New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-11
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.

From Our own Correspondent
CHARLESTON, Feb. 4, 1850.
The seige of Fort Sumter is soon to commence
Indications Oh all hands show it, though the
movements and intentions Of the Eeyoutonists
are kept from the public as much as possible.
No one now doubts that the day is near at hand.
Hundreds of families, members Of which will be
in the fight are in state of the deepest anxiety.
A gentleman, to day, who has two sons IN Fort
Moultre-one of the most exposed p0ints-e1-
pressed TO me in the most feeling manner the
concern and apprehension with which 80 many
families in this city are now distressed. III Is
conceded on all hands that the slaughter must be
great on fhe side of the CarOnians, who viii be
satisfied with nothing short Of the life of the last
man in Fort Sumter after the garrison has re-
fused 10 surrender. Six hours are to be afforded
Major Anderson TO decide whether to surrender
or fight Hardly any one seems to think he VIII
surrender do not think it within the range of
probability with his present Instructions. He is
understood to be quite prepared, 80 far as be
can be with bis limited force.
A few days since an incident occurred to en-
able Fort Sumter to give its aSsailants-tO-be an
inkng Of what it had in store for them. 1t was
a fine day, and the ReyOlutiOnsts were parading
and drilling in force, in full view of Fort Sum-
ter. The Major fired one of his huge column
biads shotted with an explosive ball, which struck
the water not far from the RevolutiOnists, ere
ating by its own explosion a foam on the surface
of half an acre around. They were struck with
establishment, and no one was so weak or blind
as not to make some calculation of what the full
batteries of the fort would be able to do when
served, as they will be, by artillerists the
suoeriors whom the country does not afford.
Several companies who have been duty
for some time, and for whose relief the order
had been given, have been informed of the cOun-
termanding of the order, and that leave of alb
sence will be given to no man. 1t is true, how
ever, that within the last few days several COM
panies have changed positions, and it is said that
the changes had been such as in some measure
to relieve the companies composed exclusively Of
the flower Of Charleston from posts of extreme
danger. The recruited men and country volun-
teers have been assigned posts where glory and
death may be won soonest.
A battery has been planted at Point Pinckney,
bearing directly On Sumter's walls, and the guns
are arranged with the design of having their
shot systematically chip out the wall.
The floating battery, though about one hundred
men are engaged at that work, will not be done
in lees than ten days. The labor OF every hour
makes changes in It's appearance and its proba-
bic purpose When it becomes possible, l will
attempt to give full description of the thing
II is evident from these movements that the
revolutonists are expecting tho Government will
attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter, and are con-
stantly on the lookout. Among the companies
whose leave of absence has been countermanded
are several at the batteries commanding the
mouth Of the harbOr, on Morris and Sullivan's
Islands, and who will not be 80 Immediately EN-
ployed in the siege. This shows that the Reyolu-
tionsts are holding themselves in constant readi-
mess for reenforcements-some ether Star of the
West, as they say.
Instead Of two, the ReyOlutOnists are expect
ing the arrival of e,gh Armstrong (rifed) guns,
they having purchased that number in England,
at an expense of $4,000. They have all been
shipped, and their early arrival is looked for.
The gun of this description, purchased by Mr..
Weston of Georgetown, S. c., has arrived at
Savannah. 1t will be planted on the coast, near
that place. You will see that the Revolutionists
dare not ship direct to Charleston. 1t is UNDER
stood that the eight other guns have been shipped
to Savannah.
think that the present activity among the
Revolutionsts 10 in consequence Of the expected