The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-31

side the officers quarters, which finished in very
handsome style
II Ia mounted with the heaviest guns Of the United
States service arranged in three tiers the lower
being cascmates and the upper barbette guns. The
guns are those which are fired from an en-
brasure in the scarp war, and protected from the
enemy's shells by arched bomb proof covering
head the barbette those which fire. the parapet,
which exposes the cannoniers The Gre o the enemy
although, this instance the height a the ramp9rls
Il great that there J. comparatively danger from
the shot OF the cnemy's noet
The heaviest pieces arc turned toward the harbor the
lighter toward the SIDE which side Is further pro-
tected by muskcty, for which oopholes cut The
searp wall
ON the terra plain parade situated two furnaces
for heating shot. The magazines situated the
inner sides of the sally ports.
The landsg 10 the fort Is on the southern, ~ land
side and is formed by wharf projecting towards the
shore, and also extending the length OF that face.
This fort would be nearly impregnabe Il anisbcd and
properly manned II is at present far completed that
with little temporary work, Il could be made strong
TO defy any attack by neet OF large vessels IL
weakest point the south side OF which tho masonry
is only weaker than that of the other sides but
not protected by any nank ire, which would sweep
the wharf. Once landed, entrance may, at
the present state OF the construction be easily made
for the blinds cf the lower embrssares, though -
inches In thickness may yet be easily blown away, and
even II this impossible, scaling ladders reach
those Of the second tier which protected In this
manner
This concludes the brief sketch o. fort which most
perfect specimen Of civil and military engineering The
whole work has been conducted manner that reflects
the highest credit upon the engineers and worthy TO
occupy the prominent position that !, holds In concu-
sion, we aAc occas"o aude point oe especial
bcauty-,he construction Of the srches-ol which ,css
nearly every varcty--the "ru centre, the ''see
ment,1 the "groned p the "askcwp the rampant
and 10 add that the walls heir bare twelve feet
thick, and az the top eight and one half feet thick
PORT JoHHsoN.
The position OF this old fort, which Of the utmost
importance connecting point the defence OF the
harbor, has been considered by the highest military au
thorty the key 10 oil the defensive works the har
bor Against the attack Of forces by land, boai
tack BY the stono river, must be considered
ial element of defence. 80 soon then the state Of
South Carolina the control Of the harbor FORTH
cations, time should be Ioet before permanent ort
hcation "a commenced here time docs not admit Of
substantial work being built seId work Of earth and
timber to mount sixty guns could be erected in very
short time, which would Offer respectable defence
against any probable nd attack and furnish Al the
time q heavy battery against shipping
CHRISTMAS ~ CHARLESTON.
fIrom the Charleston Mercury, Dec. a.
ID seemed on Tuesday Il the elements had cOa4pre I'd
10 make the mcrrst day ~ an the year the gloomy
and forbddng ont Of doors but young Charleston
not 81 easily 70 b. deprived q The PRIVILEGES aud enjoy
nens oi the festival Everywhere might be seen the
evidences o. the spirited strife between rain and reioc
Ing mist and merfimenf The evcrgreens In the
paces were coated with uncomfortable moisture
pertracous crprlsgs exploded sptstay upon the damp
sidewalks, and The misty sh0p wndowt--deckad they
deckei Al no other tme--shone emptngly upon the
muddy youngsters who vere fortunate 20 have
Car from The parental roof ~ reyc In the fan rntioa
Of Christmas fun nj Christmas gof Within doors thers
the usual froic And rnoyment aud the fsci ths
they we're ao longer people o. TIE United states did
dmiD "a 4 whit Of the xes, wth which people rel.-bpd
their turkeys and demolished their pluab pnddngr .ad
plea We venture % predict that Christ
they viil eai them vita s;.l keener enjoyment
COAST tOgrIFlosTf0S sEorS.
ltron nc Charleston Mercury, Dec. 81
The citizens of sfsuiort, through Colonel John Harn.
wei, a. authorized ~ MaOt General Schnicrc, have
erected redoubt upon the Ou.skrt o. their town nent
Cd a. protect them from attack hy any foreign Power
The work esl execusrd and n his tlmc nearly
parted II consists n hslf sunxen battery, with mot
ten fect Wide percel 10 three eighteen pcunder. now II
possession of the town sulhrtieA HI ramparts are
compaciy sodded with tnrl cuf from the edge * the
ghb0ring marsh The roubs ls situated the west
Of the town upon the highesi sp0 Ia lht ncglborbcod
at an elevation q about hly hl feet above high water
mark. !, commands the rort Royal river toward the
southeast, the front, and also the q the town.
IMPORTANT TElrgRArHIC ARRANGEMENT.
Tho Charlcston Merprg ssyS.-The Superintendent ~
the Southeastern section 81 the american Telegraph lines
has given orders that all N which the State of
south Carolina y concerned shs have precedence over
All other messages, and be dssl~tchc IN The oxpe.
ditsous way - ther destination
prNNQYI vANIA