The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-12
THE GARRISON IN THE FORT.
RegTent Original Ent'yl
Rank. or into
CorDs, Service,

The embrasures for musketry on the side of the
work exposed to the fire of the batteries of Cum
mings' Point and Fort Johnson have been filled with
solid tagging, filled in with lead, and are now ball
and bomb proof, adding materially to the strength
of the work. Inside, the magazine and hospital
have been protected by stone traverses, and the
parade cleared.
CUMMINGS POINT IRON BATTERY
The nearest land to Fort Sumter is Cummings
Point On this point is erected the celebrated rail-
road iron battery. 1t consists of a heavy frame
work of yellow pine logs. The roof is of the same
material, over which dovetailed bars of railroad
iron of the L pattern are laid from top to bottom
all of which is rveted down in the most secure man
ner. On the front it presents an angle OF about
thirty degrees. There are three portfolios, which
open and close with iron shutters of the heaviest
description. When open the muzzles of the colum-
biads fill up the space completely. The reco of
the gun enables the shutters to be closed instantly.
1t is asserted, on high military authority, that
this inclined plane will efectually resist
guns of the heaviest calibre--frst, be-
cause no shot strike it except at an obtuse
angle, which would cause the ball to glance; Sec
oud because its power of resistance is sufficient to
withstand the fall of the heaviest shells. The CO.
lumbiad guns with which this novel battery is
equipped, bear on the south wall of Sumter, the
line of fire being at an angle of about thirty-five
degrees. This is not of course, considered favor
able for preaching; but owing to the fact that the
wall is oophoed for musketry throughout its en-
tire length, which, OF course, weakens it great
deal, e1ect OF SlOu upon IL WOulu, we Lnlnk, even
at the distance of $50 yards, effect breach with
in a reasonable time. The work is in charge of
several companies of the regular army of the Con-
federate States. If employed to reduce Fort Sum
ter this battery will prove quite formidable.
FORT JOHNSON.
The present Fort johnson is simply huge sand
battery erected the site of old Fort johnson, of
Revolutionary memory. 1t is one and one-fourth
miles from Fort Sumter, and at present is armed
with four heavy guns, manned by two companies
of regular artillery. The position of this old fort,
which is of the utmost Importance as a connecting
point in the defence of the harbor, mas been con-
sidered by the highest military authority as the
KEY to all the defensive works in the harbor.-
Against the attack of forces by land, or a boat at
tack by the Stono river, it must be considered an
essential element of defence.
MoULTRIE.
Fort Moultrie is one of the sentinels that guard
the principal entrance to Charleston harbor 1t is
opposite to and distant from Fort Sumter about
one and half miles. 1t is, more properly speak
ing, huge water battery, without any guns under
cover. Its armament consists of eleven guns OF
heavy calibre and several mortars, The outer and
inner walls are of brick capped with stone and
filed with earth, making solid wall fifteen
sixteen feet in thickness This work has been much
strengthened recently, and presents saucy front
to Fort Sumter. 1t is now in command of Major
Ripley, formerly of the United States Army, who
has under his command several hundred expert
enced artillerists.
CASTLE PINCKNEY.
Castle Piuckney is a small work, situated on the
southern extremity of "Shute's Folly Island be-
tween the Hog and Folly channels. Though in
itself not a very considerable military work, yet,
from its position, commanding it does the whole
line of the eastern wharves, it becomes of the ut
most Importance for it to be held by the State
thorities. 1t is, in fact, the immediate out-work
of the city, useful to annoy invading feet should
it pass the outer orts and to render their landing
very difficult, if not impossible. In its plan it
presents to the South semcircular face; the east
| ern and western faces are formed by the line of
rampant following the direction of the tangent to
the circular arc at its extremity, and for distance
of twenty yards; the northern side is plan at both
the northeastern and northwestern angles are semi
circular bastions, the outer extremies of the
being tangent respectively to the eastern and west
| ern sides of the fort. There two rows of guns
the lower being in classmates (bombproof) the
embrasures for which about seven feet above
| low water mark, and the upper being en- bGr6ette.
The height of the rampant is twenty, and the width
| tbirty-two feet. The width OF the outer wall and
of the parapet is six feet; the depth of the case
mates is twenty feet, height ten; the diameter
(east and west) of the castle is one hundred and
seventy feet. The entrance is the northern side
either side of which the officers and privates
quarters, mess-room, &c.
The ascent to the barbette Is made on the north.
eastern and northwestern corners OF the terrs