Preparation for the Capture of Fort Sumter.

Barrycdog

Major
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Jan 6, 2013
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Buford, Georgia
Southern Confederacy, Mar. 7, 1861 -- page 2

Preparation for the Capture of Fort Sumter.

A Charleston correspondent of Columbia, South Carolina, thus describes the preparations which
are being made for the capture of Fort Sumter: Cummins Point Battery ( Fort Stevens) has at last
been finished. It is covered on the outside with railroad iron, and is almost as impregnable as Fort Sumter. Three large mortars, bearing on the latter, are mounted in it, and three sixty four pounders bearing in the same direction. Anderson's largest guns are pointed against the battery, but our soldiery have very little fear of them. This fort is on Morris Island and within 5/9 of a mile from Fort Sumter. Fort Morris half a mile further off, has also several heavy guns mounted. A few twenty four pounders are mounted on Fort Johnson's, but these are not expected to do much destruction. The greatest reliance is placed on the mortars - three of the largest size being mounted in it.

By the by, I hear it hinted that three bombs will be filled with cayenne pepper and other smothering combustibles.Outside of Fort Moultrie , on Sullivan's Island are two mortar batteries - seven being mounted in one and four in the other. The two forts have been bound together by iron bars. The "floating battery" is almost completed. It is expected that it will be ready for use during this or next week. It is thirty feet high - contains an upper and lower deck. The works in front forms an angle of 20 degrees with the horizon, and will be covered with railroad iron. Four cannon, sixty four pounders will be placed upon each deck and a company or companies of artillery and infantry will man it. I hear from a good authority, that it will be brought close under the beleaguered fortress, and it is hoped that the Major ( Anderson) will open fire. We can say to him in truth-

"Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own;
No maiden's arm is round thee thrown;
That desperate grasp thy frame must feel,
Tho' bars of brass and triple steel !"
 
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