The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-15
WHAT CAN MAJOR ANDERSON DO?

WHAT CAN MAJOR ANDERSON DO?
In all the conversation and speculation
on the subject of the attack on Sumter,
hear but few thoughts expressed as to the
amount of damage Major Anderson can do
on the military defence of his assailants.
The impression is that be will take them
Seriatim, commencing with Fort Moultrie,
and here " "sandbags" are considered a
match for casemated granite. The ques-
tlon as to whether he can silence the guns
of Moultrie is never broached. 1t is said he
can dismount all their guns in few hours,
and then turn his attention to the weaker
batteries on Morris Island and Fort john
son. Should he be able to thus silence all
their heavy guns before any serious impres.
sion is made on his walls, which he deems
impregnable, what will become of the pro-
jected assault and escalade? The Governor
and his Cabinet doubtless anxiously discuss
these matter of-fact eventualities, but the
military think of nothing but success and
victory.
The rumors in circulation as the arrange.
ments made by Major Anderson to defend
his position are various, but of course not
altogether reliable, as he keeps his own
counsel, and there is little or 20 communica-
tion now with him. The landing, or wharf,
in the rear of the fortress, is said to be ecoun-
termined so as to blow up an assauiting
party, and hand grenades supplied in great
abundance, to throw on them from the RAM
parts. 1t is therefore evident that if Sump-
ter is attacked, there will be great sacri-
hce of human life, even should the most IA
vorable anticipations Of our citizens be re-.
allied.
Correspondence Of the Providence Journal.
EXTRA FORTIFICATIONs.
The extra Notifications here consist of
four hand batteries and one floating bat
terry, with an available force of about 500
men. At the eastern extremity of Sul>
iivan's Island is a small battery of TWEEN.
tySfour pound guns. 1t is construct.
ed OF barrels and bags of sand, and is in.
tended to protect the north channel. On
Morris Island there are three batteries. On
the extreme east end of the island is bat
terry of twenty.iour pound guns, intended
to protect the main ship channel. This
channel is also protected by four sunken
vessels, SO that ships drawing over thirteen
feet OF water cannot enter the harbOr. AT
middle and west end of the harbor are two
batteries of heavy guns and mortars, bearing
directly on Fort Sumter. They are con.
structed of palmetto logs and bags of sand.
l should suppose that bags of sand formed
their chief material for construction, as one
firm in this city has contract for 10000.
The floating battery is to be built in the
shape of wedge, of palmetto timber one
foot in thickness, and cased with iron, and
also having an inner casing of iron, with
three feet space between the castings, which
is to be filled with sand. How it is to be
armed, and how used, am unable to learn,
as 1t is kept as secret as possible. With all
the armament and forces here which can be
brought against Fort Sumter, am told by
the very best military authority that it will
be impossible to take it, if Anderson is dis.
posed to defend it.