Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-29
Fhe Governor OF South Caro-
lima.
DESCRIPTION OF HIS OPTICAL QUARTERS.

pEscRlPTI0N OF HIS OFFICIAL QUARTERS
| The Charleston correspondent of the
baltimore American gives the following
Eraphie description of Gov. Pickens' head
quarters in Charleston.
l The room was filed with aids writing
out orders and dispatches The various
secretaries OF His Excellency the Military
Shiei OF the Republic, were all employed
~ attending to the demands upon them
The Governor himself was seated upon a
fostrum facing the entrance, surrounded
py nait score or more of gentlemen in
miiitary undress or in citizens habit. All
Temed impressed with anxiety and con-
I'm, and from what saw going on, and
i>Erpm what heard. / inferred that the State
cpnsidered herself in an actual state rf war
ARE. The messengers that ran hitber and
<nither bore military looking dispatches
Elth great seals upon them. The Cover
2nnr Appeared careworn but determined -
No pressed himself % those about him
as preparing for the worst. lie listened
to tue suggestions Of his advisers, and read
the reports of military subordinates as soon
as they reached his hand, and on the
instant issued such directions as seemed 10
De necessary
The measures he has already taken for
defense are principally confined to the
har5or, beyond Fort Sumter. This post is
not generally known to be almost in the
middle nl Charleston harhor, half way be-
tween Fort Moultrie and Morris Island or
Fort johnson. Fort johnson is no strong
hold, in any sense, but merely the site of
an old Revolutionary work, on which in
trenchments are now heing thrown up, and
batteries are being erected Norris Island
Is also the site for another work undergo
ing construction. Both the localities bear
directly upon Fort Sumter, and, besides.
command all vessels that enter the harbor
on the one side. while opposite positions
command the rest of the entrance 10 the
bar, 50 that before any craft VT vessel of
war is able to reach Fort Sumter, she will
have to encounter the breastworks, batter
les, d., erected on the outside
To the left Of the Gubernatorial quarters
is chamber occupied by number of stat
officers. These gentlemen were in the
midst of business. A long, green baize
table extended nearly from end to end of
the room. 1t was literally covered with
papers. while the floor of the room was in
was no lounging on the part of anv one
The men all looked to be thoroughly i'm
mersed in business. Many of them were
busy writing out orders, which were
promptly delivered to men in waiting
None were Idle, and affairs Of the greatest
moment appeared Ia occupy every one
The Governor is quite up to the mark Of
prOmptneSs which the ardor of the people
A II l.
active, and all that liveliness can accom-
plish will be done, ynu may rest assured.
Z should give you some description Of the
Governors apartment 1t is in the second
story of the City Hall. the seat of munich
pal and magisterial justice, corner Of Broad
and Meeting streets. The Recorders
Court room is the first you enter on the
story above the basement Passing through
this you ascend to the second story by a
broad and winding staircase of mahogany,
until you are brought up in front of the
Mayors Office which Of itself is a most lux
uriously furnished apartment, being fitted
witty -heavy read damask curtains.
rnirrOrs, gilded frames, marble NANTES,
richly papered walls, heavy velvet chairs,
luxurious sofas and rich Brussels carpets.
Adjoining this retreat of official dignity is
door post gives information of the fact
You pass the vigilance of a sentinel and
brush through a crowd of military men in
attendance, and are ushered iuto the Ex-
ecutive presence.
The first thing that strikes the eve is a
dais or rustrum, in appearance something
like the reading desk Of a church. only tits
covered with dark red velvet, and bestrewn
irES d 4
vate secretary of the Governor occupied it
when | was first admitted into the upart-
ment, and he was as busy as all the rest
writing Above this desk is bust IF Cal
houn, and leaning against the wall below
1t are dozen or more of long black ebony
rods, with gold heads, which, am told are
used on State occasions by high function
aries. They are chiefly carried in the hand
when professions are moving, and belong,
l believe, to the Aldermen and Mayor of
the city. The entire room is richly fur
nlshed, and is of large dimensions At
TINS time 1t was IN much confusion. owing
to the great amount of business transacted.
Around the walls, rich pictures, portraits,
ousts &c, were suspended, giving an air
OF refinement to the apartment, in perfect
keeping with its other appointments In
front of tue dais, and, indeed, scattered all
over the room, were writing>;ables, with
clearks and aids at work, giving the whole
place exactly the appearance of a drawing
room suddenly transferred into an editrr's
or reporters quarters About the grand
old fireplace, knot of military officers
we're gathered, in conversation. Among
these the Governor freely circulated and
seemed anxinusly to participate in what
was going on. l did not remain after
hearing that it was TIE intention of the
Governor TO continue his orders for fortify
ing the harbor. have heard, from out
side parties, many of his intentions, and
am informed of many points he intends to
strengthen, but do not think proper to
mention them here. for obvious reasons -
BE assured, however, from the CELEBRITY
with which things are going on, that South
Carolina will take determined stand and
that the same will be done in double quick
time.