Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-01-04
Military Movements at Charleston.


The news from Charleston yesterday ere
ated decided sensation. 1t was announ-
ced that Maj. Anderson lad evacuated
Fort Moultrie in the night, spiking the
guns and taking the garrison to Fort Sum
ter. Everybody saw at once that this was
military precaution Of the greatest i'm
portance, and that it secured the continu-
cd command oftbe port of Charleston by
the Federal authorities in spite Of any
movement on the part of the disunionists
The situation of the Forts renders this
apparent. The approach for ships to
Charleston harbor lies directly between
Forts Moultrie and Sumter: each of these
forts completely commanding it. Fort
Moultrie is on the right, or north side, ard
is Luilt upon TIE main land. surrounded
by dwelling houses, constituting the little
village Of Noultreyille, and covering so
LARGE space as to require at least 800 men
to protect it against an assault. An at
tack may be made from the high grounds
which overlook it, and party attempting
an e8cajuc3c would find shelter and protec-
ton in the houses and other buildings sur
rounding it. With its present garrison Of
two companies Of artillery, in all number
ing but G5 men, it would have been inpos-
sible to hold it against any considerable
force
Fort Sumter lies on the left, OF South
side Of the ship channel, and is built in the
stream. It is Of solid masonry, octagonal
in form, pierced on the north, east, and
west sides with double row Of port holes
for heavy guns, and on the south. Or land
side, in addition to openings for cannon is
loop holed for musketry. 1t is said to be
bomb proof. A force Of $50 working men
has lately been engaged in mounting the
guns and putting the fort in order. 1t con-
tams 40 guns, many Of them being the
formidable ton-inch 'Columbiads, y which
throw either shot Or shell. and have a We
~ long range There is a large amount
of artillery stores, consisting of about 49,
600 pounds Of powder, and a proportion
ate quantity Of shot and she'll The city
Of Charleston can be shelIed from Fort
Sumter, and Fort AIoultrie is completely
commanded by it. The fort can only be
approached by water. and the only way of
entering it is by the port holes or by the
gate. the entrance to which is swept by a
cross-fre from cannon on all sides.
Major Anderson in taking his little gar
rison rom Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter
has rendered bis position perfectly secure.
If the Disunionists take Fort Moultrie, they
can if it be thought best, be driven out of
it with the utmost ease. In case of abso-
Lutte necessity the city of Charleston can be
bombarded and destroyed, and every ship
that approaches or leaves the harbor must
pass directly under the guns Of the fort.
The effect Of this movement upon our
community was remarkable, and indicated
Enthusiastically the tone and temper Of the
people,. If Mr.. Buchanan could have dis
covered the universal satisfaction at discov-
ering anything like frmness and sagacity
Of purpose on the part of the Federal Gov
eminent, he would have readily detected
the secret of that universal scorn which is
felt for his conduct in this emergency
Stocks rose at once, and there was a gen.
eral exchange Of congratulations upon the
prospect that somebody would make stand
for the Union and the Constitution.
The general opinion seems to be that
Major Anderson has taken this stand on his
own responsibility, and without orders of
any kind from Washington If this should
prove to be the case, he will have already
established for himself hold upon the ad-
miration and affection Of the country which
will not easily be weakened or impaired.
His movement awakens the courage and
hope Of the people, and relieves very
painful feeling of anxiety as to the posi-
bic fate Of his command and Of the Ameri-
can flag in the position they held before.
We presume it was prompted by intelli-
gence of an intention on the part of the
Disunionists to occupy Fort Sumter the
moment they should hear of the failure Of
their commission to Washington.
1t is barely possible that Major Amber
son may have acted under the direction of
the President: but we do not believe it.
The course which Mr.. Buchanan has hith-
erto pursued affords no warrant for such
presumption. while the entire action of the
War Department has been in the other di-
rection. Gen. Scott may have directed it,
as it is known to have been in conformity
with his views. IF he has done it without
the assent or knowledge of the President,
be will have fresh claim on the admira-
ton and gratitude Of the people. The
country would rejoice if such thing were
possible as his constitutional usurpation of
power in the present exigency of public af-
fairs.-N. Y. Times, Dee, 2Sth.
The Administration Disarning the North
and Arn1ing the South.
While the Administration of Buchanan
IS billing and cooling with the Southern
Rebels who are trying to bring about the
destruction Of the Union, it is also treach
erousiy betraying the North into the pow
er OF the revolutlonlsts, as it supposos, by
transferring all the Government ordnance
arms and Ammunition c+orol :: Nj