The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-01-02
FORT SUMTER TO BE MANNED
The War Department Will Repair
the Historic Fort and Build Bat.
tcrics on Sullivan's Island,

The War Department Will Repair
the Historic Fort and Build Bat
tcrics on Sullivan's Island.
Special to The News and Courier.
Fort Sumter is to be rehabiltatet
and armed for tho protection of the
city of Charleston. That old fortress
that played such an important part ir
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 tho army, and Gen. Craig.
hill, the chief of engineers, by Repro
sentative Elliott, who represents the
Charleston District. Gen. Miles has
Recently been South, and is heartily in
favor OF the restoration Of tho old forti-
lication to II 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 $75, 900 avail
| able for the Notifications in Charleston
harhor and tho Secretary of War ie
willing that the money should be ex-
pended upon Fort Sumter, and q land
battery on Sullivan's Island, in tie
same harbor.
Since the close of the war Fort Sum-
| ter has been almost deserted by tho
! Government troops. For ,rany 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
upon its stout walls, but the clements
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 cxpendi-
ture of q large sum of money The
principal outlay will be for guns.
1t is q remarkable coincidence that
Fort Sumter, the first fortlication to
figure in the late war, is now the first
point OF defence to get ready to resist
foreign invasion. Even if there should
be no occasion for conflict it is con-
tended that Fort Sumter should be re-
stored to it's normal coalition, and
maintained with the same care and fl
deity that is employed upon the forti-
tications in New York harbor Repre-
sentative Elliott was highly gratitied
at the success of his visit to the war
department. and he proposes to push
the matter to an early 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-
periora that the Notifications in Char
| lesion harbor should be rehabilitated.
IN addition to equipping and armins
Fort Sumter it 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
matter adjusted SO that work may
commence without farther delay. AS
to sending troops to Sullivan's Island,
| Gen. Miles says he is fully in sympathy
with such a proposition, and he will do
all in his power to have the new batt"r-
les garrisOned without delay. Upon
examination Of the subject it was as:
ccrtained 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
OF the chief Of engineers. All of these
batteries will be armed with ten-inch
rill.s.
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': Island. The proposed i'm
p:cr ement was recommended several
y>''s age 'ut it was not provided for
b2c..use 81 the large cost involved.
C",." Ab;oo; has just submitted his re-
por. on t..o project, which he says can
BE- completed at a greatly reduced
tig&'e as compared with the original
e:ti'nates. For from $25, 900 to $45 900
a channel l., from forty five feet to nine
ty ct cur "e cut between the points
nausd. D"cked by Capt. Abbot's re-
pNrt, Col. Elliott vii! press the matter
bai"re tic river and harbor commit