The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, January 03, 1861, Image 2
Military Defence.
"We give below the Military Bill, as it
' has passed the General Assembly, and has
become an "Act to Provide an armed
Military Force:"
Ax Act to Provide ax Armed Military
Force?
Sec 1. Be it enactedby the Senate and
House of Representatives, now met and
Bitting in General Assembly, and by tJle
authority of the same, That whenever it
shall appear that an armed force is about
to be employed againsi the State, or in
opposition to its authority, the Governor
be and he is hereby authorized to repell
the same; and for that purpose to call into
the service of the State, from time to time,
such portion of the militia as he may deem
necessary and proper, .and to organize the
same on the following plan :
Sec. 2. That immediately after passing
this Act, the Governor shall be arithoriced
and required to call for one Volunteer
Company of Infantry from each Infantry
Battalion, and to receive two Rifle Compa?
nies from each Infantry Brigade in the
State, to consist of one Captain, one First
Lieutenant, one Second Lieutenant, one
Third Lieutenant, five Sergeants, six Cor?
porals,'and not less than sixty nor more
than eighty-five Privates; and such Com?
pany shall have preference in the order of
acceptance by the Governor over other
Companies subsequently raised from such
? Battalions, or from the State at large.
That every existing Volunteer Company,
Troop or Squadron, Battalion or Regiment,
composed of Volunteer Corps, which shall
offer their services as a whole, may be so
received and permitted to retain their
officers: Provided, They tender their
services with the requisite number of
officers,'-non-commissioned officers and
privates. And if any Battalion of Infan?
try'shall neglect, refuse, or fail, for want
of numbers, for thirty days after the issue
of the call of the Governor for the pur?
pose aforesaid, to report to him the or?
ganization of such Volunteer Company or
Companies, with their complement of
officers, non-commissioned officers and
privates, ready for service, then the Gov?
ernor is hereby authorized and required to
fill such vacancies by receiving volunteers
from the nearest Battalion or Battalions to
the one so failing, and to order a draft from
such Battalions as refuse or neglect to
tender the requisite number of officers,
non-commissionccl officers and sixty pri?
vates.
: Sec. 3. That in addition to the above,
the Governor is hereby authorized to re?
ceive as volunteers one or more Companies
of Cavalry from each Cavalry Regiment
of the State. Each Company to consist
of one Captain, First and Second Lieu?
tenants, one Comet, four Sergeants, four
Corporals, one Sadler, one Farrier, one
Trumpoter, aud not less than thirty-two
nor more than sixty privates, aud organise
the same into not more than four squad?
rons, and two Regiments, with the proper
Field and Staff Officers, as now provided
by law, and to arm and equip the same for
active service.
Sec' 4. That the Governor is also here?
by authorized to accept the services of one
. _ J^fawfitt^Ar tiilerrHrrr.ine~**effy* cf j
Charleston, one Com]>auy of Artillery from
the city of Columbia, o::e Company of|
Artillery from Georgetown, one Company |
of Artillery from the town of Beaufort,!
and to arm and equip the same for active
service; and each Company of Artillery
shall consist of one Captain, four Lieuten?
ants, two Staff Sergeants, six Sergeants,
twelve Corporals, six Artificers, two
Buglers, and not less than fifty-eight nor
more than one hundred and twenty-two
Privates.
Sec 5. That each Company of Volun?
teers under this Act, when formed, -and
before*teudering their services, may elect
or appoint their own company officers ;
hut no election shall take place iu r.ny com?
pany while in active service, except in
cases of vacancy in the officers of Ensign
or Cornet, or 4th Lieutenant of Artillery,
which shall be filled by an election : Pro
hided, That such election shall be ordered
forthwith by the superior officer in com?
mand of the Company, Battalion or Regi?
ment, in-which such vacancy shall occur,
and the election shall be held within twenty
four hours after such order had been issued,
and in all.other eases of vacancy, the same
shall be filled by promotion of those next
in grade "hereto in their respective compa?
nies.
Sec C. That the Governor is hereby
authorized and empowered to order into
active service any part of the Military
force embraced under this Act, whenever,
and at whatsoever places, he may deem
the safety of the State requires: Provid?
ed, That such Military forces shall not be
compelled to remain in active service for
a longer period than twelve months. And
the Governor is hereby authorized to call,
previous to the expiration of the said term
of service of the Troops in the field, for
further Volunteer forces, to supply their
places should the same be deemed t neces?
sary for the safety of the Stale.
Sec 7. That the Governor is hereby
authorized and directed to organize forth?
with the new companies herein provided
for, and the existing voluuteer organiza?
tions of the State, who tender their ser?
vices, into appropriate Battalions, Squad?
rons, Regiments, Brigades and a Division;
that the said Military Division shall be
officered by one Major General, to be ap?
pointed by the Governor, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, and to
be commissioned by the Governor, and in
case the Senate shall not be in session, the
nominee of the Governor shall be com?
missioned by him, and hold the office until
the close of the next session of the Legis?
lature, such appointment; and that said
Major-General shall have power to appoint
the following Staff Officers; that is to
say: One Deputy Adjutant-General, with
the rank of Colonel; one Division Inspect?
or-General; one Division Quartermaster
General; one Division Commissary-Gen?
eral ; one Division Paymaster-General ;
one Division Surgeon-General, each with
the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, aud three
Aids-de-Camp,-with the rank of Major;
said Staff Officers' to be commissioned by
the Governor.
Sec 8. That each Brigade shall be offi?
cered by one Brigadier-General, to be ap?
pointed by the Governor, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, to be
commissioned by the Governor, and in
case the Senate, is not in session at the time
i
of the appointment, the "nominee of the
Governor shall be commissioned by him,
and hold the office until the close of the
next session of the Legislature afrer such
appointment; and that the said Brigadier
General shall have power to appoint the
following Staff Officers ; that is to say:
One Brigade Major, one Brigade Inspector,
one Brigade Commissary, one Brigade
Quartermaster, one Brigade Surgeon, each
with the rank of Major ; and two Aids
de-Camp, with the rank of Captain; said
Staff Officers to he commissioned by the
Governor.
Sec 0. That eadh Regiment shall be
officered by one Colonel, one Lieutenant
Colonel and one Major, to be elected by
the officers and privates of the said Regi?
ment, within ten days after the Companies
composing said Regiment shall have been
accepted, the election of said officers to be
ordered by the Governor, and the com?
mission therefor to be signed and issued
I by him ; and the Colonel of the said Regi?
ment shall have power to appoint the fol?
lowing Staff Officers ; that is to say : One
Adjutant, one Quartermaster, one Com?
missary and one Surgeon, each with the
rank of Captain ; one Assistant Surgeon
and one Chaplain, each with the rank of
First Lieutenant; one Sergeant-Major, one
Quartermaster-Sergeant, one Drum-Major
and ten Musicians, said commissioned
officers to be commissioned by the Gov?
ernor: Provided, That nothing herein
contained shall apply to any vacancy oc?
curring in the General Office of any Bri?
gade, or in the Field Offices of any Regi?
ment, whilst such Brigade or Regiment is
in actual service, which said vacancy so
occuring in actual service, whether by
casualty or otherwise, shall be lilled by
promotion in regular grade, and not by
election.
Sec. 10. That the troops or forces
authorized to be raised under the provis?
ions of this Act, shall constitute one Di?
vision, and said Division shall consist of
not less than two nor more than four
Brigades of Infantry, and each Infantry
Brigade shall consist of not less than two
nor more than four Regiments, and the
Artillery and Rifle Companies shall he at?
tached to such Infantry Regiments or
Brigades, as the officer in command of the
troops called into active service may from
time to time designate.
Sec. 11. That when tight Companies of
Infantry and tiie Rifle Companies thereto
attached, in any Infantry Brigade, shall,
have been accepted, the Governor shall
organize the same into a Regiment, and
shall authorize the said Companies to meet
at their respective rendezvous on a given
day, and there ballot for Colonel, Lieuten?
ant-Colonel and Major, and the result of
theballotting each Company shall bo trans?
mitted by the Captain thereof to tlie Gov?
ernor, who shall declare the election and
commission the officers. Thai when two
Regiments arc organized, the Governor
shall appoint, as hereinbefore provided, a
Brigadier-General to command said Bri?
gade; and when additional Regiments, as
hereinbefore provided, shall have been or?
ganized, the Governor shall form them in?
to Brigades, and appoint Brigadier-Gener?
als to command the additional Brigades,
and shall also appoint, as hereinbefore
provided, a Major-General to command the
i)i\ "skUi ; sod when additional troops are
called into active service, they slrr.ll be dis?
tributed into the Brigades already formed,
in such manner as the good of the service
may require, and as may be deemed ex
expedient by the Major-General command?
ing the Division:
?Provided, That, such additional troop::
shall not be other than those contemplated
to be raised under the second, third and
fourth sections of this Act:
And provided further, That whenever
four companies of Cavalry shall be accept?
ed, the Governor shall order an election for
a Major to command the Battalion, and
when eight Companies shall have been ac?
cepted, the Governor shall order au elec?
tion for an adition.al Major, and for a Col?
onel to command said Regiments, ami
when two Regiments shall have been or?
ganized, the Governor shall appoint, as
hereinbefore provided, a Brigadier-Gener?
al to command the Brigade of Cavalry.
Sec. 12. That the officers of- Division,
Brigades, Regiments, Battalions, Compan?
ies of equal grade and date of commis?
sion, shall determine their rank by lot.
Sec. 10. That the Companies herein au?
thorized to be organized, shall be fully
armed and equipped when mustered into
service.
Sec. 14. That the law now of force
prohibiting the reduction of Beat Com?
panies below the number of fifty men be,
and the same is hereby, suspended-: Pro?
vided, such reduction is occasioned by the
reception of volnnteers into the service of
the Slate, and that this Act shall continue
in force two years from the passage there?
of.
Sec. 15. That the Army Regulations,
approved works on Courts Martial, and
books of instruction for the different arms
of service now in use in the United Slates
Army, shall be used by the troops raised
under this Act, and the same system of
drill and discipline shall be enforced ; and
the Governor is hereby authorized and re?
quired to obtain, at the expense of the
State, a sufficient number of copies of the
Army Regulations, approved works on
Courts Martial, and said books of instruc?
tion, for the purpose indicated.
Sec. 10. That the following pay and
rations shall be allowed to the commis?
sioned, non-commissioned officers, privates
and musicians, while in the active service
of the State:
for the infantry skrvice.
Major-General, ?200 "jj> month, 7 rations ^j)day.
Brigadier-Gen. 105 "6 ?
Lieut, Colonel, 100 " 5
Major, 85 " 3 ?
Captain, 00 " 2 ? ??
First Lieut., 40 "2 "
Second Lieut., 30 " 2 "
Third Lieut., 30 " 2 '?
4th Lieut. Art. SO M 2 "
Sergeant Mnjor, 2? " 1 "
Q'rt'm'r Sergeant, 2? " 1 "
Drum Major, 20 " 1 ?
First Sarg t, 20 ? 1 ?
Second Scrg't, IT) "1 "
Third Sergeant. 15 " 1 ?
Fourth Sergeant, 15 1 ?
Fifth Sergeant, 15 " 1 <i
Sixth Sergeant, 15 " 1 u
The Corporal, 12 " 1
Privates, ? 10 " 1 J?
Musicians, 10 " 1 "
for the cavalry service.
Each officer, non-commissioned officer,
private and musician shall be allowed the
same pay and rations as are allowed in
the infantry service, with the addition of
forage for each horse employed in said
service.
FOR. THE ARTILLERY SERVICE.
Each officer, non-commissioned officer,
private and musician shall be allowed the
same pay and rations as arc allowed in
the infantry service, with the addition of
forage for each horse employed in said
service.;
Each Sergeant. Corporal, Private and
and Musician who shall be mustered into
the service of the State shall be allowed
two suits of clothes, two caps and two
pair of shoes, in addition to the pay and
rations hereinbefore allowed. The com?
mutation value of forage for each horse
enrolled shall be 88 per month j that the
commutation value of clothing for each
soldier per year shall be S15.
Sec 17. That the troops of this State,
when in active service, shall in every re?
spect be subject to the discipline as speci?
fied in "An Act for establishing Rules and
Articles for the government of the Army
of the United States," approved April the
loth, isoe.
S:;r. IS. That the commissioned, non?
commissioned officers, privates and musi?
cians of every Volunteer Company,
Troop, Battnllion, Squadron or Regiment,'
which may be raised and mustered into
service under this Military organization,
shall not be called upon during such ser?
vice as volunteers to perform any milita?
ry or road du t}*, nor shall be subject to
arrest for any debt, contract or obliga?
tion, after being mustered into service,
and for ten days after being discharged
from said service; but shall bo liable to
perform in their respective Corps all the
duties now required, or which may he
hereafter required by the Commander-in
Chief, or officers in command of said Vol?
unteer Corps, as are hereinbefore pro?
scribed.
Sec 10. That all Acts and parts of Acts
repugnant to this Act be. and the same
arc hereby, suspended, so long as this Act
shall remain in force.
Sjjc ^nkrsou InMIigcnccr.
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN'Y. 3, 186%
JAMES A. HOYT, Editor..
E6y" Divine ?ervice may be expected in the M.
E. Church of Ihis place on next Sabbath.
--<j>
Jjjgjf- The InicllUjtnccr will be placed in the hands
of an experien red and competent gentleman, should
the volunteer corps to which we belong be called
into the service of the State.
-si?--?
in consequence of the important and exci?
ting news found in our exchange?, we give place to
that in preference lo editorial matter. Renders
will doubtless be pleased at the arrangement.
--f>
The Palmetto Riflemen.
This gallant corp?, commanded by Capt. J. II.
WniTXKR, and numbering upwards of eighty men.
has tendered its services fo the Governor as one of
the hide companies authorized to be formed in
this Brigade, under the recent Act.
-.--?p
fczj" Those wishing to "put their houses in or?
der" before leaving for the conflict, will call on
Sloan, Prr.r.rr.\~ A Cc, -und :>!>fnir! one of Uic fh
perior Brooms which they have just received from
the Cedar Springs Jsylum, iu Spartanburg District.
We thank our friends for one of these Brooms, with
which we intend to " clean up " our bachelor quar?
ters before long.
Hon. J. P. Reed,
A delegate to the Convention, arrived here on
Sunday last, and addressed the people on Monday
in the Court House. At 9 o'clock, p. m., the Fal
mctto Riflemen halted in front, of the Benson
House, and called for Senator Harrison and Mr.
Rrbd, who responded in eloquent and appropriate
terms, congratulating the corps upon their com?
plete organization and warmly encouraging them
io maintain the l ights and honor of the State.
A Free and Independent R9publio.
We send greetings, with the new year, to our
friends and subscribers, that this State has re?
sumed her sovereignty and declared herself free
and independent among the nations of the earth.
The Ordinance of Secession will be found in this
issue.
The news was received herewith great rejoicing.
Firing of guns, ringing of bells, and at night there
was a grand display of fireworks.
-O
Personal.
The Hon. J. I). AsitMORK, late Representative
from this District in the U. S. Congress, arrived at
his home in this village on Wednesday last.
Our.frouiig friend and townsman, (). It. Bbotces,
jr., who has been in attendance upon the .Medical
Lectures at the University of New York, also re?
turned home during the holidays. He seceded
from the College, with a number of Southern stu?
dents. His native Stnte welcomes with pride the
return of her sons at this trying period.
-?
I. 0. 0. F.
At a regular meeting of Jocassc Lodge, No. 18,
I. 0. 0. F., held on Friday evening, December 21,
1SG0, the following brethren were chosen officers
to serve the ensuing annual term :
Sam'l. H. Laxcistox, N. (!.
James A. Hovt, V. G.
Thus. B. Bunniss, Secretary.
Sam'l. Brown, jr., Treasurer.
The public installation of these officers will be
made on to-morrow (Friday) evening, iu Odd Fel?
lows' Hull. The ladies and public generally arc
respectfully invited to be in attendance.
Seneca Rangers.
At a meeting of this Company, the following of?
ficers were elected:
THOMAS HALL, Captain.
F. E. Hariusox, 1st Lieutenant.
F. C. v. Borstel, 2d "
C. C. Lanoston, Cornet.
Rev. W. E. Walters, Chaplain.
Dr. Waller Nardin, Surgeon.
Jo. Berry Sloan, Orderly Sergeant.
John Cuxxixguam, lid.
Samuel Owex, 3d.
W. R. Farm:, 4th.
A. C. barle, 1st Corporal.
Tuos. nL White, 2d.
John D. M. Dobbins, 3d.
Samuel Brown. 4th.
E. B. Sloax, Sec. and Treas.
The Convention election in Florida has
resulted in the choice of an overwhelming
majority of members in favor of immedi?
ate secession.
Foreign jSTews.
Washington, December 2G.?Messrs.;- R. W.
Barnwcll, J. II. Adams, and James L. Orr, Com?
missioners from South Carolina to the Government
ut the United States, arrived this afternoon, and
put up at a private residence, thus disappointing
a large crowd of people who assembled at Brown's
Hotel, where it was expected they would stop.
It is thought they will visit the President to?
morrow, and it is believed that the President, will
immediately send a message to Congress, setting
forth his reasons" for a refusal to give audience to
the Commissioners, and recommending Congress to
give them (I hearing.
There have been additional resignations among
the Clerks from South Carolina, and several left
for home to-day.
The Senate Committee of Thirteen did nothing
to-day. It is now believed that it will be impossi?
ble for the Coinmiltcc to agree on anything.
The House Committee of Thirty-tl.rec have
agreed to-day, with only three dissenting voices,
to report favorably upon an enabling Act, admit?
ting New Mexico as a slave State.
Washington, December 27.?Skxate.?The bill
for tlie admission of Arizona was debated;
During the discussion, Mr. Benjamin, of Louisi?
ana, said the question of the Independence of
South Carolina would come up on Monday, when
tkc session would be important.
The Senate I lieu adjourned to Monday.
HorsK.?No business of importance transacted.
The House adjourned to Monday.
Washington, Dec. 27, 7 p. m.?Secretary Floyd
says positively (lint he knows nothing officially of
.Anderson's movements. He gave no orders to Col.
.Anderson in relation to the evacuation of Port
Moultric and the burning of the gun carriages.
The supposition is that Anderson acted on his own
responsibility.
Later.?The President and Secretary of War as?
sert most solemnly that Col. Anderson acted not
only without orders, but against orders. The Cab?
inet is now iu session, and tlie matter will be fully
discussed.
In the Committee of Thirly-threc to-day, the
resolutions of Mr. Rust, of Arkansas, were voted
down. It is understood that the Southern mem?
bers of the Committee will issue an Address to tlie
South immediately,in which Ihcy will recommend,
as a basis for settlement, the Crittcndcn proposi?
tion.
Viec-Presidcnt Breekinridgc has signed the Ad?
dress calling a Convention of the border States, to
meet at Baltimore, in Feburary.
Washington. December 27, 0 P. M.?The news
of the changes at Fori Moultric created the most
intense excitement in Congress, ami throughout
the city. Mr. Doolittle, (Republican,) alluded in?
cidentally' to the occurrence, in a speech iu the
Senate. On the floor of tho Senate might be seen
knots of Senators gathered here and there, with
anxious faces, and engaged in the discussion of the
all-absorbing topic. At the War Department all
sorts of inquiries were made. The President's
house was thronged with Senators' and members of
Congress. The papers issued extras, and the
; streets were alivo with excitement.
The House was also a scene of excitement and
I confusion. The great important question was. |
I who authorized the change iu I lie command from |
"Moultric to Slimier. The demand was answered
by Southern Senators and others, including Voice
mid Trescott. The War Department was astound?
ed at the information, and dispatches Hew across
the wires I hick and last.
Governor Floyd,*as well as the President, knew
nothing of the change contemplated, and remained
in doubl as to the reason until a dispatch from
Col. Anderson settled the matter. Ho stated thai
he acted iu his own defence, believing it impossible
lo defend Fori Moultric against an attack. He,
therefore, removed the stores, troops, &c, to Fort
Sumter, which affords better security. The facts
in relation to ihe whole matter seem to relieve tho
Administration from any countenance or couiplicit
ly in the chnngc.
Voluminous dispatches have been forwarded to
Anderson by the War Department, but their nature
is kept secret. The Department seems unwilling
to contradict or affirm the thousand Hying rumors
which prevail on the Avenue. Some most extrav?
agant rumors have been published. A
dispatch announcing that (lie firing of cannon
ba4-ccmir.cncoik?ci?s^ t,rcai commotion.- A pri?
vate dispatch received from Baltimore slates that
the streets are thronged with people, and the city
wild with excitement.
Mr. Benjamin, of Louisiana, will make a speech
in-the Senate on Monday, when the President's
special message comes up. It is understood that
he advocates tlie right of secession, and justifies
the course of South Carolina.
Washin'gton, December 27, 10 p. m.?The Cabi?
net has been in session since night-fall, on the
movements iu Charleston, and ihe special message
in regard to tho mission of tho South Carolina
Commissioners. The Cabinet is stilt in session
at this lute hour. The officials are also busy at
the War Department, which is an unusual p-. o.-ced?
ing.
Gen. Seolt also denies any previous knowledge
of Anderson's movements.
12.1-3 P. M.?The Commissioners from South
Carolina and cicvcral Southern Senators held a long
informal conference to-night. It lasted until 12
o'clock, but nothing of any importance was done.
No interview has yet been had with the President.
Washington, December 28.?2 p. r.i.?The news
of the capture of Fort Moultric and Castle Pinck
ncj by the State troops, reached the Administration
this morning, during a Cabinet meeting. The
Commissioners of South Carolina arc now iu con?
ference with ihe President and Cabinet ministers.
They demand that the Federal troops shall be im?
mediately withdrawn from all the forts iu Charles?
ton harbor. Unless '.his be done, they say that to?
day's will be (heirlast interview, and that they will
return at once to South Carolina, and tell the peo?
ple to prepare for the worst.
The Cabinet meeting broke up to-night, after a
session of six consecutive hours, without coming to
any conclusion in relation to the disposition of the
troops at Fort Sumter.
TJie Commissioners from South Carolina com?
municated the first information to the President of
the evacuation id' Fort Moultric, and expressed in?
dignation at the gross violation of the understand?
ing on this subject.
IIP. M.?The Senate Select Committee will re?
quest to be discharged next week. The House
Committee will make a similar request. The
South Carolina Commissioners, in view of an al?
leged stipulation on the part of the President, that
the garrison of Charleston harbor should not be
augmented, nor the military Malus of the forts
changed, requested information of I he President as
to whether Major Anderson had acted by authori?
ty, or in consequence of any order from the Fed?
eral Government.
The President responded negatively, and added
that Major Anderson had acted contrary to the
well known wishes of the Government.
The Commissioners then requested the President
to remand Anderson and his men to Fort Moultric;
but, after a six hours' Cabinet session, no definite
course was resolved upon.
It is understood here that the Commissioners
will resign their mission and return home, if Major
Anderson is not remanded.
Bumbrs arc rife that troops have been ordered
from Boston lo Charleston; but these rumors are
discredited in high quarters.
Midnight.?It is said that Secretary Touccy has
just received an intimation that an attempt will be
made in a few days to seize the Norfolk Navy Yard,
and capture the Plymouth and other vessels now
lying there. Reliable information represents Vir?
ginia as now eager for secession, lion. Mr. I'.ole
lcr, from the Harper's Ferry District, thinks that
there will soon be only one side to tlie question,
even in his section of the State.
Tho South Carolina Commissioners have taken
elegant private quarters iu Franklin Row.
The Abolitionists are talking less warlike to?
night than :hey have done for some days past.
Washington, December 20.?Secretary Floyd
tendered his resignation to-day. His resignation
is considered as deciding the action of the Cabinet
Secretary Thompson, it is said, has also resigned.
Washington", December 31.?It is currently re?
ported that General Scott is acting Secretary of
War. Secretary Thomas has resigned.
The revenue cutter Harriet Lane' has left for
Charleston! with sealed orders.
Mr. Benjamin, in-his speech, f.o-day, in the Se?
nate, intimated that this'Wfis the last session of the
Congress of the United .States. A thrilling scene
was witnessed in the galleries. At the close of
Senator Benjamin's speech, the ladies stood on the
seats, waved their handkerchiefs, and shouted as
loud as the men.
I P. M.?The Cabinet is having a storm}-session,
this morning, on the chnractcr of the special mes?
sage to Congress, in relation ro the South Carolina
Commissioners. The President says that his for?
bearance tins been misunderstood, and abused by
South Carolina, and that the question may become
a military, instead of a political one.
The President expresses great indignation at the
course which South Carolina has pursued. He
charges her with making useless issues, and par?
ticipating the conflict.
II P. 31.?General Scott has been appointed Sec?
retary of War. -
Ths Steam Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane has
sailed for Charleston with.scaled orders. This is
authentic.
8.30 P. M:?There has been a disturbance in the
Cabinet to-day, which resulted in the resignation
of Secretaries Thompson and Thomas. The ad?
ministration has gone over to the North.
Nkw ORLEANS, December 20.?Governor Sam
Houston, of Texas, lias issued his call for an extra
session of the Legislature of that State. The day
of meeting is fixed on the 21st of January. It is
supposed that the Convention of the people will be
in session by the 28th inst. The secession senti?
ment is general throughout the State, and daily in?
creases in strength.
MONTGOMERY, December 20.?As far as heard
from, the secessionists have carried every doubtful
county iu the Stale, except Coos.a county, which
gives a small co-operation majority. Portions of
North Alabama, it is feared, will send co-operation
delegates; but, in any event, it is certain that
there will be a very large majority of sepcratc
Slate action men in the Convention.
Mornr.n, December 20.?Dallas and Autaugn
counties have given secession majorities. The ma?
jority for secession in Mobile is 700.
Savannaii, December 29.?The rumor that the
citizens of Savannah had taken Port Pulaski is in?
correct. They desisted when they heard that the
President disclaimed the act of Major Anderson.
-4*,-_
The 20th Day of December, in tko Year of Our
Lord, 18S0.
Inscribed among the calends of the world?mem?
orable in time to coiue?the 20th day of Decem?
ber, in the year of our Lord, 1800, lias become an
epoch in the history of the human race. A grj'at
Confederated Republic, overwrought with arrogant
j and tyrannous oppressions, has fallen from its
high estate among the nations of the earth. Con?
servative liberty has been vindicated. Mobocratic
license has been stricken'down. Order has con?
quered, yet liberty has survived, ltighl has raised
his banner aloft, ami bidden defiance to Might.
The problem of self-government under the check
balance of slavety , has .secured itself from threat?
ened destruction.
South Carolina has resumed her entire sovereign
powers, and, unshackled, has become one of the
nations of the earth.
On yesterdnyi the 2Hih December, 18G0, just be?
fore one o'clock, p. m., the Ordnance of Secession
was presented by the Committee on "the Ordi
n iiK -. ' to tlie Convention of the people of South
Carolina. Precisely at seven minutes after one
o'clock, the vote was taken upon the Ordnance?
each titim's name being called in order. As name
by namo fell upon the car of the silent assembly,
the brief sound was echoed back, without one soli?
tary exception in that whole grave body?Aye!
At 1.15 o'clock, p. m., the last name was called
the Ordnance of Secession was announced to have
been passed, and the last fetter had fidlen from the
limbs of a brave, but loo long oppressed people.
The Convention sat with closed doors. Rut
upon the announcement outside, and upon the
Mercury bulletin hoard, that South Carolina was
no longer a member of the Federal Union, loud
shouts of joy rent the air. The cuthtuiasm was
nnsurpasscd. old men went shouting down the
streets. Cannon were lired, ami bright triumph
was depicted on every countenance.
But before the Great Seal of the Stale was affixed
to the Ordinance of-Secession, and the names of
the Delegates to the Convention wove signed, it
was proposed that this ceremony should be post?
poned until 7 o'clock that evening: when flic '.'.in?
vent ion should re-assemble and move in procession
from the St. Andrew's Hall, where they then sat,
to the great Stcexsion Hall: and that thriv. before
the assembled citizens of the State, the Great Seal
of the Slate should bo set, and each signature
made. The proposition was favorably received.
At 0i o'clock, p. m., the Convention rVnssera
bled at'St. Andrew's Hall. At ?| o'clock, p. m.,
they formed in procession and moved forward in
silence to Secession Hall.
The building was tilled to overflowing, and they
were received by some three thousand people in
the Hall.
The Convention was called to order. The scene
was one profoundly grand and impressive. There
were a people assembled through their highest rep?
resentatives?men; most of them, upon whose
heads the snows of sixty winters had been .died?
patriarchs iu age?the dignitaries of the laud?the
High Priests of the Church of Christ?reverend
statesmen?and the wise judges of the law. In
the midst id' deep silence, an old man, with bowed
form, and hair as white as" snow, the Rev. Dr.
Haciiman, advanced forward, with upraised hands,
iu prayer to Almighty God, for His blessing ami
favor in IIiis great act of his people, about to be
consummated; The whole assembly at once rose
to its feet, and with hats oil", listened to the touch?
ing and eloquent appeal to the All-Wise Dispenser
of events. At the close of the prayer the Presi?
dent advanced with the consecrated parchment
upon which was inscribed the decision of the State,
with the Groat'Seal attached. Slowly and solemn?
ly it was read unto the last word?" ditsolveJ"?
when men could contain themselves no longer, and
a shout that shook the very building, reverberating;
long-continued, rose to Heaven, and ceased only
with Hie loss of breath. In proud, grave silence,
the Convention itself waited the end with beating
hearts.
The President then requested the Delegates (by
previous decision) to step forward as they were
called in the alphabetical order of the Districts
which they represented, and sign the Ordinance.
Two hours were occupied in this solemn ceremony
?the crowd wailing patiently the end. As the
Delegation from St. Phillip's and St. Michael's
came forward, again the hall was filled with ap?
plause. And as the Hon. R. B. Riiett advanced
to the parchment, the shouts became deafening,
long-continued, until he had seated himself, signed
and retired. It was a proud and worthy tribute,
gracefully paid, and appreciated. The same spe?
cial compliment was paid to our Ex-Governor Gist,
who recommended in his message to the extra ses?
sion, the immediate secession of South Carolina
from the Union.
At the close of the signatures the President, ad?
vancing to the front of the platform, announced
that the Seal of the State had been set, the signa?
tures of the Convention put to the Ordinance, and
he thereby proclaimed the State of South Carolina
a separate, independent nationality.
To describe the enthusiasm with which this an?
nouncement was greeted, is beyond the power of
ths pen. The high, burning, bursting heart alone
can realize it. A mighty voice of great thoughts
and great emotions spoke from the mighty throat
of one people as a unit.
The State of South Carolina has recorded her?
self before the universe. In reverence before
God, fearless of man, unawed by power, untcrri
ficd by clamor, she has cut the Gordian knot of
colonial dependence upon the North?cast her for?
tune upon her right, and her own right arm, and
stands ready to uphold alike her independence and
her dignity before the world. Prescribing to
none, t he will be dictated to by none ; willing for
peace, she is ready for war. Deprecating blood,
she is willing, to shed it. Valuing her liberties,
she will maintain them. Neither swerved by
frowns oi foes, nor swayed by timorous solicita?
tions of friends, she will pursue her direct path,
and establish for herself and for her posterity, her
rights, her liberties and her institutions. Though
friends may fail her in her need, though the cannon
of her enemies may belch destruction among her
people, South Carolina, unawed, unconquerable,
will still hold aloft her flag. "Aximis Oi'ibusque
Parati."?Charleston Mercury.
-o
Three men, named Ilnghes, have heen
arrested in Chester, for plotting with ne?
groes.
GLORIOUS INDEPENDENCE !
SOUTH CAROLINA FOREYER!
TIic Secession Orclinn.1100 i
Passed December 20, 1860.
AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the Union betwteii
the Stale of South Carolina and the other States
Ciiitetl irith her, imder the eotiijmct entitled the Con~
stitution of (he United Stetes of America.
We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in"
Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, n.nd
ii is hereby declared and ordained, that the Ordin?
ance adopted by us in Convention, on the twenty-*
third day of May, in the year of our Lord ortet
thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, where?
by the Constitution of the Uuitcd States of America
was ratified : and, also, all Acts and parts of Acts5
of the General Assembly of tiiis State, ratifying
amendments of the said Constitution, arc hereby1
repealed, and that the Union now existing between!
South Carolina and other States of America's
hereby dissolved.
Evacuation of Fort Moultrie.
Throughout the city yesterday the greatest ex?
citement prevailed in relation to the news front
Fort Moultric and Sumter.. As early as eight
o'clock in tiic afternoon the rumors of the des?
truction of the former of these military posts,
and the occupation of the latter by the forces of
the United States, wore circulated. It was at
first currently reported and believed that Fort
Moultric bad been laid in ruins, that the guns
were spiked, and the carriages, &c, together with)
the barracks, burned, and that the post had been.
entirely abandoned. The reports spread like?
wild tire, and soon gained currency in every part
of the city. Crowds of citizens anxiously inJ
quired of eacli other the latest intelligence in re*
ation to the affair: squads collected on every
corner of the streets, and in fron: of the public
resorts, to canvass the subject.
The newspaper offices were besieged, tho hotel
halls wore thronged, and even the grave and scri
ous gentlemen composing the State Convention
shared in the general excitement. On all kind*
anger and indignation were expressed at the sup?
posed perfidious conduct of the Federal authori?
ties, at whose instance it was at first thought the*
movement was made. The people were greatly
incensed at the idea of a wilful breach of those,
assurances of non-action which had been volun?
teered by the Government at Washington, and
upon which so much reliance and confidence had
been placed by the entire population, that - every
impulse to take the-necessary precautions for their
owu safety had been restrained.
Instinctively men flew to arms.
All tlie military forces ordered* out promptly ,
obeyed the summoms, and the streets were soon,
enlivened by the appearance of individual mem?
bers of the different organizations Ui their-uni-'
About noon the excitement in the streets had
attained ihe Highest pitch. The Convention was -
known to be in secret conclave, and it was be?
lieved 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. Tho Cus?
tom llousc and other buildings formerly in the
possession of the United States Government dis?
played the bunting of the infant Republic of
South Carolina. Kvery one lookod upon the
??war as actually begun," and all flcemed to feel
that their brethren were in the-field, and them?
selves began to grow restless at the prospect of
inactivity aud suspense.
Later in the day. however, the excitement Was
somewhat abated, when it became kr.cwn that tho
movement on the pirt of I he forces of the tiattcd .
States ;ii Fort ?.ioultrie was not at the instance of
the Administration at Washington, but was merely
a precautionary measure taken by Commander An?
il erson under conviction that his pooi'.ion witbia
the fortress on Sullivan's island would not be tena?
ble, if attacked in it by wcll-orgauized aud dis
ciplincd troops. The contradiction of the first re?
ports in relation to the damage done the fort by
the troops that had evacuated it also had a tenden?
cy to allay the cxcitenieiit oLjkhc occasion.
KOJtT SOITKtt AsTcCCmP, .
In order to ascertain truthful statements of tic
actual damage d< no to the Forts, cf tho causes of '
the movement, and 01 the state cf affairs gensr
ully, Reporters were dispatched to the scene
during the forenoon. On the ''way across- the
harbor, the hoisting of an American flag from the
staff of Fort Sumter, at precisely 12 o'clock, gave
certain indication that the stronghold was occu?
pied by tiie troops of the United States. On a
nearer approach, the fortress was discovered to be
occupied, the guns appeared to be mounted, and
sentinels wert discovered on duty, and the place*
to give every iign of occupancy and military dis?
cipline. Tho grim fortress frowned defiance on
every side?;bc busy notes of incparation re- -?'
sounded thro-.gii its forbidding retessas, and eve?
rything seemiu lo indicate tho uauost aiacrity in
the work on land.
FORT XOCLTRIE AND lfS CO.'.'MflOJk a
Turning tovards Fort Moultric, a dense cloud
of smoke wasseen to pour from the end facing
the sea. The flag-staff was down, and the whole
place had an air of desolation and abendonment
??quite the rev.-rse of its busy look one week ago,
when scores of laborers were engaged in adding
to its strengt! all the works which skiU and expe?
rience could suggest.
In the immediate' vicinity of the roar or Ianti
side entrance, however, greater activity was no
ticable. At the time of our visit, a large force
of hands hal been summoned , to deliver up their
implements for transportation to Fort Sumter.
Around on ivcry side were tho evidences of labor
in the fortifcation of the work. In many places'
a portion o the defences were strengthencl by
evcrj applimcc that art could suggest or ingenuity
devise: wide, in others, the uncompleted - works
gave evidentes of the utmost confusion. On all
hands the brocesa of removing goods, furniture ,
and munitions, was yet going on. The heavy
guns upon tie ramparts of the Fort were thrown
down from their carriages and spiked. Every
ounce of gtnpowder anil every cartridge had been
removed mm the magazines: and, in fact, every?
thing like small arms, clothing, provisions, ac?
coutrement) and other .munitions of war. had
been rem.ved off and deposited?nothing but
heavy balhand useless cannon remained.
The entie place was, to all appearances, litter-"
cd up withthe odd ends aud fragments of war's
desolation,1 Confusion could not have been more
complete tad the late occupants retired in the
face of a ?esieging foe. Fragments of gun car?
riages, &c! broken to pieces, bestrewed the ram?
parts. Said bags, and barrels filled with earth,
crowned tls walls, and woro firmly imbedded in
their bombproof surface, as an additional safe?
guard?an! notwithstanding the heterogeneous
scattering If materials and implements, the walls
of the fortcviuccd a vague degree of energy in
preparing for an attack. A ditch some fifteen
feet wide nd about the same in depth surrounds
the cntiidvall on three sides. On the south side,
or front, nglacis has been commenced and prose?
cuted ncaly to completion, with a rampart of
sand bags barrels, &c.
On one idc of the fort a palisado of palmetto
logs is cxtnded around the ramparts as a com?
plete defece against an cscaladiug party. New
embrasure have been cut in the walls, so as to
command the faces of the bastions anc. ditch.
These nc\ defences are all incomplete, and are
cvidcnccsjf the haste with which they were erec?
ted. Conidering the inferior force* in point of
numbers, under his command, Major Anderson
had paid'irticular attention to strengthening only
a small j -t of the fort.
A grcaer portion of the labor expended was?
spent apn the citadel or centre of the west point,
of the poition. This he had caused to be strength?
ened iu very way; loop-holes were cut and eve?
rything ?as so arranged, that in case a weU-con
ccrtcd ttack was made, he would have retired
from th outer bastions to the citadel, aud after?
wards low up the other portions of the fort. For
this puoosc, mines bad already been sprung, and
trains lid been hid ready for the application of
the math. The barrack rooms and every other
part of he fort that was indefensible would havo
gone aft touch.
On be ramparts of the fort fronting Fort Sum?
ter wei nine eight-inch Columbiads, mounted on
woodeicnrriages. As soon as the evacuation of
the for was complete, the carriages of these guns