The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-17

and earth for the purpose OF putting down very ugly
looking arrangement, which consists OF strips Of plank
four inches wde inche and half thick, and six or
eight feet long, sharpened at the point and nailed down.
to project about three feet horizontally from the top
OF the walls.
noticeable fact in the bastonettes to which have
above alluded s the haste in which one of them has
been built The completed formed Of solid mason
ry. In constructing the other however, framework Of
plank has been substituted Against the inside Of this
wooden outwork loose bricks have been placed Both
bastionettes armed with a small carronade, and
howtzer pointed ateray 30 as To command the whole
intervening moat by cross hre
In the hurried execution Of these extensive improve
ments large force-about ITO men-are constantly
gagged Additions daily made to this number, and
the work OF putting the post In the best possible
dtion for defence carried with almost Incredible
vigor.
the GARRISON.
Few days ago Col Gardner who for years had held
the post Of Commandant whose courtesy bearing
had won the friendship Of all who knew him, was
heved IN the command by Major Robert Anderson, of
Kentucky. Major Anderson received his first commits
sion az Brevet Second Lieutenant Second artillery July
l. 1925 acting Inspector General In the Black Hawk
war and received the rank of Brevet Captain August
1883 Tor his successful conduct in the Florida On
September s. ls47 he was made Breyet Major for his
gaant ana mertorous conduct in the battle Of Mono
The other officers are Captain Abner Doubleday Can
tain Seymour, Lieutenont T. Talbot, Lieutenant J. g.
Davis, Lieutenant N J. Ha-alo of the First regiment
artillery.
Captain J. G. Foster and Lieutenant G. W. Snyder, of
the Engineer corps
companies Of artillery the companies, however,
not full the two comprising, we informed,
only about seventy men, including tho band. short
time ago two additional companies expected but
they have not come; and Is positively stated that
there will be- for the present at least reinforcement
Of the garrison.
VIGILANCE IN THE PORT.
While the workingmen are doing wonders on the out
side the soldiers within by no means idle Field
pieces have been placed position upon green within
the fort and Of the cxpedents of military engineer
ing have been neglected to make the position strong
hat fhA tast utn ty nh.
served in every regulation this time that the guns
are regularly shotted every night 1t very that
the vsiter who hopes get make up his mind TO
approach with all the caution ceremony and crcumocu
ton with which the allies are advancing upon the capital
Of the Celestial Empire.
work OF solid masonry, octagonal in FORM pierced
the NORTH east and west sides with double Of
holes for the heaviest guns, and the south land
side addition TO openings for guns loop holed for
edge Of the ship channel and is said 10 be bomb proof
II at present without any regular garrison There is
large force OF workmen-some hundred and fifty in
a-busly employed In mounting the guns and otherwise
putting TINS great strategic point IN order The arma
ment Of Fort Sumter consists Of lao guns many of them
being the formidable ten inch "columbiads," which
throw either shot shell, and which have fearful
range Only few Of these yet in position and the
work Of mounting pieces o. this cabre in the casemates
necessarily slow There IL also large amount Of
artillery stores consisting Of about 20 900 pounds Of pow
der and propotionae quantity OF shot and shell The
workmen engaged here sleep IN the fort every night
owing 10 the want OF any regular communication with
the city The wharf landing the south side and
Ia OF course exposed TO fire from all the openings
on that side.
CASTLE PISCKNEY
located the southern extremity OF narrow slip of
marsh land which extends In a northerly direction To
Hog Island Channel To the harbor side the called
castle presents circular front It has been
sdered OF much consequence fortress although it's
proximity TO the city would give il importance, If pro-
perly armed and garrsoned From hasty observation we
find that there about fifteen guns mounted the
parapet; the majority Of them eighteen and twenty
four Founders. Some "Columbads" are, however, with
in the walls There also supplies Of powder shot and
shell At present there Is garrison at the post the
only residents on two watchmen, who have
charge Of the harbor light Some thirty forty day
aborers employed repairing the and putting
the place generally in order.
This concludes sketch OF the present aspect OF
affairs at the three forts, which meant be- and
which should always remain, al The prde and tho
safeguard of our city.