vey two hundred and fifty troops to Fort Sumter. The official account of the passage of the vessel and incidents of the trip, may best be given in Captain McGowan's own language:

Capt. McGowan's Report.

STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEST, NEW YORK, Saturday, Jan. 12, 1861.

M. O. ROBERTS, Esq.-SIR: After leaving the wharf on the 5th inst., at 5 o'clock P. M., we proceeded down the Bay, where we hove to, and took on board four officers and two hundred soldiers, with their arms, ammunition, &c., and then proceeded to sea, crossing the bar at Sandy Hook at 9 P. M. Nothing unusual took place during the passage, which was a pleasant one for this season of the year.

We arrived at Charleston Bar at 1:30 A. M. on the 9th inst., but could find no guiding marks for the Bar, as the lights were all out. We proceeded with caution, running very slow, and sounding, until about 4 A. M., being then in 4 fathoms water, when we discovered a light through the haze which at that time covered the horizon. Concluding that the lights were on Fort Sumter, after getting the bearings of it, we steered to the S. W. for the main ship-channel, where we hove to, to await daylight, our lights having all been put out since 12 o'clock, to avoid being seen.

As the day began to break, we discovered a steamer just in shore of us, who, as soon as she saw us, burned one blue light and two red lights as signals, and shortly after steamed over the bar and into the ship-channel. The soldiers were now all put below, and no one allowed on deck except our own crew. As soon as there was light enough to see, we crossed the bar and proceeded on up the channel, (the outer bar buoy having been taken away,) the steamer ahead of us sending off rockets, and burning lights until after broad daylight, continuing on her course up nearly two miles ahead of us. When we arrived about two miles from Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter being about the same distance, a masked battery on Morris Island, where there was a red Palmetto flag flying, opened fire upon us-distance, about five-eighths of a mile. We had the American flag flying at our flag-staff at the time, and soon after the first shot, hoisted a large American Ensign at the fore. We continued on under the fire of the battery for over ten minutes, several of the shots going clear over us. One shot passed just clear of the pilot-house, another passed between the smoke-stack and walking-beams of the engine, another struck the ship just abaft the fore-rigging and stove in the planking, while another came within an ace of carrying away the rudder. At the same time there was a movement of two steamers from near Fort Moultrie, one of them towing a schooner, (I presume an armed schooner,) with the intention of cutting us off. Our position now became rather critical, as we had to approach Fort Moultrie to within three-quarters of a mile before we could keep away for Fort Sumter. A steamer approaching us with an armed schooner in tow, and the battery on the island firing at us all the time, and having no cannon to defend ourselves from the attack of the vessels, we concluded that, to avoid certain capture or destruction, we would endeavor to get to sea. Consequently we wore round and steered down the channel, the battery firing upon us until the shot fell short. As it was now strong ebb tide, and the water having fallen some three feet, we proceeded with caution, and crossed the bar safely at 8:50 A. M., and continued on our course for this port, where we arrived this morning after a boisterous passage. A steamer from Charleston followed us for about three hours, watching our movements.

In justice to the officers and crews of each department of the ship, I must add that their behavior, while under the fire of the battery, reflected great credit on them.

THE ATTACK ON THE STAR OF THE WEST.

15

Mr. Brewer, the New York pilot, was of very great assistance to me in helping to pilot the ship over Charleston Bar, and up and down the channel.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN MCGOWAN, Captain.

In consequence of the firing upon this vessel, Major Anderson despatched a flag of truce ashore, when the following correspondence took place:

To his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina :

SIR-Two of your batteries fired this morning on an unarmed vessel, bearing the flag of my government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by South Carolina against the United States, I cannot but think this a hostile act committed without your sanction or authority. Under that hope I refrain from opening a fire on your batteries. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask whether the above-mentioned act -one which, I believe, is without parallel in the history of our country, or any other civilized government-was committed in obedience to your instructions, and notify you, if it is not disclaimed, that I regard it as an act of war. And I shall not, after reasonable time for the return of my messenger, permit any vessel to pass within the range of the guns of my fort. In order to save, as far as it is in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg you will take due notification of my decision for the good of all concerned. Hoping, however, your answer may justify a further continuance of forbearance on my part,

I remain, respectfully,

ROBERT ANDERSON.

Governor Pickens, after stating the position of South Carolina to the United States, says, that any attempt to send United States troops into Charleston harbor to reinforce the forts, would be regarded as an act of of hostility; and in conclusion adds, that any attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of the forts within the waters of South Carolina-which Major Anderson abandoned after spiking the cannon and doing other damage cannot be regarded by the authorities of the State as indicative of any other purpose than the coercion of the State by the armed force of the government. Special agents, therefore, have been off the bar to warn approaching vessels, armed and unarmed, having troops to reinforce Fort Sumter aboard, not to enter the harbor. Special orders have been given the commanders at the forts not to fire on such vessels until a shot across their bows should warn them of the prohibition of the State.

Under these circumstances, the Star of the West, it is understood, this morning attempted to enter the harbor with troops, after having been notified she could not enter, and consequently she was fired into. The act is perfectly justified by me. In regard to your threat about vessels in the harbor, it is only necessary for me to say you must be the judge of your responsibility. Your position in the harbor has been tolerated by the authorities of the State; and while the act of which you complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct you propose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be reconciled with any other purpose than that of your government imposing on the State the condition of a conquered province. F. W. PIOKENS.

SECOND COMMUNICATION FROM MAJOR ANDERSON.

To his Excellency Gov. Pickens:

SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, and say, that under the circumstances, I have deemed it proper to

refer the whole matter to my government, and intend deferring the course I indicated in my note this morning until the arrival from Washington of such instructions as I may receive. I have the honor also to express the hope that no obstructions will be placed in the way, and that you will do me the favor of giving every facility for the departure and return of the 'bearer, Lieut. T. Talbott, who is directed to make the journey.

ROBERT ANDERSON.

Gov. Pickens immediately granted the permission desired, and directed Lieut. Talbott to have every facility and courtesy extended to him as bearer of despatches to the United States government, both in going and returning.

The steamer Marion was seized on the 11th of January, but subsequently returned to her owners.

South Carolina has necessarily occupied much of the space in this work, as the events which led to the secession of the other seceding States, could best be chronicled in their regular order. The following war tax will show the expense incurred on the part of South Carolina in carrying out this war with the Union.

Here are some of the items:

385,689 negroes, at $1.60........

$617,102

3,421 free negroes, at $3,25.

11,118

Sales of goods $20,000,000, at 28 cents (this item is reduced $6,388,881)
Professions, 2,000,000, at $1......

56,000

20,000

Town lots and houses, $31,383,873, at 27 cents......

84,601

Interest on stocks owned by State and the bond of tax col

In the South Carolina Legislature, on the 22d, Mr. Rhett offered a resolution which was adopted: That, from and after the passage of the resolution, the national flag or ensign of South Carolina shall be blue, with a white Palmetto tree upright thereon, and a white crescent in the

corner.

On the 29th of December, Secretary Floyd, of the War Department, resigned his position. He stated as a reason that the movement of Major Anderson in evacuating Fort Moultrie, and occupying Fort Sumter, was directly contrary to the spirit of assurances which had been given by him (Floyd) to the authorities of South Carolina, that no change should be made in the disposition of the Government forces in the fortifications in Charleston harbor, until the State Commissioners could arrive in Wash

THE SECESSION OF GEORGIA.

17

ington and have a hearing. As soon as the action of Major Anderson became known, the Commissioners called upon Secretary Floyd for explanations. Mr. Floyd disavowed the act, but the Commissioners would not be satisfied with any thing short of the withdrawal of the troops from Fort Sumter. This, it appears, Secretary Floyd was willing to agree to, and he accordingly asked the permission of the President to issue the necessary order. The cabinet had a very long discussion on the subject; but, finally, the weight of the Cabinet being against complying with the demand of the Commissioners, Secretary Floyd felt himself called upon to resign.

On the 30th the Charlestonians seized the arsenal and arms therein, and raised over that building and the post-office the Palmetto flag.

Governor Pickens had at that time appointed Hon. A. G. M'Grath Secretary of State, Hon. D. F. Jamison Secretary of War, C. G. Memminger Secretary of the Treasury, W. H. Harlee to regulate the Postal department and the light-houses, and A. C. Garlington Secretary of the Interior.

The Secession of Georgia.

GEORGIA, the fifth in the list of States seceding from the Union, has a population of 1,082,797; the proportion of slaves being 467,461. It extends 300 miles from North to South, and about 240 from East to West, containing 58,000 square miles. Georgia is bounded North by North Carolina and Tennessee; East by South Carolina (from which it is separated by Savannah river) and the Atlantic; South by Florida; and West by Alabama. The face of the country on the sea-coast is level and marshy, and intersected by numerous rivers and creeks. The sea-coast is also bordered with islands, producing sea-island cotton and rice. The pine barrens extend about 70 miles in the interior, beyond which the country is diversified with hill, dale, and mountain. The soil in the interior is generally good, and well adapted to the cultivation of cotton, which is the staple production. Rice and tobacco of excellent quality are raised in abundance. Indian corn is also raised in all parts of the State. The principal fruits are oranges, limes, figs, melons, citrons, and peaches. Of minerals found in the State, the most important is gold. The climate is mild and pleasant in winter, but the sea-coast is subject to fevers in summer and autumn. The forests abound with excellent timber-in the South, pine, and in the North, oak. The principal cities are Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Athens, and Milledgeville, the seat of government. Georgia was the latest settled of the original 13 States. In 1732 the country was granted by George II. to James Oglethorpe and others, who founded Savannah, Feb. 1, 1733. In 1742 the Spaniards in Florida invaded the colony unsuccessfully. In 1752 the Trustees surrendered the province to the King, by whom Governors were appointed. In 1775 Georgia acceded to the Union of the colonies. In 1777 the first State Constitution was adopted. In 1778 Savannah was captured by the British, who held it until July 1782. Constitution of the United States adopted Jan. 2, 1788.

On the 19th of January, 1861, Georgia threw off her allegiance to the American Union, and by a vote of 208 to 89 was declared free and independent.

On the 2d of January, Forts Pulaski and Jackson, and the United States arsenal at Savannah, were seized by the State troops, under the direction of the Governor of the State,

THE SECESSION ORDINANCE.

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the Union between the State of Georgia and other States united with her under the compact of Government entitled the Constitution of the United States.

We, the people of the State of Georgia, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by the people of the State of Georgia in Convention in 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States was assented to, ratified and adopted, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly ratifying and adopting amendments to the said Constitution, are hereby repealed, rescinded and abrogated.

And we do further declare and ordain that the Union now subsisting between the State of Georgia and other States, under the name of the United States, is hereby dissolved, and that the State of Georgia is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State.

Capture of the Augusta Arsenal.

The arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, surrendered to the State troops, was until October last under the sole charge of Dr. J. M. Galt, who has been twelve years in the service, and a guard of nine men. On account of the impending troubles, Mayor Blodgett, of Augusta, with the advice of the City Council, wrote to the then Secretary of War, Gen. Floyd, and stated that the local authorities would not be held responsible for the government property there unless there was a reinforcement of United States troops. Accordingly, Company E, Captain Arnold Elzy, then stationed at Fort Smith, was ordered to repair to the arsenal, which was occupied by that corps in the latter part of October, who held it until the surrender. The property is one of the best held by the Government in the interior of any Southern State. The grounds comprise some seventy acres of the most eligible and valuable land in the vicinity of Augusta. The buildings are mostly of brick, large and commodious, and the barracks are in fine order for the accommodation of troops. The parade ground is only equalled on this continent by the Champ de Mars at Montreal, and is flanked by fine groves of trees. There were on the premises in October a full battery of four pieces, six and twelve pounders, which, in 1850, was part of Major Ronald's command, Company L, of the artillery. There were also twenty thousand muskets and two thousand rifles. The muskets were made in 1822, flint locks, and altered in 1840 to percussion. The rifles are designed for the Minié ball, and are in good order. The place was bought for the United States in 1824, by Captain Payne. It was then the property of Col. Henry Walker, a gentleman distinguished for political and military service in Georgia.