STEAMER SEABROOK, STONO INLET, April 12, 1861. ABOUT seven o'clock on Thursday evening, two of the South Carolina vessels, under command of Commodore Hartstene, left Charleston for a cruise off the bar.

The squadron consisted of the steamers Clinch and Seabrook. The former was the flag-ship. Both have been fitted up with a view to service in the harbor, and are furnished with twelve-pounder howitzers, and a force sufficient to serve them. There was no want of ammunition. In short, every preparation was made for a successful cruise. The following are the officers of the Clinch: Lieutenant Pelot, Commanding; Lieutenant Porcher; Midshipmen R. H. Bacot and G. D. Bryan. The Seabrook was commanded as follows: Lieutenant Commanding, J. M. Stribling; Lieutenant Evans; First Assistant Engineer, J. II. Loper; Assistant Surgeon R. W. Gibbes; Gunner Cuddy, and Midshipmen Ingraham and Wilkinson. The Lady Davis, also, forms a part of the squadron, but she was not on duty last night. Her officers consist of Lieutenant Dozier, Commanding: Lieutenant Grimble; First Lieutenant Henry A. Mullins, acting Pilot; First Assistant Engineer Geddes; Third Assist ant Engineer Yates, and Midshipman Thomas. The Clinch had taken her position near the bar early in the afternoon, and accordingly it was the Seabrook that left Charleston at seven o'clock, cheered by the large crowd at the wharf. About half past seven, under easy head of steam, the variou conjectures in regard to what would be the probable reply of Major Anderson to the summons to surrender, were suddenly cut short by the lookout reporting a rocket seaward. All eyes were instantly turned in that direction, and

two red rockets burst in the air, followed by the burning of a blue light. Fort Johnson promptly recognized the signa! that our enemy had made his appearance, sending up the answering rocket almost the instant the blue light, displayed by the Clinch, disappeared. Excitement and preparation for whatever might occur immediately succeeded. The howit zers were manned, the decks were stripped, guns, revolvers, and ammunition were distributed. When all that could be had been done, silently sped the steamer on her course, steadily she approached Fort Sumter, all blackness in the distance. Suddenly a hail was heard, and a hoarse voice shouted "the pirates are off the bar." What steamer?" was asked. "The Harriet Lane, twelve miles out," shouted the same gruff voice, and we were then informed that she alone, of all the expected cruisers, had been seen. Great eagerness was at once manifested to reach our destination. It was fully expected an attempt would be made to land troops in boats. This it was the purpose of the expedition to prevent. Finally, at eight o'clock, the Seabrook lay off the Clinch, when a pilot boat brought a confirmation of the approach of the Harriet Lane. Commodore Hartstene then took possession of the flag-ship, and twenty men were transferred from the Clinch to the Seabrook. The hour at which Major Anderson was to indicate his decision by the firing of a shell, having arrived, all eyes were strained in tho direction of Fort Sumter. As minute after minute clapsed, and the stillness and blackness of Fort Sumter remained unbroken, the belief became general that Major Anderson had surrendered.

In the meantime the squadron lost not sight of its duty. Both vessels cruised all night in search of the expected war boats, just within the bar. It was the original intention of

the commanding officer to have proceeded out to sea, but as the wind increased, and there was every indication of a "heavy blow," the pilots said it could not be done with safety. In this manner an hour passed, supper was eatenten o'clock arrived, and yet Fort Sumter had given no signal, nor had the slightest appearance of hostilities been noticed on the part of our batteries. Belief now became certainty, and not one of us but expected to steam into Charleston for breakfast, after saluting the Palmetto waving over that much coveted "four acres of land." The expedition, however, redoubled its vigilance, in order to prevent the possibility of surprise. Lieutenant Stribling sleeplessly paced the deck all night. His energy and perseverance overcame all obstacles. Lieutenant Evans took the first watch as officer of the deck; Midshipman Ingraham took the second; First Assistant Engineer Loper the third; Gunner Cuddy the fourth; and Midshipman Wilkinson the morning watch. Scarcely, however, had the latter officer entered upon the discharge of his duties, before he made a report that cleared up all doubt as to the decision of Major Anderson and the determination of General Beauregard.

At 4.40 A. M., the signal shell was thrown from Fort Johnson, and shortly afterwards the contest-a contest that will make the 12th of April, 1861, a memorable day in history— for the possession and occupation of Fort Sumter commenced. Shell followed shell in quick succession; the harbor seemed to be surrounded with miniature volcanoes belching forth fire and smoke. Still Major Anderson gave no sign of resentment, save the defiance expressed at his flag-staff. But a shell from Cummings' Point bursts on the parapet-the brave Cummings' Pointers are getting the range! Another falls quite within; and now Fort Moultric seems to have get

the range; and the floating battery, which the North believed a humbug, begins to indicate her position. She's not exactly at her wharf in Charleston, nor is it positive she will not take a position nearer still to Fort Sumter. It is getting to be warm work for Major Anderson. There, I see a flash-there goes the first shot from Fort Sumter, right plump at Cummings' Point. A considerable interval elapses, which is improved by all the batteries within range of Fort Sumter, and then the question of whether Major Anderson will keep p the fire is definitely settled. Casemate follows casemate with dogged deliberation. But whilst all this was transpiring, we were rapidly steaming out to sea. There goes the whistle of the General Clinch, and we haul up close and receive orders to follow in her wake. We come to anchor, and presently Lieutenant Stribling starts from his seat, seizes a glass, and looks eagerly eastward. He reports a steamer, and what he supposes to be a brig, standing straight in. The vessels are at a great distance, however; but when we see them more plainly, we are almost satisfied that we have had a sight of the Lincoln squadron, or at least a portion of it. The General Clinch makes another signal, and we haul in our anchor and steam toward Cummings' Point. As we go by battery after battery, we can see the men on the beach waving their hands to us, and distinguish a faint cheer. At last we come to anchor close in, where an excellent view of the firing was obtained. In a brief period the steamer which had been seen off the bar became plainly visible at Cummings' Point. She was taken for the IIarriet Lanc. The squadron immediately steamed out to sea, and as we neare the strange steamer, she ran up the Palmetto flag. It is believed to have been the Nashville, Captain Murray, from New York. At first she made for the squadron, but after

wards changed her course, and when last seen was heading for Charleston.

Stono was reached about ten o'clock, A. M., without any further adventure, and as the vessel came to anchor, Fort Palmetto fired a gun. Commodore Hartstene went on shore, and made a report. It appears that this was the first intelligence of the commencement of hostilities that had been received; the firing of the guns not being audible at this distance, in consequence of the wind.

At seven o'clock we left Fort Palmetto. All was quiet there. No steamers were in sight, and the Edisto had arrived with Captain Shedd's command, consisting of eighty tall, stout, fighting men. The men are in the best of spirits, and have made up their minds to fight to the death. Captain Pope and the Lafayette Artillery have been at this fortress for the last three months, and they have made it almost impregnable. Their battery fully commands Stono Inlet, and woe to the unlucky vessel with Yankee colors that escapes the breakers and gets within range.

The firing of our batteries was audible for miles, and the large volume of smoke issuing from Fort Sumter created almost universal belief that Major Anderson had sur rendered.

PREACHING UNDER FIRE.

AN INCIDENT OF CHATTANOOGA.

ONE of the most impressive scenes ever witnessed, occurred in the Presbyterian church. The services were being held by the Rev. Dr. Palmer, of New Orleans, and the pews and aisles