The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-15
to Attack Fort sumpte,
Correspondence of the Baltimore American
CHARLESTON, Jan. 80, 1861.
PREPARATIONS AT FORT MoULTRIE.

CHARLESTON, Jan. ~, 1861.
PREPARATIONS AT FORT MoULTRIE.
Fort MOultrie, under the skilIful direction
of Maj. Ripley, with his black brigade of
picks and shovels, has thrown up breast
works and mounted heavy guns to such an
extent that the whole appearance of the
fort has changed, and has almost attained
its utmost state of efficiency. Huge heaps
of sand bags surmount the ramparts, faced
with palmetto logs, and covered with hides,
from the embrasures of which the grim
dogs of war protrude their muzzes, nine of
them levelled directly at Fort Sumter,
What is conceived to be the weakest point
in the granite mass has been selected as the
mark at which all these cannon are point
ed, and they will give the work of the ma
son severe test. The interior of the fort
also presents most warlike aspect. The
oven for hot shot is in readiness, like your
steam fire engines, for firing up at any mo
ment, and all the equipments for carnage
piled up around the gun carriages. The
magazine has been buried up in a cavern
of sand bags, and is believed to be beyond
the reach of shot or shell. Every arrange.
ment has been made not only for the pro-
lection of the men, but for receiving the
balls of Sumter with the most possible
damage.
ANXIOUS FOR FIGHT.
TIE military are anxious for the fight to
commence, as, having come to Charleston
to fight, they are indispOsed to 60 home
without smelling powder. They are most
impatient at the delay, and the stormy and
unpleasant weather has rendered their mill
tary duties very severe and irksome. AT
Morris Island, three large Columbiads have
been mounted and entrenched in sand bags,
with 42-pouDder and formidable mortar.
The batteries at Fort johnson are also be-
coming qnte formidable, and it is intended
to keep up fire on Sumter from these three
forts for twenty. four hours before an at
tempt is made to assault the stronghold of
Uncle Sam. The impression is that
breach can be made in the walls, and that
Major Andersons limited garrison will be
so worn out by the severe labors OF work
ing the guns necessarily for so long a time,
that the storming party on RATS will be
able to accomplish the escalade without
much difficulty or loss of life.
THE PROPOSED ASSAULT.
There is no doubt of the fact that RATS
are being constructed for the assault, aud
have seen one of them in progress, though
it is portion of the secret work of the
campaign that cannot be too closely in
Quired into. They will be constructed Of
palmetto logs, and cotton bales used as a
protection for the assaulting party while
approaching the forts. There is no tagging
on the part of the military in view OF the
havoc of life that must be the result OF the
assault, and the anxiety from day to day to
commence operations is increasing The
temporizing policy of the Governor and bis
Council meet with much harsh. criticism by
the incousiderate, butt is evident that even
should the attack ultimately be made, so far
as preparations ar6z concerned ,,South Car
olina fas obtained more by the delay than
Major, ,Andel son. -