Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-12-28
Affairs at OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES for war.

Y. Tribune writes:
South Carolina knows that there is no
such thing as peaceful secession. She has
from the beginning acted on the principle
that Secession is Revolution, and from the
first moment been preparing for it. She
can tomorrow bring ten thousand men in
to the field who, if not we'll armed, can sup
ply all deficiencies from the united States |
Arsenal, which she now SO conscientously
guards at the invitation of Mr.. Secretary
Floyd. She is making ready to fight the
whole Federal power, and accepts all the
consequences. For weeks more than one
half of total male population, capable of
bearing arms, have been drilling and arm
ing. Tens of thousands of dollars have
been expended by individuals in the pur-
chase of Colts and other improved arms
The thoughts of her entire population have
been turned to this single idea, and purpose.
She is thoroughly in earnest; yet she is
blind, stubborn, wrong-headed and wrong
hearted In this city alone, probably twoI
thousand well-disciplned and wel-appoint-
ed men could, at an hours notice, be march
ed against Fort Moutrie, which is defended
by not more than 70 mon, including off
GERS, soldiers, and musicians. For the last
month, the leaders have studied the militia
ry books, bought whatever was useful in
war applicable to the enterprise immediate
ly before them; drilled, marched and coun-
termarched their men every night, and pa
raded them by day, with the single idea of
taking Fort Moultrie, and, as consequence,
the other forts The men who are to lead
the daring undertaking were lcng since Sc
lected; they are those who at Chepultepec
led the Palmetto Regiment. and gave it a
name for deeds of daring on the plains and
in the defles of Mexico. The ground has
been well surveyed; the chances estimated.
Well may they conclude that the dan
ger and loss will not be very great. For
what can that little band in Fort Moutrie
do against two thousand!
Meanwhile the men of Fort Moutrie, neg
lected as they are by the Government, have
not been idle. All that science, skill, and
laborious industry employed night and day,
could accomplish by way Of Strengthening
the position, has been done, or is being done.
Every man there is true mar, knowing
that the revolutionisis can at any moment
precipitate all the Cotton States into seces-
sion, and tho leaders in this city are wicked
and insane enough to bring on the tragedy
whenever they conceive that the necessities
of their desperate cause call for it. The
garrison at Fort Moultrie have from the first
been aware on what ground they stood, and
have comprehended the perilous tenure OF
peace At no time within the last five
weeks have the chances of an attack, almost
any night, been less than imminent.
Sixty or seventy against fifteen hundred
or two thousandl That is the sort of task
which the Administration places before the
gallant band at Fort Moutrie. neve
have pretended that they who alone in al
South Carolina daily hoist the stars and
strips, and march shoulder to shoulder to
to the music of the Union, would be able t
withstand such odds. Yet the Government
that trihes with their lives in manne
that must yet arouse the nation in indigna
ton when the truth shall become fully
known, issues an order requiring this littl
band to 4'defend and hold" not only For
LouIlrie, but Fort Sumter and Castle Pinck
ney beside! 1t is the work of thousanC
: men; possibly five hundred could do it
but less than 70 are set to the work, an
that too when soldiers enough are within
= few hours of Charleston, whom any DO
!. would undertake to transport to Fort Mou
trie, and not let the Revolutionists her
+ know it, either.
= A great many rumors are ahoat as to tn
r preparations both for the attack and the dt
fense. A large number of scaling ladder
4 and bridges are being secretly made for tn
n Revolulonists, and the opinion extensivel
r prevails that batteries are being placed ;
l. different points. Nothing but the lack {
e heavy guns prevents the latter from bein
t. done. Examination has recently been mad
is of the site of an old fortifcation on I'll
;, south side of the harbor, where it was POI
s sbIe some cannon might still remain.
e is believed that none were found there; br
d the Revolutionists are in hopes ofobtainin
e heavy guns from some quarter, and the
e. will probably succeed.
y The commanding officer at Fort Moultr
e is peculiarly situated. His present order
% are to "act rigidly on the defensive" y
in Were he permitted to exercise a wise di
/ cretion, and erect batteries at the poi
les where Sullivan's Island will be invade
., from the main land, it would be extrme
ne doubtful whether the Revolutionsts wou
ever get nearer than a mile of the Fort
The island is quite thickly covered by Z
sorts of buildings-some of them fine sur
mer residences of wealthy citizens of Charlie
u ton. In case of an attack, you may re
ia for certainty that these buildings will n
IN be suffered to stand as so many hiding place
D. but will at once be leveled and burnt. II
p circumstances of the occasion, when the &
o. tack is made, will also of necessity deci
ie what shall be done and how. Ipretend
us no exclusive information. But it is suppc
ne ing too much in regard to men confined
DO are those of Fort Moultrie, to conclude th
they will be at all fastidious in the use
"a the means Of defense at their command
w. Nor need there be any surprise if, when t
III city of Charleston pours forth its organic
u, and armed mob TO massacre the Moult
'd garrison; and, so far as they can do it, ov
III throw the Government of the country, {
D, city itself should be visited with spec
l and terrible retrbution. 1t may happ
~ that the moment Fort Moutrie is attack'
Ip- Forts Snmter and Castle PickneV will on