Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-12-28
The Forts In Charleston Hnrbor.

The Charleston, Is. C.) correspondent of
the New York Tribune, in his last letter,
describes the position and strength of the
government forts in Charleston harbor:
The forts are three in number, namely,
Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumpter and Castle
Pinckney. Fort Moultrie is on Sullivan's
Island, which is principally within the cor
porate limits of the city of Charleston
This island is separated from the mainland
by narrow channel, which at low tide may
be forded. The fort is on the seaward side
of the island, nearly a mile distant from this
channel. 1t is an extensive work, well
supplied with guns Of the largest and best
description, and nearly all the recent i'm
provements in explosives have been intro
duced, in the use of which the men are
we'll drilled. Within the last ten days a
trench has been dug around the entire fort,
and everything is being done that is neces-
sary to place the work in the best possible
condition of defense. A supply of six
months provisions has recently been sent
into the fort. The distance from Fort Moul-
trie to the city is about three miles. In
order to capture the fort it will be necessary
for the Carolinians to build military
bridge, and they have hitherto failed to Sc
cure the services of competent military
engineer.
Castle Pinckney stands in the harbor,
wholly surrounded by water, which cannot
be bridged readily, between Moultrie and
the city, and can be operated on only by
heavy guns. 1t mounts a large number oi
heavy guns, and has recently been very
much strengthened. In 1882, Gen. Scott
did much to strengthen this position, and
most of the works then added, still remain
An engineering force of limited number
of men has for the last two weeks been en-,
gagged in rendering the fortifcation one o
) a really formidable character.
Fort Sumpter rises out of the water fur
ther down the harbor, about three miles anC
half from the city, nearly abreast Of anc
not over one mile from Moultrie. 1t no
only commands both the other forts, but i
is believed the city could be efectually
shelled from it. 1t is thoroughly appointe
with all the larger description of guns. l
| 10 thOiOuSh'J COihH P'OOij anu ehOuShS w y
impregnable to anything likely to be brough
to bear against it. Thoug out at sea, it has
fine we'll Of fresh water. Forsome time pas
upwards of 100 men, most Of them me
; chanics, have been actively engaged in pla
cling the guns in order. The only trouble
in regard to all the forts, is the fact tina
they are inadequately supplied with me.
The United States Arsenal, at the ives
side of the city of Charleston, contains 70
900 stands of arms, and a corresponding
supply of ammunition and other appoint
. ments, excepting largo guns. 1t is now vii
tually in the hands of the Charlesto
people.
; The United Ststes officers at Charleston
all of them said to be reliable men-are q
J follow; Maj, Robt. Anderson, Capt. Abnt
Doubleka, Capt. T. Seymour, Lieut.. 7. Ia
; bot, Lieut.. ]. G. Davis, Lieut.. N. ]. Hal
!, all of the Frst Regiment of Artiilesy, A
a sistant Surgeon, s, W. Crawford, Capt.
, ! G. Forbes, Lieut.. G. W. Snyder, Engine
u y Corps.