New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-21
Our Fortifications-A Strong Base 40 Fall
Back upon-Advance Looked For
Seizure Of Liquor-Annirs mt Tybee
Usynnd

Island.
Correspondence Of The N Y. Tribune.
| PoKr ROYAL S. c., Dec. l6, 1861.
| Quiet prevails here, but those in the North who
think that quiet is an inactivity are mistaken.
Tybes leland is being fortified Otter Island now
in our possession is also being strengthened. To-
day the fort on Edsto Island will be taken, and then
every fortified place between Charleston and Savan-
nan will be in our possession.
TIE earthworks here, nearly three-fourths Of n
mile long, are nearly completed, and the guns mount
ed When this important work shall have been
done, which cannot require more than a few days at
farthest. we will have strong point to fall back
upon; then you may expect to hear from us in adj
RANGED positions You must remember we are not
the Oldest division i'll the army. Not a regiment
here except one has been in the service over three
months. Some of these not near that time. or
this time we were week at Annapolis without
opportunity of drill nearly three weeks on ship.
board in nearly the condition; while since
we have been here, the amount Of work re-
qured and performed has prevented that drill which
is 90 essential to the raw soldier. Our General I'M
derstands all this, and hence acts with becoming
caution. The second, or, as it is called, "Viee's
Expec tion," will not sail The vessels intended TO
20 on it are now discharging The Cahswba and
Philadelphia will leave for New-York, probably to-
morrow. Our force as augmented since arrival, Is
nineteen regiments and two light batteries. Tnese
have taken and are now holding various POSITIONS
which tend tc discover the strength of the enemy;
and yet leave us, by the aid of the feet of small
boats now daily arriving, in position to assail the
rebels any desirable point with entire force.
If these boats had been with before this might
have struck harder blows. With them, the indica-
cations are that there will speedily be a forward
movement. You may expect stirring news from
here shortly.
TIE Provost-Marshal has seized all liquors Oh
sbore--is daily Selling all that comes on shore
aud in some CAGES has mads seizures on board YES
sells the captains of which have persisted in selling TO
our soldiers. Yesterday some ninety packages, con-
tanning guns swords books furniture crockery, &c.
trophies of war which were being sent home by
soldiers were seized and turned in to the Quarter
master.
While writing n p. n.y. can distinctly hear a
heavy firing in the direction Of Tybee Island 1t is
probable that conc Of vessels are trying the
range of Pulaski. An effort will shortly be made by
the army signal corps TO establish communication be-
tween Tybee and this place. This efficient corps has
already established communication between here and
Beaufort, having only two intermediate stations
one on Bay Point, the other on St. Helena Island.
Dispatches being hourly sent backward and for
ward. An order las been issued from the Depart
ment in Washington TO have two officers detailed
from each regiment here, to be under command Of
tie senor signal officer, for the purpose of learning
the code, and being attached permanently to the
corps. The Spanish ferry-hoat Ultra. Sra. de Rega
terday carried down six heavy guns to be mounted
on Tybee Island. reconnaissance is being made in
the direction of Buton, and it is possible that you
will hear u few days that it is in possession.
Before conclude, permit me TO say that yesterday
inquired of those who work the negroes, as to the
character of the labor performed by them. The boss
carpenter told me that he worked thirteen who did
as much work with little trouble as any men lie
had. The Superintendent of wood-cuttng averred
that he "never saw men work more faithfully than
the negroes under his control" / wish to call the
attention of those who claim that liberated negroes
will not work TO these truths