New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-15

is asserted by the Revoationists that the Star
Of the West, on being fred into, hauled
down her American colors, but 6naliy raised
them again and steamed away. Afterward she
was reported at anchor making repairs, and sub
seouently steampg northeast The Revolution
ists cay beside some less elegant thngs) she has
gone back with very large flea IN her ear 70
report TO Gen. Scott, who, by tho way, is par
ticularly cursed here just DOW.
Yesterday afternoon the reyslutionvts were en-
gagged in transporting troops TO Morris Island
The transports have to pass directly under MAJ.
Anderuon's guns, between Fort Sumter and
Fort Moultrie. It 10 said that as q steamer with
nearly three hundred men passed, the portfolios
of Sumter were opened, as if to FIRE on the
steamer, which, Of course, would have imme-
diately sunk her. But abe was suffered to pass,
as were several others, taking in sl probably
NOT much less than one thousand troops to the
batteries.
These batteries are unquestionably rather
formidable, and of much more Importance than
Fort Moultrie. Those on Morris Island, which
| commands the entrance 10 the harbor, mount
some fifteen or twenty heavy columbiads. Inc
! BROOKLYN, or other war steamer, could come no
nearer than from three and a half to four miles
of the Island and not nearer than seven or elght
| miles of Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie, Tor no
| ship drawing over fourteen feet OF water can
| cross the bar at high lido under the most favor
| able circumstances. At best the ship channel 10
! very narrow. Now that the regular buoys have
been removed, and false ones set, the lighthouse
extnguished and the beacon burned, it is scarcely
| possible to enter the harbor at night and only
with great caution by day. The bar ID from
! ten 10 twelve miles from the City Of Charles
| ton.
The RevolutioDsts felicitate themselves greatly
over the correspondence between Mr.. Buchanan
| and the Commissioners. In conversation they 90
not hesitate to assert that Mr.. Buchanan 1as
guilty of deliberate falsehood and deception. The
correspondence Oh the part OF the Commission
ers was evidently conducted by Mr.. Barnwcu.
At any rate, the finishing touches By that gentle
| man are distinguishable
In previous letter l probably made mis-
tsAe in Spying that Col. IIuger OF the U. s. a.
was assisting the rebels. Adjuiant and Inspector
General punoyant, late Captain u. 8. A., 10 IN
command Of Fort Moultrie and sulfyan's Island;
J. j. Pet grew is in command Of Castle Pinck-
ney: CsA. J. johnson, IT,, is in command OF
Fort johnson; Col. John Cunningham is In COM
mand Of, the Arsenal--ai appointed by Gov.
| Pickens, who il Commander-in.Chiei, who com.
municates to the Legislature the information
that he has taken steps 10 cut OF oil supplies
-
The Revolutionists ssy that in FIVE days the
action of tho Federal Government will be
known. The general expectation ia that 1t viii
| be .tf against them. Nothing short seems now
TO be expected since the firing into the Star Of
the West. Meantime great exertions will be put
forth in the hope OF being able to cope with the
| Government. The idea of besesing Fort Sum-
| ter ia again revived. Several 32-pound Colum.
| biads are in batteries within one milo of her
| walls Though much exposed n the fire Of Sum-
ter The construction of floating batteries is
| considerably talked of. In general, Sumter ia
| regarded az an ugly customer, and the taking Of
| Ter under any circumstances could bo only with
| n fearful sacrifice OF human life. Reckless a.
| they are, the Rcyolutionists are not yet quite
| prepared for this. They say they ought 70 have
,ei1ed the Fort 81 the outset. instead Of allowing
! Major Anderson 10 outwit them. IL is the key
| 70 everything. In the face of Sumter Fort
Moulirie, the Reyolutionists now confcss, is but
| Of little consequence. In fact, the abandonmenr
of her, aud the placing Of her guns in batteries,
20 as more efectually 10 guard the harbor, is
now seriously contemplated. BY this means, tho
preventing OF supplies or reeniorcements from
reaching Fort Sumter by way of tho sea would
seem 10 be- practicable. It s certain that no
steamer would fare better, or be received less
warmly, than was the Star Of the West yesterday.
IL is tho opinion of novice that the most
| effective az well az the easiest method Of reach
| ing the seat Of difficulty ID by landing United
States troops above or below the city, and taking
| Charleston in the rear. The bar at the mouth
of the barber is perfect protection from vessels
of war like The Brooklyn. The land batteries
| that line the harbor are regarded as protection
| complete or capable Of being made complete.
from vessels of draft light enough 10 pass the bar.
| OF one thing the Government may rest assured
the Reyolutionists are making herculean exer-
lions But small part Of what they are doing
| ia known to the public. The press is not allowed
| 10 publish the whole truth. Treasure, credit
public and private; blood, high and low-all is
| thrown in. The Governor and Cabinet have
| little less than absolute power. Whatever they
will is law. Everything and everybody is in their
hands.
The weather is delightful, and resembles May
more than January. The buds are starting, and
l. Go