The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-28

THE DEFEyCEs OF CHARLESTON-TELE-
GRAPHIC DISPATCHES RUM0RS AND

THE DEFENCES OF CHARLESTON-TELE
GRAPHIC DISPATCHES - RUM0RS AND
CANARDS.
The protection Of United states property In Charles
ton the collection Of the revenue and the maintenance
Of federal law have been subjects Of wide discussion,
and little speculation From the commencement Of
the excitement in South Carolina, tho only United
States troops stationed there q company Of some
seventy men, who occupied Fort Moultre, under the
command Of Major Robert Anderson, who has be-
come famous for his connection with this movement.
All kinds OF reports circulated by the enemies OF
the President that Fort Mouie 70 be abandoned 10
It's fate and lie garrison sacrificed The President
s,gmaised in the most dscour,eous language by the
publican press. Even In the Cabinet, the executive
policy with regard 10 Fort Moultre found dissen-
tient In the person of Gen Cass In his age Mr. B-
chanan stated that bis orders Major Anderson act
merely the defensive II he attacked and th
interpreted 10 abandonment Of the defencesf
whereas II intended not 10 provoke collision. But
when the Of the secession OF South Caroina roach
ed Washington special messengers at des2a,ct
ed to Major Anderson and 10 the Collector and posmar
at Charleston the puort Of their mission Of course,
being confined 10 the Presidents bosom. Bu
eancrd once set Sace, that orders 70
Anderson 70 surrender The city therefore, startled
yesterday by the receipt Of the following dcsps,ch
Foxr xorLraK svAccsrED-rHE GUNS SPIKED
AND rHx FoEr IN rLAnEs-0REAr EXCITE
CtAmEros Dec ~, 1900
Fort Mouiire was evacuated last night.
The fort l. now being demolishes by Ere.
Only four soldiers were LEFT In charge.
The troops have all been conveyed 70 Forisumiter
Intense excitement prevails.
The Convention h IN secret session.
THIS news was displayed the bulletins and intense
excitement spread throughout the city. few hours
later however, the following dispatches arrived which
somewhat altered the complexion of the arst alarming
newt
SECOND DESPATCH.
J, 4 only the gun carriages that are on re a Fort
The cannon are spiked and II Is reported ,ha. trail Is
laid 10 blow up the fort
This last report n doubted.
The excitement and indignation q he eOpe er, in
crcasing
Major Anderson states that he cyacuat Frt Mouric
In order 70 aay the discussion about hat poet and al
the same time strengthen his own position.
cHaRIrsroS, Dec film
Capt Foster, with small force ssA rem ins at Fort
Moultric.
several of the city military companies have been or.
dered out.
A collision Ia no, improbable.
II is highly probable that Major Anderaon's views
were 10 cvacuae an untenablc position, and repair
with his men fort which there chance Of de-
tending, may be seen from the following iescrip.
tions Of the foriss-
Inc hafbor ~ thafiestoh - aefen1ef Dy Tour furte
uaelyFort Moutric, situated saIllvans Island at
the right entrance to tho harbor Fort sumper which
stands on a small island little % the Ien of the main
chip channel and amost In central poiut Of the harbcr
Castle Psnckncy, shutc's Falls Island, good deal
nearer the city; and Fort Johnson on an angle be
tween forts Pinckney and sumptcr. The accompanying
map and plan q the haror and city n Charlostonfor
which VIC are indebted 10 the kindness n tho proprieors
cf HoyTo's We5iy-wIi give our readers an excellent
idea % the relative value of the defeuccs
FORT worLTRB.
This forthcaton Ia enclosed water battery, having
front the south water side of about 900 feet aud
depth of about 2io feet II l. built with salient re-.
entering angles all sides, but untn the works now
going there undertaken the south wall could have
been easily scaled, owing 10 the accumulation cf sand
from the beach some Improvement, however has been
recently effected IN this respect Tho outer and
walls Of brick, capped with stone and hled IN with
earth making solid wall fifteen feet In thick
mesa Tho work now IN progress consists IN cleaning tho
sand from the walls o. he fort di,ching around tho
sire ~ renee, and erec'ing elacis cIng NJ
,hs pcsisp fscs n ne cas. o.. vts va H. ND Asosa