The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-04-10
FOR THK LANCASTER LEDGER.
CHARLESTON, s. c., hPRIL, !

CHARLESTON, -. G., AFRIL, 1861.
Mn. EprroR.-The del, gates to the Con.
venlion Of South Carolina assembled in
Charleston ON the 26tn ut But nothing OF
special Importance ,ranspired until SATURDAY.
Through the courtesy of Gen Bcauregard
an invitation was extended to the delegates
10 visit the forts in and around the hurbor
Of Charleston. md witness the skill and in
du,try that have been employed in putting
th9 place III complete state of drfrncc.-
AT the hour Of many buoyant spirits aud
glowing countenanccs were seen wcnd!ng
their way in the direction OF the Southern
Wharf And NJ The hour of 10 they COM
mcnted most delightful and instructive
excur,ion. The day was most lovely, none
could have wished it more propitinus iIav-
ing passed in view of Forts Johnson and
Sumter the first place at which they touch.
ed was the landing on Sulivan's Island As
early M possible the crowd rushed ashore
and commenced the examination Of the Dat.
teries, Fort &c. There is certainly great
skill and forethought exhibited in the con-
struction Of these places Of dcfsnce.-
Every apparent place Of receiving injury is
protected, and every point for assault is
strengthened. For the qualification Of their
distinguished visitors the soldiers were r..
quired TO perform the evoluiions requisite
when they 60 into un engagement. Alter
the delighted visitors had spcn, in and n
round the fort the time allotted them on
Suiivan's Island, they returned To the Boats,
(for two--,he Carolina" and "G,n. Clin.h'
were chartered for the purposr) aud re cnr-
barked for Morris Island. They sailed along
Mnflels Channel until opposite MouIlric
when a salute was fired. Then, the boys
to give practical exhibition Of manner in
which the real thing is done. lie, loose III.
war dogs and gave tile vessels II full broad.
side. Yes, horrible diciu! tho sovereignty
Of South Carolina, us embodied in her con-
"enton,was fired upon by those instruments
Of destruction prepared for her cnemirs-
But mark you, they We're not charged mi ilh
the leaden or iron messengers Of death, but
| only with charcoal, niire &c. Having sail
ed along this channcl until they crossed the
bar, they then rounded and sailed back agan
until tOlcrnbly near Sumter when they veer.
ed 10 the left aud entering the Ship Chan
ncl sailed for miles 10 frort If the Batteries
on Morris Island. After going nearly the
entire length of the Island they again rouu.
| ded and rctraced the same channel until
they arrived al Maj. Stevens celebrated iron
Battery, when the crew debarkei and com.
menced with few eyceplinns) the survey
by natures conveyance. And here il NAV
be said, this piece Of work is n mos, mag.
niiicent display Of science and practical wis
dom. II is so constructed rs to afford safe
protection Ia tho men both from ball and
shell. And the large Columbads il con.
tains would in short timo make their mark
on that mighty rampant which now domcis
citizens Of foreign State. Much has been
said in reference to the strength of Sumter.
And it is all true. Old Abe cannot boast
Of n stronger fortress. But it is not ilnpreg.
nab!e. The day Cummings point, Fort
Johnson and Fort Moutrie bring thcl pow
erful strength 10 bear upon it, it's pride and
glory will be humbled. But this property is
and Of right should belong to South Caro-
lima, it is wise not to injure it il it can lie
honorably avoided.
There are not less than 10 or 30 Bate,
riss stretching from Cummings point TO the
| farther extremely of the Island. Those NJ
the far end are masqued so that an enemy
approaching will not know there is danger
until these engins OF death are pouring forth
their fiery contents. The Batteries have
their particular names. Conspicous among
the rest is the famous "Star Of The West"
with which Maj. Stevens let Holt and his
associates know in language not TO be mis-
taken that IL was not safe to disregard the
high bshests Of old Palmetto.
For the further qualification Of South
Cardinals embodied sovereignty. ColooeI
Gregg's regiment wero put upon duty
And he'e II may be said our up country
mustering is burlesqus on the science.--
! never have seen mastering before, other
exhibitions Of the kind were only an imper-
feet imitation. Charleston is certainly well
protected. With the men, forts, batteries,
DC, they now have al command, it would
be pefilous even for the French Navy with
It's iron-cased ships 10 attempt to enter the
harbor. IL an attempt TO enter were made
along Maffets channel the batteries and
fort on Sulivan's Island would be dan
gsrous obstacle. 1.-THE ship channel were