The New York Herald Newspaper, April 13, 1861, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. HOLE NO. 8982. MORNING. EDITION—SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1861. THE WAR BEGUN. from Charleston. General Beauregard, Major Andersen and the Seutbern Secretary of War. derson to Surrender, DR ANDERSON'S REFUSAL. mbardment of Fort Sumter Comniszced, ible Fire from the Seces- sionists’ Batteries. nt Defence of Maj. Anderson and His Gallant Garrison. bkless Bravery of the Con- federate States Troops. yal of the Harriet Lane, Pawnee ad Another Steamer Off Charleston. BB HARRIET LANE FIRED INTO. PRLTEEN HOURS FIGHTIN aches in the Walls of 4 Fort Sumter. (rat of Majer Anderson’s Guns Silenced. BRBPATION OF THE FIRING FOR THE NIGHT cipated Attempt to Rein- | force Fort Sumter. bs and Plans of the Scene of Conflict, Reey key ke. DESPATCHES FROM CHARLES TON. Caar.esron, April 12, 1861, ii war has at last begun. A terrible fight is is moment going on between Fort Sumter he fortifications by which it is surrounded. my last despatch I stated that negotiations been reopened between General Beauregard ajor Anderson. This was done with a view event an unnecessary effusion of blood. issue was submitted to Major Anderson of Indering as soon as his supplies were ex- ed, or of having a fire opened on him within ain time. y refased to do, and accordingly, at twen- en minutes past four o’clock this morning Moultrie began the bombardment by firing yuns. To these Major Anderson replied with | of his barbette guns, after which the batte- n Mount Pleasant, Cdmmings’ Point, and the ting Battery, opened a brisk fire of shot and jor Anderson did not reply, except at long s, until between seven and eight o’clock, he brought into action the two tiers of guns \towards Fort Moultrie and Stevens’ iron to this hour (three o'clock Friday afternoon) have failed to preduce any serious effect. patches received at headquarters from the yas forts report that all is going on admirably, no men hort. jor Anderson has the greater part of the day directing his fire principally against Fort rie, the Stevens and Floating Battery, these h\rt Johnson being the only five operating st ‘him. in reserve, me fifteen or eighteen shots have struck the ting Battery, but made not the slightest im- on upon its iron cased sides. ‘The Stevens’ ery is also eminently successful, and does ter- » execution on Fort Sumter, hes, to all appearance, are being made in veral sides exposed to fire. Portions of the pet have been destroyed, and several of the ere mounted have been shot away, Anderson is at present using his lower of chsemate ordaance. he fight is going on with intense earnestness, will continue all night. 4 not improbable that the fort will be carried torm. re soldiers are perfectiy her it Correspendence Between jummons to Major An- The remainder of the batteries are | PRICE TWO OENTS. THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS. Exciting News Charleston and Its Defences---Plan of the Harbor, Showing the Position of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, Cummings Point Iron Battery, Fort Johnson, the Floating Battery and Other Fortifications. lives, and at every shot jump upon the ram. parts, observe the effect, and then jump down, cheering. and other pvints were opened on Fort Sumter at four o'clock this morning. Fort Sumter his returned the fire, and a brisk cannonading has A party on the Stevens battery are said to have | been kept up. No information has been received played a game of the hottest fire. The excitement in the community is indescri- bable, With the very first boom of the gun thou- sands rushed from their beds to the harbor front, and all day every available place has been thronged by ladies and gentlemen, viewing the solemn spectacie through their glasses. Most of these have relatives in the se- veral fortifications, and many a tearful eye at- tested the anxious affection of the mother, wife and sister, but not @ murmur came from a single indiv@ual. The spirit of patriotism is as sincere as it is universal. Five thousand ladies stand ready to- day to respond to any sacrifice that may be re- quired of them. The brilliant and patriotic conduct of Major Anderson speaks for itself, and silences the at- tacks lately made at the North upon his character and patriotism. Business is entirely suspended. Only those stores are open which are necessary to supply articles required by the army. Governor Pickens has all day been in the resi- dence of a gentleman which commands a view of the whole scene, a most interested observer. General Beauregard commands in person the en- tire operations, and thus far they have moved with the utmost system and success. It is reported that the Harriet Lane has re- ceived a shot through her wheelhouse. She is in the offing. No other government ships are in sight up to the present moment, but should they appear the entire range of batteries will open upon them. Troops are pouring into the town by hun- dreds, but are held in reserve for the pres- ent, the force already on the island being ample. People are also arriving every moment on horseback, and by every other convey- ance. Within an area of fifty miles, where the thunder of the artillery can be heard, the scene is magnificently terrible. Cuarteston, April 12—6 P. M. Captain R. 8. Parker brings despatches from the Floating Battery, stating that up to this time only two have been wounded on Sullivan’s Island. He had to row through Major Anderson’s warmest fire in @ small boat, Senator Wigfall in same manner bore despatches to Morris Island, through the fire from Fort Sumter. Senator Chesnut, another member of the staff of Gen. Beauregard, fired a gun, by way of amuse- ment, from Mount Pleasant, which made a large hole in the parapet. Quite a number have been struck by spent pieces of shell and knocked down, but none hurt serious- ly. Many fragments of these missiles are already circulating in the city. The range is more perfect than in the morning, | and every shot from the land tells. Three ships are visible in the offing, and it is be- lieved an attempt will be made to-night to throw reinforcements into Fort Sumter in small boats. It is also thought, from the regular and frequent firing of Major Anderson, that he has a much Jarges force of men than was supposed. At any rate, he is fighting bravely. There have been two rain storms during the day, but without effect upon the battle. Everybody is ina ferment. Some of those fight- ing are stripped to the waist. THE GENERAL PRESS DESPATCOHES, Crariecrox, \pril 12, 1861, ‘The ball has opened—war is juaagy Island The batteries of Sulliven from the seaboard yet. The military are under arms and the whole of our population are on the streets. Every avail- able space facing the harbor is filled with anxious spectators. The firing has continued all day without inter- mission. Two of Fort Sumter’s guns have been silenced, aad.it is veported thet er >reack hac been ma2o in the southeast wall. Of the nineteen batteries in position only seven have opened fire on Fort Sumter. The remainder are held in reserve for the expected fleet. Two thousand men reached this city this morn- ing, and embarked for Morris Island and the neighborhood. Intercepted despatches disclose the fact that Mr. Fox, who had been allowed to visit Major Anderson on the pledge that his purpose was pacific, employed his opportunity to devise a plan for supplying the fort by force, and that this plan bad been adopted by the Washington go- yernment, and was in progress of execution. Caarueston, April 12, 1861. The Floating Battery and Stevens’ Battery aro operating freely and Fort Sumter is returning the fire. It is reported that three war vessels are outside the bar. THE LATEST FROM CHARLESTON. Cuar.eston, April 12, 1861. The firing has ceased for the night, but will be renewed at daylight in the morning, unless an at- tempt is made to reinforce the fort, which ample arrangements have been made to repel. The Pawnee, Harriet Lane, and a third steamer, are reported off the bar, Troops are arriving by every train. IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE. COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE CONFE- DERATE SECRETARY OF WAR AND GEN. BEAU. D. me Omartestoy, April 12, 1861. ‘The following is the telegraphic correspondence be- tween the War Department at Montgomery and Gen. Beauregard immediately preceding the hostilities. The correspondence grew out of the formal notification by the Washington government, which is disclosed in Gen, Beauregard’s first despatches — GEN. BEAUREGARD TO THB SECRETARY OF WAR. Crarcestoy, April 8, 1864. L. P. Warxgr, Secretary of War-— An authorized messenger from President Lincoln just informed Governor Pickens and myself that provisions will be sent to Fort Sumter peaceably, or otherwise by force. P. G. T, BEAUREGARD. THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL BEAUREGARD, Moxrtcomery, April 10, 1861. Gen. P, G, T. Bravrrcarn, Charleston:— If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Woshington government to supply Fort Sumter by force, you will at once demand its evacuation; and if this is refused, proceed in such manner as you may determine to reduce it. Answer. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. GENBRAL BEAUREGARD TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, Ciantestox, April 10, 1861. 1, P. Warxer, Secretary of War:— The demand will be made to morrow at twelve o'clock P, G, T, BEAUREGARD. ‘THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL BEAUREGARD. Montuomeny, April 10, 1861. General Bravrecaxn, Charleston: — Unless there are especial reasons connected with your own condition, it {8 considered proper that you should make the demand at an carly hour. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. GENERAL BFAUREGARD TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. Caanumetow, April 10, 1861, seretary of War, Yontgomary:— ro spesial for twelve o'elock, P. G. f. BSAURE UR. ih SHCREPARY OF WAR. Tox, APC AL, 1968 LP, War The rea GENERAL BEAUREGARD TO Om Home, Secretary of War.— at tivo O'clOwk: A'Tyerad t alz o'alonk + THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO GENERAL BEAUREGARD. Montcomery, April 11, 1861. General Bravrecaxp, Charlestou:—~ Telsgraph the reply of Major Anderton. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. GEYERAL BEAUREGARD TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. Cuarueston, April 11, 1891, To L. P. Warxee, Sceretary of War:— Major Anderson replies:— I bave the honor io acknowledge the receipt of your commupicaticn demnmting the evacuation of this fort, apd to say in Feplurmereto that it is a demand with which | regret that Py temte, of honor and my obliga tions to my govern. it prevent my compliance. He add Probably I will ee the first shot, and if you do not batter us to nieve (ve will be starved out in a fow days, AneWwer. {= P G. T. BEAORSGARD | 1a aroy | Liv O» WAR TO GENERAL BEAUREGARD. Mostcomery, April 11, 1861. € Gen. Bravrrcsan, Charleston: — We do not desire nvedlessly to bombard Fort Sumter if Major Anderson will state the time at which, ag indi cated by bim, he will evacuate, and agree that, in the meantime, he will not use bis guns against us, unless ours should be employed against Fort Sumter. You are thus to avoid the effusion of blood. If this or its equivalent be refused, reduce the fort as your judg. ment decideg to be the most practicable. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. GENERAL BEAUREGARD TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. Cuancesron, April 12, 1861. L, P, Water, Secretary of War:— He would not consent. I write to-day. P, G, T, BEAUREGARD. CHARLESTON AND ITS DEFENCES. ‘The news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter by the Confederate forces, which we publish this morning, in- duces us to give a full description of the scene of opera- tions, embracing the city of Charleston, its harbor and fortifications. The plans of the forte and batteries, show- ing the stronghold of Major Anderson and the position of the attacking forces under General Beauregard, canuot fail to interest our readers, FORT SUMTER—THE STRONGHOLD OF MAJOR AN- DERSON. Fort Sumter is 8 modern truncated pentagoual fort, built upon an artificial island at the mouth of Charloeton harbor, three and three-cights miles from the city of Qharleston. The island has for ite base a sand and mud bank, with a superstructure, if we may so term it, of the refuse chips from several Northern granite quarries. These roeks are firmly embedded in the sand, and upon them the present fortification is reared. The island itself cost half a million of dollars, and was ten years in construc- tion, The fortification cost another balf « million dollars, ‘and at the time of its occupancy by Major Anderson was @ nearly completed as to admit the introduction of its armament. The wails are of golid brick and concrete masonry, built close to the edge of tho wator, and with- out @ berm, They are sixty fect high, and from eight to twelve feet im thickness, and are pierced for three tiers of guns on the north, east, and west exterior sides, Its weakest point is on the south side, of which the masonry is not only weaker ‘shan that of the other sides, but it is not protected by any flank fire, which would sweep the wharf. Once landed, an entrance may, at the present state of the construc. tion, be easily made; for the blinds of the lower embra- sures, though six inches in thickness, may yet bo easily blown away, and even if this was impossible, scaling ladders can reach those of the second tier, which are not protected in this manner, The work is designed for an armament of one hundred and forty pieces of ordnance of allcalibres. Two tiers of the guns are under bomb. proof casemates, and the third“or upper tier open, or, im military parlance, en barbette; the lower tier for forty-two pounder paixhan guns; the second Kier for eight and ten-inch columbiads, for throwing solid or hollow shot, and the upper tier for mortars and twenty-four pound guns. The full armament of the fort, however, had not arrived there when Major Auer son took porsession; but since ite occupancy by the pre- sont garrison no efforte have been spared to place th work in an efficient state of defense, by mounting a!l th available guns and placing them in salient pointe. As © before remarked, the full armament of the fort is wot in position, aa only seventy-five of the one bandred and forty guns required for it are now mounted. Eleven paixban gups are among that number, nine of them sommanding Fort Moultrie, which i¢ within easy range, and tho other two pointing towards Castle Piackney, which is well out of range Some of the eeluinbiade, tno most effective weapon for siege or defensive operations, are not mounted Four of the thirty two pounder bar bette guns are on pivot carriages, which gives them the entire range of the horizon, and others. have & horizontal sweep of fire of 180 degrees. In addition to these weightier pre- parations for defence, the walla are pierced every- where for muskets, of whioh there are endless numbert ready and loaded, The magazine contains seven bunére! barrels of gunpowder and an ample supply of shot, pow Jer and shells for one year's siego, and a large atnount of minocllancous artillery stores, The garrison is amply wish water from artificial wells, waich are et bo frequent showers of rain. To a defensive | or strategical point of view, Fort Sumter radiates its fire through all the channels from the sea approach to Charlegton, and Lasa full sweep of range in its rear or city side. The fort is eufficiently out of range froma lend artery attack, so that all apprehensions for breaching it from that source may be put at rest, unless by guns of superior calibre. The maxi- mum range of the guns from Sumter is three miles; but for accurate fring, sufficient to bull a veesel, the distance ‘would require to be reduced one-balf of that figure. The war garrison of the fort is six hundred men, but only seventy-nine of that number are within its walls, with the laborers—109 all told, ‘THE GARRISON IN TH FORT. Names. Rank, a” B® mee: FARZrO<as “ }Iat Lieut 2d Lieut tlesse Total... The embrasures for musketry on the side of the work exposed to the fire of the batteries of Cummings’ Pomt and Fort Johngon have been filled with solid tagging, filled in with lead, and are now ball and bomb proof, add- ing materially to the strength of the work. Inside, the magazine gad hospital have been protected by stone tra. verses, and Whe parade cleared. FORT MOULTRIE, Tort Moultrie, which first opened its batteries upon Major Anderson and his command, i# ono of the sentinels that guara the principal entrance to Charleston harbor. It is opposite to and dis- tant from Fort Sumter about ome and a half miles. It is, more properly speaking, a huge water battery, without any guns under cover. Its armament consists of eleven guns of heavy calibre and several mortars. The outer and inner walls are of brick, capped with stone and filled with earth, m@kinga solid wall fifteen or sixteen feet in thickness. This work has been much strongth- ened recently, and presents a saucy front to Fort Sumter. It is now in command of Major Ripley, formerly of the United States Army, who has under his command several hundred experienced artilleriste, THE IRON FLOATING BATTERY. This novel war machine, designed for harbor opera- tions, is now anchored near Sullivan’s Islana, com. manding the barbette guns of Fort Sumur, It is constructed of palmetto logs, sheathed with plate iron, and is supposed to be impreguable against shot. It tg embrasured for and mounts four gue of heavy calibre. It requirce sixty men to operate it. The first impression on seeing this machine is that of immense solidity. The outer or gun side is covered with six plates of jron—two of them of the T railroad pattern, placed horizontally, and the other four bolted one over the other, in the strongest manner, and running vertically, The wall of the gun sido ts full four feet thick, conatrueted of that peculiar palmetto wood eo full of fibrous material that sixty-four pounders cannot pierce it, The main deck is wide and roomy. In nineteen open chambers, on the port tide of the desk, we found a profusion of shot—thirty-four pounders— while just beyond thom is an immense pile of sand bage, which protect an overhanging roof, under which {s to be placed the hoepital, This also protecta the magazines (three in number), umder which is the hold proper. There are six gntrances to the hold, which will contain, tf neoeesary, over three hundred men. It is kept in place by four heavy wedges, driven down by a species of ram, which will hold it fast, and prevent any swaying around by the tide. CUMMING'S POINT IRON BATTERY. Tho nearest point of land te Fort Sumter is Camming’s Point, distance 1,150 yards, Oo this point is the celebrated railroad iren bat- tery, an filustration of which we give above. It consiste of 4 heavy framework of yellow pine loge. ‘The roof is of the same material, over which dovotatied bars of rai!road iron of the T pattern are laid from top to bottom—all of which is riveted down in the most secure manner. On the front it presents an angle of about thirty degrees. Thero are three portholes, which open and ciege with iron shutters of the heavicet description. When open, the muzales of the columbiads fill up the «pace completely. The reooil of the gun enables the shut. tera to be closed instantly it i# asserted, on high mili tary authority, that this inclined plane will effytually resiet guns of the heavlost calibreo—dirst, becante no shot can strike it except at an obtuse acgle, which would cave the ball to glance; secou*, bocnune {is power of resistance is eufcient to withstand the fall of the heaviest shelia. the columbiad guns, with which this novel bat- tery is equipped bear on the south wall of Sumter, the line of fire being at an angle of about thirty-five degrees, This is not, of couree, considered favorable for breach. ing; but owing to the fact that the wall is loop-holed for musketry throughout its entire length, which, of course, weakens it a great deal, the effect of shot upon it would, we think, even at the distance of 1,150 yards, effect a breach within a reasonable time. The work is in chargo of several companies of the regular army af the Com- federate States. If employed to reduce Fort Sumter, thig battery will prove quite formidable THR INTERIOR OF FORT JOBNSON—GUN BATTERY, The Fort Johnson hatteries consist of two hurge sand@ works, containing mortar and seige gun batteries, of which the above and the gubjowed are god iilustra- tions:— FORT JOHNSON—MORTAR BATTERY. —_— ‘These works are one and one-fourth of a mile from Fort Sumter, and at present manned by two companies of regular artillery. The position of this old fort, which ig of the utmost importance ag a connecting poiut in the defence of the harbor, has been considered by the highest military authority as the key to all the defensive works in the harbor. Against the attack of forces by land, or & boat attack by the Stono river, it must be considered an essential element of defence, CASTLE PINCKNEY. Castle Pinckney is a small work, tituated on thé southern extremity of ‘‘Shute’s Folly Island,” batweem the Hog and Folly channels. Though in itself not a very considerable military work, yet, from its position, com- manding as it does the whole line of the eastern wharves, it becomes of the utmost importance for it to be held by the State authorities. it is, in fact, the immediate out” work of the city, useful to annoy an invading fleet ahould it pass the outer forts, and to render their landing very difficult, if not impossible. Iu its plan it presents to the south a semicircular face; the eastern and westera faces are formed by the line of rampart following the direction of the tangent to the circular arc at ite extremity, and for a distance of twenty yards; the northern side is plain; at both the northeastern and northwestern angles are semicircular bastions, tho outer extremities of the arcs being tangent respec- tively to the castern and western sides of the fort, ‘There are two rows of guns—the lower being in gase- mates (bombproof), the embrasures for which are about seven fect above low water mark, and the upper being envartelle. Tho height of the rampart is twenty, and the width thirty-two feet. The width of the outer wall and of the parapet is six feet; the depth of the casemates is twenty feot, height ten; the diameter (east and west) of tho castie is one hundred and eeventy feet. The en- trance is on the northern side, on either side of which are the officers’ and privates’ quarters, messroom, &d, The ascent to the barbette is made on the northeastern and northwestern corners of the terre-paradeplein. In the centre of the latter is the furnace for heating shot. Around the footof the scarp wall is a break water, about twelve feet in width, horizontally, which has its western side extended in a tangent direction to the south, to form the landing. The landing ig protected by the fire of Varal guns sweeping its length, The armament of this castle consists of about twenty five pieces, 24 and 82 pounders, a few seacoast mortars and six columbiads—the latter not being mounted. in the magazine is a sufficiency of ammunition, including shot and leaded shell. This work nas been of late put in as thorough repair as possible, Owing to the want of ventilation and the reverberation of the sound in,an en- gagement, the lower tier of guns would soon become uselegs, and the occupants would be obliged to resort entirely to the barbette guns and mortars. In this cas@ the exposure to the enemies’ direct shot would not be great, for the parapet is higher than the hulks of most ships, and much higher than the adjoining shore. As to ite importance, although, if we ed forts Sumter and Moultrie, it would be of comparatively little use, yet if an enemy possessed it, ite proximity to the city would enable the garrigon to damage Charleston seriously, OTHER WORKS. ‘There are other works at Hadril’s Point, Mount Plea- sant, Stono, Morris Isiand, and fronting the entrance of Charleston harbor, which are constructed of palmetto logs and eand. They are all fully manned for action with large garrisoygano guns of heavy calibro. THE ari neswcne OF THE FORTS. Fort Sumter is three aud three-eights miles from Charleston, ope and one eighth mile from Fort Moul- trie, three-fourths of @ mile from Cummings’ Point, one and three-eighths mile from Fort Johngon, and two and five-cighths miles from Castle Pinckney. The city of Chari« is entirely out of the range of the guns of Fort Sumter. STONO INLET. Stono Pot is a portion of Morris Island, facing the sea coast. Stono Inlet is about two leagues from the south channel of Charleston. Betwoen them lie two islands, viz:—Morria Island, on which the light house stands, and Coffin Inland. In Stono Inlet there are nine or ten feet of water at low tide, but it wag not much frequented until Charleston wag blockaded in 1776, when it was vieited by British veaselsd Im a Btragetical poimt of view the landing of United States troops at Stono Point would appear to be for the purpose of getting in the rear of the Morria Island bat~ teries, which now guard the #2@ approaches to Charlea- ton. On Morris Island the Confedora’e States forces ara pretty numerous, and if an attempt to land troops is mado by the United States forces the conflict will be short and bloody, At our last accounts in regard toStono Point, General Bauregard bad ordered an im- mense battery to be erected at the very place where it ia alleged the United States troops will attempt to land. ‘Aeabsequent report stated that several large guna were in trapeitu (rom Castle Pihckny to that Point, THE CONFEDERATE STATES TROOPS NEAR CHARLESTON. COMMANDER-IN-CHIBF, Brigadier Goneral P. T, G. Beauregard. STAFF. Colonel R. W. Gibbes, Surgeon General. Major W. Hi. Whitney, Fngineer-im Chief. Colonel 8. R. Gist, Adjutant General. Colone! L, M. Hatch Quartermaster General, Captain W. R Boggs, Aid de Camp. REGIMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. Firat regiment of artillery, Colonel &, B. Lock, com- pered offour-companies — No. Me 1, Washington Artillery, Captain Walter 2. Lat ep sor tlber , Captain Pope 8. Marion Mtillery, Captain King 4. German Artillery, Captain Wagne Firet regimemt of Rifles, Colonel J. J. Pettigrew, com- posed of eeyven companies -— No. Men. 1. Washington Light infantry, Captain Simonton 100 4. German Riflemen, Captain Smail 100 3. Carolina Light Infantry, Capta’ 80 Moultrie Guard, Capt. Palmer eagher Guard, Capt. McCradey ieeton Zouaves, Capt, Hilbern, gilant Rifles, Capt. Tupper... First battalion Charleston Riflemen, Joseph Johnaom, Jr., commanding, consisting of four companies :— No. Men. Company A, Capt. Davay.. eovesse Company 8, Capt. Herbert company C, Capt. Doyle. . ‘ompany D, Capt, Cornu Nin: Rogier T Suewail, D ON RIGHTA PAGE} &