Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-06-13
From the London Times of May l4th.

From the London Times of May l4th.
MIR. H RUsSELL'S LETTERS FROM AMERICA.
Char lesion after the Fall sumter-The Carolina
TToops-Gen BeHurrgard-VIsit to the Forts-Ma-
jOT Anderson's Defence.
CHARLESTON, S. c. pr 2l-I find some consolation for
the disappointment arriving in time to witness the
attack upon Fort Sumter in describing the condition of the
work soon after Major Anderson surrendered Already
Fort Sumter and First Victory of the Southern Troops
&c, several poems and variety of versicules songs
and rhetorical exercations upon this event which how
ever important pol teal demonstration of small val
ne IN military sense except in far the boodless
cupation of position commanding Charleston harbor is
concerned 1t may tend to prevent any impressions
founded on imperfect information to state few facts
nected with the fire in the work and its effects which will
interest, at least some military readers
In the first place may be well admit that the iitary
preparations and positions of the South Caronians
part of small State without any considerable
ganization resources The comparative efficiency was
neer Major Whiting who both professional engineer
officers of the United States army had capacity
and influence enough to direct the energies of the uDs
cphed masses IN the proper direction instead of allowing
them to rush their fate in the perous essay
ade The state of South Carolina had for long time past
may be said tn ever since the notification contest she
secession, to be effected by force if necessary
When Gen. Beauregard and Major Whiting here the
in very imperfect state Major Anderson and his officers
had true professional contempt for the batteries of the
civilians and mitiamen, which in measure usti-
haoe One morning however, they took their survey of
ther nemJ abors for the previous night they perceived
chahGe mad come over the design of he works. That
some who knows his business there was evi-
dent In r strange relationship with those who pre-
pang to destroy them possible however prevented their
recou to he obvious which were then abun-
dance in their hands to the coming danger Mai
Anderson maintained we'll eguated fire the enemy the
they began throw up their batteries and pre-
pare Fort MOutrie anst him. be could have made their
progress slow and exceedingly aborous and have
marked at every step with blood His the
ground was very marked and decided, but he had it
to be supposed authority defend the only
IN which 1t could be done. The late that fatal phrase
was the echo to every order which from the of
Government at Washington Meantime, the South Ca-oi
nlans worked at their batteries and able to OBJ
tain cover on the soft sandy plains which they
planting their guns and They practsed their
at the guns stacked shot and SHE'LL and furnished their
magazines and drilled their raw eves with r'punty with
in 400 yards of the fort We all know what mpunity is
worth ID offensive demonstrations 1t is powerful
sometimes in creating enthusiasm Every day volun
teers Hooked to the various companies created
socaons OF armed and the heterogeneous and motley
mass began to assume some resemblance to how
irregular At the Charleston is like
place IN the neighborhood of camp where military and
volunteer taller, work trying experiments in uni
torms and sending n their animated models for nspec
non. There is endless variety-often of Ugliness-
in dress and equipment and nomenclature among these
companies. The head dress is generally, however. a
smart cap like the French kept; the tuic is of diff
terent cuts colors, facnEs, and materials with
gray and yellow gray with orange and black and white,
blue with white and yellow facings brown burnt sen
ma AID oVe,jackets frocks tuncs bOuses CLOTH linen,
tweed, flannel The officers generally in blue frocks
and brass buttons with red sashes the rank being dca
ted by gold lace paraeOgrams the shoulder straps which
are like those in the Russian army The of the
men seem toerably well kept and in good order Many,
however, still shoulder White Bess the old smooth bore
muske with unbrowned barrel. The following is official
RETURN which enabled to you through the
courtesy of the authorities showing the actual number of
men under yesterday, in and around Charleston
MorrL lsand-l7th Regiment, 700 men lst Regiment,
800 men; I'd Regiment, 975 total, 1928
Sullivans Island-5th Regiment ,075 detachment
of 8th Regiment $50 detachment of 9th Regiment 200
men; cavelry and Others 225 men total, 1850
stone and other points, 75O Charleston 800 men;
Columbia, $50 men.