Authentic Account Of The Evacuation Of Fort Moultrie!

We give below thü first genuine and authentic account which has been suflered to pass through the Southern mails, of Major Anderson's removal from Port Moultrie to Fort Sumpter. Our correspondent, wko has had every advanlage that a participación in tkat gaüant manmuvcr, or a residenee wilhin the walh of both forts, and military Tcnowhdge, could give kim, recites the preparations which wore being made by the Oharlestonians, to hem in the brave Andcrson and his troops ; bis fruitless efforta to induce the War department to allow him to provide for their defense ; the reasons which compelled him to a hasty evacuation ot Fort Sumpter, and vvith what shrewdness and ability they wure liled ; how the troops, baggage and provisions were transferrecl ; the row across the harbor in a clear moonlight, withio a hundred yards of the Charleston steamboat; and a history of the night, until his command was finally safely housed in the stronghold of Sumpter. Maj. Anderson has done the best possible thingforhis small command and the country at large. It was uuauthorized, it is true, but was indispensable. To defend himself on the bar and extensivo ramparts of Fort Moultrie for more than three or four days would have been impossible. If not from any actual loss of men, he must bave succumbed from fatigue and loss of sleep, for it would have been impossible to spare a man frorn his post The South Carolinans were muking preparations to erect three batteries against him, to surround him with rities pits and open trenches. They only awaited the signal from their commissionerp to begin. Their engineer offi cers came down every day to examine and lay out their plans ot attack. - Cavnon had actually been sent to the island. In a few days the Major would have been surrounded with a perfect net work, and his hands were tied behind his back The Government would not even give him jcr?nissit7i. to Itvel the immense sand hills which overlook his worhs. They not would send him the animunition he needed, nor would ;bey allow him the ne.-essury inortars and shells to dislodge the clouds of rifle men who would piek off hiscannoneers. He and his command had, nevartheless., determined to tight it out to the last and blow up every thing. The only possible safety for them was in burning down Moultreville, in the first place, (for they were so hemmed in that they could not see a hundred yards,( and in takiug down the crests of the higher uand hills. It was all in vain ; his hands were tied ; and when it becaine apparent that the heavy batteries of Fort Sumpter were in addition, to plunge their tire into the work, and enfilarte one and take in reverse two of his lines, the case resolved itself into a massacre, and not into a siege or assault. Fort Moultrie teelt is but a mere depedenuy of Fort Sumpter. Victory would not have given him command of the harbor. By m.oving to Fort Sumpter he gained saiety for the men, a free and untramnieled position, cominanding the harbor - a position from which he might prevent the erection of efficiënt b..tteries against nhps, from which he can drive out an enerny irom Fort Moultrie - a position which a few days' work will ronder impregnable to all but treachery. The Government, instead of acting under perpetual menaces and threats, can now act, if it chooses, with dignity and firmness, for Charleston is at the feit of Anderson whtnecer he chooses to exercise hu pnwer. Not a vessel en come in or out without his permission He can colleot the revenue with ease, the lighters can be put out by his guns, and all this has oceurred without bloodshed. No blood need be shed, unless South Carolina madly flings herself agaiust him iu a furious effort to retrieve her broken fortunes. She ieels, and knows she is in the power of the United Statet Government. Sensible they were driving Anderson to extremity, and fearful that he might ranke an attempt of the kind, they had stationed two steamboats, having 120 men, vvith two pieces of artillery, under the com mand of Lieut. Hamilton, reeently reeigned frorn the navy. They had stationed these between Fort Sumptor and Fort Moultrie to cruise around and prevent any attempt to transfer the garrison, but Anderson foiled them. He carried out his project with conBUmmate ability. Hetaikudfora week of the absolute necessity of sending the women and children to the viJage of Fort Johnson for safety. There is an old dilapidated public building there, in which he proponed to put them until the battle was over. - He chartered three lighters to carry them and their baggage, and he added everything to the cargo he could without exdting auspioion. The Charlestonians did not wish to interfere with transit of provisiens to Capt. Fofter's men at Fort Sumpter, because tbey regarded him as in reality finishing the work for them. Tuis he was actuully doing, throagfa the neglect of thu udministration. Undur pretense of send ing him provisions, Major AmJrsoo sent over a large atnount of his stores. - Thus disembarrassed he was roady ior a move. The schooner. with the camp womei) and children, had orders to fcail from Fort Johnson to Fort Sumpter upon hearing two cannon lired at Fort Moultrie - the signal that the eyabtwktioo of the fort had been completad. He then gave orders to the men to pack their knapsaoks, and hold themselves in readiness at all times, as they might, some day, have to move. Ile took one of his officers aside about 6 P. M., on the 26th, and told him in about tvventy minutes he should make tho attempt to reach Fort Sutnpter. The a tempt was a dangerousone. Two Btearoboata lay off tho fort with troops and guns, and these boats would hsve run him down in a moment, had they been a ware of the movement. Major Anderson loft orders to fire into the Nina steamboat, if she molested his raen, and a thirty-two-pounder was loaded up lor that purp,?se. Fourt Moultrie is always surrounded by paid bpiesand inembeis of the vigilance committee, but they did not interfere, and probably did not underetand wliat the command waa doing. The troops sprang into tho boats and the men pulled with a wil!. Half way the hostile steamboats approachod rapidlv with a ship in tow. It was a glorious moonlight night, and very dear. The stoamboat passed within a hunired yards, but probably took the boat to contain workm#n returning lo Fort Sumpter. Sumpter was reached at last in safety. Anexclamation oí surprise came from the bricklayers on the wharf. One of them shouted, "Hurrah for the Union." He .'as hurried in and made to kuep quiet. In the raeantime tho officers who remuined in Fort Moultrie held the lanyards of the gune in their hands roady to fire upon the steamboat, if it molested the boata. The boitts were sent back. The remainder of the command embarked and reached Sumpter in safety, though one boat passed almost under the bow of the Nina. The move ment was accomplished, and Charleston was at the feet of the gallant major. The chagrín of the people in the city was intense. They had counted on this stronghold as their own, and the tables had been completely turned on them. With the exception ot coal and firewood, I believe everything of any importance was brought over,