Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-04-16

iaarre.pona.nes Of the Baltimore American,

loorespondenos of the Baltimore Americana
am in 'ebted to Capt, Platt, Of the
Coast Survey steamship Bib, for a NAM
moth chart Of Charleston Harbor ard its
surroundings, having on II all the distan-
ces from point to point, not oniy in the har-
Dor aud ar.und the city, but out TO sea.
with the depth Of water accurately noted
at al points. II also gives the localities
OF tho batteries and forts erected ny the
rebels on the island approaching tho har-
Dor. From this chart compile tho fol-
lowing interesting and accurate statements
OF the surroundings of Charleston
What is termed Charleston Bar is
gentle elevation of the bottom, extending
across the whole front of tho harbor, a
long and broad ridge Of sand, rendering
the water too shallow for the passage Of
large vessels, except through The iniee
channels, which were carefully buoyed
and marked by the government before the
rebellion; but the buoys have been taken
up by the rebels. They have also cut
down the trees on the islands which were
used by pilots as ranges for the channels.
and have thrown all obstacles in their
power in the way Of entrance. With the
aid of the Coast Survey charts, and the
still more valuable service of Capt. Bon
telle and Lieut.. Plat, and the other Off
GERS Of the steamer Bib, but little difi-'
Guilty is apprehended in finding these chan.
nels.
There are three channels through the
bar To Charles on, one called the ship
channel, running in front of Morris Island
on the south side of the bar; the second,
the swash channel, ii ii tie centre and the
third, Sullivan's or Mathis channel, ran
nlng along the front Of Sullivan. III
on the north ala
-.,.s OIL the bar. The dis
lance nom either of the channels from the
outside of the bar to Fort Sumter is four
miles that by the Swash Channel, being
more direct, is less than four miles. Nor
MS Island is on the south side Of the bar,
and is three miles long from Lighthouse
Inlet to Cummings Point, which is IN the
rear of Fort Sumter.
At different points along its three miles
of front il has four heavy sand batteries
completely commanding the whole Length
Of shin channel. At Cummings Point, |
will be remembered, the iron clad batter
is located. which was so ebectual)y use
by the rebels in their attack on Fort Sum
ter.
Sullivan's Island forms the coast on tn
north side OF the bar, and is three mile
long from Beach Inlet to Fort Moultre.-
There is q very heavy battery on this ii
land at Beach Inlet, and several othei
along the shore, commanding the whole I
Sulhvan's or Mathis channel.
Fort Moultrie thus commands the e'
trance to the harbor Of the oity, at Il
ord of Sulivan's Islam /, on the north so
while .ummings Point battery, at the Ell
of Morris island, on the south side, al
directly opposite, holds similar sltuallo
the two FONTS being IN direct line, Ju
one nile and half apart, All three
the channels converge inlo one in ont
Fort Sumter, which Stands precisely mi
way between Moult.ie and Cumming
Point Battery. Fort Sumter 's now, h2'
ever, in a direct line between the two, b
is located about a mile and half neaF
the city than either Of them, consequent
its poslton isat an anglo of three quartz
Of a mile from the shore on either SIDE.
The harbor of Charleston inside OF Sul
ter. Is three miles long from Sumter to
city front, and has an average width
nearly two miles Fort Pmckney Is
Shutters Folly Island, Immediately OPP
site the CITY, and at the month OF Cool
River 1t 10 small stone structure, a
hv
inch shell. There are, however numerc
sand batteries located along the shore Wi
IN the harbor, commanding the approa'
es to the city. There Is also sad to be
powerful fort located on the mid lie 6: on
which in The centre OF the harbor, m
and a half from Sumter and the city. l
City Battery, public promenade, SIM
to the New York Battery, but much lal
or. is also said to be mounted with hea
ordnance.
The location and form of the CITY
Charleston is very much like that OF N
York. the Cooper River representing
East R yer, and the Ashley River
North River. Its width, from river
river, is not half so great us New Yo'
consequently when once taken 1t can ca
ly be held by gunboats, stationed on 'n'
two rivers, against any land forces tt
might be brought against 1t. 1t can II
be cut off from all communication W
the mainland, like an island, tor all M
tary purposes.
What is termed Charleston Bar Is !
generally understood by those not tamil
with nautical matters. The entrance
Charleston across this bar from the
may be likened to funnel, the small pc
ton of the funnel commencing at re
Sumter and extending to the city. III
sides of the large portion of the funn
are formed by Sullivan's Island on u
north side and Morris Island on the sou
side.
The Charleston Bar commences to-
miles to the seward of Sumter, and e.
tends along the whole large end OF the IN
.aginarv funnel from Sullivan's Island
Morris Island, distance of full eig'
miles. The width of this bar and shoa
is fully four miles from the outer limits
Sumter, and eight miles long. The dl
Il NJ. I'm,