The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1861-01-02

A. Gate.
b. New abutment commanding the APP
proach to the gate. -,
c.. C. Old sally ports, now closed up with
masonry.
d. Portion of the moat already finished.
E. E. Newly erected bastioncttes, coID
mandirg the moat.
+. Furnace for preparing hot shot.
G. Powder magazine.
This is an enclosed water battery, having
front on the South, or water side, of about
300 feet, and depth Of about 24O feet. 1t -
built with sulient and re-entsE5ng angles on all
sides, and is admirably adapted for defense,
either from the attack of a storming party, or
by regular approaches. The outer and inner
walls are of brick, capped with stone, and filled
in with earth, making solid wall 10 or 10
feet in thickness.
According to the Mercury, 10 men were
at work previous to its abandonment by
the government troops in making improve
ments at this fort ditching it around the en-
tire circumference, and erecting glacis; clos
ing up the postern gates in the east and west
walls, and instead, cutting sally ports, which
lead into strong out-works on the southeast
and southwest angles, in which twelve poun-
der howitzer guns will be placed enabling toe
garrison to sweep the ditch on three sides
with grape and canister. The northwest
angle of the fort has also been strengthened by
bastionette, to sustain the weight Of heavy
gun which will command the main street of
| the Island The main entrance has also been
better secured, and trap-door two feet square
cut in the door for lngress and egress. At
this time, the height Of the wall, from the
bottom OF the ditch to the top Of the parapet,
| nn r--A AL, 70 I i,af
wide at the base and 10 feet deep.
| The purpose Of the glacis, which is an in
clined plane, is to expose an attacking party
to the fire Of the guns, which are so placed as
| to sweep it from the crest Of the counterscarp
to the edge of the beach. On the north side,
all the wooden gun cases have been placed
close together on the ramparts. apparently for
the purpose of securing it against an escalade,
but possibly as a screen for battery of heavy
guns. Field pieces have been placed in posi-
ton upon the green within the fort, and none
of the eXpedients Of military engineering haze
been neglected to make the position as strong
as possible. 1t IS said that the greatest vigi-
lance is observed in every regulation at this
time, and that the guns are regularly shotted
every night.
Major Robert Anderson, of Kentucky, who
is in command of the fort, received his first
commission as brevet second lieutenant, I'd ar
tillery, July l, 1925, was acting, inspector
general in the Black Hawk war, and received
the rank of brevet captain August, 1888, for
his successful conduct in the Florida war
On Sept 8, 1647, he was made breyet major
for his gallant and meritor;ous conduct in the
battle. of Moline del Rey. His force consists
oftwo companies of artillery. The companies,
however, are not full, the two comprising, as
" are informed, only about seventy men, in
GLIDING the band.
FORT SUMTER.
This is work Of solid masonry, octagonal
in form, pierced on the north, east and west
sides with double row of port holes for the
heaviest guns, and on the south, or land, in
addison to openings for guns, laoP-holed for
musketry, stands in the middle of the harbor,
on the edge Of the ship channel, and is said to
be bomb proof 1t is at present without any
garrison. There is large force of workmen
some one hundred and fifty in all-busily
employed in mounting the guns and otherwise
putting this great strategetic point in order
The armament of Fort Sumter consists Of lac
: guns, many of them being the formidable ten.
inch "Columbiads,A which throw either sho,
or shell, and which have fearful range. Only
few of these are yet in position, and the
work of mounting pieces Of this calibre in the
classmates is necessarily slow one. There
{ is also large amount Of artillery stores, con,
sisting of about 10000 pounds of powder, and
proportionate quantity Of shot and SHE'LL
The workmen engaged here sleep in the fort
, every night, owing to the want of any regular
communication with the city. The wharf O.
landing is on the south side, and is, of course
exposed to a croSS-fire from all the opening
on that side.
CASTLE P,NCKNEY
Is located on the southern extremity Of
narrow slip of marsh land, which extends il
a northerly direction to Hog Island chaune
To the harbor side the so-called castle present
a circular front. 1t has never been consider
ed of much consequence as a fortress, although
its proximity to tho city would give it import
ance, if properly armed and garrisoned. From
haSty observation We find that there are abou
fifteen guns mounted on the parapet; the ma
jority of them are eighteen and twenty -fou
Founders. Some "Columbiads" arc, however
within the walls. There are also supplies O
powder, shot and shell. Atpresent there i
no garrison at the post ); the only resident
are one or two watchmen, who have charge O
the harbor light. Some 80 or 40 day laborer
are employed repairing the cisterns and put
ting the place generally in order.
The reader will bear in mind that Thu
description of the Notifications was written a
least two weeks ago. and that subsecuen
events have materially changed the order o
things in reference to garrisoning and occupa
ton of these forts and the possession of tn,
Arsenal in the city.