New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-26

AL approach TO SullvaDs Island - lo1Dluuen
with the greatest severity; and even the families
who reside on the island in the Summer time
are not allowed to visit their houses without
special permission from the military authorities.
Lent which is relgiOusly observed In this Fps
copalian city, has cut short even the few social
amusements the place afforded. The charming
wife of the Governor, Mrs. Pickcns, is at Mont
gomery, and will go from there to Texas, her
native State. Various distinguished persons OF
the other sex have also gone to Montgomery, and
thus Charleston is rather dull a state of things
most unfavorable for the small shOpkeepers and
the hotels. The most life is displayed by the
makers of collins and burial chests and it ap-
pears that a great supply of this melancholy fur-
niture has been prepared. Nothing is dong IN
the barbor. oday a negro woman and her
four children were sold for $500; but the tran
sactons in human flesh are as limited as in any
other merchandise.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Feb. %, 1861.
The day is wonderfully beautiful, and the sun
is shining as in the Spring time. Last night
every one was troubled by rumor that the
" Daniel Webster was outside the harbor, with
troops, and all the deienses were manned with
alert soldiers think there was very slender
foundation for the excitement. This morning
the city has gala day aspect, the cannon bel
lows in honor of Washington's Birthday; military
bands joy0usly parade the streets, and every
thing promises glorious feast.
At Fort Sumter the day lis celebrated by a
salute of 81 guns, and by other joyous demon.
STATIONS The Carolinians, on the other hand,
fire Is guus, in honor of the original Conled-
eracy, and then, after pause, seven more for
the States of the new.
jeff Davis is expected here next Tuesday, and
it is believed that bis presence will inaugurate
new era in this revolution; while waiting his
coming every possible effort is made.to prevent
the reinforcement of Fort Sumter, aud Sulhyan's
Island is nearly covered with sehtinels. Fort
Moultrie, with its thousands of sand bags and
hosts of other military resources, presents for
mdable aspect Great gangs of negroes are EN-.
ployed in finishing old batteries and in construct
ing new, of which some are sPringing up almost
every day. The private residences in Sulliyan's
Island, belonging 10 the wealthy families Of
which may come, not only from the guns Of an
opposing force, but also from the foragng and
destructive propensties of South Carolina troops.
At present. large number of these last on the
island are quartered at the Carolina House,
n building formerly used rs an ice-house. The
force on Suvan's Island, Including Fort Moul-
trie, is about 900; that on Morriss Island, 500
Ia, Iii oh dnpa
not include I'yolunteers who have for some
time been about on provisional leave, agreeing to
take arms at an hours notice. OF these there
are 900, but this number could be in short
time increased tn 1000. The foating-battery,
so long building near the East Bay" is on the
point of being launched, and everybody expects
prodigious things from it.
But while all here are upon the qua rire, Fort
Sumter has not been idle; it is now surrounded
by a chain of maggicuIii, which will hinder the
hostile forces from scaling the walls, the fire from
the top Of the mageicRW threatening them the
moment they attempt TO approach. The rebels
fear now that they cannot succeed in taking the
Fort by a coup dc main, and that they will be
obliged TO attempt its reduction by siege, which
would probably be protracted long enough to
allow reaDforcemcDts to arrive. The enrolment
for the military goes on actively, and agents are
zealously running about the country for this pur.
pose. The enlistment is for the term of one
year, and the pay is 81 per month, with board,
lodging, and clothes.
As write, q company of school'boys in uni
form parade before my window, and half dozen
small negroes are beating the drum for this nan-
tile regiment with the frOlicsome grace peculiar
to their race and years. The beauty Of the day
is enough to make one cry out with delight, and
simply to live is sufficient and soul-hng joy.