Post had special
correspondent on board the Star of the
West, on her last trip to Charleston Har-
Dor, from whose very interesting account of
the entire cruise, we copy SO much as relates
to the attempt to enter the harbor:
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8.
awoke at three o'clock this morning and
went Immediately to the upper deck, where
found the captain, mate, pilot and two militia
ry officers. l learned that we arrived in the
vicinity of the Charleston bar about midnight:
that all the coast-lights had been extinguished.
and that thus far it had been impossible to
find the main channel. 1t is evident from these
indications that the hospitable South Carroll.
mans do not mean that we should'go in without
q salute. ------ -----.--.....---
A light was seen off the coast, but we could
not make out what it was. A little after three
o'clock we discovered the light on Fort Sum-
ter, and with these exceptions everything was
dark. 1t was, of course, impossible to get over
the bar without the lighthouse, and so we
awaited the baeak of day.
, have never seen finer morning than the
one which dawned upon US. The sky was clear
and the moon, faint crescent of silver, had
just arisen, and the low coast looked like dense
forest of evergreen. The spires of Charleston
became visible in the approaching daylight, and
on the walls of Fort Sumter we deserted the
American flag floating in the breeze, .e
Now, about g o'clock, we see the light
house; and now, too, we discover that the
mysterious light just mentioned was that of a
steamer at our right. Now the situation of
the channel is ascertained, and we are under
way; and now the steamer at our right is
burning red and blue lights, and now she sends
up rockets. There is no installing her move.
ment; she is giving the alarm signal to Fort
Moultrie.
On we go; the soldiers are below with load
ed muskets, and the officers are ready to give
the word if there is anything to do. Now, it
is broad day light, and we are making directly
into the guns of Fort Moultrie, whose black
walls are distinctly visible. The little steamer
at our right is burning signal light aft, and
is making all possible Roadway up the harbor.
Now We discover red Palmetto flag at our
left on Morris Island, at a little village called
Cummings Point, and apparently but little
more than mile from Fort Sumter.
IT'S it possible that those fellows have got
battery off here ?" asks one.
"No," answers another; " there is no bat
terry there" rt
But there is. 1t is now qnarter past seven,
and we are about two miles from Fort Sumter
and Moultrie, which are equi-distant from US,
and, suddenly, whiZ.z! comes Tich0chet 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 proffered 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 mo-
ment 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 clean over our vessel aft,
nearly on a line with the head of sailor, but
luckily little above it. .u..
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 US.
''BoOh!' exclaims the captain; you must
give us bigger guns than that boys, or you
cannot hurt US"
On we go without needing the compliments
of our Charleston friends. Another moment
and bang! again goes the heavy gun. The ball
now strikes our ship in the fOJechains, about
two feet above the water. A seaman was
holding the lead to take soundings and the
ball 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 re-
assured, patiently takes his place and drops
the lead again.
The ball, fortunately, was to far spent to go
through the side of our vessel, although it left
an honorable scar. ... '
The battery continues to play upon us, and
q huge ball comes clean over US near the
wheel-hOuse. We are not yet within range of
the guns of Fort MOultrie, and yonder is cut
ter in tow of a steamboat, preparing to open
Ero, A onA l1, IL
be in range ofthese three batteries. The gun
ners on Morris Island are growing confident if
they get the right range they will send shot
through our side, scattering death and destruc-
ton. Moultrie, directly in front, will bring
her heavy guns to bear and will drive their
deadly missiles into our bow, while the cutter
is on our right. 2I II!3
that battery and save us? We look in vain
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 slight
est 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 near
Sumter and taking to the boats. Is it possible
that Fort Sumter has been taken by the South
CarolInians? If it has not, why does not Major
Anderson show that he will protect Us. or at
least recognize US in some way2 To 20 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 portr' shouts the captain,
and the Star of the West is turned about with
out any great loss Of time, as you may well
imagine. We turn without accident and steam
away, with the stars and stripes still floating,
and the battery still playing upon rs by way
of parting salute.
As we steam away the steamer near Moultris
having the hostile cutter in tow, steams away
into Swash channel, evidently with the inten-
ton of cutting of our retreat but she soon
ebandons the chase and we sail out, without
man killed or wounded, with our stores IN
harmed, and proceed unm0lested, probably on
eur homeward journey. lalv,-i
After the brief but exciting experience of
the morning, am prepared, without hesitation,
to concur with the captain in the opinion that
it IL very unpleasant to be fred at with hard
. cannon balls without any chance to FIRE back.
wish to say, however, that no one on board dis
played any symptoms of fear. Captain Nc
GoWsn and the pilot, Mr.. Brewer, were probs-
bly, especial marks for the Morris Island bstte-
~, since q good shot through the wheel house
would have. been most disastrous. The SOL
diers, although two-thirds Of them are recruits,
appeared to be quite Indifferent to the music,
while the officers agreed that it was scandalous
that they could not Dire back. - i8t,'
The military men on board highly compli.
H. Il