The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-19
Visit to the Batteries in Charleston
HarbOr.

The Charleston papers give long and
glowing accounts of the visit to the fortii-
cations in that habor, on Saturday last, by
the members of the South Carolina Conven-
ton and State officials, accompanied by
large number of ladies. They embarked on
the steamers Carolina and General Clinch,
and on the latter was a fine band of music.
They first approached Fort johnson, of
which they took an outside view, as they
passed around it, and then landed at Fort
Moultrie, where they were received by Col.
Ripley, and were honored with salute.
Here they witnessed the manner of firing
the "tl5 Auns." Noticing their departure
from this point, the Courier says:
As the boats passed the Notifications they
were greeted with the rapid flashes and dis
charges of the big guns from Fort Moultrie
and the batteries between that and the
Point, in charge of the Vigilant Rifles and
the Rifle Regiment. One ball from Fort
Moultrie was sent flying through the air,
making piercing noise and bouncing
through the waves like thing of life.
Cheer after cheer went up from the troops
quartered in the Moultrie House, and q
simultaneous waving of handkerchiefs from
the boats and by the soldiery, showed the
enthusiasm which has, from the commences
ment OF these great and wonderful events of
the times, marked our people. Crossing
the harbor, the steamers steered out the
main ship channel, running along the Nor
rs Island beach to point nearly opposite
the lighthouse headland.
The scene upon the island was, indeed,
beautiful one. The long low range of sand
hills was covered with sentres, and squads
OF troops engaged in the drill. AT short
intervals the various posts were indicated
by the flags streaming over them. Here
and there, along the crest of the hills, we
could detect with glass the black muzzles
of the cannon peeping threatenngly out,
while the background was dotted with the
white tents and rude quarters of the troops.
After leaving Morris Island, the band was
transferred to the steamer Carolina, and the
boat steamed toward the city, passing
within a hundred yards, and almost
directly under the big guns and grim look
ing walls Of Fort Sumter. The band struck
up "Dixie's Land" while several small white
flags on board the steamers were spread to
the breeze. Several officers and men of
Fort Sumter appeared on the ramparts,
but extended no invitation to the sovereignty
of the State to pay them a visit. AS the
party passed, however, the beautiful appear
ance of this ratification elected the highest
admiration. On the ramparts were several
barbette guns, some of which appeared
much heavier than others.
The Mercury referring to the firing from
the batteries, says:
One after another the mortars and heavy
guns sent their shot and she'll flying
over the waters of the harbor. To large
majority of the spectators the flight and
bursting of shell was something novel, and
the scene was altogether grand and i'm
pressive. The whole line of the beach for
miles was clouded in white smoke, and the
continuous flashing and reports OF the guns
heightened the warlIke aspect of things.
Among those who fred the mortars was
Ex-senator Chestnut,