The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-11
INTERESTING DETAILS FROM
81 had CHARLESTON. W ~
THE QUESTION OF THE FORTS.
particulars of Anderson,s movement.

gives an interesting account of the excite
ment prevailing in that city, the day before,
when it was first announced, as early as 8
A. M, that Major ANDERSON had taken DOS.
session of Fort Sumpter. Instinctively
men flew to arms" says the Courier, and
then follows an account of the movements
of the military. We quote from that
paper:
In order to ascertain truthful statements
of the actual damage done to the Forts, of
the causes OF the movement, and the state
OF affairs generally, reporters were dis
patched to the scene during the forenoon.
On the way across the harbor, the hosting
OF an American flag from the staff of Fort
Sumpter, at precisely II o'clock, gave GER
tain indication that the stronghold was
occupied by the troops of the United States.
On nearer approach the fortress was dis
covered to be occupied, the guns appeared
to be mounted, and sentinels were discov-
cred on duty, and the place to give every
sign OF occupancy and military discipline.
The grim fortress frowned defiance on every
slde-the busy notes of preparation re-
sounded through its forbiddiDg recesses,
and everything seemed to indicate the ut
most alacrity in the work on hand.
Turning towards Fort Moultrie, dense
cloud OF smoke was seen to pour from the
end facing the sea. The flagstaff was down,
and the whole place had an air of desolation
and abandonment quite the reverse of its
busy look one week ago, when scores of
laborers were engaged in adding to its
strength all the works skill and experience
could suggest.
In the immediate vicinity of the rear or
Landslide entrance, however, greater activity
was noticed. At the time of our visit. a
large force of hands had been summoned to
deliver up their implements for transporta.
ton to Fort Sumpter. Around on every side
were the evidences of labor in the fortifca-
ton OF the work. In many places, portion
of the defences were strengthened bv every
appliance that art could suggest or ingenu-
lty devise; while, in others, the uncompleted
works gave evidences of the utmost confu-
sion. On all hands the process of removing
goods, furniture and munitions, was vet
gong on. The heavy guns upon the ram
parts Of the Fort were thrown down from
their positions and spiked. Every ounce
OF powder and every cartridge had been re-
moved from the magazines; and, in fact,
everything like small arms, clothing, pro-
visions, accoutrements and other munitions
OF war, had been removed off and deposited
nothing but heavy balls and useless can
non remained.
The entire place was, to all appearances
Uttered up with the odd ends and fragments
OF wars desolation. Confusion could not
have been more complete had the late occu.
pants retired in the face of besieging foe.
fragments OF guu-carriages, &C., broken to
pieces, bestrewed the ramparts. Sand bags
and barrels filled with earth, crowned the
walls, and were firmly imbedded in their
bomb proof surface, as an additional safe
guard and Notwithstanding the heteroge-
neous scattering ofmaterials and Implements
the walls of the fort evinced vague degree
OF energy IN preparing for an attack. A ditch
some fifteen feet wide and about the same
In depth, surrounds the entire wall on three
sides. On the south side, or front. glacis
has been commenced and prosecuted nearly
TO completion, with rampant of sand bags,
barrels, &c.
On one side of the fort q palisade of Pal.
metto logs is extended around the ramparts
as complete defence against an escaladipg
party. New embrasures have been cut in
the walls so as to command the faces of the
bastions and ditch. These new defences are
all incomplete, and are evidences of the haste
with which they were erected. Considering
the inferior force, in point of numbers, under
bis command, Maj Anderson had paid par
tIcular attention to strengthening only a
small part of the fort.
A greater portion of the labor expended
was spent upon the citadel or centre of the
west point of the position. This he had
caused to be strengthened in every way; loop
holes were cut, and everything was so ar
ranged that, in case wellconcerted attack
was made, he would have retired from the
outer bastions to the citadel, and afterwards
blown up the other portions of the fort. For
this purpose mines had already been sprung,
and trains had been laid. ready for the ap-
plication of the match. The barrack.rooms
and every other part of the fort that was
indefensible would have gone at touch.
w WIZ A0Ai poi 10 VI IuC lOTG lFOuClOg Il OrC
Sumpter. were nine eight-inch Columbiads,
mounted on wooden carriages. AS soon as
the evacuation of the fort was complete.
the carriages of these guns were fired, and
at the time of visiting the fort Yesterday,
were nearly consumed, and the guns thereby
dismounted. These guns, as well as those
constituting the entire armament of the
fortress, were spiked before it was aban-
doned. This is the only damage done the
fertilization, further than cutting down the
flagstaff, and the breaking up OF ammuni-
ton wagons to form ramparts on the walls
of the fort.
The fort was found to be in charge of two
officers and four men, who had been left
behind merely to act as watch. The place
was sealed to all but the watch, and none
but these were allowed to enter.
From the officers in charge it was learned
that the evacuation of the fort commenced
little after sun-down on Wednesday eve
ming. The men were ordered to hold them
selves in readiness, with knapsacks packed,
at a moments notice, but up to the moment
of their leaving had no idea of abandoning
the post. They were reviewed m nerode