The Daily Dispatch: March 23, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The evacuation of Fort Sumter.

‘ On Wednesday rumors were rife in this city that Major Hutto, Paymaster of the U. S. Army, had made arrangements with the agent of the New York steamers for the transport of the garrison at Fort Sumter to New York, on the steamship Columbia, to leave Saturday.

’ Reliable information shows that it was only conjecture. Major Hutto visited the Fort on Tuesday for the purpose of paying the troops the amount due them for regular service. The assertion made in various papers that the terms of enlistment of twenty-six of the men had nearly expired, is also a mistake. Some two or three of the privates will have served their time out in August next, and one in December. Beyond this, their terms of enlistment are for two and three years longer.

Major Aderson, in conversation with Major Hutto, stated that he was in daily expectation of receiving by mail the orders for evacuation, and hoped to get them that day. His supply of fuel and provisions was nearly exhausted, so much so that if not speedily relieved they would be compelled to burn some of the gun-carriages for fuel.

Major Anderson expressed a preference for the Charleston and New York line of steamers to that of a public vessel for the embarkation of the troops, the former having better accommodations. He stated that the fort would be given up to the South Carolina authorities after an examination by an authorized officer, and a receipt for the property.