--The Charleston
Mercury gives the following account of the accident at
Fort Sumter:
‘
On Friday night a detail, chiefly from the
Washington Light Infantry, was stationed in the eastern barracks of
Sumter, there to be held in readiness in case an assault should be made.
Although the fort was subjected to the usual nightly bombardment, which, though light compared with the bombardment of the day, has hitherto been of a sufficiently heavy character, no casualties occurred until a quarter-past four on Saturday morning. At that hour a Parrott shell from
Morris Island struck the iron girdle which supported the calling of the portion of the barracks to which we have alluded, causing it to fall in and to crush thirteen men under its ruins.
The names — some of which will be recognized as those of well known and much esteemed young men of this city — will be found appended to this report.
The bodies were brought to
Charleston on Saturday night and interred on Sunday, the funeral-ceremonies being attended by a large number of sympathizing friends and citizens.
’
The following are the names of the brave men: Sergt W S
Owens, Sergt J A Stevens, privates J L
Burrows, F M
Burrows, S W
Anderson,
James Calder, O J Burn, W E
Gibson, J W
Jones, L S
Lee, and W N
Patterson.
All these were of the
Washington Light Infantry, Co A, 25th S C V. In addition, there were private W
Martin, 12th Georgia Battalion, and
Mr. Matthews, an overseer.
The
Mercury of Wednesday, says:
‘
Fort Sumter was again subjected to a heavy fire on Monday night. Eighty seven rifled shots were fired, of which thirty-six missed; and five mortar shells, all of which fell within.
The rubbish still continues to lie in such a manner as to contribute to the defence.
Just after dark set in a small reconnoitering party of the enemy, consisting of four scouts, effected a landing at the southeast angle of the fort.
The approach of the party, being made under cover of night, was not observed, and, owing to a mistake of the sentinel who hailed it, it was allowed to escape.
The boat, however, was fired into on its retreat, it is believed, not without effect.
’
