Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-02-28
Nliseellauep11s Artieles,
From the Edgefield Advertiser, Goth inst.
The Forts in Charleston Harbor

The Forts in Charleston Harbor.
Mr. EDITOR There has been so much
said about the Forti6cations in Charleston
Harbor, so many idle rumors and so many
incorrect statements, it is difficult for any one
to form correct opinion of their strength
or position. Having just returned from
these places, I think I can give you some
facts which, if not new to you, may be of
interest to some of your readers. From the
fact that Martial Law has been declared on
the different Islands, and no one allowed
to visit the forts, many of the Charleston.
ians apprehended an attack on Fort Sumter
in few days. am sure, however, this
is mistake.
Gov. Pickens, accompanied by two of
his staff, Gen. Dunovant, Col. Gwyn, Lieu.
tenants Hartstein and Hamilton, and some
half dozen others, among whom was your
humble servant, made personal examina.
ton of the Notifications on Wednesday
last. The little steamer Edisto first took
US to the much talked of Floating Battery
on the wharf at the foot of Hoyle street, q
think it is.) 1t would be difficult to give
you correct opinion of this Battery on
paper; some of the New York papers have
very correct drawing of it already, which
I saw yesterday 1t is about 80 feet 30
feet one side and the two ends are plauked
up with inch pine plank some ten feet
high-the other side is the Battery and to
be presented against Sumter. 1t is made
of IL inch pine sills about 20 feet long
placed perpendicular, or nearly SO, the top
ends leaning over the water, so that shot
striking the side will glance downward !;
short heavy timbers, about 6 feet long, are
framed to the ends of these sills projecting
over the Battery; these form right angle
with the side, and shot striking this will of
course glance over. This Battery-side is
to be made several feet thick with Palmet-
to logs, which they are now laying trans.
versely and spiking firmly to the sills.-
There is to be water enough let in the bot
tom to render bombs harmless in case any
, are thrown in, and some cotton is also to
be taken in to form protection for the
Magazine and the men not employed at the
guns This Battery when completed, which
will probably be some two weeks yet, is to
be hoated out quite near Sumter under
command of the former Lieutenant, now
Capt Hamilton of S. c., and from bis con
!, 6dent manner and experience we may ex'
pect ii decided impression. There ha'
beeu 50 many rumors about Floating Bat
teries have said more than intended
1t was currently reported there were five in
process of construction out of cotton bags,
that Gov. P;ckens had purchased 500 bags
, for the express purpose, &C., &c. Cotton
bags will never do for breast works, they
would take fire and burn up every thing.
I never saw or heard of but the one Bate
rv above alluded to.
Our steamer next took US to Castle Plnck-
ney. You remember detachment of vol
unteers took this place rather by surprise.
The party had ladders to scale the walls,
but when they arrived, but three ladders
we're long enough, and one of these broke
Fortunately no resistance was made, and
the Sergeant in command quietly surren'
!, dered. One of the officers who took part
in the affair, said he saw one of his men
, throw his gun overheard and seize lad
der, such was the haste to scale the wall.
This is circular fortress, wall about l6
feet high and 10 thick, some dozen cannon
mounted, several bearing on the City
, This Fort is of considerable importance to
, the City-it can defend or destroy it-but
is of no use in the contemplated attack on
Fort Sumter; although some of the soldiers
think they could reach Sumter, and even
Col. Gwyn is reported to have said, he
wished to make Castle Pinckney play a
part in taking Sumter. Not meaning to
express any opinion Of my own, but | only
say: if the history Of distance of shot and
shell in similar engagements be examined,
it will be useless to fire at Sumter from
this Fort. The distance is miles and 3
furlongs. The Fort is at present under
command of German Volunteer Compa-
ny from the City, and every thing is ready,
neat and clean.
The steamer next landed US at Fort
johnson, where there is Mortar Battery
consisting of two large ten inch Mortars
placed behind heavy bank of sand. The
men engaged here will be entirely protec-
ted from the shot of Sumter, but not from
she'll. The distance from Sumter is 2250
yards.
We next visited Cummings Point
These two last mentioned places are to the
South of Sumter-Moultrie to the North
of it. At this point several Batteries have
been erected, both mortar and cannon.-
One in particular is to be an experiment.
1t consists of heavy slopiug roof, the near
side to Sumter resting on the ground, and
is covered with Rail Road T iron as close
as the bars can be laid. Shot striking this
will of course glance over. Under this
shed are three eight inch Coumbiads bear
ing directly on Sumter-the distance 1854
yards. The portfolios, in consequence of
the sloping roof, are necessarily very large,
but large iron door is so arranged as to
cover the hole while We are loading and
raised when ready to fire; and this can be
done in double quick time. Immediately
to the right of this, and behind high bank
of sand, are three ten inch Mortars. The
other Batteries at this place point in anoth-
er direction and command the ship chan
mel.