The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-15
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

modern. artillery science. The bombardment
which commenced on Saturday, at a. m contin-
ued without cessation for even few minutes until
3 a. H. to-day. Under the terrible and destruc
tive blast of iron hail pouring with it's deadly pow
er upon our devoted forts, it was military neces-
sity to yield the position, and Yankee triumph has
to be submitted to on Morris Island Now comes
the trial of Charleston. The struggle will be such
as has not been seen in the war, and it becomes
eyery son of South Carolina to come to the rescue
and battle for her rights. The outpost has been
given up, but we still hope, under great tribula-
ton, to hold the city God protect our noble SOL
diers, who represent the cause of Independence
The city may be destroyed, but its site will be
held.
ASSAULT ON FORT SUMTER-THE YAM
ICES BADLY DEFEATED.
On Wednesday morning last, at half past II
o'clock m the enemy made bold and deter
mined effort to carry Fort Sumter by assault The
Fort was garrisoned by the Charleston Battalion
and com nanded by Major Stephen Elliott The
enemy approached in about fifty barges, and as
soon as they were seen Fort Moultrie and Battery
Bee opened upon them, simultaneously, with the
infantry in Sumter. The Yankees succeeded IN
landing portion of their forces upon the ruins,
but after fifteen minutes contest, which the omar
lesion Battalion fought chiefly with brick-ba:s and
retreated in disorder.
We captured from the assaultng party three
stands of colors, four fine barges, eighteen COM
missioned officers and one hundred and two rank
and file. The prisoners were carried to Charles
ton.
We have no casualties to report on our side, our
men having a gdod cover.
General Beauregard has refused to hold any
communication with the Yankee flag of truce boat
hereafter, until an explanation is given OF their
firing on our truce boats.
The Yankee officers captured at Fort Sumter
were naval and marine officers. We also took the
original flag of Fort Sumter which Maj. Anderson
was compelled to lower and carried of, and which
Dahlgreen had hoped to replace.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
From the Charleston Courier Sept. 9th.
The news of the assault on Fort Sumter and
the repulse of the enemy, announced "Wednesday
morning, was the subject of general congratua-
ton among our citizens. The greatest enthusiasm
was exhibited. The capture Of l Is Yankees, in
Guiding several prominent naval officers, will have
an important bearing the future progress of the
siege and the conduct of the enemy under flags OF
truce 1t will also add another to the lessons they
have learned, that however much superior to their
antagonists they are in weight of metal and force
Of projecles, the contest, whenever it comes down
10 an aCtual o. Always
the victory our banner.
The Good Book tells us that "the battle is not
always to the strong," and the Scripture was veri
fed by the events of Wednesday night Fort
Sumter was sarrsoneds by the Charleston Battal-
ion, Maj Julius A. Blake commanding, and per-
haps one or two other companies, whose names
have not learned-the whole under the command
of Major Stephen Elliot, jr, whose gallantry here
tofore has already made him familiar to all who
have watched the progress of events in this State
Throughout the fierce bombardment of the day,
they had remained silent spectators of the fight 60
ing on around them, and patiently endured the
steady Smelling from the feet. At night, however,
preparations made for the anticipated assault
Companies posted at various points within
the ruins, and with watchful eyes they commenced
their careful vigils over the time honored old pile
confded to their keeping 81"
Such was the condition Of affairs until about
halfpast l, when suddenly from the South face
there was esped advancing through the gloom,
number of barges, estimated about thirty each one,
in the language. of an eyewitness, "black with
men," The alarm was instantly given, end in
moment more Forts Moultrie, johnson and gun
boat Chicora opened fire in the direction of the ap-
proach.
The battalion lined the walls of Sumter, and as
the Federas landed on the rocks, received them
with sharp volleys of musketry, which added con-
fusion to their already 5ewlldered movements. A
strong party OF the enemy hastily gathered
and made an attempt to climb over the ruins of
the sally port, which had been torn down by the
tremendous fire Of their land batteries Our men
received them breast to breast, pelting them with
brickbats, and pouring in a scattering shower of
balls. Some holder than the others dashed
forward, and Selling Yankees, one in each hand,
dragged them by main force inside. Thus the
fight ragged for twenty or thirty minutes, when the
Federals, finding themselves overpowered, and
likely to be cut in pieces, threw down their arms,
retreated to the shelter of the walls a. 80 surren
dered. Those who remained in the boats, not
already landed, made their escape under the cover
of the night, followed, however, by the spiteful
balls of the batteries above named
Thus the engagement, brief but decisive, ceased
The remainder of the story is told in few words
On our part not hurt. On the part
of the enemy one was found killed and nineteen
wounded These We're all found lying outside of
the fort on the rocks. None of the Federals. at
any time penetrated the work until brought in as
prisoners of war. The effect of our fire on the
barges is unknown, but from the sound of CRASHING
boards and the outcries of men, as we'll as from
the fact that two three barges were subsequently,
seen floating off Morris Island it is believed that
the loss has been very great.
Our captures, besides thirteen officers and lO2
men, consist of four barges and three flags One
OF the latter compensates for all the bricks and
bullets thrown, being no less than the identical
'gridiron" carried from Fort Sumter in 1861: ex.
hTblted TO a monster mass meefinp in Neu vi