The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-26 00:00:00

In accordance with their usual astuteness, the
evening papers had published telegraphic despatches
of a quiet state of things at what may now be
termed the seat of war. Those who read these
papers
.of course had their fears for the time
quieted, and went home with the calm satisfac-
tion that blood had not as yet been shed. What
then was their astonishment, a few hours later,
to hear the newsboys vigorously shouting the
" extry Herald," with the bombardment of Fort
Sumter and the details of a terrible struggle ?
The city, calmed into quiet by the peaceful re-
ports of the afternoon, woke with a start, when
the hoarse voice of myriads of newsboys, re-
sounding through our streets in the solemn still-
ness of night, proclaimed the news.
During the day the curious and anxious had
sought the bulletin boards of the newspapers to post
themselves in regard to the progress of events at
the South, and around the various offices crowds
were gathered until evening. At the hotels and
bar-rooms, in the same manner throngs were col-
lected, who discussed the probable object which the
government had in sending out the recent armed
transports, the result of an attempt to reinforce
Fort Sumter, where the present troubles of the
country would end, &c. The excitement, however,
was not great, owing to the peaceful but incorrect
news published by the evening papers, and men
lounged around the hotels and places of public
resort calmly glancing over the news.
in the evening, however, the thrilling intelligence
began to spread. Thousands throngedto the Herald
office, and newsboys bearing papers under their
arms sped through the streets of the city. The
news spread like wildfire, and but one sentiment
seemed to pervade every mind—where would the
strife, now so terribly commenced, end,
The anxiety to hear the news was well depicted
in the scenes which met one at every turn. Under
a lamp post at each second street might be seen
some individual with an extra Herald, either
drinking in its intelligence alone or reading aloud
to some companions. In the cars, the vestibules of
the hotels, and in the barrooms, the same thing
was to be witnessed.
At the New York Hotel, which, during the last
campaign rendered itself particularly obnoxious to
the Wide-Awakes and Republicans, a scene of
considerable excitement prevailed. The guests, in
a measure Southerners, gathered in the halls and
passageways and conversed with great vehemence
on the important news which the extra Herald
had laid before them. In the lower hallway the
sofas were occupied with these personages, and to
one group the attention of our reporter was par-
ticularly directed.
" Well, I hope," said one, " that the Charles-
tonians will do honour to themselves."
"And they have done so," replied the party
addressed, " judging from the news of the Herald."
The conversation continued in a similar strain,
and the conduct of General Beauregard and Major
Anderson and other matters were discussed.
At the other hotels similar scenes of excitement
were to be witnessed, and the papers containing
the news flourished in everybody's hand.
EFFECTS OF THE WAR NEWS IN BALTIMORE.
Baltimore, April 12, 1861.
The Charleston news was not generally promul-
gated here until after night. It produced a pro-
found sensation, and general expressions of regret
at the prospect of bloodshed. There is a great
diversity of views, but the general expressions are
on the side of the Government.
EFFECTS OF THE WAR NEV S IN THE VIRGINIA

The embrasures for musketry on the side of the
work exposed to the fire of the batteries of Cum-
mings' Point and Fort Johnson have been filled with
solid flagging, filled in with lead, and now ball and
bomb proof, adding materially to the strength of
the work. Inside, the magazine and hospital have
been proteted by stone traverses, and the parade
cleared.

FORT MOtTLTRIE.
Fort Moultrie, which first opened its batteries
upon Major Anderson and his command, is one
of the sentinels that guard the principal entrance
to Charleston harbour. It is opposite to and
distant from Fort Sumter about one and
a half miles. It is, more properly speak.
ing, a huge water battery, without any
guns under cover. Its armament consists of
11 guns of heavy calibre and several mortars. The
outer and inner walls are of brick, capped with stone
and filled with cart, making a solid wall of 15 or
16 feet in thickness. This work has been much
strengthened recently, and presents a saucy front
to Fort Sumter. It is now in command of Major
Ripley, formerly of the United States army, who
has under his command several hundred experienced
artillerists.

THE IRON FLOATING BATTERY.
This novel war machine, designed for harbour ope-
rations, is now anchored near Sullivan's Island, com-
manding the barbette guns of Fort Sumter. It is con-
structed of palmetto logs, sheathed with plate iron,
and is supposed to be impregnable against shot. It
is embrasured for and mounts four guns of heavy
calibre. It requires 60 men to operate it. The first
impression on seeing this machine is that of immense
solidity. The outer or gun side is covered with six
plates of iron—two of them of the T railroad pat-
tern, placed horizontally, and the other four bolted
one over the other, in the strongest manner, and
running vertically. The wall of the gun side is
full four feet thick, constructed of that peculiar pal-
metto wood so full of fibrous material that 64-
pounders cannot pierce it. The main deck
is wide and roomy. In 19 open chambers,
on the port side of the deck, we found a
profusion of shot-34-pounders—while just be-
yond them is an immense pile of sand bags
which protect an overhanging roof, under which is
to be placed the hospital. This also protects the
magazines (three in number), under which is the
hold proper. There are six entrances to the hold,
which will contain, if necessary, over three hun-
dred men. It is kept in place by four heavy wedges,
driven down by a species of ram, which will hold it
fast, and prevent any swaying around by the tide.
The nearest point of lane to Fort Sumter
is Cummings' Point, distance 1,150 yards. On
this point is the celebrated railroad iron battery.
It consists of a heavy framework of yellow pine logs.
The roof is of the same material, over which dove-
tailed bars of railroad iron of the T pattern are laid
from top to bottom, all of which is riveted down in
most secure manner. On the front it presents an
angle of about 30 degrees. There are three port-
holes, which open and close with iron shutters of
the heaviest description. When open, the muzzles
of the columbiads fill up the space completely.
The recoil of the gun enables the shutters to be
closed instantly. It is asserted, on high military
authority, that this inclined plane will effectually re-
sist guns of the heaviest calibre, first, because no shot
can strike it except at an obtuse angle, which would
cause the ball to glance; second, because its power
of resistance is sufficient to withstand the fall of
the heaviest shells. The columbiad guns, with which
this novel battery is equipped bear on the south
wall of Sumter, the line of fire being at an angle
of about 35 degrees. This is not, of course, consi-
dered favourable for breaching; but owing to the
fact that the wall is loop-holed for musketry through..
out its entire length, which, of course, weakens it a
great deal, the effect of shot upon it would, we think,
even at the distance of 1,150 yards, effect a breach
within a reasonable time. The work is in charge
of several Companies of the regular army of the
Confederate States. If employed to reduce Fort
Sumter, this battery will prove quite formidable.
The Fort Johnson batteries consist of two huge
sand works, containing mortar and Beige gun bat-
teries.

STATE CONVENTION.
Richmond, April 12, 1861.
The fourteenth resolution was adopted with Mr.
Scott's amendment.

This being the last resolution the committee took
the proposed amendments to the constitution. •
The Wise substitute was rejected.
Adjourned.
Hon. John Tyler received this afternoon from
Montgomery copies of official despatches between
General Beauregard, Major Anderson and Secre-
tary of War Walker. These were printed and cir-
culated in the Convention. Considerable Sensation
was caused, but there was nolndication that the
Union men will consent to secede without the co-
operation of the border States. The public mind is
greatly excited.
EFFECTS OF THE WAR NEWS IN MOBILE.
Mobile, April 12, 1861.
There is intense excitement and rejoicing here.
Fifteen guns have been fired in honour of the attack
on Fort Sumter.

PENNSYLVANIA ARMING FOR THE WAR,
Harrisburg, April 12, 1861.
A bill has been reported, in the house appro-
priating half a million dollars for arming and
equipping the militia of the State. It provides for
the appointment of Adjutant, Commissary and
Quartermaster Generals by the Governor.

The War Bill passed both Houses to-night with-
out amendment. Governor Curtin waited at the
Executive office to sign it. It is signed.
The Charleston despatches about hostilities
were announced in both Houses, and produced a
profound sensation.

Mr. Smith, a democratic member of the House,
after the Charleston despatches were received,
changed his vote to aye on the War Bill.

All the democrats of both Houses voted against it.
The bill appropriates 500,000 dols. for the pur-
pose of arming and equipping the militia; autho-
rises a temporary loan ; provides for the appoint-
ment of an Adjutant-General, Commissary-General,
and Quartermaster-General, who, with the
Governor, are to have power to carry the act into
effect.

These works are one and one-fourth of a mile
from Fort Sumter, and at present manned by two
companies of regular artillery. The position of this
old fort, which is on the side of the harbour opposite
to Fort Moultrie, so that Fort Sumter lies between
the two, is of the utmost importance as a con-
necting point in the defence of the harbour, and
has been considered by the highest military
................
authority as the key to all the defensive works
.
FORT SUMTER—THE STRONGHOLD OF in the harbour, Against the attack of forces by
MAJOR ANDERSON. land, or a boat attack by the Stono river, it must be
Fort Sumter is a modern truncated pentagonal considered an essential element of defence.
fort, built upon an artificial island at the mouth of CASTLE PINCKNEY.
Charleston harbour, 34 miles from the city of Castle Pinckney is a small work, situated on the
Charleston. The island has for its base a sand and southern extremity of " Shute's Folly Island," be-
mud bank, with a superstructure, if we may so term tween the Hog and Folly channels. Though in
not avery considerable military work, yet,
i
it, of the refuse chips from several northern granite itself
fromits position, commanding as it does the whole
quarries. These rocks are firmly embedded in the line of the eastern wharves, it becomes of the utmost
sand, and upon them the present fortification is importance for it to be held by the State authori-
t
reared. The island itself cost 500,000 dols., and ties. It is, in fact, the immediate outwork of the
was 10 years in construction. The fortification city, useful to annoy an invading fleet should it pass
cost another 500,000 dols., and at the time of its the outer forts, and to render their landing very
occupancy by Major Anderson was so nearly com-
difficult, if not impossible. In its plan it presents to
the south a semicircular face; the eastern and
pleted as to admit the introduction of its armament. western faces are formed by the line of rampart fol-
The walls are of solid brick and concrete masonry, lowing the direction of the tangent to the circular
built close to the edge of the water, and with- arc at its extremity, and for a distance of twenty
yards ; the northern side is plain ; at both the north-
out a berm. They are sixty feet high, and from
eight to twelve feet in thickness, and are pierced
eastern and northwestern angles are semicircular
bastions, the outer extremities of the arcs being tan-
for three tiers of guns on the north, east, and gent respect!vely to the eastern and western sides of
west exterior sides. Its weakest point is on the the fort. Theie are two rows of guns—the lower
south side, of which the masonry is not only being in casemates (bombproof), the embrasures for
which are about seven feet above low water mark,
weaker than that of the other sides, but it is not
protected by any flank fire, which would sweep and the upper being en barbette. The height of the
the wharf. Once landed, an entrance may, at the
rampart is twenty, and the width thirty-two feet.
mad
The width of the outer wall and of the para-
present state of the construction, be easily e; pet :is six feet, the depth of the casemates
for the blinds of the lower embrasures, though six is twenty feet, height ten ; the diameter (east and
inches in thickness, may yet be easily blown away, west) of the castle is one hundred and seventy feet.
T
and even if this was impossible, scaling ladders can The entrance is on the northern side, on either side
reach those of the second tier, which are not pro. of which are the officers' and privates' quarters,
tested in this manner. , The work is designed for an messroora, &c. The ascent to the barbette is made
on north-eastern and north-western corners of
armament of one hundred and forty pieces of ordnance the terre-paradeplein. In the centre of the latter
of all calibres. Two tiers of the guns are under is the furnace for heating shot. Around the foot
boom-proof casemates, and the third or upper tier of the scarp wall is a breakwater, about twelve feet
open, or, in military parlance, en barbette; the in width, horizontally, which has its western
lower tier for forty-two pounder paixhan guns; side extended in a tangent direction to the
the second tier for eight and ten inch columbiads south, to form the landing. The landing is
, protected by the fire of several guns sweeping its
for throwing solid or hollow shot, and the upper length. The armament of this castle consists of
tier for mortars and twenty four pound guns. The about 25 pieces, 24 and 32 pounders. a few sea-
full armament of the fort, however, had not arrived coast mortars and six columbiads—the latter not
being mounted. In the magazine is a sufficiency
there when Major Anderson took possession ; bet
since its occupancy by the present garrison no efforts
,of ammunition, including • shot and loaded shell,
have been spared to place the work in an efficient Phis work has been of late put I
pair as possible. Owing to the want of ventilation
state of defence, by mounting all the available and the reverberation of the sound in an engagement
guns and placing them in salient points. As we be- the lower tier of guns would soon become useless,
fore remarked, the fall armament of the fort is not in and the occupants would be obliged to resort
position,
as only seventy-five of the one hundred and entirely to the barbette guns and moi tars. In this
case the exposure to the enemy's direct shot
forty guns required for it are now mounted. Eleven not ban the
be great, for the parapet is higher tan the
paizhan guns are among that number, nine of them hulks of most ships, and much higher than the
although,
commanding Fort Moultrie, which is within easy adjoining shore. As to the importance,
Moultrie, it would
range, and the other two pointing towards Castle if we possessed Forts Sumter and
if an enemy pr..
Pinckney, which is well out of range. some of be of comparatively little use, yet would
city would enable the
scssed. it, its proximity to the
the columbiads, the most effective weapon for siege
arrison to damage Ch
or defensive operations, arc not mounted. Four of b
OTHER WORKS.
Hadril's Point, Mount
the thirty-two pounder barbette guns are on pivot There are other works at
il XglAnd And fronting the
earriageß, ¶hich giTeo them the entire range of the Plimmut, Stage, Dlerr ,
Charleston seriously,

horizon, and others have a horizontal sweep of fire
of 180 degrees. In addition to these weightier
preparations for defence, the walls are pierced
everywhere for muskets, of which there are end-
less numbers ready and loaded. The magazine
contains seven hundred barrels of gunpowder
and an ample supply of shot, powder, and
shells for one year's siege, and a large amount of
miscellaneous artillery stores. The garrison is
amply supplied with water from artificial wells,
which are supplied by the frequent showers of rain.
In a defensive or strategical point of view, Fort
Sumter radiates its fire through all the channels
from the sea approach to Charleston, and has a full
sweep of range in its rear or city side. The fort is
sufficiently out of range from a land artillery attack,
se that all apprehensions for breaching it from that
source may be at rest, unless by guns of superior
calibre. The maximum range of the• guns from
Sumter is three miles ; but for accurate firing, suffi-
cient to hull a vessel, the distance would require to
be reduced one-half of that figure. The war garri-
son of the fort is six hundred men, but only seventy-
nine of that number are, within its walls, with the
labourers-109 all told.