The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-31
FORT sUMTER 10 BE BANNED.
Tho War Department Will Repair
the Historic Fort and Build Bat,
teries on SuIlivan's Island.
special To- The News and Courier.

the Historic Fort and Build Bat
teries on Sullivan's Island.
Special to The News and Courier.
Fort Sumter is to be rehabilitated
and armed for the protection of the
i city OF Charleston. That old fortress
| that played such an important part In
the opening of the war for Southern
Independence is again to be fitted with
ten-inch rifles and be equipped for the
defence of Charleston harbor. The
project has been under consideration
at the war department for some time
past, but the question was brought di-
! rectly to the attention of the Secretary
OF War, Gen. Miles, the commanding
| general of the army, and Gen. Craig
hill, the chief of engineers, by Repre-
sentative Elliott, who represents the
Charleston District. Gen. Miles has
recently been South, and is heartily in
favor of the restoration of the old fOrti-
fication to warlike condition. 1t is
not known whether the renovation of
Fort Sumter Is due to the threatened
conflict with Great Britain, but the
proposition meets with the cordial en-
dorsement of all of the officers named.
There is something like $4,000 avail
able for the Notifications in Charleston
harbor, and the Secretary of War is
willing that the money should be ex-
pended upon Fort Sumter, and land
battery on Sullivan's Island, in TIE
same harbor.
Since the close of the war Fort Sum
ter has been almost deserted by the
Government troops. For many years
past an ordnance sergeant has lived
there as sort of watcher of the rapid
ly decaying government property.
Time has made but little impression
N fu OF lilo h,,f hn al 20
have played havoc with the interior
and the exposed portions of the struc-
ture. 1t is estimated that the fort can
be placed in good condition and made
quite formidable without the eXpendi-
ture of large sum of money. The
principal outlay will be for guns.
1t is remarkable coincidence that
Fort Sumter, the first fortificatiCn to
figure in the late war, is now the first
point of defence to get ready to resist
foreign invasion. Even IL there should
be no occasion for conflict, it is con-
tended that Fort Sumter should be re-
stored to its normal condition, and
maintained with the same care and a.
deity that is employed upon the forti-
fications in New York harbor. Repre-.
Elliott was highly gratitied
at the success of his visit to the war
and he proposes to push |
the matter to an carly settlement.
While at the war department Col. |
Elliott met Capt. Abbot, who is in
charge of the river and harbor i'm
prOvements in and around Charleston.
Capt. Abbot also agrees with his su-
periors that the Notifications in Char
lesion harbOr should be rehabilitated.
In addition to equipping and armins
Fort Sumter 1t is also proposed to build
three batteries on Sdllivan's Island for
guns and mortars. The work on Sui
livan's Island has been delayed by the
difficulty in fixing the price for the
property needed, but it is understood
that Capt. Abbot expects to have the
without farther delay. rs
to sending troops to Sullivan's Island,
Gen. Miles says he is fully in sympathy
with such o proposition, and he will do
all in his power to have the new batter
les garrisoned without delay. Upon
of the subject it was as
certained that there are now on Sulli- !!
vans Island buildings belonging to the
government, which may be used as
quarters for the troops. The site for
one of the new batteries is quite near
Fort Moultrie, and the other two are
TO be located according to the judgment
u VIC CiiOl oi ouS AL Vi UIlSS0
batteries will be armed with ten-inch |
rifles.
Some time ago Col. Elliott asked the
Secretary of War for report on the
project contemplating the improve
ment of navigation between Charleston
and Beaufort by means of cut through
Fenwick's Island. The proposed i'm
provement was recommended several |
years ago, but it was not provided for
because of the large cost involved. |
Capt. Abbot has just subrnitted his re-
port on the project, which he says can
be completed at a greatly reduced |
figure as compared with the original |
estimates. For from $25, 900 to $45, 900 |
a channel of from forty five feet to nine |
ty feet can be cut between the points |
named. Backed by Capt. Abbot's re-
port, Col. Elliott will press the matter
before the river and harbor commit
tee