CHARLES R. WOODS, 1st Lieutenant, 9th Infantry.
WM. A. WEBB, 1st Lieutenant, 5th Infantry.
CHAS. W. THOMAS, 2d Lieutenant, 1st Infantry.
Assistant-Surgeon, P.G.S. TEN BROECK, Medical Department.
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More details and reaction of the Star of the West.
THE STAR OF THE WEST AND HER REINFORCEMENTS. New York Times.
Published: January 17, 1861
-- In view of the probably near assault upon Fort Sumter, the failure of the Star of the West to land her reinforcements becomes more and more a subject of general regret. In regard to the responsibility for that failure, we have made still further inquiry into the facts of the case and find them to be substantially as already stated. It is quite true, however, that Capt. MCGOWAN had no revenue flag on board, -- so that his failure to hoist one on approaching the Fort was not his fault. At the same time the charterer of the vessel supposed that one had been sent on board, -- as he had ordered it to be procured, and did not learn until the steamer's return that this had not been done.
We regard this, however, as a matter of little consequence, -- as there is no reason to suppose that Major ANDERSON would have protected a revenue flag with any more vigor than he evinced towards the American flag, which sufficiently attested the character of the vessel. If there had been a dozen revenue flags on board, and every one of them had been displayed, it is by no means certain that Fort Sumter would have fired a single gun for their protection.
The only question that can arise in regard to the failure of the expedition, so far as Capt. MCGOWAN is concerned, is simply whether he acted with proper vigor, good judgment and energy in deciding to turn about, instead of running the gauntlet of Fort. Moultrie and making direct for Fort Sumter. Ten or fifteen minutes would probably have brought him immediately under the walls of the Fort, -- and it would have required very good firing from Fort Moultrie to have so disabled such a vessel as the Star of the West, going at full speed, that she could not float for so long a time. But this was a point which Capt. MCGOWAN was required to decide on the instant, and upon his own responsibility. We do not suppose for a moment that his decision was the result of anything like personal timidity, or that it affords the least warrant for impeaching the perfect fidelity of his intentions. But the result certainly was most unfortunate, and no one probably regrets it more than he. And if he or any other officer should be charged with a similar mission hereafter, we presume the error, if any be made, will be on the side of too little prudence, rather than too much. In some emergencies this is decidedly the safest side.
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Why wasn't there a second attempt?
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New York. Jan. 12.
Major Anderson, in his dispatches brought by Lieut. Talbot, reports that he needs no reinforcements to defend Fort Sumter. The Star of the West will, therefore, probably not be ordered back to Charleston.