The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-10

The nbrasures for muskesry the aide Of the work
exposed to the IRE Of the batteries Of Cummings Point
and Fort Johnson have been filed with solid hasgpg,
filed IN with lead and ball ard bomb proof add
ms materially to the strength Of the work nsde the
magazine and hospital have been protected by
verses, and the parade ckaIed.
CUMMINGS POINT IRON BATTERY.
The nearest land to Fort sumter ia Cummings Point.
ON this point erected the celebrated railroad iron bat
terry It conssts OF heavy framework Of yellow pine
logs. The roof of the material, which dove
tailed bars OF railroad Of the pattern laid from
top to bottom-a of which is rveted down in the most
secure manner On the front IL presents an angle Of
about thirty degrees There three po tholes, which
open and close with iron shutters Of the heaviest descrp
tion. When open, the muzzes Of the columbiads Ill
up the space completely. The recol of the gun
enables the shutters to be closed instantly is asserted
high military authority, that this inclined plane
III eff ctuay resist guns Of the heaviest calbredrst,
because shot strike it except a. obusc angle,
which would the ball to glance second because its
power of resistance sufficient Withstand the fall Of
the heaviest shells The coumbild guns, with which
THE novel battery ID equipped bear on the south wall OF
SUMTER the line tf FIRE being at angle OF about thirty
FIVE degrees This Ia not Of considered favorable
for breacnng but owing 70 the fact that the wan Is loop
holed musketry throughout lis entire hngth which,
of coaree, weakcns it great DEAL the effect Of shot
yards, effect breach within a reasonable time. The
work is in charge OF several companies Of the regular
army of the Confederate States II employed to reduce
Fort Sumter this battery will prove quite formidable
FORT JOHNSON.
The present Fort johnson simply huge sand battery
the site of old Fort Johnson Of Revolutionary
memory. Ii and fourth miles from Fort Sum
ter and at present armed with four heavy guns,
ned by two companies Of regular artillery. The po-
son of this old fort which is Of the utmost importance
connecting point In the defence Of the harbor has
been considered by the highest military authority as the
key to al the defensive works in the harbor. Against
the attack of forces by land, boat attack by the
sono river must be considered essential element of
defence.
FORT MouLTRIE.
Fort Moutric is Of the sentinels that guard the
principal entrance Charleston harbor II Is opposite
TO and distant from Fort Sumter about and half
miles. II is properly speaking huge water battery,
without any guns under cover Its consists Of
eleven guns Of heavy calibrc and several mortars The
and walls of brick capped with and
filled with earth, making solid wall fifteen sixteen
feet in thickness This work has been much strength
cned recently and presents saucy front TO Fort Sumter
1t is now command OF Major Ripley, formerly OF the
United states Army. who has under his command
hundred experienced artlllersts.
CASTLE PINcKNEY.
Castle Pnckney Is n small work, situated the
southern extremity Of "Shutes Folly Tshnd between
the Hog and Folly channels Though In itself not very
considerable military work, yet from it's position,
mandpg does the whole line Of the eastern whsrvcs
IL becomes OF the Importance for II 70 be held by
the State authorities II s, In fact, the immediate out
work Of the city useful annoy invading ee should
IL pass the forts and TO render their landing very
difficult, not impossible. In It's plan II presents to
the south semicrcuar face; the eastern and western
faces are formed by the line Of rampant following the
direction Of the tangent 70 the circular arc NJ s
extremity, and for q distance OF twenty yards; the
northern side is plain; at both the northeastern and
northwestern angles are semicrcular bastions, the
outer extremtes OF the arcs being tangent respe:-
lively to the eastern and western sides Of the fort
There are two rows of guns--lhe lower being
mates fbombproo the emorasures for which about
seven feet above low water mark and the upper being
en- bar5stc The height Of the rampant IL t~criy aud
the width thirty two feet The width OF the outer Wal
and Of the parspet sx feet the depth OF the casemies
twenty feet height ten the diameter (eas. and wes
Of the castle is hundred and seventy feet The IN
trance IL on the northern side either side Of which
are the oiicers aod prvatss' qusrtors mcssrco 81
The ascent 10 the barbete s made 90 tho northeastern
and northwestern Of the trrs pra icpels In
the centre OF the latter p the furnace for heating
shot Around the foot OF the scatp VAL Is a 5resk
water, about twelve feet 10 width, nor z,naliy which
has its western SIDE extended In n tangent direction
TO the south. 70 form the landing The landing is
protected by toe gus Sweeping lis engtn
me armsuent Of this castle CONSISTS 81 about twenty
i've pieces "A and SO p'unders isw norLArs
ana sx colcmbia1a--,he latter not hong mounted Ia
he msrnzi1e u a sufciency Of smmon,top, ioclaaiug
slo en- esd.d shell rbie wci BY eesa gf late put IN