Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-08
The Military Agitation in the Palmetto
Cnpitnl-ResIrnint Ofthe TrOops.

Nhptui- IeStTuint VI N IEOopBs
The Charleston Is. CO. correspondent of
the New York Tribune writes on the LIST;
The military agitation in Charleston COM
mences each day with the rising of the sun.
As soon as that luminary appears, he is
saluted by the discharge Of ordnance usual
in such cases; but there are still many peo-
pie here who do not understand this pro-
ceeding; they, halEclad, leap hastily from
their beds, and demand Of the servant who,
with a frightened air, answers their nervous
summons, if Fort Sumter is really taken.
The second phase in this comedy of alarm
is caused by the morning papers at break.
fast. That which troubles one in these
journals is not what he reads, but what he
does not read; for the most ominous silence
is kept by them regarding affairs in Charles
ton. Sometimes, as if to carry the universal
uneasiness to the highest point, there ap-
pears q mysterious allusion to the subject of
re. endorsements, but without any ~explana-
tion whatever.
To tighten up all this labyrinth of danger
and mystery, the Charleston man betakes
himself, after breakfast, to the battery, OF to
the housetop, to the harbor with anxious
eyes for any traces of an enemy. But,
although the Federal flag flies above Fort
Sumter, the whole atmosphere is not only
an atmosphere of peace, but even of a tropi-
cal lapguor, and the C~harlestonian, address
ing himself to his wife, who follows all his
movements with a lively Interest, delivers
the following terse sentiment: I'll be
damned if tbere'll be any fighting" Madam
receives this sentiment with much calmness,
for her husband has repeated it daily for the
last two months, and she knows that his
opinion will often change, and again return
to the same point.
She is right in this, for, in effect, as lie
departs from his house toward his counting
room he sees at the Adams Express Com
pany's door a huge package of arms; a little
farther up he meets a cadet just up from
Fort Moultrie, who assures him that during
the night three formidable vessels of war
have heen lettering about and by the time
our friend returns to his dinner, the peaceful
atmosphere of the morning has given plac4
to one positively Warlike. and he SAYS to his
wife, with confidential importance, that he
is sure there will be a collision during the
coming night. But Madam receives this an
nouncement with the same calmness as be-
fore, for she has heard the prediction daily
for two months, and, on an average, there
are each day in Charleston two or three
battles.
Meanwhile, although military affairs are
dull enough, there is flu with the floating
battery, and a representation OF The Lady
of LIONS is announced for next week. The
bankers of Charleston have taken 81 500, 0OO
of the SIS, 600, 900 loan advertised by the
"COnfederated States" 10
Since Colonel Gregg has been transferred
from Sullivan's 10 Morris Island, both the
former and Fort Moultrie are under charge
Major Ripley, who is able very seldom to
take a recess from his work, for if during
his absence any Te-enforcementS should enter
the harbor, the responsibility would rest on
him. The Major, who is really a distin-
guisbed officer, is much annoyed BY the in
experience of his subordinates. Fol Q
soldier who bias been in battle with regular
troops, there can be nothing more annoying
the Major. The force Is becoming Sc
thoroughly VeIed by the delay, which ha;
restrained their ardOr for two months, thai
a mutiny won d doubtless break out If the
suspense should be prolonged much further