Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-18
THE FoRrsIN cHARLEsroN HARBoR

description of these forts from its Charleston
Is. c. correspondent:
Pretty much everything here now Is in the
military way. The volunteer companies keep
up their drills, and await the day when they
shsll be led against Fort Moultrie. There has
recently been presented to the Legislature
memorial signed by some half dozen of the
leading military spirits in Charleston IN
view of the imminence Of war between the
Northern States Of this COnfederaoy and this
State, either alone or In connection with other
Southern States. After giving the views Of
the signeTs as to the proper manner OF oficer-
ing the military, the gentlemen proceed to
argue at length the necessity Of an engineer
corps. This is South Cardinals weak point.
She has no able engineer officer at hercom-
mand, and has been bidding high for enes
The case Of military bridge, which it is
necessary to build in the face Of an enemy"
is spoken Of 1t is well understood here that
alusion is made TO the position of Fort Moul-
trie, and the emergency likely to arise in at
tacking it, In order to give the reader some
idea Of this and other fOrti6cations in this hsr-
Dor, I will state briefly their location. They
are three in number, namely Fort Moultrie,
Fort Sumter, and Castle Pinekney. The fort
is on Sullivan's Island, which is principally
within the corporate limits of the city of
Charleston. This island is separate from the
main land by a narrow channel, which some
times at low tide may be forded, though it
would be a very unmilitary thing for an at
tAeking expedition to rely this method of
approach. 1t is precisely here that the bridge
spoken Of, as is now clearly foreseeu, will be
wanted, and it is said that the means of sup
plying the want Is in a considerable state Of
forWardnesS, though the results thus far have
not been altogether satisfactory. Fort Moul-
trie is on the sesward side Of the island,
nearly a mile distant from this channel,
so that its passage would be measurably
in the face Of an enemy" and directly
30 should the commanding officer erect bat
teries at the point of landing, which, however,
is not certain to be done. SulliVan's Island
is quite thickly built up, generally with
wooden tsnements, and a horse railroad
traverses the whole distance. The fort itself
is an extensive work, well provided with every
thing but men. Its guns are many Of them,
of the largest and best description and nearly
all the recent improvements in explosives have
been introduced, in the use of which the men
are well drilled. Indeed, / may state with
confidence that the officers and men at Moul-
trie very much excel in this particular. Re-
cently-within the last ten days-A trench has
been dug around the entire Fort, and, without
going into minute detail, it will be enough to
say that everything is being done necessary to
place the work in the best possible condition
OF defence. She has recently received six
months provisions. What is wanted in men
will in a measure be made up by discipline
and completeness of death-dealing appoint
ments. The distance between Fort MOultrie
and the city is about three miles.
Castle Pinckney stands in the herbor, 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 Of 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 limi-
ted numberIof men hss for the last two weeks
been engaged inEendering the fortifeation one
e oaFI g. l-LI ~ 4 H.. -
M1ultrie il only wants men.
Fort SUmpter rises out of the water further
down the harbor, about 81 miles from the city,
nearly abreast Of and not over one mile from
MOultrie. 1t not only commands both the
other forts, but, il is believed, the city could
be efeetuslly shelled from il. 1t is thorough
Iy appointed with all the larger description OF
guns. Outwardly, it resembles the round, yet
low fort on Governors Island, though larger
Itis thoroughly bomb-proof, and believed tc
beimpreSnaole TO anything likely to be brought
to bear against il. Though out at sea- it has q
fine well Offresh water. For some time past
upwards of 100 men, most of them mechanics
have been actively engaged in placing the gun:
in order. The efeot OF Capt. POrbes's effort,
are plainly visible, even to the unprofessiona
eye. There have heretofore been no more sol
diers than were necessary 10 ast as keepers
Moderately we'll garrisoned, Sumpter would
prove an ugly customer to Charleston and il
surroundings, should it ever come to that. One
would suppose that ii would not be difficult fol-
menwhen driven out of Moultie, if supplied
with boats, TO pull over to Sumter, and in q
very brief space of time to make it hot worl
for the eaptors in Moultrie
The u s. Arsenal is at the west side Of tn,
city of Charleston. In ii are stored upward O
10000 stand Of arms and a corresr ondinI
amoaDt Of ammunition and other appointme emit
of war, excepting large guns. 1t is now guard
ed, noDinelly, by military corps Of Charles
ton, whose services the Government scce pied
10 protect it from the mob. II was an exper
movements peaceful capture. 1t will con
tiuue to be thus guarded till the time arrive
for making use Of the extensive military store
house against the Federal Government whicl
in this. as in many other things, has been out
witted by the nullifers.
In order to show the aRiRpus Of the peopl
Of Charleston, who thus very kindly guard tn
U. 5. Arsenal, / will relate a single circum
stsnce which see has lately been revived ant
made the subject of a telegraphic dispatcl
from Washington. The commanding officer @
Fort MOultrie ordered Captain Seymour and
squad of soldiers, in citizens dress, to proeee
TO the Arsenal for several boxes of light arms
and perhaps some ammunition, which, thoug
he could do without, he deemed best to SEN
for. The military storekeeper at the Arsena
had issued an order for the articles called fol
most Of them had been taken to the dock, an
the soldiers were engaged in placing them o
board the boat, when body of citizens ar
peared, commanded them to desist, took froiI
the boat what had been placed on board, an
marched the captain and his men before tn
Mayor,uho sternly reprimanded them and bi
them to retsrn to the Fort, report the facts
their superior, and never be caught in sue
business again. Ever since, Uncle Sam hs
been quiet.
Since this letter Is devoted 50 purely to mil
tary matters, will append the following lii
Of q. S. officers here: Major Robert Anderson
Captain Abner Doubleday, Capt 7. Ssymor
Lisut. +. Talbot, Lieut.. J. G. Davis, Lieut.. !
J, Hall, all Of the first regiment of artiller,
Assist. Surgeon $: w. Crawford, Capt. j.
The country may rely on them.
MuLLIsAS AT Sine SING s-The e1iied Mr. Ma