By Telegraph.
Charleston April 12
--The bombardment of
Fort Sumter by the
Confederate troops in
Charleston harbor commenced this morning at 4 o'clock, and the batteries are now firing on the fortress.
[second Dispatch.]
Charleston,April 12.--The ball is opened, and war is inaugurated.
The batteries on
Sullivan's Island,
Morris' Island, and other points, opened on
Fort Sumter at 4½ o'clock this morning.
Fort Sumter has returned the fire, and a brisk cannonading has been kept up.
No information has been received from seaward yet.
The militia are under arms, and the whole of our population is on the streets.
Every available space viewing the harbor is filled with anxious spectators.
[third Dispatch.]
Charleston,April 12. P. M.--The firing has continued all day without intermission.
Two of
Fort Sumter's guns have been silenced, and it is reported a breach has been made in the
Southern wall.
The answer to
Beauregard's demand on
Maj. Anderson was, that he would surrender when his supplies were exhausted if he was not reinforced.
Not a casualty has as yet happened to any of the
Confederate troops.
Of the nineteen batteries in possession of the troops, only seven have opened on
Fort Sumter.
The remainder are held in reserve for the expected fleet.
Two thousand men arrived in the city this morning and embarked for
Morris' Island and vicinity.
[Fourth Dispatch.]
Charleston,April 12.--The bombardment continues.
The floating battery and Stebbins' battery are opening freely.
Sumter is returning the fire.
It is reported three war vessels are outside the bar.
[Fifth Dispatch.]
Charleston,April 12.--6
P. M.--The firing has ceased for the night; it will be renewed at daylight, in the morning, unless an attempt should be made to reinforce, which ample arrangements have been made to repel.
The Confederate troops have worked their guns admirably.
Only two were wounded during the day.
The
Pawnee, Harriet Lane, and a third steamer are off the bar.
Troops are arriving by every train.
[Sixth Dispatch.]
Charleston,April 12.--
Midnight.--The bombardment is still going on at this hour.
Discharges are made every 20 minutes from the mortars.
It is supposed
Major Anderson is resting his men for the night.
Three vessels of war are reported outside the bar. They cannot get in. The sea is very rough.
Nobody was hurt to-day.
The floating battery works well.
The troops continue to arrive hourly.
Every inlet to the harbor is guarded.
