Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-13
A SKETCH OF THE DEFENsEs Or
CHARLESTON.
The FoRrs, BATTERIES, CHANNELS, OBsrRuc-
TIoNs, GUNBoATs AND TRooPs-THE CRY De-
TENDED BY $40 CANNON AND 1900 MIX.


As Charleston is the point to which public at
tenti0n is now most largely attracted, "a brief de
s~cription of its defenses will be of interest.
FORT SUMTER.
Fort Sumter Is built upon an artificial island al
the mouth of Charleston larbor, three and three
eighths miles distant IRON the city of Charleston.
This island has for its base a sand and mud bank
with "a superstructure formed of the refuse Of
several northern stone quarries. The island It.
self cost a half a million of dollars, and was ten
years in course of construction. The fertilization
cost another half million. and when Maj Ander-
son took possession of il, it was so near com
pletion that a portion of its guns had been placed
in position. The walls are of solid brick aud
concrete masonry, built close to the waters edge
without. a bernie They are sixty feet high aud
from eight to twelve feet in thickness. and are
pierced for three tiers of guns, on the north, east.
and west exterior sides Its weakes point is on
the south SIDE. Of which the masonry is not only
weaker than the other sides. but il is not protect
ed by any flank ire which would sweep the land
ing wharf. One of the garrison Of the fort, who
left there only a few weeks ago. and is now at
the North. states that there are one hundred and
four guns ready for action, about flty two lone
halo of which are ten inch columbiads, the re-
remainder being eight and ten inch Dahlgrens
and howitzers There are four heavy mortars in
the fort, one being stationed 1T each corner.
There are about twelve riHed guns in the works
but in consequence of the explosion of one of
those guns. By which an officer of high rank mar
rowIy escaped losing his life. Il had been deter
miaed not to place any more reliance upon such
pieces They had. therefore. given up the idea
of rihing old guns. and had thrown into disuse
those already rifled The fort was in about the
same condition as when taken by the rebels. Ii
had not been iron plated
FORT MoULrIE,
Fort Moultrie is situated on SulIivan's Island
opposite Sumpter, but farther up the harbor and
about one and a half miles distant. 1t is prop
erly speaking, a hsge water battery having nc
The outer and inner walls are oil
brick, filed with earth and capped with stone
making a solid wall about sixteen inches in thick.
ness. The fort mounts fifty guns, a few Of which
are ia bomb proofs, while others are protected
with sand bag ramparts. A new bomb p~rotectea
retreat has been built on the parade ground foI
the soldiers 70 retreat to when hard pressed b,
the shells of the enemy. With this exec ptior
there has been no important alteration made IL
this work since it passed from Federal possession
CASTLE PiscKSEY.
This work IS situated on the southern extremi
ty Of Shute's Folly Island IL is not a fortihca
ton Of much account, except In regard to its po
sition, which enables il to m all the east
ern wharves. Ii is. in fact. an outwork oil thu
city rather than a defence to the harbor but IL
the event Of an invading feet passing the lower
works il would somewhat annoy them. Ther'
are two tiers Of guns, the lower one being u
bomb proof the embfasures OF which
are about seven fees above low water mark, the
upper ten being en- barbeffe. The width Of the
outer wall and psrapet is sir feet. The arma'