New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-01-29
n
TFae Floating batteries.

From Charleston Cor, philadelphia Press, JAM l9l
| | have been with some members of the Calhoun
Guard to witness the large floating battery now in
course Of construction on the river, in the upper
part Of the city. This work has been carried on
quietly hut with considerable energy. Its height
will be go feet considerably higher than Fort
Sumter, which it is ntendedto attack. ltis formed
of cotton bales, and will be bound with iron.
When complete it will be very formidable, and will
enable the Palmettos to make the attack with COM
paratively little danger to themselves. Several
large guns are lying ready TO be placed in it, and
the enthusiasm which is displayed in preparing a
position for them shows pretty conclusiyely that
equal ardor will be manifested in using them against
the enemy.
PLAN TO TAKE Fort SUATER-I can assure you,
most positively, not from what have gained by
listening to barroom gossip for this have studi-
onsly avoded) but from Information derived almost
directly from the very high Priests of Treason,
that, in the course of week or two well organ
ized attack will be made on Fort Sumter, on all
sides simultaneously. The people are fully aware
that, should Major Anderson resist, considerable
loss of life must ensue but so persuaded they
of the Importance of obtaining entire control Of
the harbor before the inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln
that do not think they willhesitate single day,
after their coup d'etat is thoroughly arranged, to
make the attempt. There are a large number of
citizens here who believe that when the attack is
made, Major Anderson will Immediately evacuate,
and spare the shedding of blood; and though l
place far higher estimate on the gallant Majors
devotion to his country, and the honor of her flag,
he could not be severely censured if he terminated
the difficulty in that way. He has been left in
garrison which, well manned, would be almost I'M
pregnable, with scarcely corporaPs guard to sup
port him. The " chivalry y know that he has only
sufficient men to work eight of his guns, and that
while a considerable loss must ensue to them on
the one side, the other they would have a
reasonable chance of success. 7n
have but Just returned from minute eXanina-
sap nf the possible points of attack and defense,
ana am fully justified in the conclusion that an
perenced tactician could successfully take Fort
Sumter, with its present means of resistance
~ I have yet another conspiracy to
mention, which, though by no means new runor,
have not, until to-day, had any good reason to
believe was well founded or reliable. am, how
ever, certain that negotiations are pending with
seeessonists in the States of Maryland, Virginia
and Kentucky, to seize the Capitol, and prevent
the Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln by force.
This part of the rebellion has been entrusted to
those three States. The matter is kept exceed
ingly quiet, and were not myself member of a
vigilance committee, I should have been in the dark
upon the subject trust to be able to give you
Information in day two in detail, as to the ex-
tent and ramifcations of this plot, which l Bn0ec
is intended to be carried out, unless precautions
are taken to render it impossible.