March 24, 1861

New York Herald

The News.

The news from Washington this morning is highly important. The official order for the evacuation of Fort Sumter was issued on Friday, and a special messenger was immediately despatched with it to Major Anderson. The fort is to be evacuated on the arrival in Charleston harbor of a United States vessel to receive them. Should the South Carolina authorities oppose the departure of the troops in the manner directed by the instructions to Major Anderson, that officer has been ordered, it is stated, to open his batteries. There is no doubt, however, but that the garrison will be permitted to depart in the manner prescribed.

Despatches received by the government from Fort Pickens represent that the garrison is short of provisions, and can hold out but a short time longer. The squadron off Pensacola are unable to reinforce the fort or land supplies. The administration will doubtless before the lapse of many days be obliged also to abandon that stronghold to the secessionists.

Later accounts from Texas state that both houses of the Legislature have taken the oath of allegiance to the new government, and that Gov. Houston and the Secretary of State have retired from their office and surrendered the archives. Gov. Houston has issued an appeal to the people denouncing the State Convention.

In the United States Senate yesterday, the Vice President having signified his intention to be absent during the remainder of the session, on motion of Mr. Hale, Mr. Foot, of Vermont, was chosen President pro tempore. Mr. Foot, returned this thanks for the honor in appropriate terms. Mr. Sherman, the newly elected Senator from Ohio, was qualified and took his seat. The resolution of Mr. Hale, to go into an election for Sergeant at Arms and doorkeepers, was then taken up. The democrats opposed this first attempt to bestow the offices of the Senate upon political partisans with warmth and spirit and, after an expenditure of considerable gasconade on both sides, succeeded in postponing the election. The Senate then went into executive session, and confirmed a number of appointments.

Important From Washington.

The Order Issued for the Evacuation of Fort Sumter.

WASHINGTON, March 23, 1861.

I am permitted to announce to the HERALD tonight, that on yesterday the President issued the order to Major Anderson to put his command in readiness to evacuate Fort Sumter, upon the arrival at that place of a United States war steamer.

Colonel Lamon, of Illinois, the confidential friend of the President, was sent bearer of despatches to Major Anderson.

The evacuation will take place upon the arrival of the steamer which has been despatched by the Secretary of the Navy.

There is no intimation whatever, on the part of the South Carolina authorities, that any attempt will be made to prevent the evacuation in such a manner as the United States government have seen fit to employ. Major Anderson will salute his flag and embark with his command.

Major Anderson is ordered to report North.

I an any attempt is made by the South Carolina authorities to prevent the evacuation in the order directed by the United States government, Major Anderson is instructed to remain in the fort and open his batteries upon the city. This, however, will not be done, as there will be no opposition to the evacuation on the part of the secessionists.

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office

SUNDAY 24

We have had a “march Wind” today in good earnest, with plenty of dust. I did not go to church in the morning. The Family went. I am not a great admirer of Doct Smiths Sermons. I wrote letters part of the day, one to S Patrick, one to Wm Van Camp, and one to Frank. In the evening I called with Holly at Mr Cramers and had a pleasant chat with them. Did not get home till near 10 o’clock, read awhile and went to bed about 11 o’clock.

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