January 10, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
ATTEMPTED REINFORCEMENT OF FORT SUMTER.
The Star of the West is Fired Into and Driven Back.
The Citadel Cadets Fire the First Shotted Gun – The United States Flag Hauled Down – Three of the Shots Take Effect – The Steamer Puts to Sea with a Tender – What Major Anderson is going to do about it, etc., etc., etc.
The first gun of the new struggle for independence (if struggle there is to be) has been fired, and Federal power has received its first repulse.
About seven o’clock yesterday morning, our citizens were startled by the firing of heavy guns in the direction of Sullivan and Morris Islands. It was at once surmised that the steamship Star of the West, which has been reported by the special telegraphic correspondents of the MERCURY as having left New York with reinforcements and stores for Major ANDERSON, has attempted to pass the battery on Morris Island. Our reporters were immediately despatched to the entrance of the harbor, and after visiting all the fortifications now occupied by our troops, the following facts were elicited:
PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR.
Yesterday morning, shortly after [….], the sentries on Morris’s Island reported a steamship standing in the ship channel. The long roll was immediately beat, and all the troops were promptly under arms, Lieutenant Colonel J.L. BRANCH, of the Regiment of Rifles commanding. These comprised the Vigilant Rifles, Capt. TUPPER (90 men); the German Riflemen, Capt. SMALL (90 men); the Zouave Cadets, Lieut. CHICHESTER (45 men); and a detachment of 40 from the Citadel Cadet Corps. The last named body were at once marched to the battery, commanding the ship channel, which, at this point, passes within from one half to three quarters of a mile of the beach. At 7 o’clock, when the Star of the West had reached a point within range of the guns, Major STEVENS fired a shot across her bows, as a signal for her to heave to. After waiting three or four minutes, no diminution in the speed or change in the course of the steamer could be noticed. A moment after, the United States flag was run up at her foremast. The Star of the West continuing thus defiantly to pursue her course towards Fort Sumter, the order was given to the men at the Morris Island guns to open fire. Five rounds were accordingly discharged in quick succession. Two of these are reported to have taken effect, one forward and the other abaft the wheel. At the sixth discharge the Star of the West rounded to and steered outward towards the bar. At the same time, the ensign which she displayed immediately after the warning gun, was lowered. Three more shots were fired from Fort Morris and three from Fort Moultrie, one of these latter, it is thought, took effect.
A gentleman on the Island reports that after the Star of the West had cleared the bar and proceeded a considerable distance beyond, a steam propeller, of about 350 tons burthen, joined her, apparently as a tender, and they steamed off together in an E.N.E. direction.
Thus terminated the first attempt of the Federal Government to reinforce the great stronghold of coercion in our harbor. The approach of the Star of the West to Fort Sumter, taken in connection with the facts that her clearance was for New Orleans, and that her troops were smuggled aboard outside the harbor of New York, proves clearly enough that the President has chosen the coercive policy, and that his officials will not hesitate to promote its success.
THE NEGOTIATIONS.
About ten o’clock, a boat bearing a white flag came from Fort Sumter towards the city. On its arrival at the wharf it was found to contain Lieut. HALL, of the garrison of Fort Sumter, with despatches for the Governor of the State. The presence of this officer in the city, owing to the events of the morning, gave rise to considerable excitement, and speculation was rife as to the object of his visit. During his interview with the Governor the public curiosity rose to the highest pitch, but it was two o’clock before the purport of his communication was made public. When the people learned that Major ANDERSON had sent to inquire whether the firing at Morris’s Island was sanctioned by the Governor, that the Governor had replied in the affirmative, and that Major ANDERSON had thereupon signified his intention of cutting off all communication by water between the city and our forts, the expressions of indignation were deep and universal. The most active measures were immediately set on foot to strengthen the forces at the various points about the harbor, and people were everywhere discussing how the threatened affront and injury should be resented. On his return Lieut. HALL was escorted to his boat by Gen. SUBER and Lieut. GIBBES.
Thus matters stood until half past 6 o’clock, when the white flag was again seen coming from Fort Sumter. This time the communication of Major ANDERSON, brought by Lieut. TALBOT, was of a less menacing character. It briefly stated that he designed deferring for the present the course indicated in his note of the morning, until the arrival from Washington of the instructions he might receive from his Government, and asked safe conduct for his bearer of despatches. The highly interesting correspondence between Major ANDERSON and Gov. PICKENS will be found in full in another part of today’s paper, among the proceedings of the House of Representatives.