The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-12-27
ZI
The Forts in Charleston Harbor.

correspondent OF the N. Y. Tribune, writing
from Charleston, under date of December 10th,
gives the following description of the U. S.
Forts in that harbor:
-" In order to give the reader some idea of
this and the other Notifications in this harbor,
Will state briefly their location. They are
three IN number, namely. Fort Moultrie. Fort
Sumpter, and Castle Pincliuey. The first is on
SulliVan's Island, which is principally within
the corporate limits of the city of Charleston
This island is separated from the mainland by
narrow channel, which sometimes at low tide
may be forded, though it would be very uu>
military thing for an attacking expedition to rely
on this method of approach. 1t is precisely
here that the bridge spoken of as is now clearly
toreseen, will be wanted, and it is said that the
means of supplyin. the want are in a consid-
cradle state OF foiwerdness, though the results
thus far have not been altogether satisfactory.
Fort Moultrle IS Oh the seward side of the is
land, nearly mic Instant from this channel,
so that its passage would be measurably " in
the face of an enemy" and directly SO should
the commanding Off er erect batteries at the
point OF landing, w ich, however,is not certain
TO be done.
Suiiivan's Island quite tlicIly built up,
generally with w0olcn tenements, and horse
railroad traverses Tie whole distance. The
Fort Itself is an extensive work, well provided
vain everything bur men ; its guns are, many
OF them,of che largest and best description, and
nearly all the recen! improvements in explo.
slves have been intl 9duced in the use of which
the men are well drilled. Indeed, | may state
with confidence, The officers and men at Mou-
trie very much exec, in this particular Re-
Gently, within the last ten days, a trench has
been dug around tie entire Fort, and, without
gong into minute detail will be enough to say
that everything is being done to place the work
IN the best possible state Of defense. She has
recently received six MONTH provisions. What
is wanting IN men i'll iii measure be made
up by discipline and completeness OF death deal
ing appointments The distance between Fort
Moultrie and the city IS about three miles.
Castle Pinckney stands in the harbor, who'll
~ surrounded by water, which cannot be bridg-
ed readily, between Moultro and the city, and
can be operated on only by heavy guns. 1t
mounts 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 a limited number of
men has for the last two weeks been engaged
in rendering the fortifcation one of really
formidable character. Like Fort Moultrie it
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
orts, but, 1t is believed, the city could be etec-
tually shelled from it. 1t is thoroughly appoint
ed with all the larger description Of guns =.
Outwardly it resembles the round, yellow fort
Oh Governors Island though larger 1t is thor-
oughly bomb proof and believed to be impreg~
nable to any thing likely to be brought to bear
against 1T. Though out at sea, it has fine
well of fresh water. For some time past, up
ward Of one hundred men, have been actively
engaged in placi ngthe guns in order. The
effect Of Capt Forbes efforts are plainly visible,
even to the unprofessional eye. There have
heretofore been no more soldiers than were ne
cessary to act as keepers Moderately well gar
rlsoned ,Sumpter would prove an ugly customer
to Charleston and its surroundings, should it
ever come to that. One wonld suppose that it
would not be difficult for men, when driven cut
OF Moultrie, if supplied with boats, to phil over
to Sumpter, and in a very brief space of time,
make it hot work for the captors in Moultrie.
The United States Arsenal is at the west side
OF the city of Charleston In it are stored up
wards OF ~ 900 stands of arms "a corresponding
amount of ammunition,an other appointments
oil war, excepting large guns. It is now guards
ed, nominally: by military corps of Charleston,
whose services the government accepted to pro-
tect 1t from the mob. 1t was an expert move
ment, peaceful capture. 1t will continue to
be thus guarded, till the time arrives for ma
king use OF the extensive military stroehouse
against the Federal Government, which IN this,
as well as in many other things has been out
Wltted by the nullifiers.
in order to show The GnjmuS of the people of
Charleston, who thus very kindly guard the
United States Arsenal will relate single
circumstance which see has lately been reviv-
ed and made the subject Of Geographic dis
patch from Washington. The commanding
officer OF Fort Moaltie ordered Capt. Seymour
and squad Of soldiers to proceed to the Arse
nall for several boxes Of light arms and perhaps
some ammunition, which though he could do
without, he deemed best to send for.
The military s;oiekeeper at the Arsenal had
issued an order for the articles called for, most
OF them had been conveyed to the dock. and
the soldiers were engaged in placing Them on
board Of the boat, when body of ciCzens APP
peared, commanded them to desist, took from
the beat what bad been placed on board march
ed the captain and his men before the Mayor,
who sternly reprimanded them and babe them
to return to the Fort, report the facts to their
superior, and never be caught in such business
again. Eversnce, Uncle Sam has been quiet.
Since this letter is devoted so purely to mill
tary matters, will append the following list of
United States officers herc:-M Major Robert An
derson, Capt. Abner Doubeda, Capt. L. Sey
mour, Lieut.. 7. Talbot, Lieut.. J. G. Davis,
Lieut. n. j. Hail. all Of the First Regiment Of
Artillery; Assistant Surgeon S. w. Crawford
Capt. j. g. Forbes, Lieut. G. W. SNYDER
Engineer Corps.
The country may rely on them