"It was at first currently reported and be lieved that Fort Moultrie had been laid in ruins; that the guns were spiked, and the carriages, together with the barracks, burned, and that the post had been entirely abandoned. The reports spread like wild fire, and soon gained currency in every part of the city. Instinctively, men flew to arms. Orders were immediately issued to the military companies to hold themselves in readiness for service; and all of them, thus ordered out, promptly obeyed the summons.

"About noon the excitement in the streets had attained the highest pitch. The State Convention was known to be in secret conclave, and it was believed that this was the subject matter of their deliberations. The streets swarmed with people. Additional flags were displayed from the stores and houses on the principal streets. The custom-house and other buildings, formerly in the possession of the United States Government, displayed the bunting of the infant Republic of South Carolina. Every one looked upon the war as actually begun.'

"Later in the day, however, the excitement was somewhat abated, when it became known that the movement on the part of the forces of the United States at Fort Moultrie was not at the instance of the Administration at Washington, but was merely a precautionary measure taken by Major Anderson, under the conviction that his position within the fort on Sullivan's Island would not be tenable if attacked by well-organized and disciplined troops. The contradiction of the first report in relation to the damage done the fort by the troops that had evacuated it, also had a tendency to allay the excitement of the occasion."

Castle Pinckney, a small fort near the city, was immediately occupied by the troops of the State. These troops also took full possession of the United States Arsenal, over which, for some weeks previous, they had acted as a guard. The United States officer hitherto in command was relieved by them. It contained, at the time, seventy thousand stand of arms and other military stores, which were estimated in value at half a million of dollars. About the same time Capt. N. L. Coste, who had been appointed to the revenue service in 1845, abandoned the cutter Wm. Aiken and discharged his crew. Captain, crew, and vessel afterwards passed into the service of South Carolina. At this time, also, the mob set at liberty the captain of a slave ship recently brought into Charleston in charge of a prize crew. The delivery of cement, stone, and other supplies for the United States officers was prevented. Military preparations were actively commenced, and companies of volunteers from other Southern States were tendered. At the custom-house, notice was given to the masters of all vessels from ports outside of South Carolina that they must enter and clear at Charleston. Precautions were likewise taken in and around the harbor

to prevent any reinforcement to Fort Sumter. In consequence of these proceedings, trade was almost entirely stopped, and money became scare enough to alarm the most sanguine. Anxiety was depicted in the faces of those whose interests were most seriously involved, and the brisk air of many of the inhabitants was gone.

Such measures were adopted to prevent all vessels of an offensive character entering the harbor of Charleston, that even those belonging to that city could not get out without aid. All the buoys were removed, and some, if not all, of the beacons taken down. All lights were extinguished at night except that at Fort Sumter, which, for the purposes of navigation, might as well have been a hundred miles off, and the light-ship was withdrawn. From Cumming's Point to the lighthouse, a distance of several miles, sandbank batteries were erected and well manned, and vessels laden with paving stones and other heavy substances were placed at important points to sink, so that any vessels of an opposing character that might be disposed to prowl in would be stopped. Pilots were firmly charged not to pilot vessels of war into the harbor, but no restrictions were placed upon vessels of commerce and trade. When the steamship Columbia was ready for sea, although she belonged to the city of Charleston, so completely had all marks of the channel been obliterated that it cost the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to get her clear of the harbor. It was estimated that the value of the vessel and cargo, which consisted of cotton, rice, domestic produce, &c., was not less than $450,000, and yet this large amount was "locked up" for some time rather than allow chances for the vessels of the enemy to make their way to the fort or the city. The new manifests and clearances were but slightly altered from the original ones, the only difference being that the words "United States of America" were struck out, and the words "Sovereign State of South Carolina "substituted.

The movements in Charleston and in the State had been of such a character that commercial men now began to feel their influence. Indications were manifest of a strong expression of dissatisfaction from that portion of the people. The trade of Charleston, and, in reality, that of the whole State, had ceased to exist. The port of Charleston was, for the time, blotted from the charts, its lighthouse dark, its beacons destroyed, the channel to its harbor a pathless maze.

Meantime, the work of fortifying the harbor was carried steadily forward by the South Carolina authorities. Steamers watched Fort Sumter constantly, and mortars were planted on Cumming's Point, the nearest land to the fort.

At Morris Island three large Columbiads were mounted and intrenched in sand-bags, with a forty-two-pounder and a formidable mortar.

The batteries at Fort Johnson were made quite formidable, and it was intended to keep up a fire upon Sumter from the three forts for twenty-four hours before an attempt was made to assault the stronghold. The impression was that a breach could be made in the walls, and that Major Anderson's limited garrison would be so worn out by the severe labors of working the guns incessantly for so long a time, that the storming party on rafts would be able to accomplish the escalade without much difficulty or loss of life.

Such were the plans then rife in Charleston. Meantime the work of military preparation steadily moved on. The military review held on the 28th was the largest parade which had taken place. On the same day two Dahlgren guns, of the heaviest calibre, arrived from Richmond, Virginia. They were put immediately into a proper battery. Five ten-inch mortars accompanied the Dahlgrens, and two more were expected in a day or two. Fifty thousand pounds of powder were also received the same day from Pensacola, (Fla.,) and twenty thousand pounds from Wilmington, North Carolina. It was said that they would have, in a few days, ready for an emergency, from three to four hundred thousand pounds of powder.

The rate of taxation at this time in Charleston was, on real estate and on stocks of goods, 14-10 per cent. On interest on bonds, on dividends, commissions, annuities, and on gross income, it was 2 5-10 per cent. The tax on slaves was $3; on horses, $10; on dogs, $2; on single carriages $20; on double carriages, $30; and this is without reference to the value of the above kinds of property. The State tax was levied in addition to this city tax. Persons of Indian descent and free colored persons held a separate place among the tax-payers. It appears that the highest taxes paid by the former class (Indians) were, respectively, $384, $242, $227, &c.; by persons of color, $613, $491, $202, &c. Many of these paid taxes for the negroes whom they owned-the number owned by single persons varying from one to fifteen or twenty. The entire number of slaves thus held was over four hundred. Premiums of insurance were charged 1 25-100 per cent. The city expenditures were large, but the item of interest on the city debt was the most formidable and onerous. The city had within a few years, in the face of heavy taxes, increased its tax for public school purposes.

On the 7th of April such a force had been gathered at Charleston, and preparations for an attack on Fort Sumter had been so nearly completed, that the commanding officer, Gen. Beauregard, now issued an order prohibiting all in tercourse between the city and Fort Sumter. Notice of this order was also given to Major Anderson. On the next day five thousand more troops were ordered out. Companies of volunteers, which were constantly arriving, were stationed in different positions around the harbor. At this time all vessels were ordered

to keep out of range of the fire between Fort Sumter and Sullivan's Island. Business was entirely suspended, and the most intense excitement prevailed. About five thousand troops were assembled on Sullivan and Morris Islands and along the coast. On the 9th a messenger from Washington was at Charleston and in conference with the authorities, but was not permitted to communicate with Fort Sumter. The attack on the fort was commenced at half-past 4 in the morning of the 12th, and continued thirty-three hours. (See SUMTER.) The highest excitement existed in Charleston while this took place. Citizens of all classes were spectators of the scene.

On the 16th troops were still pouring into the city, and it was estimated that 10,000 were present. They were in a half-disciplined state, and were immediately subjected to a rigid drill. The state of affairs, however, soon became quiet, and business was to some extent resumed, until the blockade of the port commenced, about the 1st of May. So stringently was this maintained that all foreign commerce ceased, and utter stagnation ensued except in military affairs. These were conducted with much vigor.

At 9 o'clock on the night of the 11th of December a fire broke out in a sash factory at the foot of Hazel street, which extended to machine shops on the opposite side of the street, and fanned by a stiff breeze, with a lack of water, it soon became of a most formidable character. Several churches, and nearly all the public buildings, banks, and insurance offices became a prey to the flames. King street, Meeting street, Church street, State street, between Broad and Hazel streets, were the scenes of the greatest destruction. Thousands were rendered houseless and reduced to great extremity. The value of property destroyed was estimated at ten millions of dollars. Contributions were sent to the sufferers by citizens of the adjoining States to a moderate extent.

The blockade of this port was very stringent during the temperate months of the year. Near its close, the attempt was made to seal up the channels of the harbor with sunken ships. The Secretary of the Navy thus states the plan:

"One method of blockading the ports of the insurgent States, and interdicting communication, as well as to prevent the egress of priva teers which sought to depredate on our commerce, has been that of sinking in the channels vessels laden with stone. The first movement in this direction was on the North Carolina coast, where there are numerous inlets to Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, and other interior waters, which afforded facilities for eluding the blockade, and also to the privateers. For this purpose a class of small vessels were purchased in Baltimore, some of which have been placed in Ocracoke Inlet.

"Another and larger description of vessels were bought in the eastern market, most of them such as were formerly employed in the whale fisheries. These were sent to obstruct

the channels of Charleston harbor and the Savannah River; and this, if effectually done, will prove the most economical and satisfactory method of interdicting commerce at those points." Two fleets of vessels were obtained for the blockade of Charleston and Savannah. The first consisted of twenty-five vessels; the second of twenty. The largest number of these vessels had been used in the whale fisheries and in the trade to India. They were ships and barks of a burthen between two and five hundred tons, which had become too old to encounter any longer the hazards of a long voyage at sea. They were purchased by the Government at about ten dollars per ton, principally in the seaports of New Bedford and New London. The vessels, although old, were substantial and generally double-deckers. They were stripped of their copper and other fittings not necessary for so short a voyage, and loaded with picked stone as deeply as was safe. At light-water mark in each vessel one or more holes were bored through the sides, into which a lead pipe was carefully inserted, the ends of which were nailed down on each side of the vessel, a plug was driven in from the outside and another from within, and both secured by a rod passing through them, and fastened within by a nut and screw. Each fleet carried about six thousand tons of stone. The vessels were each manned by about fourteen men. The orders given to the commander were as follows:

"To Captain Sir: The now under your command, having been purchased by the Navy Department for service on the Southern coast of the United States, the following are your orders for your proposed voyage:

the

You will proceed from this port on instant, or with the first fair wind, and when clear of the land make a direct passage to the port of and there deliver your ship to the commanding officer of the blockading fleet off said port, taking his receipt for her return to me. After the delivery of your vessel, yourself and crew will be provided with passages to the port of New York, by the Navy Department, and on your arrival there you will call on who

will furnish you with funds to return to this port. "On the voyage down it would be well, as far as practicable, to keep in company of your consorts, to exhibit lights by night and sound horns or bells in case of fog near the coast.

"You will also examine daily the pipe in the quarter of your ship under water, to see that it remains

safe.

"The only service required of you is the safe delivery of your vessel; and as she is old and heavily laden, you will use special care that she sustains no damage from unskilful seamanship or want of prudence and care.

"On a close approach to your port of destination, begin to put between-decks cargo into lower hold, and, before anchoring permanently, have your second anchor and chain, (if you have one,) secured on deck. On leaving your vessel, unless otherwise ordered, you will bring away papers, chronometer, charts, compasses, spy-glass, and any other valuable portable articles not required by the commander of the blockading fleet there, and return them safely to me.

"In case of disaster, to preclude going on, you can call at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, to repair

damages, reporting to the flag-officer there. "Wishing you a safe and speedy passage, I am yours, respectfully,

The effect of sunken vessels upon the channels of a harbor, if uninfluenced by winds and currents, is to stop the navigation. These old hulks become points for the accumulation of alluvials which the rivers bear down, and of the sands which the tides carry back. Becoming thoroughly imbedded in the sand, they cause the accumulations to increase with time, forming unconquerable obstacles to re-opening the channels. The strong westerly winds which prevail at Charleston tend to sweep out the channels of its harbor by the increased force of the ebb tide. Two or three hulks which were sunk by the State authorities before the bombardment of Fort Sumter were soon afterwards swept out in this manner. In some instances obstructions of this kind have caused the water to cut out new channels. On the 21st of December seventeen of these vessels were sunk across the principal entrance to Charleston by orders from the Navy Department at Washington. They were placed in three or four rows across the channel, not in uniform, but in a chequered order.

The occupation of Beaufort by the Federal troops with an immense fleet of transports excited great apprehensions at Charleston. An increased military force was gathered; the defences increased and put in a complete state of readiness to resist an attack. In case of an alarm, the orders by which the troops in the city were to proceed were to this purport:

In case of an alarm, requiring the prompt assem bling of all the troops in the city of Charleston, the signal for each assembling will be fifteen strokes upon all the fire bells; an interval of one minute, and the fifteen strokes will be repeated. The strokes will be repeated five times.

Upon the sounding of such a signal the troops in the city will immediately assemble, under arms, and in marching order, at the respective regimental muster grounds, and being formed in line will await further orders.

The regiment of the reserves will assemble on the street immediately in front of the Citadel, the color company resting on the gate of the Citadel, and will be retained in the city for its immediate defence, unless otherwise specially ordered.

The officers commanding the Sixteenth and Seventeenth regiments of infantry, First Regiment of rifles and First Regiment of artillery, will have their trans portation wagons turned out and loaded with the regi mental tents and stores, and will proceed to press horses and mules as may be required for the transportation.

Upon an alarm being communicated to the country, the officers commanding companies will immediately extend the same in the mode pointed out.

CHARLESTON, VA., is the capital of Kanawha County. It is situated on the Kanawha River, 60 miles from its mouth, and at its confluence with Elk River, 308 miles west by north of Richmond. The river here is three hundred yards wide, and is navigable for steamboats at all seasons of the year. The principal thoroughfare from Richmond to the Ohio River passes through the town. The Virginia troops under Gen. Wise collected here in considerable num bers in July, but upon the approach of the

Union forces under Gen. Cox, they retreated. One shot was fired from the Union force into the steamboat Moffit, which caused her boiler to explode, and she was burnt to the water's edge. The troops under Gen. Wise were in a fortified camp below Charleston, but they evacuated their position and left considerable spoil behind them, which was taken by Gen. Cox's troops. They retreated to Gauley bridge, thirty-eight miles above.

CLARKSBURG, the capital of Harrison county, Virginia, is located on the west fork of the Monongahela River, at the mouth of Elk Creek. It is 220 miles northwest of Richmond. The village is situated on high tableland, environed by hills. When the ordinance of secession passed the Virginia State Convention, some of the first indications of opposition to it in Western Virginia were manifested here. The ordinance was passed on the 17th of April, and on the 23d a public meeting was held, and delegates appointed to meet similar delegates from other counties at Wheeling, to consult on the posture of affairs.

The first belligerent issue between the Union men of Western Virginia and the State troops recognizing the authority of the Southern Confederacy, was joined at this town. Two companies of the Confederate military having marched into the place on the 20th of May, the court house bell was rung as a signal for the assemblage of the two Union military companies, under the command of Captains Moore and Vance, who demanded that the Confederate forces should surrender their arms and disband. After a brief parley the demand was complied with.

COCKEYSVILLE is a village in Baltimore county, Maryland. It is on the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad, about seventeen miles from Baltimore and forty from Annapolis. Af ter the attack on the Massachusetts troops at Baltimore on the 19th of April, the other forces in their rear from the North, chiefly Pennsylvanians, stopped at Cockeys Fields, in the vicinity of Cockeysville, and encamped, to the number of twenty-four hundred.

Having left Harrisburg with no knowledge of the opposition of the citizens of Baltimore to the passage of the Northern troops through their city, they had halted upon the first intimation of the hostile intentions of the authorities of that city; and, far from entertaining any idea of forcing a passage through Baltimore, they seemed to hold her citizens in peculiar and friendly regard.

This circumstance had more effect in allaying the excitement of the Baltimoreans than all the efforts of their city police or military companies.

COLUMBUS is a small village having one hundred to two hundred inhabitants, situated on the Mississippi River, in Kentucky. It is eighteen miles below Cairo by water, fortyseven miles from Paducah, and about forty-five miles above Island No. 10 in the Mississippi

River. It is important only as a military position. The Mobile and Ohio Railroad terminates here, and the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad at Hickman, nine miles below. Its position is on the southern slope of a high bluff of the Mississippi bank, which commands the stream for about five miles. Wolf's Island is in the centre of the river in its immediate vicinity. The place was occupied on the 4th of September by Confederate troops, under the com. mand of Gen. Pillow, who immediately commenced fortifications. This closed the navigation of the Mississippi to the steamboats belonging to the States above. The fortifications were pushed to such an extent as to render it one of the strongest points held by the Confederate troops. Three one hundred and twentyeight pounders were placed in such a position as to command the river from the highest part of the bluff, being seventy-five feet above the water. Above on the river was another battery of fourteen guns, which were generally rifled..

On the northern slope of the bluff were two light batteries and a rifle pit, one mile in length, which were designed specially to protect the place against a land attack from the north, while on the summit of the hills was a strongly intrenched work, commanding all directions, and manned by eight cannon.

On the south side, and to protect the town from a rear attack, was a small battery of eight guns. The whole number of guns has been estimated at between eighty and a hundred. In addition, there was a floating battery of twenty guns capable of being moved to the most exposed points. The number of Confederate troops at various periods, in and around Columbus, was estimated at 30,000. The position was regarded in the Confederacy as the northern key to the mouth of the Mississippi. Its evacuation on the 1st of March, 1862, after the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, and the occupation of Nashville by the Federal troops, became a matter of course.

COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES. The commerce of the United States underwent a remarkable change in the year 1861, partly in consequence of the civil war, and partly by reason of the immense demand from Europe for breadstuffs, which for the first time closely taxed the western lands, newly traversed by railroads, to supply. The external commerce of the United States has from its origin consisted mainly in the exportation of raw products, food, and materials for manufacturers, and receiving in exchange tropical productions and manufactured goods. Proportionately, however, as manufacturing has been developed in the country, and the coarser descriptions of imported goods have been supplanted by those of home production, the people, grown richer and more luxurious, have required finer and more costly productions from abroad in return for the products exported. The commoner kinds of American manufacture have also gradually