Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-16
CHARLESTON ITEMS
The Charleston Mercury of Tuesday has the following

The Charleston Mercury Of Tuesday has the following
remarks on the rumored evacuation of Fort Sumter:
SUMTER SrSE DIK.-The intelligence contained in our
Geographic column to-day will crafty readers Sum
ter Is to be ours without Gght-A will be rejoiced
that the blood Of people is not to be she'd our mar
bor in either great small degree To those who have
troubled themselves with vague fears Of war on large
SCALE and the horrors of war extensively, the relief will
be as great as the apprehension has been grevous
ourselves Notwithstanding all the Northern thunder, we
have been able to bring ourselves seriously 70 be-
eve in the probability Of any more than few collisions,
sufficient to show that in earnest and competent
to make good our position Of independence against our
would-be masters. These gentry "hod our valor light
as also the honesty of the determination Of the Southern
people to be quit OF them and their mpertnen and de-
trmenta interference through government in common
1t may perhaps yet be necessary to instruct them 1T
tie in these particulars.
But appears that for the present. under the circuu
stances in this case they inclined sensby TO dispense
with experiment and its teachings How far this dscre-
ton will revyily the hopes and stimulate the Efforts oil
reconsructionss throughout the South Is matter 10
be discovered by observation. The temper and intention
of the Northern people has been so thoroughly de-
voped and exposed the eyes of all those at the South
who will see that we trust Unionmenders too late in
their attempts upon the virtue and integrity OF our peo
pe Crushed eggshels and friendship abused can never
be mended We have doubt, however, that Hercn'
eau efforts will be made in that direction, aud mus. only
take good care of those weaker brethren at the South
whose sentiments stronger than their reason, or who
live in the past rather than the future The strait jack
was a valuable invention. But, in the meantime, the
prospect of having Sumter is very pleasant.
The Courier calls 1t "a conquest Of peace" but adds
"Whie we regard the dispatch entirely reliable it
il needless to add that until it is confirmed and carried
ont by actions and results there will be and should be
no intermisson or relaxation of preparations which
have progressed rapidly and avoraby Tor several days
The Courier has also the following item
We are gratfed in being able to state that the bate
ries on the Ship Channel which of the heaviest kind
are now in high state Of preparation and ready Tor al
most any force that may attempt TO enter our har1or-
We believe the reinforcement of Fort Sumter by the
Government at Washington to be an imposSoiiity
Our troops on Morris Island and Suivans Island ere IN
very fine spirits and in thorough drill 1t is estimated
that there are in all about 5000 men at the different Tor
tifcations, ready for any emergency.
special despatch to the Charleston Courier says
So far as ascertaned the Cabinet has determined to
adhere to its original position, and have Major Ander
sons command Withdrawn from Fort Sumter before the
expiration OF ten or twelve days The administration s
disposed 10 let things remain quiet for week or SO
When the order goes Major Anderson TO evacuate he
will be removed to Fort Monroe Va This is the real
state of the case.