The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-13
THE COMING FLEET

this force would only De suHclent TO operate
nine guns.
THE COMING FLEET.
The New York papers are specializing on
the ability of the feet which is now approach
ing Charleston to enter the harbor and exc
cute its mission. The New York News thus
sketches the Fort Sumter programme of the
Government:
1.-The troops are all intended for Fort Sum-
ter: the transports for Texas, As stated in the
clearances Capt. Wards sand bag expert
ment and another new inv ention have been
pronounced by engineers sufficiently useful
TO solve Automatically the long dis puted pro-
blenl lean Fort Sum ter be enforced p Each
of the small steamers CRUSADER, Wyandotte,
Mohawk and Water Witch, are to be lined on
the sides with bags of damp sand, the launches
shall be temporarily rooted, covered and lined
outside with the same material. men will EN-
bark both in the gun boats and launches
more in the latter-they being smaller tar
gets-than in the former. HaWsers will con-
meet the boats with the steamers, which will
tow them into Charleston harbor in spite of
all Morris Island and the other batteries can
do to prevent them. In fact, SO enthusiastic
are the advocates of this plan, as to the FEAST
bility of carrying it out, that one of them
lately remarked to us that Moultrie might
play away at the in truders Wi thont any more
serious result arising from her amusement
than the education of Southern artilleriSts."
The New York Express says:
As near as can be cstim ated, about two
thousand men were sent from the forts of n.
u ork in the vessels dispatched South. The
troops from Texas number twenty-five hun
dred, and the men of war have at least fifteen
hundred sailors and marines. This would give
the United States the disposal of 5000 we'll
drilled, regular lighting men, while the highest
es innate of the Confederates does not exceed
five thousand men, very few OF whom have
ever smelt gunpoWder in action. The strong
force OF steam vessels OF war; and the posses
sion Of several of the most powerful steam
tugs to be found in N. York harbor, also give
the u. States expedition great advantage
1t is supposed by those who pretend TO be
well pos ted that in case lighting becomes ne
cessary, several men OF war will engage the
Morris Island batteries that the flying artil-
lery will be landed and make an attack from
the rear upon the Confederate artillerists; that
Fort Sum ter will silence Fort Moultrie, which
il is claimed can be done In an hour and that
then the steam tugs will be put in TO req uisi-
tion and Castle Pinckney taken by assault
There is only small force in Castle Pine ney,
but from this position, which is near Charles
ron the city could be easily bombarded and
set on fire. Whether there is any truth in
these conjectures or not, the plan they suggest
appears plausible; but few hours will prob
ably put us in possession of certain intelli
gence.
LATEST BY NAIL PROM cHARLEsToS-THE NOTE
or PREPAkATI0y-HoS. r. A. PRYOR.
The Charles ton papers of Thursday contain
some items of unusual interest, in view Of
|
the following
Yesterday was another busy day with our
military men. From aybreak until sunset,
and far into the night, steamers were con-
stantly plying to and fro between the city and
the batteries, transporting men, provisions
and munitions of war; As for the probability
of fight, and that right soon, most people
have come TO regard 1t a fixed fact, and we
may add that IL is regarded as eq ualiy certain
that our brave boys at the batteries will not
l kaxsks hair tknf ktr
ling invaders sent by Lincoln will have cause
to rue the day they set foot upon the soil of
South Carolina.
Abou, three o'clock our Reporter, in the
suggestive company Of cannons, balls. shells,
and every description OF munitions of war
besides very large amount Of provisions,
embarked for u hasty trip to the harbor bat
teries. rythlng seemed, indeed, in apple
pie order, both on Morris and Sullivan's
Islands. The rified cannon just arrived from
Liverpool, has already been placed in posi-
ton, and is relied upon to do its work pretty
thoroughly. The troops at all the pos Is seem
ed in good spirits, and much inyigorated by
the prospect for brush. Among them was
the grey haired volunteer from Virginia, Mr..
Ruffin.
were made last night, to detect the approach
of United States troops, whether In steamers
or small boats, and, with the systematic and
yigilant lookout now constantly maintained,
II will be impossible for the invaders to enter
Star al the West, before fhenpeep o'day."
In consequence OF large namber OF troops
being ordered out, the Surgeon General re-
specffully informs the kind ladies OF Charles
ton that q further supply OF bandases, Two
and y half and three inches wide, and six
yards long, and OF lint. will be acceptable -
lie ackno wedges, with sincere thinks for the
State, the liberal contribution Of VOL 0y the
ladies' for surgical instruments. II has Deem
expended very adyantageousiy
OF Texas, Hon. Louis 7. Wigfall, who IL now
on duty 81 Castle Pinckncy, ex-aovernor
Means, Hon. James Chesnnt, Gen. Samuel
MCGOWAN, and t4e Hon. Il. y Boydton, have
also rendered their services " Brigadier Gene.
yal Bsauyeesrd, aud have recstyed appoint.
WSatx on liz 6taG, General McGowaR will