Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-25

Interesting Items frOm Charleston.
The Charleston correspondent Of the New
York Tribune, in late letter, writes as fol-
lows
Though there is but little excitement the
oity and its suburbs are little less than a
military sncampmerk Morning noon and
niqht al all hours, soldiers throng the streets,
some in gay uniforms, some in military un-
dress, Others in blouses and caps some with
swords, some with muskets, and others
daWdling along without either. Al nearly
all hours Of The day, there are drills and exer-
cises on Citadel Green, where usually the
dragons, toward evening, cut the greatest
figure. Late at nights you may hear squads
OF soldiers, on foot and on horseback, tramp
ing 10 and from points of embarkation. Now
and then there 60 numbering through the
streets an immense "a or 32-pound cannon,
drawn by is or 20 mules, mounted by as
many negroes. At other tinies full uni
form company, with gay music march thro'
the streets, to or from duty. All this keeps
up a lively scene, and affords topic enough
for the loungers and moving crowds in the
streets and on the corners.
Meanwhile, Gov. Pickens, with some Of
his advisers, is at his headquarters at the
Court House. They have work enough to
do, nor does everything 60 smoothly, it the
rossips may be credited. Though the Gov
ernor is a man who enjoys the reputation of
being "insensible to fear" be is yet deficient
in some other qualities supposed to be essen
tial to his position in times like these. He
is not q master spirit, and fancy he would
be glad TO get rid OF the Legislature, who
pror act their sessions by calling for all sorts
OF information. Especially does there ap-
pear to be q desire to know the expense OF
things. The Governor cannot at least does
not, always tell.
A large proportion Of the male population,
between 2l and 90 years, have been diverted
from their usual occupations to take up arms.
As a matter OF course, society is unhinged,
and the demoralizing effect cannot in any
event tail OF being lasting. Many ladies en-
ploy themselves in providing comforts for the
soldiers on active duty, such as blankets and
camp necessaries; Others, looking to dreaded
consequences, have busted themselves in
making bandages, litters and chairs tor the
wounded, and such other consultations as the
active sympathy Of woman can invent,
Steamers continue to cruise in the ofing
boats, with passports, ply to and fro between
the city and the insurgents camps. Parties
at all hours visit their friends on duty at the
on the lookout for an enemy. Row and sail
forts and the batteries, and, as you may sup
pose, many creature comforts are in this way
dispensed. Lucky is the soldier who has a
friend, or, better STILL an anxious mother or
sister near at hand,
Meanwhile, Fort Sumter is silent, save now
and then gun fired, which gives warning
that another Of her "great guns has been
put in position. Workmen lately discharged
confirm the reports that the men are on short
allowance l do not believe that Maj. Ander-
son has included in his reports to Washing
ton that be is in need of no supplies. He
may, for obvious reasons, have omitted to
fully declare his situation in that respect
though it is hardly possible that the whole
truth may not have been made known by
verbal reports from Lients. Talbot and Hall.
A great many auecdetes and incidents are
related as connected with the affair Of the
Star of the West. At the time that steamer
came, Major Riply was in command of Fort
Moultrie. The universal expectation was
that when Morris Island battery fred on the
steamer, Fort Sumpter would open on Fort
Moultrie, especially if the latter fired shot.
Major Riplys men seeing the firing from
Morris Island, and eomprehending the whole
matter, became clamorous for the privilege
of having shot at the Star Of the Vest
/ Sumter's portfolios had been opened to eye
shot of Riplys men, and sighted with the
most perfect engineering skill. They knew
it, but the opportunity was not to be lost
"Weil, say Riply, jumping on the para
pet, i'fire away, boys, but you will all be in
/ h-H in less than five minutes" They did
fire; out Major Anderson's forbearance de-
ieated the veri6cation Of the prophecy.
Theevening when the Brooklyn was known
to be off the harbor, with the intention, as
/ was supposed, of entering some time during
the night, company of soldiers were ordered
down to re-enforce Morris Island battery
Passing King street when a squad was on
their way, listened to the leave-taking be-
tween those who were so lucky as to be sent
on the duty and those who were so unlucky
as to be left behind. Never mind, boys" 7"
said one Of the departing heroes, "it will be
your turn by and by there will be a chance
for Us ALL Come down in the morning and
see us, end if her guns shall have been too
much fer Us, and you find US lying around
loose, take US up gently-handle us with
careP' And off they went to the tune OF
"Dixie"