Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-07


the walls Of the fort evinc-
eda vague degree Of eeergy in psepar-
ing for al attack. A 4 ch some fifteen
feet wide and about til same in depth,
surrounds the eatire swall on Sthree
sides.
On the south side, or front, glacis
has been commenced and prosecuted
uear'y 70 comple.ion, with ramPsrt Of
sand bags, barrels, &c. On one side ofthe
tort palisado of Palmetto logs is extend
ed around the rampaIts IS a complete de-
fence against al escalading party. New
embrasures have been cut in the walls
90 as 10 command tho faces OF the bas-
tons and ditch. These new defences
are all incomplete, and are evidence II
the haste with which they were erected.
Considering the inferior force, in point
Of numbers, under his command, Major
Anderson had paid particular attention
10 strengthening only small part Of
the fort. A greater portion of the labor
expended was spent upon the citadel or
centre of the west point Of the position.
This he had caused to be strengthened
10 every way, loop-Loles were cut, and
everything was SO arranged that IN case
a welI-concerted attack was made, be
would have retired from the outer bas-
tons to the citadel, and afterwards blow
up the other portions of the fort. For
this purpose mines had already been
sprung, and trains had been laid ready
for the application of the match. The
barrack-rooms and every other part OF
the fort that was indefensible would have
gone at touch.
On the ramparts OF the fort fronting
Fort Sumpter were nine eight-inch
Coiumbiadz, mounted on wooden carrl
ages. AS soon as the evacuation OF the
fort was complete, the carriages Of these
guns were fired, and at the time of visit
ing the fort yesterday, wero nearly con.
sumed, and the guns thereby dlsmount-
ed. These guns, as well as those con-
stituting the entire armament Of the
fortress, were spiked before it was aban-
doned. This is the only damage done
this fertilization, further than cutting
down the flagstaff and the breaking up
Of ammunition wagons to form ramparts
on the walls of the fort.
THE EVACUATION.
The fort was found to be in charge OF
Two officers and four men, who had been
left behind merely to act as a watch.
The place was sealed;to all but the watch,
aud none but these were allowed to
enter.
From the officers in charge 1t was
learned that tie evacuation OF the fort
commenced little after shutdown on
Wednesday evening. The men were
ordered to hold themselves in readiness
with knapsacks packe |, at a moment !,
notice, but up to the moment Of their
Ieavin had no idea Of abandoning the
post. They were reviewed on parade,
and were then ordered to two schcon-
crs lying in the vicinity, where they
embarked, taking with them all the nee
esaarles, stores, ETC., requisite III Their
evacuation.
Several trips were made during the
night, and a great part Of the provisions
and camp furniture WAS transported
urdcr cover of night. The brightness
OF the nc on, however, afforded but slight
concealment to their movements, aud in
enc Of the trips, Lieut.. Davis in com
mand, schooner tull of soldiers and
baggage passed directly under the bow
of the guar.-boat Nina. Tie officer
who made the statement, expressed him
self TO be ignorant whether the watch
man on board the Nina discovered the
movement or not-at all events, he sald
they did no. signify any cognizance o
the fact.
REASONS FOR EVACUATION.
From conversations held with the gen
tlemen In posses sion Of tho fort yester
! day, it was ascertained that the first i'm
pctus given to the work Of Strengthening
the fort was after the speeches OF Messrs
Magrath, Memminger, and other, wher
shortly come which would call into cx
crcise the use Of force in protecting the
public property. Upon this all thu
energies Of the officers and men were
called forth to render the position a!
strong as possible Attacks were ex
pected only from the land side, aud tt
the Strengthening OF these points all tn,
available force was put. The officers
expressed themselves to be able, after
preparation, DC, to make successful
resistance against any mob or undlscl
plined force, but against organized
troops the small garrison could make
no stand.
Major Anderson had been ordered t.
hold the fort, to protect the work, anC
he intended to do it at every hazard
lie denied that either the President O
the Secretary Of War had given any or
ders for the evacuation of the post
Major Anderson had done this on hi
own responsibility, thinking that b!
such step he would make himsel
secure against attack, protect the live
of his soldiers, and could better guar,
the public property, for in his position
at Fort Sumpter be could easily com
mand, and, if necessary, silence the bat
teries of Fort Moultrie.
THE OCCUPATION OF FORT MoULTRlE By
SOUTH CAROLINA TROOPS.
Attwenty minutes to eight o'clocl
the troops on board the Nina and zen
Clinch, landed on the wharf OF Sullivan
Island. Rapidly forming, they proceed
ed, under the command of Col. DE Saus
sure. towards the walls OF Fort MouItre