April 13, 1861; The New York Herald
Civil war has begun! General Beauregard, in accordance with instructions received on Wednesday, from the Secretary of War of the Southern confederacy, opened fire upon Fort Sumter yesterday morning, at twenty seven minutes after four o’clock. Forts Johnson and Moultrie, the iron battery at Cummings’ Point, and the Stevens Floating Battery, kept up an active cannonade during the entire day, and probably during the past night. The damage done to Fort Sumter had been, up to the last accounts considerable. Guns had been dismounted, and a part of the parapet swept away.
Major Anderson had replied vigorously to the fire which had been opened upon him, but our despatches represent the injury inflicted by him to have been but small. The utmost bravery had been exhibited on both sides, and a large portion of the Charleston population, including five thousand ladies, were assembled upon the Battery to witness the conflict.
Down to our latest advices the battle had been carried on solely by the batteries of the revolutionists and Fort Sumter. The Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, the Pawnee, and another United States vessel, were off the harbor, but had taken no part in the conflict. The Harriet Lane is said to have received a shot through her wheelhouse.
The opinion prevailed in Charleston that an attempt would be made during the night to reinforce Fort Sumter, by means of small boats from the three vessels seen in the offing.
No one had been killed by the fire of Major Anderson, and the casualties among the Confederate troops in the batteries were inconsiderable. There is, of course, no account of the loss, if any, among the garrison of Fort Sumter.
The particulars of hostilities, as well as the correspondence and telegraphic despatches between General Beuregard, Major Anderson and the Secretary of War at Montgomery, will be found in the appropriate column.
It is not unlikely, in the present aspect of affairs, that hostilities will soon begin, if they have not already commenced, at Fort Pickens. The same policy that dictated the bombardment of Fort Sumter, before the arrival of reinforcements, no doubt directed similar operations at Pensacola.
POSTSCRIPT.—Our advices up to this hour—one o’clock A.M.—state that the bombardment had ceased for the night, unless an attempt should be made to throw men into Fort Sumter, for which the secessionists were duly prepared.