Fortifications in Charleston Harbor.; Description of Fort Moultrie--Strength of the Garrison--Preparations for Defence

[PetePaolillo]

Printed in the NY Times December 17, 1860, originally printed in the Charleston Mecury

Fortifications in Charleston harbor.; Description of Fort Moultrie--Strength of the Garrison--Preparations for Defence--Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney.

The silent energy with which work is now being pushed forward upon the fortifications erected for the protection of the harbor of Charleston, is something at once new and extraordinary. To keep the readers of the Mercury fully posted in regard to events transpiring around them, we present below an interesting account of these active operations of the Federal authorities. It is proper, however, that the people of Charleston should know that the Executive of the State is fully cognizant of all that is going on in relation to these forts, and that their honor and defence is safe in his keeping. Until late in the past Summer, the defences of Fort Moultrie have remained in an unfinished condition; the sand of the beach, piled up by the wind against the south walls, had rendered them easily accessible almost by a single leap, and the empty guns were suffered to gaze out in harmless majesty upon the noble bay. A fortnight has worked a marvelous change.

is an inclosed water battery, having, a front on the south, or water side, of about 300 feet, and a depth of about 240 feet. It is built with salient and reentering angles on all sides, and is admirably adapted for defence, either from the attack of a storming party or by regular approaches. The outer and inner walls are of brick, capped with stone, and filled in with earth, making a solid wall 15 or 18 feet in thickness. The work now in progress consists in cleaning the sand from the walls of the fort; ditching it around the entire circumference, and erecting a glacis; closing up the postern gates in the east and west walls, and, instead, cutting sally-ports, which lead into strong out-works on the southeast and southwest angles, in which 12-pounder howitzer guns will be placed, enabling the garrison to sweep the ditch on three sides with grape and canister. The northwest angle of the fort has also been strengthened by a bastionette, to sustain the weight of a heavy gun which will command the main street of the island. The main entrance has also been better secured, and a trap-door, two feet square, cut in the door for ingress and egress. At this time, the height of the wall, from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet, is 20 feet. The ditch is from 12 to 15 feet wide at the base, and 15 feet deep. The nature of the soil would not seem to admit of this depth being increased, quick-sand having been reached in many places. The work on the south side is nearly finished. The counterscarp is substantially built of plank, and spread with turf. The glacis is also finished. It is composed of sand, and covered with layers of loam and turf, all of which is kept firmly in place by the addition of sections of plank nailed to uprights sunk in the sand, and crossing each other at light angles -- making squares of about 10 feet each. The purpose of the glacis, which is an inclined plane, is to expose an attacking party to the fire of the guns -- which are so placed as to sweep it from the crest of the counterscarp to the edge of the beach. On the north side, all the wooden gun cases have been placed close together on the ramparts, apparently for the purpose of securing it against an escalade, but possibly as a screen for a battery of heavy guns. A good many men are engaged in clearing the ramparts of turf and earth, for the purpose of putting down a very ugly-looking arrangement, which consists of strips of plank 4 inches, wide, 1 1/2 inches thick, and 6 or 8 feet long, sharpened at the point, and nailed down, so as to project about 3 feet horizontally from the top of the walls.

A noticeable fact in the bastionettes to which we have above alluded is the haste in which one of them has been built. The one completed is formed of solid masonry. In constructing the other, however, a framework of plank has been substituted. Against the inside of this wooden outwork loose bricks have been placed. Both bastionettes are armed with a small carronade, and a howitzer pointed laterally so as to command the whole intervening moat by a crossfire.

In the hurried execution of these extensive improvements, a large force -- about 170 men -- are constantly engaged. Additions are daily made to this number, and the work of putting the post in the best, possible condition for defence, is carried on with, almost incredible vigor.

A few days ago Col. GARDNER, who, for years, had held the post of Commandant, and whose courtesy and bearing had won the friendship of all who knew him, was relieved in the command by Maj. ROBERT ANDERSON, of Kentucky. Maj. ANDERSON received his first commission as Brevet 2d Lieut. 2d Artillery, July 1,1825; was acting Inspector-General in the Black Hawk war, and received the rank of Brevet-Captain August, 1836, for his successful conduct in the Florida war. On Sept. 8, 1847, he was made Brevet-Major for his gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey.

The other officers are: Capt. ABNER DOUBLEDAY, Capt, T. SEYMOUR, Lieut. T. TALBOT, Lieut. J.C. DAVIS, Lieut, N.J. HALL -- all of the First Regiment Artillery.

Capt. J.G. FOSTER and Lieut. G.W. SNYDER, of the Engineer corps.

Assistant Surgeon S.W. CRAWFORD, of the Medical Staff.

The force, under these gentlemen, consist of two Companies of Artillery. The companies, however, are not full, the two comprising, as we are informed, only about seventy men, including the Band. A short time ago, two additional companies were expected, but they have not come; and it is now positively stated that there will be, for the present at least, no reinforcement of the garrison.

While the working men are doing wonders on the outside, the soldiers within are by no means idle. Field pieces have been placed in position upon the green within the fort, and none of the expedients of military engineering have been neglected to make the position as strong as possible. It is said that the greatest vigilance is observed in every regulation at this time, and that the guns are regularly shotted every night. It is very certain that ingress is no longer an easy matter for an outsider, and the visitor who hopes to get in, must make up his mind to approach with all the caution, ceremony and circumlocution with which the allies are advancing upon the Capital of the Celestial Empire.

a work of solid masonry, octagonal in form, pierced on the north, east and west sides with a double row of port-holes for the heaviest guns, and on the south or land side, in addition to openings for guns, loop-holed for musketry, stands in the middle of the harbor on the edge of the ship-channel, and is said to be bomb proof. It is at present without any regular garrison. There is a large force of workmen -- some one hundred and fifty in all -- busily employed in mounting the guns and other wise putting this great strategic point in order. The armament of Fort Sumter consists of 140 guns, many of them being the formidable ten-inch "Columbiads," which throw either shot or shell, and which have a fearful range. Only a few of those are yet in position, and the work of mounting pieces of this calibre in the casements is necessarily a slow one. There is also a large amount of artillery stores, consisting of about 40,000 lbs. of powder, and a proportionate amount of shot and shell. The workmen engaged here sleep in the Fort every night, owing to the want of any regular communication with the city, The wharf or landing is on the south side, and is of course exposed to a cross fire from all the openings on that side.

is located on the southern extremity of a narrow slip of marsh land, which extends in a northerly direction to Hop Island Channel. To the harbor side the so-called castle presents a circular front. It has never been considered of much consequence as a fortress, although its proximity to the city would give it importance, if properly armed and garrisoned. From hasty observation, we find that there are about fifteen guns mounted on the parapet; the majority of them are eighteen and twenty-four pounders. Some "Columbians" are, however, within the walls. There are also supplies of powder, shot and shell. At present there is no garrison at the post; the only residents are one or two watchmen, who have charge of the harbor light. Some thirty or forty day laborers are employed repairing the cisterns and putting the place generally in order.

This concludes our sketch of the present aspect of affairs at the three forts, which were meant to be, and which should always remain, at once the pride and the safeguard of our city

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fortifications in Charleston Harbor.; Description of Fort Moultrie--Strength of the Garrison--Preparations for Defence

Published in NY Times on December 22, 1860
THE CHARLESTON FORTS.; MEANS OF DEFENCE--BATTERIES ERECTED AGAINST FORT MOULTRIE, &C.
The Boston Atlas publishes the following private letter to a gentleman in that City, which gives an interesting account of affairs at Charleston. The writer was at one time connected with the Army, but resigned his commission some years since. He speaks, therefore, somewhat more as an expert than many who have written: CHARLESTON, Dec. 13, 1860.
DEAR _____: In my travel northward I arrived at this place three days ago, and have waited here partly with a hope to see my friend the Major, without being interfered with by any of the spies and sneaks that so abound here in these troublous times, and partly with a notion of seeing some of the military preparations that are going on.

Through the criminal neglect of the authorities at Washington the defence of the forts in the harbor will depend more on their intrinsic strength than on any power that can be brought against their assailants. Moultric ought to be garrisoned by 800 men, and Sumter by 500, and Castle Pinckney by at least 200. The fortifications at Charleston would entitle it, in case of a foreign war and a siege, to the dignity at least of a brigade post, and here we have now, with a prospect of isolation from the city, whence in war the soldiers would derive their principal succors, and with that city at war with the forts, a petty skeleton of a major's command -- two incomplete companies. But Maj. ANDERSON, who won his brevet at the bloodiest battle ever fought, Molino del Ray, is determined that no court-martial shall ever censure him for cowardice or neglect of duty, and that the country shall say, had the President done his duty half as well as he, no blood would have dimmed the lustre of fraternal arms.

Fort Moultrie, the only garrisoned place, is situated on Sullivan's Island, and is an irregular fortification, of about the size and look of Fort Independence, but approaching nearer to the parallelogram in form. The four angles of this parallelogram are protected by out-works of the Redan form, and the whole fort is surrounded by a moat, which has been carefully cleared lately, and which is completely commanded by flanking guns on the out-works. Outside of the moat is a glacis, or sloping wall, of sand and loam, turfed over, and swept by the guns of the fort in every direction. The counterscarp is defended from escalade by palisades, projecting downward, with sharpened ends. Over 150 men have been constantly engaged in the work of clearing the defences of the accumulated sand drift of years, since the secession epidemic began to spread, and it is just possible that these may turnout in the end to be enlisted men of engineers, and combatants in any fracas that may ensue. Sullivan's Island is said to be extensively mined, and it may happen, that in case of an assault, some gentlemen will find themselves traveling skyward under the propulsive force of gunpowder. Against this fort the Secessionists are erecting two batteries, one at the end of the island and the other on the mainland. I do not know of their having any heavy guns or material of siege, but have heard of mortars being ordered from New-York. Sales of aims to Secessionists would seem to be treason, but the mercantile conscience is elastic.

Fort Sumter stands near the middle of the harbor, at the edge of the channel. This has no garrison, but has about 100 to 150 workmen engaged in putting the defences in order and mounting the guns (enlisted men of engineers?). This fort is said to contain an immense quantity of powder, shot and shell, mounts 140 cannon, many of them ten-inch shot, and shell guns of great range and accuracy, and could be defended by a handful of men against army.

Castle Pinckney derives its chief importance at this time from the fact that the city may be shelled from it. In a strategic point of view, it is of less importance than the others at the present crisis.

Another thing which makes me doubt the military ardor of the "cockades," is the fact that up to this day no gentleman has been found willing to be military engineer of the State in its approaching contest. The batteries I have spoken of are an amateur construction, built by ordinary laborers. And no systematic assault on Moultrie could be made without a well-constructed pontoon train, under the charge of an experienced military engineer. This can hardly yet be had; and so, in spite of the talk of the fire-eaters, I do not think that any immediate systematic assault on Fort Moultrie will be had.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fortifications in Charleston Harbor.; Description of Fort Moultrie--Strength of the Garrison--Preparations for Defence

appeared in the NY Times December 18, 1860

The Forts at Charleston.
All other questions connected with secession become unimportant, in view of the position of Fort Moultrie, at Charleston. Sixtyfive men, under a gallant and loyal officer, constitute its only garrison, and are instructed to hold it against assault. South Carolina has for months threatened secession, in the event of LINCOLN's election, and the seizure of that fort is an indispensable incident of secession. Six weeks before the election a force of three hundred men was collected, for the purpose of being sent to reinforce that garrison; but just as they were ready to start, Secretary FLOYD, -- for reasons which he may possibly explain, -- countermanded the order, and they were sent to California. From that day to this nothing has been done to strengthen the garrison. A month ago Gen. SCOTT addressed directly to the President, an elaborate paper representing the absolute necessity of sending reinforcements to all the Southern forts, and designating the number needed for each, and the posts from which they could be obtained. No notice whatever has been taken of this urgent-recommendation. Col. ANDERSON, the officer in command, has asked for reinforcements, and his request has been refused.

On the other hand, 75,000 stand of arms have been deposited in an arsenal in Charleston -- which has been taken and is now held by a Company of armed Secessionists, who recently stopped an attempt to remove some percussion caps from the building to the Fort. Active measures have been taken by Col. ANDERSON to put the fort in a condition for defence -- and yet even this, as we have been informed on respectable authority, has been done without orders from the War Department.

To all the applications for aid the President gives a peremptory denial. The oldest and most loyal member of his Cabinet has resigned, rather than share the responsibility for such proceedings. Fort Moultrie, meantime, stands in so weak a condition as to invite an attack, and the only security for the little garrison which has charge of it consists in the forbearance of the Secessionists, -- or in their fear of precipitating a conflict of arms with the Federal Government.

What their real designs are, we are left to conjecture. It is not very likely that they would avow them, if they were hostile. Mr. BUCHANAN is said to repose on assurances from the Secessionists that they will not attack the fort, unless the garrison should be reinforced. It is natural enough that they should make such a promise, in order to prevent the sending of reinforcements. But it is incredible that the President, who is responsible for its security, should comply with the demand. Meantime we find in the Charleston Mercury, the organ of the Secessionists, the following communication upon this subject:

Mr. EDITOR: It appears, from a communication in the Mercury of the 8th instant, that our Community is somewhat disturbed and perplexed at the presence of United States troops at Forts Moultrie and Sumter, and very much at a loss to determine how to proceed against these places.

We are of opinion that the policy of a "masterly inactivity," with reference to them, is the true one for the present -- that is to say, until our Convention has passed her ordinance of secession -- due notice thereof been given to the Government at Washington, and a reasonable time allowed that Government for the withdrawal of their troops. Then, if these troops are not withdrawn, they must be driven out, be the cost what it may. For to allow a foreign nation, and an unfriendly one, to retain possession of one foot of land upon our soil, would be an anomaly and an acknowledgment of weakness, on our part, which would make us the "laughing stock" of the world. Therefore, these places must become ours.

But can it be supposed, for one moment, that the Government at Washington, would be guilty of the folly -- the wickedness -- the crime -- of attempting to hold them. It knows perfectly well that such an attempt would result in the immolation of every man of their garrison. And it knows too -- for its President has just said so in his Message -- that no surer means could be devised for breaking up the "glorious Union," and for extinguishing forever every hope (if any there still be) of its "reconstruction."

Possibly there may be among us some who would glory and rejoice in the opportunity thus to seal the bond of dissolution -- and, at the same time, of placing upon the page of Carolina's history the records of another "battle of Fort Moultrie" -- one, too, before the splendors of which those of the "28th June" would grow dim, brilliant as they were.

But we may rest assured this opportunity will be denied us.

If in this expectation we should be mistaken, however, and the bloody alternative of an escalade left to as, we will accept it. But let the Government at Washington bear it in mind, that, as we will ask none -- so, we will give no quarter! And, God defend the right! JASPER.

This is rather "in the 'Ercles vein," -- but there is some reason in it, nevertheless. If South Carolina is in earnest about seceding, she must take these forts, if she can; for so long as they are held by the Federal Government, the payment of duties can be enforced, -- and so long as the duties are paid, secession is a mere sham. It is possible she does not mean to make any attempt upon them; -- but that is simply another way of saying that she does not mean to secede.

Mr. BUCHANAN has no right to act upon any such presumption. He has taken upon himself a fearful responsibility in leaving those forts in their present condition. If they should be attacked, the country will hold him responsible for every life that may be lost. And if the brave garrison that now holds it should be sacrificed, the execrations of millions of our people would be heaped upon his head. Gen. SCOTT, Gen. WOOL, every prominent officer of the army, have joined their urgent representations of the absolute necessity of sending reinforcements. He has turned to them all a deaf ear. Whatever may be the issue, he has incurred a heavy and most serious responsibility.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Fortifications in Charleston Harbor.; Description of Fort Moultrie--Strength of the Garrison--Preparations for Defence

appeared in the NY Times on December 21, 1860

Gen. Cass and the President's Policy about Fort Moultrie.
No official statement has yet appeared of the precise points of difference between the President and Gen. CASS. The following, from, a Washington letter in the Boston Courier, gives the most detailed account of the matter we have seen. It is interesting, also, as giving the positions of Gen. SCOTT and Secretary FLOYD on the same subject:

"The issue between the President and the Secretary of State is understood to have related exclusively to the question of reinforcing or of increasing the garrison at Fort Moultrie. Gen. SCOTT has been in this city several days, and his opinion been obtained as to the propriety or necessity, in a military point of view, of strengthening the command at the fort in question. The officer in command at the fort, deeming the garrison inadequate to its defence, has asked for an augmentation of force; and the disagreement in the Cabinet arose from the question of complying with his requisition. Gen. SCOTT, whose opinion is, of course, professional rather than political, is decidedly in favor of the augmentation. There is, at present, but one company in the garrison, which Gen. SCOTT decides, as any military man would decide; to be wholly insufficient to resist any determined attack. The Secretary, of War, as well as Mr. Cass, coincided with Gen. Scott's opinion -- both being influenced in their judgment, Mr. CASS more particularly, by political as well as military considerations. The Secretary of War is supposed to be more in sympathy with South Carolina, and less unfavorably inclined towards her contemplated measure of secession than was the Secretary of State; but as a matter of just and commendable pride, he is said to have promised himself and to have pledged the Government that he will deliver the South Carolina, as well as other fortifications of the Union, intact to his successor in office. Mr. CASS, disapproving of secession, as a right as well as a matter of expediency and propriety, in the present position of South Carolina, maintains that the Government would be derelict in duty if it were to leave Port Moultrie in its present condition, when there is reason to believe that an effort will soon be made to wrest it from our hands. To suffer the fort thus to pass from its control into the hands of a revolutionary State, would virtually be treachery on the part of the General Government.

The President naturally desires to avoid, if possible, a collision with South Carolina, and especially such a collision as he is firmly convinced will result from any movement whatever towards strengthening the fortifications on her coast. The purpose of South Carolina has been expressed to him privately, and has been announced publicly, to possess itself in due time -- that is, when its act of secession has been consummated, of those forts. She will claim them as her property, and as indispensable to her safety, in the new position she intends to assume. He has received assurances, such as he regards as sufficient, that South Carolina will do nothing to precipitate a collision with the General Government during the few remaining days of the present Administration. The simple declaratory act of secession cannot, without some overt act, bring on a collision -- certainly not immediately."

If these statements are reliable, they leave Mr. BUCHANAN in a much worse position than before. Gen. SCOTT, the highest military authority in the country, is decidedly of opinion that the garrison at Fort Moultrie is not adequate to its defence. Major ANDERSON, the officer in command, has asked for reinforcements, as absolutely necessary to the performance of the duty which has been assigned him. The Secretary of the War Department concurs in the necessity and propriety of sending them, in spite of his sympathy with the action of South Carolina. Gen. CASS, the head of the Cabinet, urges the duty of complying with the request of Major ANDERSON, as not only essential to the maintenance of the fortress, but as necessary to protect the General Government from the suspicion of treachery.

Against all these urgent representations, based upon common sense and reinforced by professional experience and political wisdom, Mr. BUCHANAN opposes an obstinate refusal. And that, too, after he has been privately assured by the authorities of South Carolina that she intends to take the forts after her act of secession from the Union. And his only apology for such a course is, that he has received what he deems sufficient assurances that she will not do so during the few remaining days of his Administration.

Mr. BUCHANAN, therefore, understands perfectly that it is the intention of South Carolina to seize the forts, possibly during his term, and instantly at the accession of his successor at the latest. Yet he refuses to lift a finger towards putting them in a defensible position. He deems it no part of his duty -- certainly no part which he intends to fulfill -- to protect the country from any evils which do not threaten it during his administration. He is perfectly willing to scuttle the ship if he can only get ashore. This is his conception of patriotism and public duty.

Suppose, on the morning after LINCOLN's inauguration, the fort should be attacked, and that Major ANDERSON and his command, acting under Mr. BUCHANAN's orders, should be sacrificed in its defence. Upon whose head would rest the responsibility? Who would answer for their blood? Against whom would the execrations of an indignant nation be hurled? Not Mr. LINCOLN, for he will have had no opportunity to do an act or say a word for their relief. Mr. BUCHANAN will be held responsible, by public opinion, for every life that may be lost, and for every drop of blood that may be shed in that contingency. He will carry into private life a heavier weight of responsibility, and more scathing curses from the American people, than have ever hitherto followed any high officer into his retirement.

At any time previous to secession Mr. BUCHANAN might have sent troops to Fort Moultrie, without dispute or doubt of his authority from any quarter. It was universally conceded that the Fort was the property of the United States, and that it was the duty of the President to protect and defend it. After secession, South Carolina will claim it as her property: -- and although the claim is utterly worthless, many beyond that State will regard it as a basis of opposition to the action of the General Government. And the result in either case must he the same.

The greatest curse that can befall a nation is to have a traitor, a coward, or an imbecile at its head in a great crisis of its affairs. Mr. BUCHANAN seems determined, upon his retirement, to hand over the whole power of the Government to the Disunionists, instead of the man whom the people have elected President. The first duty, as it will be the first necessity, of Mr. LINCOLN, will be to reclaim the authority thus basely betrayed. We trust there will prove to be vigor enough in our Government not only to accomplish this result, but also to punish treason wherever it may be found.