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The War has commenced! The blow which we have been awaiting, but which we would fain have averted, has fallen! The so-called Southern Confederates has plunged the country into a war that must be, indeed, terrible; for it will be the death-struggle between Freedom and Slavery.
Hostilities have been precipitated by the Traitors--with them the dreadful responsibility will rest. But this war now thrust upon us must be prosecuted to a stern and definite conclusion. No Compromises nor Concessions will avail now. Stern Justice must be meted out to those who have incurred the penalty of Treason--which is death--by levying war against the Federal Government.
Union and Freedom is our battle-cry; Disunion and Slavery the Traitors'.
Charleston, April 12--The bail has been opened at last, and war is inaugurated. The batteries on Sullivan's Island (Charlston), Morris Island (Charleston), and other points, opened on Fort Sumter at four o'clock this morning. Fort Sumter returned fire and a brisk cannonading has been kept up. No information has been received from the seaward yet. The militia are under arms, and the whole of our population are on the streets. Every available space facing the harbor is filled with spectators.
April 12--The following is the telegraphic correspondence, which took place between the War Department of the Confederate Government and Gen. Beauregard, immediately preceding the commencement of the hostilities. The correspondence grew out of the formal notification of the United States Government disclosed in Gen. Beauregard's first dispatch.
The Federal flag still waves over the Fort. Major Anderson is only occupied in putting out the fire. Every shot appears to tell. and the spectators are anxiously expecting the striking of the flag.
April 13, Evening--Hostilities have for the present ceased, and the victory belongs to the Traitors. With the display of the flag of truce on the ramparts of Fort Sumter at half-past one o'clock, the firing ceased, and unconditional surrender was made. The Carolinians had no idea that the fight would end so soon. After the flagstaff of Major Anderson was shot away, Col. Wingfall, the aid of Gen. Beauregard
at his commander's request, went to Fort Sumter with a white flag to offer assistance in extinguishing the flames.--He approached the burning fortress from Morris Island and while the firing was raging on all sides, he effected a landing at Sumter.
He approached a port hole and was met by Maj. Anderson the commandant of the Fort. The latter said that he had just displayed a white flag, but the firing was kept up nevertheless. Col. Wigfall replied that Maj. Anderson must haul down the American flag--that no parley would be granted. Surrender or fight was the word. Maj. Anderson then hauled down his flag, and displayed only the flag of truce. All firing instantly ceased, and two others of Beauregard's staff, ex Senator Chestnut and ex-Governor, Manning came over in a boat and stipulated with Maj. Anderson that his surrender should be unconditional for the present, subject to Gen. Beauregard's orders.
Maj. Anderson was allowed to remain in actual possession of the fort, while Messrs. Chestnut and Manning came over to the city accompanied by a number of the Palmetto Guards bearing the colors of his company. These were met at the pier by hundreds of citizens, and as they marched up the streets to the General's quarters, the crowd was swelled to thousands. Shouts rent air, and the wildest joy was manifested on account of the welcome tidings.
After the surrender, a boat with an officer and men was sent from one of the four ships in the offing to Gen. Simmons, commanding on Morris Island, with the request that a merchant ship, or one of the vessels of the United States, be allowed to enter and take off the commander and garrison of Fort Sumter.
April 14--Maj. Anderson, with his command, departed in the Isabel for New York. In saluting his flag before leaving, a pile of cartridges exploded killing two men and wounding four others. One was buried in the Fort with military honors; the other is to be buried by the Charleston troops. The wounded were brought to the city.
The Confederate and Palmetto Flags were hoisted on the Fort, which is garrisoned by the Palmetto Guards.
It is believed that the war vessels have established a blockade.
Col. Wigfall received the sword surrendered by Anderson, and then complimented his bravery by returning it to him.
The Federal fleet is still in sight of Charleston.
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT.
75,000 VOLUNTEERS CALLED FOR!
SPECIAL MEETING OF CONGRESS!!
Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forthwith, and hereby do call forth the MILITIA of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND, in order to suppress the said combination, and "cause the laws to be duly executed."
--The following are the requisitions of the President upon the Governors of the several States for military to act in the maintenance of the Union:--New York, seventeen regiments; Pennsylvania, sixteen regiments; Illinois, six; Indiana, six; Missouri, four; Kentucky, four; Ohio, thirteen; Tennessee, two; Minnesota, one; Iowa, one; Connecticut, one; Rhode Island, one;Vermont, one;Maine, one;--in all 75 regiments of 1000 men each.
WASHINGTON CITY
April 16--Washington City is being fortified. Twenty tons of shells and grape shot were removed from the Washington Navy Yard to Georgetown today, in view of a possible attack on the former city from that direction. Several additional companies were mustered into service today.
