The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-14

o5eer., To- Band, IS Arnlerists, IS; Total, 80.
The authorities Of South Carolina
we're highly indignant Under the
coward policy of Buchanan they al
ready looked on the fort as their own,
and were aroused by this unexpected
symptom of resistance. Preparations
were promptly made for the reduction
of the fort, and negotiations opened
for its surrender, which was formally
demanded by Governor Pickens. On
the iilth day Of January, Msjor Ander-
son replied "he had no power to Gem
ply with such rdemAnd.@ That very
day an envoy, J. W. Hayne, was des-
patched to the President to demand its
transfer, with an agreement to account
for it in any future settlement between
the United States and South Carolina.
His demand was delayed at the in
stance of certain Senators, but when
made was declined, and the question Of
attacking the fort was finally referred
to the Confederate Congress.
On the LIST of March, Msjor Ander-
son announced to the War Department
his belief that the fort would be at
tackled, but in the meanwhile he ex-
hausted the ingenuity of himself and
brother officers in preparing itfor de-
fence The enemy was busy erecting
batteries and mounting guns for the
final struggle, and on the llth of April,
Gen. Beauregard, under instructions,
demanded sts evacuation, which was
declined; but the formal declara-
ton was accompanied with a YER
bal statement Of the deficiency Of
provisions. Whereupon Gen. Beaure-
guard. sent another letter to Major
Anderson, expressing his wish to avoid
the useless effusion Of blood, and an
nouncing that no FIRE would be opened
if he would state the time when he
would leave without using his guns
against the rebelA Gen. Anderson in
reply agreed to evacuate by noon Of
the 18th, If not otherwise ordered BY
instructions, bat in less than an hour
was notified that fire would be opened
in an hours time, and accordingly the
frst gun was fred on the 18th Of April,
at halfpast four in the morning The
first shot was a shell from the howitzer
battery on James Island. 1t was fol-
lowed by discharge from Fort Moul>
trie, the Cummings Point battery, and
Others in succession. Meanwhile the
fort was silent. But as the. day dawn
ed more fully the stars and stripes
were discovered floating proudly from
the threatened fortress. The men
quietly took their breakfast in the fort
They we're divided into three reiiefs
the first, under command Of Captain
Doubleday ana lieutenant Snyder,
opened fire shortly after six, and 50
great was the enthusiasm of the men
that those attached to TIE other reliels
could not Be prevented from giving
their aid sThe firing was Kept up with
great energy on both sides all day and
night, though the FIRE Of sumter slack.
enea for want Of cartridges. Thrice
the barracks were set or, fire, but the
flames were extinguished on Saturday
morning
The last rice was cooked In Fort Sum
hter with pork, the only article Of food
that remained The enemy we're evi-
ldsntly firing hotshot,- and the officers
Quarters were in flames, aud speedily
threatened the magazine, which had Z
be closed amer but Efty barrels Of pow
der we're got ont. The enemy increas
ed the rapidity Of their firing and soor
the whole. range Of officers quarters
wersin asnaee, aad the men could only
breathe BY lying on the ground and
covering their faces with their cloths
Pastof the powder was 20 be thrown
awsy, the cartridges we're 50 nearly ex-
hsusted that but one gun Vas 6red
I every ten minutes When Senate.
Wigfall, Of Texas, raAGis his appearsnci
in the Fort, himself put out the white
Gag and urged = surrender, - egery
. thing haa bsea done that wss possible
. and Major Andersen snally hgresd I.
surrender on the terms he had prcdsr
! ed on the lib. Shortly after, three 0
: Bssufegzrd aids arrived in boai
snd disclsimed any responsibility f.
wisfalls sesion, bus agsssd % rspor
; 70 their chief On she conditions Whiel