The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-04

From the Missouri Republican.
Much has been written for the informa-
ton of the general public in reference to
the city of Charleston and it's defences,
but the "appetite" of readers seems yet
unsatisfed, and everything published on
the subject is devoured with great relish.
In view of the grand events progressing
in that locality, we recur to this topic and
repeat some items, few of which, perhaps,
are new, but which may be re-read now
with interest.
There appears to be no doubt that Gen.
Gilmore has begun the bombardment of
the city with guns of long range, at dis
lance of three and a half miles. Charles
ton is built upon low and level land, rising
but few feet above the sea. Viewed
from Cummings Point the shore line is
quite indistinct, and the buildings seem to
emerge from the water. The place, there
fore, is very vulnerable. The city institu-
tiOns are numerous, embracing besides
the City Hall, municipal courts, &C., sew
eral charitable establishments, of which
the Orphan Asylum is the most noted.
There are also hospitals, dispensaries, and
poor houses. There are many public and
private schools and academies, thirty-five
churches of various denominations, pub
lie library of $4,000 volumes, a medical
college, an academy of art, &c. Among
the fine editices are the South Carolina
Mechanical Institute, the Orphan House,
the Roper Hospital, the new Custom
House (not finisheD Philips and st. Mi.
chael's Churches, the Cathedral, &c. The
city covers a considerable extent of terri
tory, the dwellings generally being isolated
with open grounds and gardens on every
side. The streets from east to west eX-
tend from the Ashley to the Cooper river,
and running in straight line, and inter-
secting others at right angles open pros
poets every way. King street, running
street in the city, and is closely built, ex-
tending two miles in length. The beauty
Of Charleston is very much married by
low and dingy looking houses, which give
the place an ancient appearance. Meeting
street, however, which is a broad avenue,
sixty feet wide, compares favOrably with
that of any city in the country. In 1900
the population of Charleston was 1879;
in 1907 it was $4,000, Of which it was
supposed II, 900 were colored persons; in
1850 it was 40, 1882; in 1860, 4O,578.
The barbor of Charleston has six en-
trances-Matfit's channel, with eleven
feet; the North channel, with eight feet;
the Swash, with nine feet; the Overall
CHANNEL, (not used y the main ship chan
mel, with eleven feet; and Lawford's
channel, with eleven feet. The passage
is defended by three principal fortresses
Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and Castle
Pinckney. The largest of these is Sum-
ter, work of solid masonry, octagonal in
form, and pierced on three sides with
double row of portfolios for the heaviest
guns. 1t stands in the middle of the har-
Dor, near the edge of the main ship chan
mel. The armament consists, or rather
consisted, of one hundred and fifty guns,
many OF them being the formidable ten
inch cOlumbiads. Fort Moultrie is an en-
closed water battery, having front on
the water side of three hundred feet, 1t
is built with salient and re entering angles
on all sides. The outer and inner walls
are of brick capped with stone and filled
in with earth, making solid wall about
fifteen feet in thickness and twenty feet
high. 1t is situated on Sullivan's Island
about half mile distant from Sumter
Castle Pinckey is an old and not very
formidable work, one mile from the city of
Charleston. 1t cost about fifty-five thou
sand dollars 1t mounts thirty or forty
heavy guns. Besides these main works,
the rebels have numerous batteries on the
islands, while the barbor is said to be full
of distractions. The city is also fortified
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