New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-22
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
From ou Own Correspondent

CHARLESTON, S. c., Jan. II, 1861.
The intelligence that the Government has 10
fused TO surrender Fort Sumter, bat directed
Mai. Anderson to hold and defend il, has created
something of a sensation to-day. There is but
one response, which is, Then We will take il. I"
w, I'd has been sent up from the batteries on Nor
ris Island, Fort johnson, and Fort Moultrie, that
they are ready for the work. and hundreds
are anxious 10 be first IL the assault. The plan
is to play upon the fort, and engage the garrison
till they are exhausted, and then make an assault
in boats with scahng- ladders, DC. Floating bat
teries have for several days been in course Of
construction, which are to be brought into use
in making the assault. ...
A vigorous defense from Fort Sumter must
prove terribly destructive to the lives Of the be-
siegers and ASSISTANTS. This they know and con-
fess 1t presents no objection, seemingly, to tho
undertaking. On the contrary, there fs grow
ing and almost alarming uneasiness on the part
of the soldiers because they are not ordered to
the undertaking If Fort Sumter is not acquired
BY other mesns, think GOV. Pinckens viii give
the order in less than one week.
A battery is being erected at Cummings Point,
where some 62poupders have been placed in
position. Cummings Point lie three quarters Of
mile distant, and lie the nearest battery TO Fort
Sumter, the battery on Morris Island being up
ward Of one mile and quarter distant, and Fort
Moultrie a little less. Structures OF Palmetto
logs are being erected at those batteries for pro.
lection against the shells of Sumter. Within the
last "a hours howitzers and mortars have been
planted ut those batteries, with the view OF
,beIlme Sumter, which, the rumor now is, is not
bomb proof. IL seems to be conceded that Sum
ter will make short work Of Fort Moultrie, her
b ayy guns being in position principally on that
side.
While there is good feeling on the part Of
the rebels toward Maj. Anderson and the officers
of his garrison generally, Capt Foster, SECOND
in command, is the object Of considerable ami
mostly. Since the evacuation Of Fort Moultre
and the occupation of Fort Sumter, that gallant
officer has twice fallen into their hands, while on
visits 10 the city. The last tune he was Kept Tor
several days prisoner in Fort Moultrie, and II
was only when he assured them that they might
take the alternative Of letting him go or OF re-
tanning him at the expense Of Fort Sumter open
ing on them, that he was restored TO liberty.
Since that time. Capt. Foster has not renewed
bis acquaintance in the city. He is known to
have comprehensive policy, which includes prsc-
tee with the 62 columbisds on the City OF
Charleston, on proper proyocation, Of course 1t
could scarcely be expected that there should be
an abundance Of good feeling toward him here
Capt. +. informed me not long since that the
sheJIing Of the city from Fort Sumter was en-
trely practicable; if it was not, he preferred 10
know it from actual experiment.
People here begin to talk about the expense OF
the present state of things, and the Legislature
il engaged on the annual tax bill. Pretty much
everything is to be taxed-gold watches, and oil
sorts of luxur;ss and ornaments. The occupation
Of Fort Sumter, and the disbanding Of the troops,
seems 10 be regarded 90 the only way to stop
the expense, and thus that Peilous enterprise bc-