April 10, 1861; The New York Herald
Highly Important Reports from Charleston. Active Military Movements of the Secessionists. Six Thousand Troops on Duty at the Batteries. Three Thousand Alabamians, Ordered Into Service, &c., &c., &c.
CHARLESTON, April 9, 1861.
At last the ball has opened.
The State authorities last night received official notification that supplies would be furnished to Anderson at any hazard–peaceably if possible, by force if necessary.
Immense preparations immediately were commenced suitable to the emergency.
Orders were issued to the entire military force of the city, held in reserve, to proceed to their stations without delay.
Four regiments of a thousand men each have been telegraphed for from the country. One of these, from Kershaw district, under command of Col. Rion, is formed with the understanding not to be called out until the fight was positively at hand.
Dr. Gibbes, Surgeon General, was ordered to prepare ambulances, and make every provision for the wounded; and in all departments were observable the admirable system and discipline with which the State is prepared for this exigency.
The community has been thrown into a fever of excitement by the discharge of seven guns from Citadel square, the signal for the assembling of all the reserves ten minutes afterwards.
Hundred of men left their beds, hurrying to and from towards their respective destinations. In the absence of sufficient armories, the corners of the streets, public squares and other convenient points formed places of meeting, and all night long the roll of the drum and the steady tramp of the military and the gallop of the cavalry resounding through the city, betokened the close proximity of the long anticipated hostilities.
The House Guard corps of old gentlemen, who occupy the position of military exempts, rode through the city, arousing the soldiers, and doing other duty required by the moment. Hundreds of the citizens were up all night.
A terrible thunder storm prevailed until a late hour, but in no wise interfered with the ardor of the soldiers–merchants, lawyers, doctors, students of divinity, clerks, mechanics and laborers joining shoulder to shoulder for common defence.
The Seventeenth regiment, eight hundred strong, gathered thus in one hour, and left for the fortifications at three o’clock this morning.
The vessels in the harbor necessary for transportation will be called into service by twelve o’clock today.
Three thousand men, in addition to those in the harbor, will be under arms.
A fleet of seven United States vessels has been reported off the bar. Major Anderson displayed signal lights during the night from the walls of Fort Sumter.
South Carolinians are anxious to meet the enemy at the point of the bayonet, rather than stand off and exchange iron compliments. The latter is a too deliberate style of fighting to suit the impetuous nature of the most desperate set of men ever brought together in a hand to hand conflict, which will be terrible.
No attempt is likely to be made upon the city. Officers acquainted with the calibre of Major Anderson’s guns say the longest shot will fall short three eights of a mile.
Hundreds are here from the interior watching the progress of events.
The calmest men in the community are those who have control of affairs, and every movement dictated by Governor Pickens, Jamison, the Secretary of War, and General Beauregard, is marked by the same prudence, ability and judgment which have thus far characterized every official act of the confederacy.
Advices from Montgomery state that offers of volunteers from the border States continue to pour in, and that tenders of seven thousand men and two thousand Indian warriors have been received from the West.
A brush at Pensacola is daily looked for.
It is believed by many here that the fight will commence at Stono, about twenty five miles southward–the batteries along the coast being attacked and silenced in turn; and that, having cleared Morris Island, on which is the last of these forts, the republican army will cross to Fort Sumter while the latter is engaging Fort Moultrie. If so, the fighting will be wicked.
Captain Talbot and R. S. Chew arrived here last night, bringing despatches from Washington stating that Fort Sumter would be supplied with provisions at any cost. The former was denied admission to Fort Sumter. Both left at eleven o’ last night. There were no improper demonstrations.
CHARLESTON, April 9–P.M.
The affairs in this city are culminating to a point.
About 800 men left the city this morning for different points in the harbor.
It is estimated that near 5,000 men are stationed at Sullivan’s and Morris’ Islands, and along the coast.
Companies are arriving from the interior, and the different forts will be further strengthened tomorrow by near one thousand additional soldiers.
The greatest enthusiasm prevails among all classes.
THE LATEST FROM CHARLESTON.
CHARLESTON, April 9 – Evening.
Everything is quiet on the surface, but there is a deep feeling. Prodigious preparations are progressing.
Senator Wigfall is serving as a common soldier.
Rifled cannon are rapidly arriving.
Secretary Jamieson delivered a farewell speech today, and complimentary resolutions were adopted. The adjournment of the Convention is expected tomorrow.
No war vessels are outside, so far as known.
Lieutenant Talbot and Mr. Chew returned at eleven P.M.
Permission was refused to visit Sumter, and also to allow a provision ship to enter the port.
The city is under arms. The surgeons are called for. Martial law is expected to be proclaimed.
Lieut. Talbot was detained at Florence and lost twelve hours.
The eighteen thousand men just called for by Jeff. Davis are intended for operation against the North.
The Commissioners at Washington have telegraphed to Governor Pickens that war in inevitable.