Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-04

EOshOn Of Fort bumpfer MS Occupied
and Fort MOultrie Rs Deserted.
Fridays Charleston Is. C.) Courier has the
following description of scenes at the Forts:
In order to ascertain truthful statements
OF the actual damage done to the Forts, of
tne causes OF the movement, and Of the state
OF affairs generally, reporters were dis
patched to the scene during the forenoon.
On the way across the harbOr, the hosting
OF the American flag from the staff of Fort
Sumpter, at precisely twelve o'clock, gave
certain indication that the stronghold was
occupied by the troops Of the United States.
On nearer approach the fortress was dis
covered to be occupied, the guns appeared
70 pe mounted and sentinels were discov-
cred on duty, and the place to give every
sign of occupancy and military discipline.
The grim fortress frowned defiance ON every
slde-the busy notes of preparation re-
sounded through its unforbiddfng reoesses.
and every thing seemed to indicate the ut
most alacrity in the work on hand.
turning toward Fort Moultrie, q dense
cloud OF smoke was seen to pour from the
END facing the sea. The Flagstaff was down,
and the whole place had an air of desolation
and, abandonment quite the reverse of its
pusy look one week ago, when scores of
laborers were engaged in adding to its
strength all the works skill and experience
could suggest. ..-'..........' 81
In the immediate vicinity of the rear or
Landslide entrance, however, greater activity
was noticeable. AT the time of our visit a
large force of hands, had been summoned TO,
deliver up their implements for transporta-
tion to Fort Sumpter. Around on every
side were the evidences of labor in the for
dhcation of the work, In MANY places. a
portion of the defenses were strengthened.
by every appliance that art could suggest or
ingenuity devise; while, in others, the un-
completed works gave evidences of the ut;
most confusion. On all hands the process of
removing goods, furniture and munitions
was yet going on. The heavy guns upon
the ramparts of the fort were thrown down
from their carriages and spiked. Every
ounce OF powder and every cartridge had
been removed from the magazines; and in
tact every thing like small arms, CLOTHING,
provisions, accouterments and ,,other NUM-
tions OF war had been removed off and de-
poslted-nothing but heavy balls and useless
cannon remained
The entire place was, to all appearances,
Uttered up with the odds, ends and ffag.
ments of wars desolation. Confusion colld
not have been more complete had the late
occupants retired in the face of O besieging
foe. Fragments of gun carriages, &C., bro
keL to pieces, bestrewed the ramparts. Sand
bags, and barrels filled with earth, crowned
the walls, and were firmly imbedded in tbeif
bomb-proof surface, as an additional safe
guard-and notwithstanding the heterogene-
GUS scattering of materials and implements.
the walls of the fort evinced vague degree
Of energy in preparing for an attack. A
ditch some fifteen feet wide and about the
same in depth surrounds the entire wall on
three sides. On the south side, or front,
glacis has been commenced and prosecuted
nearly to completion; with rampant of sand
bags, barrels, &c.
On one side of the fort q palisade of Pal
metto logs is extended around the ramparts
as complete defense against an escaladinp
party. New embrasures have been cut in
the walls so as to command the faces of the
bastion and ditch. These new defenses are
all incomplete, and are evidence of the
haste with which they were erected. Con-
sidering the inferior force, in point of num-
bers, under his command, Major Anderson
has paid particular attention to strengthen
ing only small part of the fort
greater portion of the labor expended
was spent upon the citadel or center of the
west point of the position. This he had
caused to be strengthened in every way
loop-holes were cut and every thing was so
arranged that in case well. concerted at
tack was made, he would have retired from
the outer bastions to the citadel, and after
ward blown up the other portions of the fort
For this purpose mines had already been
sprung, and trains had been laid ready for
the application Of the match. The barrack-
rooms and every other part of the fort that
was indefensible, would have gone at a
touch. .gI.gFTE
On the ramparts of the fort fronting Fort
Suhpter, were nine eight.inch oolumbiads,
mounted on wooden carriages. AS soon as
the evacuation of the fort was complete, the
carriages of these guns were fred, and at
the time ofVisiting the fort yesterday, were
nearly consumed, and the guns thereby dis
mounted. These guns, as we'll as those con-
stituting the entire armament of the fortress,
were spiked before it was abandoned. This
is the only damage done the fortifcation,
further than cutting down the flag staff, and
the breaking up of ammunition wagons to
form ramparts on the walls of the fort,