AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 50, 29 June 1861, Page 9

AMERICA.

FALL OF FORT SUMTER. An American steamer which arrived at Southampton on the 26th of April brings news from New York down to the 14th of April: Fort Sumter (which has been held by the troops of the Federl Government against the South Carolinians since the secession) had fallen. Major Anderson and his comrades, after a gallant struggle of some 40 hours duration, in which he sustained a heavy and continuous fire from the batteries of the Secessionists, which not only greatly damaged the fort, but also set on fire the wooden structures within it. struck his flag and surrendered to the revolutionists. The fleet of the harbour took no part in the conflict. Major Anderson and his men were conveyed to Morris Island, and subsequently Major Anderson proceeded to Charleston, Wihere he is the guest of General Beauregard. ' Despatches describe Washington as in a frantic state of excitement. Business is half suspended. The Republicans are wild with indignation, and curse the rebels. Volunteers and regulars were under arms. The President is described as being calm and composed. The announcement that hoslilities had broken out startled the public, but the te was no panic. Stocks fell, with the exception of Government securities, which were firmly held. Nothing was done in money or exchange. War was the sole topic in every circle. An extra session of the Southern Congress had been summoned. The Southern Government had called on each secession State for 3000 troops, except Florida, which was to furnish 1500. An attack on Washington was anticipated. Advices from Havannah to the 7th of April state that the southern commissioners sailed thence for Europe on tbe 6th. A Spanish squadron, with 3000 men and war material of all descriptions, had left for St. Domingo. It ia stated that an army of occupation of 7000 men would be sent from Havannah. The President of St. Domingo had" issued a proclamation officially announcing the transfer of the government to Spain. COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES, AND CAPTURE OF FORT SUMTER. Hostilities have been at length commenced. The North and the South have come into active collision, and the greatest excitement exists throughout the whole of the States. Despatches from Charleston of the 9th April were as follows : — 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 were immediately commenced suitable to the emergency. Orders were issued to the entire military force of the citj', held in reserve, to proceed to their stations without delay. Four regiments of a thousand men each have been telegraphed for from the country. Dr. Gibbes, surgeon-general, was ordered to prepare ambulances, and made 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. Hundreds of men left their beds, hurrj'ing to and fro towards their respective destinations. Hundreds of the citizens were up all night. A terrible thunderstorm prevailed until a late hour. The 17th Regiment, 800 strong, gathered thus in one hour, and left for the fortifications at three o'clock this morning. The vessels in the harbour necessary for transportation would be called into service by 12 o'clock to-day. 3000 men, in addition to those in the harbour, will be under arms. A fleet of seven United States vessels has been reported off the bar. Major Andersom displayed signal lights during the night from the walls of Fort Sumter. 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-eighths of a mile. Hundreds are here from the interior watching the progress of events. Advices from Montgomery state that offers of volunteers from the border States continue to pour in, and that tenders of 7000 men and 2000 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 25 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, tbe 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 11 o'clock last night. There were no improper demonstrations. The affairs in this city are culminating to a point. About 800 men left the city this morning for different points in the harbour: It is estimated that near 5000 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 to-morrow by near 1000 additional soldiers. The greatest enthusiasm prevails among all classes. ! " 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 to-day, and complimentary resolutions were adopted. The adjournment of the Council is expected to-morrow. No war vessels are outside, so far as known. Lieutenant Talbot and Mr. Chew returned at 11 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. Lieutenant Talbot was detained at Florence, and lost 12 hours. The 18,000 men just called out by Jeff Davis are intended for operation against the North. The Commissioners at Washington have telegraphed to Governor Pickens that war is inevitable." The news had of course, produced the greatest excitement in all the States, the Southern States especially. The following is a telegram to the New York Herald : — 41 Montgomery, April 9. — President Davis made a requisition to-day on the Governor, of Alabama for 3000 troops. The Mississippi brigade, 1800 strong, arrived at Pensacola on the 7th instant. Three hundred and seventy Georgia troops from Pensacola, have passed through here within the last 48 hours. 1 ' The following is an account of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, from the New York Herald of the 14th Xprii :— • ' I have just learnt, from an authoritative source, that no demand for the surrender was made upon Major Anderson, but simply a

demand, for evacuation. The distinction is marked in a political sense as important. 10^30 a.m. — At intervals of 20 minutes the firing was kept up all night on Fort Sumter. Major Anderson ceased firing from Fort Sumter at 3 o'clock in the evening. All night he was engaged in repairing damages and protecting the barbette guns on the top of the fort. He commenced to return fire at 7 o'clock this morning. Port Sumter appears to be greatly disabled. The battery on Cummings' Point does Fort Sumter great damage. At'- 9 o'clock this morning a dense smoke poured out from Fort Sumter. The Federal flag is at half mast, signalling distress. The shells from Fort Moultrie and the batteries on Morris Island fall into Major Anderson's stronghold thick and fast; ahd they can be seen iv their course from the Charleston Battery. The breach made in Fort Sumter is on the side opposite Cummings' Point. Two of its portholes are knocked into one, and the wall from the top is crumbling. April 13, 12 noon. — The ships in the offing appear to be quietly at anchor. They have not fired a gun yet. The entire roof of the barracks at Port Sumpter is in a vast sheet of flame. Shells from Cummings' Point and Fort Moultrie are bursting in and over Fort Sumter in quick succession. The Federal flag still waves. Major Anderson is only occupied in. putting out fire. Every shot on Fort Sumter now seems to tell heavily. The people are anxiously looking for Major Anderson to strike his flag. Two of Major Anderson's magazines have exploded. Only occasional shots are fired at him from Fort Moultrie. The Morris Island Battery is doing heavy work. It is thought that only the smaller magazines have exploded. The greatest excitement prevails. The wharves, steeples, and every available place are packed with people. The United States ships are in the offing, but have not aided Major Anderson. It is too late now to come over the bar, as the tide is ebbing. (From another Correspondent.) Charlestown, April 13, 12 noon. — Major Anderson ia hemmed in by ruins and fire. Every building in Fort Sutmer is burning. He has blown up one or two to arrest the flames. This does not in anywise diminish his strength. He has been compelled to cease firing altogether. The ships outside are supposed to inaugurate the blockade. A battery of heavy ordnance is in the process of erection on the City Battery, a fashionable promenade, where thousands are now congregated watching the battle. Major Anderson's flag has been shot away, and now waves from a pole on the ramparts. It is reported that Major Anderron is blowing up the casements seaward, with a view to escape in boats during the night. Offers have been received from Virginia of any number of men for fighting duty. EVACUATION. Charleston, via Agusta, April 13. The confederate flags float over its walls. None of the garrison or confederate troops are hurt. Another correspondent says: — " The bombarding has closed. Major Anderson has drawn down the stripes and star 3, and displays a white flag, which has been answered from the city, and a boat is on the way to Sumter." The Federal flag was again hoisted over Fort Sumter, when Porcher Miles, with o flag of truce, went to the fort. In a few minutes the Federal flag was again hauled down by Major Anderson, and a white one unfurled. Three fire companies from Charleston are now on their way to Sumter to quell the fire before it reaches the magazine. Fort Sumter has unconditionally surrendered. Ex-Senator Chesnut, ex-Governoe Manning, and W. P Miles have just landed and marched to Governor Pickens' residence, followed by a dense crowd, wild with joy. The bells are ringing out a merry peal, and our people are engaged in every demonstration of joy. It is estimated that there are 9000 men under arms on the island and in the neighbourhood. Our people sympathize with Major Anderson, but abhor those who were in the steamers of our bar and in sight of our people, and did not even attempt to reinforce him.