Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-26
THE CHARLESTON FORTS.

Aiiusion Is SO frequently made to the Charl-
! eston forts that some information concerning
} them will be read with interest. They are
three IN number, namely, Fort Moultrie, Fort
} Sumter, and Castle Pinckney. The fort is on
Sullivan's Island, which is principally within
the corporate limits of the City of Charleston.
This Island is separated from the main land by
narrow channel, which sometimes at low
tide may be forded though it would be a very
unmIlitary thing for an attacking expidition
to rely on this method of approach. Fort Moul-
trie is On the seaward side of the island, near
ly mile distant from this channel, so that its
passage would be measurably ssin the face of
an enemy" and directly so should the COM
manding officer erect batteries at the point of
landing, which however, is not certain to be
| done. Sullivan's Island is quite thickly built
up, generally with wooden tenements, and
horse railroad traverses the whole distance.
| The Fort itself is an extensive work, well
provided with everything but men. Its guns
| are, many of them, Of the largest and best de-
| scripton, and nearly all the recent improve
| mehts IN explosives have been introduced, in
| the use of which the men are we'll drilled.
| Indeed, We may state with confidence that the
officers and men at Moultrie very much excel
in this particular. Recenty-within the last
ten days-a trench has been dug around the
entire Fort, and, without going into minute
detail, 1t will be enough to say that everything
is being done necessary to place the work in
4
has recently received six months provisions.
| What is wanting in men will in measure be
| made up by discipline and completeness of
| death h-dealing appointments. The distance be-
| tween Fort Moultrie and the city is about
| three miles.
| A few days since, Col. Gardner who, for
| years, held the post of Commandant was re-
| lieved of the command by Mai. Robert Ander-
| son, of Kentucky, who was breveted for his
successful conduct in the Florida war, and
| who served with distinction in Mexico. The
other officers are Capt. Abner Doubleday,
Capt. 7. Seymour, Lieut.. T. Talbot, Lieut.. J.
G. Davis, Lieut.. N. j. Hall, of the 1st Regi-
ment of Artillery, Capt. ID. e. Foster and
Lieut.. G.. w. Snyder of the Engineer corps.
The Charleston Mercury speaks of the vigi-
lance in the Fort thus :-'sWhile the working
men are doing wonders on the outside, the
soldiers within are by no means idle. Field
pieces have been placed in position upon the
green within the fort, and none of the expedi-
ents of military engineering have been neglect
ed to make the position as strong as possible.
1t is said that the greatest vigilance is observ
ed in every regulation at this time, and that |
the guns are regularly shosted every night. |
1t is very certain that ingress is no longer an
easy matter and the visiter who hopes to get In
must make up his mind to approach with all
the caution, cere mony and circumlocution
with which the Allies are advancing upon the |
capital of the Celestial Empire.'
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 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 ad-
ded still remain. An engineering force of
limited number of men has for the last two
weeks been engaged in rendering the fortifica-
tion one of really formidable character.
Like Fort Moultre, it only wants men.
Fort Sumter rises out of the water further
down the harbor, about 81 miles from ihe city, |
nearly abreast of and not over one mile from
Moultrie. 1t not only commands both the
other forts, but it is believed, the city could
be effectuallv shelled from it. 1t is thoroughly
appointed with all the larger description Of
guns. Outwardly it resembles the round, yel-
low fort on Governors Island, though larger.
1t is thoroughly bomb-proof, and believed to
be impregnable to anything likely to be brought
to bear against it. Though out at sea, it has
a fine well of fresh water. For some time
past upward of 100 men, most of them me-
chanics, have been actively engaged in placing
the guns in order. The effect of Capt. For
bes's efforts are plainly visible, even to the .
eye. There have heretofore (
been no more soldiers than were necessary | ,
to act as keepers. Moderately well garrison
ed, Sumter would prove an ugly customer to
Charleston and its surroundings should it ever
come to that. One would suppose that it
would not be difficult for men when driven ,
out of Moultrie, if supplied with boats, to pull
over to Sumter, and in very brief space of !
time make it hot work for the captors in Moul-
trie. ;
The United States Arsenal is at the west r
side of the City of Charleston. In it are stor-
ed upward OF 10000 stands of arms and a
amount of ammunition and !,
other appointments of war, excepting large =
guns. 1t is now guarded, nominally, by
military corps of Charleston, whose services
he Government accepted to protect it from !
he mob. 1t was expert movement, a J.
peaceful capture. 1t will continue to be thus :
guarded, till the time arrives for making use
,f the extensive military store-house against :
he Federal Government, which in this, as in
many other things, has been outwitted by the
lullfers.
Governor Magoffiu of Kentucky has ad .