Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-14

Continued WarIIke Preparations at
MISUNDERSTANDING Shot froma n CoIum-
biad-A II enforcement Expected at Fort
sumter Cause of the Delayed Attack.
The Charleston Is. C.) correspondent Of
the New York Tribune writes on the 4th
Instant.
The siege of Fort Sumter Is soon to COM
mence. Indications on all hands show it.
though the movement and intentions of the
Revolutionists are kept from the public as
much as possible. No one now doubts that
the day is near at haDd, Hundreds of fam
families, members of which will be in the
fight, are in a state Of the deepest anxiety.
A gentleman, to-day, who has two sons in
Fort Moultrie-one of the most exposed
points-expressed to me in the most feeling
manner the concern and apprehension with
which so many families in this city are now
distressed. 1t is conceded on allhauds that
the slaughter must be great on the side Of
the CarOlinians, who will be satisfied with
nothing short Of the life of the last mau in
Fort Sumter after the garrison has refused
TO surrender. Six hours are to be afforded
Major Anderson to decide whether to sur
render or fight. Hardly any one thinks he
will surrender. do not think it within the
range of probability with his present in.
structiops he is understood to be quite
prepared, so far as he can be with his limited
force. .r I'd .-
A few days since an incident occurred to
enable Fort Sumter to give its assailapts- to-
be an inkling of what it had in store for
them. 1t was fine day, and the Revolu-
tionists were psradiDg and drilling in force,
in full view OF Fort Sumter. The Major fred
one of his huge Columbiads shotted with an
explosive ball, which struck the water not
far from the Revolutionists, creating by its
own explosion a foam on the surface of half
an acre around. They were struck with as
tonisbment 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 superiors of whom the country does not
afford.
Several companies who have been on duty
for some time, and for whose relief the order
had been given, have been informed of the
countermanding of the order, and that leave
of absence will be given to no man. 1t is
true, however, that within the last few days
several con panies have changed positions,
and it is said that the changes had been such
as in some measure to relieve the companies
composed exclusively ofthe flower of Charles
ton from posts of extreme danger. The re-
cruited men and country volunteers have
been assigned posts where glory and death
may be won soonest. t..
~ A battery has been planted at Point
Pinkney, bearing directly on Sumter's walls,
and the guns are arranged with the design
of having their shot systematically chip out
the wall. ma Co ~
The floating battery, though about 100
men are. engaged at that work, will not be
done in less than ten days. The labor of
every hour makes changes in its appearance
aud its probable purpose. When it becomes
possible, | will attempt to give full
description of the thing. i. ..--. .,,-..
tits evident, from these movements, that
the revolutionists are expecting the Govern
inent will attempt to re enforce Fort Sumter,
and are constantly on the lookout. Among
the companies whose leave of absence has
| been countermanded are several at the bat.
teries commanding the mouth of the harbor,
4 on Morris and lSulliYnn's Islands, and who
| will not be so Immediately employed in the
/ siege. This shows that the revolutionistc
| are holding themselves in constant readiness
| for re-inforcements-sOme other Star of the
| Vest as they say. 4 -r.f. ... e..
Instead Of two, the RevoIutionists are ex.
| pectiDg the arrival of eight Armstrong
(rihed) guns, they having purchased thai
number in England, at an expense of $50, 600
They have all been shipped, and their eaElJ
arrival is looked for. The gun of this descrip-
ton, purchased by Mr.. Weston, of George.
town, s. c., has arrived at Savannah. L
will be planted on the coast near that place
| You Will see that the RevolutlonistS DARE
not ship direct to Charleston. 1t is under
stood that the eight other guns have beer
shipped to Savannah.
Think that the present activity among
the Revolutionists is in consequence of tht
expected attempt to re enforce Fort Sumter
which would bring on ageneral engagement
do no think that, if they have their owI
way, they will commence the siege soonei
than week or ten days from this time, fol
their floating battery will not be completed
sooner, and they are in hopes of having the
Armstrong guns TO assist in the siege. These
are two IMPORTANT ard expensive instfu
mentalities, without which they would no
willingly go into the fight. -. Ila Ht
The Revolutionists DO not expect tha
Major Anderson will undertake to shell
Charleston, or make any demonstration
whatever on the city. Many think he ooul(
not, were he so disposed. =!