Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-05-23

Charleston Is situated on low, level point Of
land at the juction d the Cooper and Ashley
Rivers. No portion Of the city IS more than twen-
ty feet above the tide, SO that upon approaching
upon the harbOr It's buildings and the beautiful
spires Of its churches seem 10 rise directly from
the water. Cooper River joins the Ashley at a
right angle from the North, and the continuation
Of the latte: river, running nearly due east, forms
the lower harbor and bay Of Charleston, which
widea gradually from to miles to its mouth,
distant about 10 miles from the city. On tue op,
poslte side Of the Cooper river, where it debouches
into the harbOr, short mile from the city is Cas-
tie Pinkney, q small work, but mounting some
heavy guus, Nearly opposite, on the southern
side Of the harbor, on Jumes' Island; about two
miles distant, is Fort Johnson About four miles
frem Che city, midway between Sulliyan's and
James Island, at distance Of two thousand yards
is Fort Aoultiie. Between these two forts Is the
only channel for vessels to approach the city,
Fort Sumter has three tiers Of guns, and under the
old Government, ranked as fOru6cation Of the
second class, 10 the extent UI the works and the
strength fits armament, but it was constructed
in avery superior manner, and was supposed to be
invulmerab,e at tile time 10 the diects Of any ma
val ordnance then in use Its reduction by South
Carolina, 10 1861, was effected BY bot shot from
Fort Moultre setting fire to the wooden roofs Of
the Capaclous buildings allotted fer officers quart
ers, by which Anderson and bis garrison were
literally smoked out Care has been TAKEN in
the reconstruction Of the buildings, to avoid al
chance of repetition Of such barbecue For
Moutrie Is work Of inferior rank, but it is ad
mirably situated for dealing offensive blows upor
an approaching enemy.
The principal entrance TO the nrbor is througl
Ship Channel, the outer bar OF which is distan
southeast from Fort Sumter, abolt six miles,
Shortly after crossing the bar the enemys vessel
will come under the IRE oil the batteries on John
Island, near and paralleltO which .he channel run
ina westernly direction for two miles. 1t the
makes an angle northward, running for more tina
mile directly toward Forts Sumter and Moultr
After passing the former, it turns to the west an
passes beneath the Notifications, directly undt
their guns, aud then bends 10 the southwest
which direction it approaches Fort johnson (
upward oftwO miles, while on the right it is und
the fire Of Castle Pinckney. 1t ls not until Il
enemy silences or passes all these works al
f, others which will announce themselves at the pr
per time, that he will be able to occupy Coop
and Ashley Rivers, and place Charleston at 4
mercy Of the shot aud shell Of hiS iron cladS.
Whatever uncertainty prevullsa as to the abl
Of fort6cations 10 resist the impetus Of the form
dable proectiles hurled by the Federal gunboa
there eau be no doubt that the nvulnerabilty
the turreted monsters will be tested on this oc
sion by a seyerer ordeal than any to which ii
have been heretofore subjected, and Admiral l
pont will find different entertainment 10 runni
the gauntlet of Forts Sumter ard Moultrie, 0
johnson and Pinckney, from TINT furnished
the miserable abortion, misnamel batteries Of P
Royal, SO pregnant Of disgrace and disaster
South Carolina. ..al.,