The New York Herald Newspaper, December 28, 1860, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 8877. Exciting News from the’ Re- public of South Carclina. Major Anderson Abandons Fort Moultrie and Spikes the Guns. Most of the United States Troops Retire to Fort Sumpter, in the Harbor. IMMENSE STRENGTH OF THAT FORT. Great Excitement in Charleston en “the Subject. The Convention in Secret Session. THE STATE MILITIA ORDERED OUT. Volunteers from Georgia and Alabama, Indignation of the Sonth Carolina Coomis- sioners ip Washington. . SPECIAL MEETINGS OF -THE CABINET. MAJOR ANDERSON DISOBEYS HIS ORDERS. Sketch of the Revolution in South Carolina, &e., &o., ‘The nows from Charleston yesterday was of a mort * exeiting character, and, until the details were received, @reated no iittle alarm throughout the city, as the Orst @ospatehes led people to believe that a collition had taken place between the population of @harieston and the United States troops garrisoning Fort Moultrie, and that we were actually at war with the independent State of ‘South Carolina. ‘The facts, however, chow that Major Anderson, who eommands Fort Moultrie, knowing the position to be un- tenadle, eVacnated it and took possession of Fort Sumpter, ‘en almost impregnable post, where, in the event of au attack” upon United States property, he would be enabled to defend it against great odds. Before Jeaving Fort Moultrie Major Anderson spiked the guns and wet fre to the gun carriages; and this latter action no doubt led to the report that the whole fort was in fames, Jeaving the inference that it had been taken by the pope ‘age, and the garrison driven out. This, however, is no the fact. Anderson withdrew for strategic purposes; for it is known that General Scott expressed tho opinion tha Fort Moultrie could not be held against a resolute attack for twenty-four hours, but that Sumpter was the strongest fort of ‘ita size in the world, and could only be taken by starving out the garrison. In this opinion the most experienced military officers in the coun- try coincide. It is conceded that it would require a con. tinuous bombardment of six mouths with guns of the beaviest metal to destroy Fort Sumpter, and then it could only be done, if at all, by chipping off the masonry piece by piece. This fort, moreover, commands the entire city and harbor of Charleston, as wellas Fort Moultrie itecif; ‘being built on an island in the middle of the channel, ‘ cap easily be relieved from the sea. Thus it will be seen ‘that the evacuation of a weak and comparatively worth- jess position for a stronger one was & wise military mevement. It was rumored that a train was laid by Major Anderson before leaving the Fort to blow it up; but that ‘was pot believed. Captain Foster, with «small force, etill remains there, ‘Ft will be seen, from the description which we give bo- jow of the twoforts and the harbor of Charleston, that, with Fort Sampter in the bands of the United States troops, Fort Movitrie would be @ very weak point for the South Carolinians, whose intention it was to seize the former before attacking the latter. But before entering upon a history @ the defences, let us give a brief sketch of the secession movement in South Carolina, which led to ber separation from the Union, and which bas brought these defences into such prominent notoriety. oa 1 WE REVOLUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA. ‘Thy, Seate of Sonth Carolina, for over thirty years, has been the victim of periodical attacks of disunion, and more than once since the time when Jackson, with the federal army and navy at his back, and Clay with his acute , Settled the nullification difficulty in 1832, she has threatened to secede. So often, indeed, hos she raised the cry of “ wolf’ that when the wolf really came, om tho 20th of this month, and the seoes- sion ordinance was framed, people hardly believed it, and teey even now doubt that she means to stay Out of the confederacy. But unfortunately the ocgravating abolition agitation in the North, which for the Inet quarter of a century has been in in- tensity ond violenes, forced many other Southern States int sympathy with the pioneer of secession, until the fcelicg of mustrost in the safety of Southern rights and yreperty se pervaded the whole South, that an absolute severance from the fanatical North seemed to be the only uarantee for the existence of Southern institutions upon whieh the very life of the fifteen Southern States depend. ed. We will not stop now to consider the course of action ly which this opinion was bronght about; it is enough to now that it existe at the present hour to an extent alarm ing to contemplate, and to poimt to the history of the antlelovery societies for thirty years back, and to the language of black republican leaders and newspapers for the preceding four or five years, to indicate the cause. The election of Lincoln in November was immediately foilowed by an intense excitement all through the South, and presented to South Carolina and the extremists of all Le Southern States strong grounds for secession from the Union, Sooth Carolina—always in the vao—whether up ‘on her own motion, or by an understanding with the ul ‘tra men of the Gulf and cotton States, took the initiative | end proclaimed her intention to secede, ‘The Legislature of the State called a popular Convention hes setion upon the question. The people, alive to he emergency, at once elected delegates, and the 17th of Jiccember was fixed upon for the Convention to meet at Colombia, the State capfal. The Convention met on that ae. PLAN ANE TM) OP THE PORTS AND HARBOR OF CUARLEN7OY, SOUTH CAROLINA. MORNI NG EDITION—FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1360, Plan of the Harbor of Charleston, Showing the Forts, City and Suburbs. 6B yonserox PORT SUMTER. JAMES ISLA YORT MOULTRIE, ttle accustomed to the duties of presiding over a like this not to feel my want of ‘ealtacution pant ef tion you lave arsi me; and I have been drawn from deliberative bodies that “2 a B question of seceamion. Colonel Pickens, the new Governor of the State, whose opinions in fuvor of secession were well known, was that day inaugurated, and the Legislature, which was then in session, transmitted an invitation to the members of the Convention to be present at the ceremony. The smallpox was then raging in an epidemic form at Columbia, and in consequence the Convention removed its sittings to Charles- ton, where the members arrived on the 18th inst., and were received with military honors. Proceeding to In- stitute Hall, now named Secession Hall, the business of the Convention was resumed. Important debates, upon the future course of the State after an independent position was assumed, occupied that day and the next—all of which have been published in the Hxnaip. Therefore it is unnecessary to refer to them in detail here. Committees were appointed on Relations with the Slaveholding States of North America, on Foreign Relations, on Commercial Relations, on the Constitution of the State. A resolution was also passed to ascertain what proper- lw the United States claims the ownership of in South Carolina, Low it was acquired, and whether the claim can be enforced after South Carolina shall have seceded. The resolution also calls for imfurmation as to the value of such other property as the United States may possess, and the yalue of the share to which 2th Carolina ld be entitied om an equitable divirion. ‘On the following day the vital question of secession from the confederacy of the United States came up, and on the 20th day of December the Convention unanimously voted” in favor of withdrawing from the Union. The following ordinance was adopted by the votes of the entire 160 members, and its passage was welcomed! with wemen- dous applanse AS ORDINANCE TO DISKOLTE THE UNION BETWEEN THE TATE OF SOUTH CAROTINA AND OTHER STATES UNITED WITH HER UNDER THE COMPACT EXTITLED THE CONETTITOTION OF CHE Carn ST ATER OF AMERICA. We, the people of South Carolina, in Convention assem. bled, tie declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by us in convention, on the $id day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788) the const itntion of the United States of America, was ratified, and also all acta and parts of acts of tho General Assembly of this State ratifying amendments of ‘Vbe said constitution, are hereby repealed, and that the Union now eubristing between Sooth Carolina and other States, under the name of the United States of America is hereby dissolved. When intelligence of the event reached the leading South. erneities ii was received with immense cnthusiaem. Guus were fired, processions turned ont, fires were lighted and the otmest foror was exhibited. In Charleston, on the following night, there was « grand procession of Minute Men, and several thousand citizens, strangers, dremen and military were in line, with music, banners, trane- parencies and reflectors. The procession formed in front of Secession Hall and proceeded to the Midis Hone to se. remade Governor Mekens, and subsequently to Wm. 1D. Porcher, President of the Senate; General Simmons, Speaker of the Houte; General Jamison, President of the Convention, and Mayor Macbeth, who acknowledged their thanks and compliments, The Palmetto flag was borne in front of the procession. The city was alive with ex: itement, and a Dumber of residences, newspaper establishments and other public buildings were il laminated. ‘The effect produced in Washington was not very do- ‘monstrative, but it was nevertheless intense. The dele- gation from South Carolina retired from their seats in Congress and bade adieu to their friends. Meantime the Convention continued, and still continues, its sessions. Tt adopted the Declaration of Immediate Causes which In- duced and Justified the Secession of South Carolina from the Union. Waiving the repetition of the causes in the past, she declares to the remaining States and na- tions of the world the immodiate canses whieh Ind to the net, The declaration refers to the causes which led t the reparation from England, and the declaration of the colonies that they are free and independent States. In pursuance of this declaration, thirteen States proceeded to exercise separate sovereignty. Subsequently they en- tered into a leagne by the Articles of Confederation, but retaining their sovereignty. Under this declaration the war of the Revolution was fought, at the close of which Rng- Jand acknowledged them free, sovereign and j.dependent States. Subsequently the Union was formed, limited to the words of the grant. The declaration declares that ‘Many of the States have violated the compact in letter and apirit, which consequently absolves tho reet from the Obligations of the Union. It refers to the States which ‘violated the fourth article of tho constitation, and saya bone of them have complied with the stipulations of the constitution; consequentiy South Oaroiina is »bsolved from obligation. After detailing the many causes, it thus oon. ition among the nations of the world as a it Slate, with full power to levy war, peace, contract alliances, estab! commerce, other acts and things which right do. For the future government of the new independent ‘State the following ordinance was passed — cember asc nes few lave 1860, and thence con- tinned, by adjournment, to Charleston, and there by di- vers adjournments to the 26th day of Decomber, the same Somaxance ‘TO MAKE PROVISIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE | ni fe E ag ve i #8 jt £ Firt—That all citizens of this Statg who, at tho date of the ordinance of secession, were holding office pace g Re ne A a ment of the Onited States,’ within the limite of South Carolina, be and they are hereby to hold, under ee ae without any connection whatever ‘with the federal govern- ment of the United States, the same offices they now fill, until otherwise directed, and that they receive ag which they act, or style of documents issued by pO them, sbail be in the name of the State of South Garolina Sizth— All moneys hereafter collected by any officers aforesaid eball, after deducting the sums necessary for the compensation of the officers and other ex , be paid into the Treasury of the State of South Olina, for the use of anid State, eubject to the order of this Convention, or of the General Assembly. Seventh—The officers aforesaid shall retain in their bande all property of the United States in their poasce. sion, custody or control, subject to the disposal of the Stat’, who will account for the same upon a final settle. ment with the government of th® United ; Done at the 26th day of December, in the Year of our Lord 1860. D. F. JAMISON , President. B. F. Awruvn, Gerk. Governor Pickens immediately issued a proclamation Proclaiming to the world that South Carolina is and has a Tight to be a separate, sovereign, free and independent State, and, as such, basa right to levy war, conclude Peace, negotiate treatios, leagues or covenants, and do all acte whatever that rightly appertain toa free and in. dependent State The Legislature changed the name of the “Com mittee on Federal Relations’ to that of the “Com. mittee on Foreign Relations,’ thus declaring the United States a foreign Power. Three Commissioners Mesere. Barnwell, Adams and Orr—were appointed by the Convention to proceed to Washington and wait on the President of the Ueited States on the part of South Carolina, for the conveyamse of the mails, the recog- nition of her independence, the surrender of the fortifl, cations, the eetablisht: nt of treaties of amity and com- merece, and other important monsures. These gontlemen arrived in Washington on Wednesday night, and were to have had an interview with Mr. Buchanan yesterday. ‘Thus South Carolina has seceded from the Union. The other States which are expected to follow her example will hold their Conventions on the following days: — Florida. . Janaary Alabame: January $ Mineissipp! January 7 Poetiens: daneaty se ‘Texas Sonunry 28 A special seasion of the I/giniatures cach of V rginin and Tennesnes, in reference to 4 State Convention, will moet on the 7th of January, andof Texes oo th» Tet of that month, The Legislature of North Carolina has ad- journed to the Tth of January, to be prepared to meet events. . ‘Thus we see that the first month of the new year will be busy with secession. THE NEWS YESTERDAY. THE DEFENCES OF CHARLESTON—TELE- GRAPHIC DESPATCHES--RUMORS AND CANARDS. The protection of United States property in Charles. ton, the collection of the revenue and the maintenance of federal law have been subjects of wide discussion, and no little speculation. From the commencement of the excitement in South Carolina, the only United States troops stationed there were a company of some seventy men, who occupied Fort Moultrie, ander the command of Major Robert Anderson, who has now be- come famous for his connection with this movement. All kinds of reports were cireulated by the enemies of the President, that Fort Moultrie was to be abandoned to ite fate, and ite garrison sacrificed. The President was stigmatized in the most discourteous language by the re- publican press. Even in the Cabinet, the executive policy with regard to Fort Moultrie found a dissen- tient in the person of Gen. Cass. In his mes age Mr. bn chanan stated that his orders to Major Anderson were to act merely on the defensive if he was attacked; and th « was interpreted to mean an abandonment of the defencesf whereas it waa intended not to provoke collision. But when the news of the secession of South Carolina reach- ed Washington special messengers were at once des za’ ed to Major Anderson and to the Collector and Postmaster at Charleston, the purport of their mission, of course, being confined to the President's own bosom. Buta canard was at once set afloat that orders were sent to Anderson Wo surrender. The city, therefore, was yesterday by the receipt of the following Acepatech — FORT MOULTRIE KVACUATED—THE GUNS STIEED AND THR FORT IN FYLAMEO—QGREAT EXCITE- MENT, BTC., ETC, ee Onantamron, Deo, 27, 1900" Fort Moultrie was evacuated last Previous to the evacuation the gans were spike |, ‘The fort is now being demolished by fre. Toe treepe have a ee oe wares to Fort Sumpter. ‘troops have cour » Intense excitement 5 ‘The Convention is in secret session. ‘Thijs news was displayed on the bulletins, and intense excitement spread throughout the city. A few hours later, however, the following despatches arrived, which somewhat altered the complexion of the fret alarming new? — SROOND DRSPATCH. Tt is only the gun carriages that are on fre a’ Fort Moultrie. ‘The cannon are spiked, and it is reported tha’ a trai) is Jaid to blow ap the fort. This last report is doubted. The excitement and indignation of (he; cople gr ‘a orcasing. Cuanuetoy, Doo, 27—12:00 P.M. Major Anderson states that he evacuat 4 F rt Moultrio inorder to allay the discussion about hat post, and at the same time strengthen his own position. Cuanterow, Deo. 27—1 P.M. Capt. Foster, with a small force, still rem .ins at Fort Moultrie. Several of the city military companice have been or- dered ont. . A collision i# not improbable. It is highly probable that Major Anderson's views were to evacuate an untenable position, and repair with his men to a fort which there is some chance of de- fending, ae may be seen from the following descrip. tions of the forte:— ‘The harbor of Charleston is defended by four forte, namely—Fort Moultrie, eituated on Sullivan's Island, at the right entrance to the harbor; Port Sumpter, which stands on aemall island @ Little to the left of the main ship channe!, and almoet in a central potnt of the harbor; Castle Pinckney, on Shute’s Falla Island, a good deal nearer to the city; and Fort Johnson, on am angle be: tween forts Pinckney and Sumpter, The map and plan of the harbor and city of Charleston—for which we are indebted to the kindness of the proprietors of Harper's Wedly—will give our renders ag excellent idea of the relative value of the defences. PORT MOULTRIR. This fortification is an enclored water battery, having ‘a front on the south or water side of about 900 fect, and a depth of about 240 fect. It is built with ealiont and re- entering angles on all sides, but until the works now going on there wore undertaken the south wall could have been easily scaled, owing to the accumulation of sand from the beach. Some improvement, however, has been recently effected in this rempect. The outer and inner walls are of brick, capped with stone, and filled in with earth, making @ solid wall fifteen or sixteen feet in thick. ness, The work now in progress consists in cleaning the sand from the walla of the fort, ditching it argund the o ite eh oamiorence, and erecting « giacix, cloring up the postegy gales In the coat ane weet Welle, amd laetond, cutting sally ports, whieh lead into strong outworke on the southeat and southwest angles, in which twelve pounder howitzer guns will be placed, onabling the garrison to sweep the ditch on three sides with grape and canister, The northwest angle of the fort has alao been strengthened by a bastionette, to sustain the weight of a heavy gan which will command the main street of the island, The main entrance has also been better soonrod, and a trap door two feet square cut in the door for ingress and egress, At this time the height of the wall, from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet, is twenty feet. The ditch is from twelve to fifteen feet wide at the base, and fifteen feet deep. The nature of tho soil would not seem to admit of this depth being increased, quicksand baving been reach- od in many places, The work on the sbuth side is nearly finished. The counterscarp ‘4 substantially built of plank, and apread with turf, The qlacis is also fuished. It is composed of sand, and cov «red with layers of loam and turf, all of which is kept f'r'n'y in place by the addition of sections of plank naile! to uprights sunk in the sand, and crossing each other «| right angles—making equares of about ten feet each. (he purpose of the glacis, which is an inclined plane, is to expose an attacking party to the fire of the guns, which are co placed as to sweep it from the crest of the coumterscarp to the edge of the beach. On the north side, all the wooden gun cases have been placed close together on the re parts, apparantly for the purpose of securing it again™ 0 eecalade, but posal- bly as a screen for a batters ( heavy guns. A good many men are engaged in clea: ug tho ramparts of tart and earth, for the purpose of pniting down a very ugly looking arrangement, which consists of stripe of plank four inches wide, one inch and a half thick, and ¢ix or eight feet long, sharpened at the point, and nailed down, 80 a8 to project about three feet horizontally from the top of the wails, A noticeable fact in the bastioneties to which we bave above alluded is the haste in which one of them has been built. The one completed ie formed of solid masonry. In constructing the other, however, « framework of plank has been substituted. Against the Innide of thin wooden outwork loose bricks have been Placed. Both bastionetics are armed with a small car- ronade, and a howitger pointed laterally so a8 to command the whole intervening moat by a cross fire, The garrison which has just vacated tho fort is command ed by Major R. Anderson, United States Army. The other officers are Captain Abner Doubieday, Captain Seymour. Lieutenant T. Talbot, Lieutenant J. ©. Dayis, Lieutenant N. J. Hall, all of tho First regiment artillery; Captain J. G. Foster and Lieutenant G. W. Snyder, of the Engineer corps; Assistant Surgeon 8. W. Crawford, of the Medical staff. The force under these gentlemen consists of two companies of artillery; the companics, however, are not fall—the two comprising only about seventy men, in. elnding the band, or abont fifty five rank and file in all, FORT SUMPTER, Fort -Purrpter is one of the most powerfal military works in the United States. It is built on an artificial island, immediately within the month of Charleston bay between Fort Meulirie and the site of olt Fort Johnson, of Revolutionary memory, and equidistant from thos points about three-fourths of one mile. The ehip channel leading from tho sea to the city of Charteston is betwoon forta Sumpter and Mouitrie, aud is entirely commanded within baif range by them. Between forts Sampter and Jobneon the water is very shallow, only available for veasele of very light draft, and then only at high water ‘The artificial island on whic& Fort Sumpter is built # con- structed of the refure from the granite quarries of Now Ragland. Ten years was consumed in ite completion, ata cont of half a million of dollars. The fortification te of a pentagonal form, built of solid brick masonry, The walls are fifty feet tm height, and from eight to ten feet in thickness, and are pieroed for three tiers of guns, besides: having neceswary loopholes for murketry, and designed for am armament of one hundred and forty pieces of ordaanes of all = calivres. Two tiers of the guns aro under bomb proof casemater, and tho third or upper tier open, or, in mill- tary parlance, m bartetie—the lower tier for forty-two pounder Maixhen gune; the second tier for oight and ten inch Colambinds, for throwing solid or hollow shot and the upper tier for mortare and twenty-four pound gant. The fall armament of the fort, however, hed not arrived there when Major Anderson took possession, and it is fair, therefore, to suppose all the available ordnance will be equitably distributed throughout as jadiciously as por. nible, It ia thought that with tho present armament of the fort the guns would be capable of throwing six thon- sand pounds of shot at each discharge. In a defensive or strategical point of view Fort Sumpter radiates ite fire Uhrongbd all the channels from the goa approach to Charlee. ton, and has a full sweep of range In ite rear, or city wide, ample to repel any attack from that quarter. The fort ts sufficiently ont of range from a iand artillery attack, eo that all apprehensions for breaching it muy he put at rest, The maximem range of the gune *0-% Sampter fm three mie, bet for seer ne owt PRICE TWO CENTS. ® vessel, “fhe distance would ree 1 Cn Tal? of unt an enemy by the ewbswuree, eet erawl through, one man inen at ono of these could de- n lu officers? quarters and yoseven lumdred men, its regular war garri 4 4n atple ly of ehot, apd v6 year's Slee, and a large amount of migoel- iter y © garvison |x amply suppiied Ns, which are supplied by The fort is now under the Anderson, of Kentucky, other offivers enumerated curison of Port Moultrie. va employed on the forty and ~ ipiine, be som taught to nt fores, recapftulated, is "as reia, Robert the former the out 170 Is a litt the | ir, with ite present ¢ Of @local neiyre. Fort Sumpter and the other arleston, properly armed, would be able to © guns than Cronstadt, which detied Napier as for twe years; more than defeated the Allies of them can have more arti#iery required a land force of 14,000 » capture, Yet the greater part of this military ath ie contributed by Furt Sumpter, the others being merely auxiliaries. CASTLE PINCKNEY Js coated on the southern extremity of a narrow slip of marsh land, which extends in @ northerly direction to Hoy Island Channel, To the harbor side the 6o called carte presents a cireular front. Jt has never been con- sidered of much consequence 08 @ fortress, although ite pre to the city wonld give it importance if pro- perly armed and garrisoned. There are about fifteen guns mounted on the par#pet; the majority of them are A twenty-four pounders. Some Columbiads wer, Within the walls. There are also supplies T, shot and shell, At present there is no garri- son at the post; the only residents are ono or two wateh- men, who have charge of the barbor light. Some thirty or ‘orty day laborers are employed repairing the cisterns ard priting the place generally in order. SKETCH OF MAJOR ANDERSON. Major Robert Anderson, whose name has now become fam tar asa Dousebotd word in connection with the de- fences of Charleston, was bora in Kentucky, in Septem- ber, 1805, and ie now, therefore, in his 66th year. In personal appearance le is about five feet nine inches im beight; his figure is well set and soldierly; his hair is thiu apd turning to iron gray; his complexion swarthy; his eye Cark and intelligent; his nose prominent and well formed A stranger would read jy his air and appear- ance determination and an exact what was due to him, lo intercourse he is very courteous, and bis rich voice end abundant gesticulations go well together. Hoe is always agreeable and gentlemanly, firm and dignified. On the Ist day of July, 1821, he entered the Military Academy at West Point, whence be graduated July 1, 1825, taking « high position in a large class, composed of sneb men a8 Alexander Dallae Bache, Col. Benjamin Huger, Col. Francis Taylor, Coh Charles F. Smith, and others who have been distinguished as well ig civil life ws in the line of their profession. His first commission was that of brevet Second Lieutenant of the Second artillery, July 1, 1825, and he was subsequently promoted Second Lieatenant in the Third reciment, dating from the same day. Brom May to October, 1832, he was acting Inapector General of the Tinois Volunteers, in the Black Hawk war; and ib is bere worthy of note that our Prest- ‘ont clect, Mr. Lincoln, was one of the captains of those troops. InJune, 1833, he was promoted First Lieutenant, and between 1835 and 1837 was Assistant Instructor and Inspector at the United States Military Academy, Ip 1888 he became Aid-de-camp to Major General Seett, and in the following year published “Instruction for Field Artillery, Horse and Foot, arranged for the service of the United States,” which bas been highly approved of. For gallantry apd successful conduct in the war against the Florida Indians, he received the brevet of Captain, bearing date April 2, 1838. July 7, 1858, he became As- sistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Captain, which he relinquished subsequently to being promoted to a captaincy in hie regiment, October, 1841. In March, 1847, he was with the Third regiment of artillery in the army of General Scott, and took part in the siege of Vera Cruz—being one of the officcrs to whom was cntrusted, by General Bankhead, the command of the batteries. ‘This duty be performed with signal skill and gallantry, and he continued with the army until ts triumphal entry into the city of Mexico, in September following. During ‘the operations im the valley of Mexico, he wae attached to the brigade of General Garland, which formed a part of General Worth’s division, Im the attack on Fl Molino dei Rey, on the 8th of September, where he was wounded very reverely, his conduct was the theme of capecial Praise on the part of his superior officers. Captain Burke, bis immediate commander, in his despatch of September 9, says:—‘Captain Robert Anderson (act ing field officer) behaved with groat heroiam on this occa- sion. Even after receiving a severe and painful wound, he continued at the head of the column, regardless of pain ‘nud +elt preservation, and setting a handsome example t bix men, of coolness, energy and courage."” General Gar- land speaks of bim as being, with ‘some few others, the ‘very firet to enter the strong position of El Molino,” and adds that “Brevet Major Buchanan, Fourth infantry ; Cap. tain Anderson, Third artillery, and Lieut, Sedgwick, Se- coud artillery, appear to have been particularly distin- guished for their gallant defence of the captured works.”” Tu addition to this testimony to his bearing on that ooca- sion we have that of General Worth, who partioularty directed the attention of the Commander-in Chief to the part be had in the action. “ For gnilant and meriter ious ot in the battle of Molino del Rey’ he was promoted to the brevet rank of Major, dating from September 8, 1847. October 6, 1867, he was pro- moted to the porition of Major of the First artillery, which he now holds. This is certainly 9 goo! record for a soldier, and proves that a judicions selection was made of the commander who is to defend the government forts and property .at Charleston. ‘The lat service of Major Anderson, previous 10 his taking Cnmand of Fort Moultrie, wasas a member of the commission ordered last eammer by Congress to inquire into the manver of inetrvetion at the West Point Miltary Academy. The labors of that commission have already been laid before Congress THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON. apy ett Special Meetings of the Cabinet--Indiguation of the South Carolina Commissioners, &o., &e., &e. Wasnreoton, Dec. 27, 1860. Up to eight o'clock neither the President nor Secretary of War have received any information from Charleston. ‘The following despatch was sent to the President late ‘this afternoon by the South Carolina Commissioners, they having just received it— Great excitement on account of removal of garrison from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumpter. Removed on Wednes- day evening and at night, under false pretence. @aptain Forter with email guard left in Fort Moultrie to complete dismantling. They are now burning gun carriages. Gane spiked, and report of intention to blow up Fort Moultrie, Citizens generally rogard this a8 declaration of war unless Promptly explained. The President immediately convened bis Cabinet in extraordinary session, and did not adjoarn until after five o'clock. They meet again at cight o'clock, and the Pre- sient expects by that time to receive intelligence from Charleston. He cannot make a move or take action until he recefvee official information. ‘The inetructions to Major Anderson were clear and ex. } pitelt He was not to act, exenpt on the defensive. fe |" do right to remove his garrison oF change his position CONTINGED ON RIGHTH PAGE)