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I have Richmond papers of the 7th. They contain nothing of interest to us except a despatch as follows---
``Charleston, April 5---
Important movements are taking place here; but for military reasons no particulars can yet be telegraphed.''
And an editorial in these words.
``On yesterday morning eight Monitors and iron-clads were off the bar at Charleston. This brief, but significant telegram, which we received early in the day tells of work. The storm so long prepared for Charleston has burst at last. We await the issue with buoyant hopes but not without the solicitude due so important a struggle. May Heaven shield Charleston from all the rage of her enemies and ours.'' A. LINCOLN
[1] ALS, NHi. Rear Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont reported to Welles on April 8 that his attack on Fort Sumter on April 7 had been unsuccessful:
``This vessel [New Ironsides] could not be brought into such close action as I endeavored to get her. Owing to the narrow channel and rapid current she became partly unmanageable, and was twice forced to anchor to prevent her going ashore, once owing to her having come into collision with two of the monitors. She could not get nearer than 1,000 yards. . . . Toward evening, finding no impression made upon the fort, I made the signal to withdraw the ships, intending to renew the attack this morning. But the commanders of the monitors came on board and reported verbally the injuries to their vessels, when . . . I determined not to renew the attack, for, in my judgment, it would have converted a failure into a disaster, and I will only add that Charleston can not be taken by a purely naval attack, and the army could give me no cooperation. . . .'' (Naval Records, I, XIV, 3).