New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-04
FROM CHARLESTON.

FROM CHARLESTON.
Tie correspondent of Tie Baltimore American
writing from Charleston on the Both JAM, says:
WHEN WILL SUMTER BE ATTACKED ~
The events of the past few days, and The udings
from Washington 80 unfavorable 10 peaceaoie sur,
render Of Fort Sumter, have brought about settled
conviction that we have war,9 work 70 enconh'er'
The question il not now, "Wlll Fort Sumter be at
lacked % but "When will tie attack commence T.
TIE note of waYke preparation has not ceased dning
the progress of the parey between the two Govern
uenis and the Notifications Of the harbor over which
the Palmetto flag floats, have been strengthened and
hought to condition Of readiness for immediate ao-
ton.
PREPARATIONS AT FORT MOULTRIE.
Fort Moullie under the ssillfnl objection OF MAJOR
Ripley with his black brigade Of picks and shovels,
has thrown up breastworks ard mounted heavy guns
10 such an extent that the whole appearance OF the
ort has changed and has almost attained its utmost
state of efficiency. Huge heaps Of sand-bags surouns
the ramlarts, faced with palmetto logs, and covered
with hides, from the embrasures Of which the glim
| dogs Of protrude their muZzles, bine OF them
levelled direct at Fort Sumter What IL coneeivedto
be the weakest point in the granite mass has been Sc
| lected as the mark at which all these cannon are
pointed and they will give the work Of the mason
severe test The interior Of the fort also presents
lost waglike aspect The oven for hot shot is IN
readiness like your steam reengines for firing up at
any moment, and all the equipments for carnage piled
up around tie gun carriages The magazine has been
buried in cavern ID sand.b bags aud is believed TO be
beyond the reach of shot shell. Every arrangement
has been made not only FOR the protection OF the men,
but for eivipg the balls Of Sumter with the lesst
possible damage.
ANXIOUS FOR FIGHT.
The military anxious for the fight to commence
az, having come to Charlestc to fight they are indis
posed 10 20 home without smelling powder. They are
most inpatient at the delay, and the stormy and I'M
pleasant weather has rendered their military duties
very severe and irksome. ~ Morris Island, three
large Columbiads Lave been mounted and entrencbet
Il sa1d.b8es with a 42-rounder and formidable NOR
tar. The batteries at Fort johnson also becoming
quite formidable and it is intended TO keep up fire on
Sumter from these three forts for "a hours before an
attempt s made TO assault the Stronghold of Uncle Sam.
The impression is that breach can be made IN the
walls and tbst Mai. Andersons limited garrison will
be so worn out 10y the severe labors Of working the
guns necessarily for 80 long time, that the s'ornng
party Oh RATS will be able to accomplish the escaade
without much diff ulty or loss Of life. .
THE PROPOSED ASSAULT.
There il no doubt Of the fact that RATS aTe being
constructed Sor the assault, and have seen one Of
them in progress though it is portion Of the secret
work Of the campaign that cannot be too closely in
qnired into. They will he constructed of palmetto
logs and cotton bales used protection for the as
saulting party while approaching the fort. There is
no tagging on the part Of the military in view Of the
havoc of life that must be the result of the assault
and the anxiety from day to day to commence opera
lions is increasing TIE tempOrizing policy of the
Governor and bis Council meets with much harsh
criticism by the inconiderae, but it is evident that
should the attack ultimately be made, 80 far a.
preparations concerned, South Carolina has OBJ.
tanned more by the delay than Maj. Anderson.
WHAT CAN MAJOR ANDERSON DOl
In al The conversations ard speculatons on the sub
.ct of the attack OF Sumter hear but few thoughts
expressed As to the amount Of damage Major Anderson
will be able TO do the military defences Of his assa
ants. The impression is that be will take them seria
tm commencing with Fort Mouitrle, and here sand
bags are considered match for casemated granite.
Tie question as TO whether he silence the guns CT
Mouie i never preached, though it is said that lie
dismout all their guns in few hours, and then
turn his attention TO the weaker batteries on Morris
Island and Fort johnson Should be DC able TO thas
silence oil their heavy guns before any serious impress
sion il made on Lis walls which he deems impregna'
bic. what win become Of the projected assault andts
calade Tie Governor and his Cabinet donotiese
anxiOusly discuss these matter-Offact eventuahusS
but the military think Of nothing but success and W.
tory. -,
The rnnors in circulation as the arrangements made
by Major Anderson To defend lis position are VARIOUS
but of course not altogether reliable, as he kees hn
own counsel and there is little or no communication
now with him. The landing, or wharf, in The rear %
the fortress is said TO be countermned go as to blow Up
an sssauln9g party and hand grenaaes suppnea
great abundance to throw them from the Iampatts
Ii IT, therefore, evident that ii Sumter Is atlaekea
there will be terrible sacrifce OF human NE, even
should the most favorable ancipations OF our eIen'
be realized.
MEANING OF TIE CRESCENT
hear il often inquired why crescent binds place On
the flag of the Republic, and II the Cnafes,onlans
themselves are not aware Of the reason l snPpGse
not, although u ho''Si VI
,onca that hardly think il worth while TO bother
your readers with little historical "Reminiscences.
ia the idea, however, Of many that the inner cre-
cent is symbolical of an tncredse-the new mo1h
change III the moon-lunafics-as such the peopieo'
the ROn-receding States will acknowledge the sppi
prateness Of the symbol The origin Of 'ae .oesb to
"a Carolina emblem, however. Is clearly tacea'r or
Revolutionary mes The flint use Of 1t was a. f ,Ss
johnson AT the cOmmeuoe%snt Of 2 nos under cir
British evacuated the present Fort Johnson leaving
Samterwsaving that they conten,ed themselves WIZ
dsmOunting the guns without skps Ss1eston took
Inc mex, fay gs fort with regiment of men, whose
Uniform was blue BY g.. ss sssS ,Se pos
front Of the cap As snemv tie Committee of Safety
~ cIsrsoa SEN. down flag to the corps win
holt \ :, s sssn 's lfs tss
necessary The ag was made of color ina'
Ia s tIe dress hence blue ground for tn the ss from
The crescent symbol was also placed IN t .hs Psse
.ne hnwsrk of defense and lis popularity to tp se.s