At half past two o'clock our reporter visited Sullivan's
Island. Quietness reigned throughout Moultrieville, and it
was not until the fort was reached that he noticed any signs
of activity. Here, however, was a change. Instead of a mass
of smoking ruins, were the well-defined lines of the fortress,
unchanged, at least in outward appearance. Instead of utter
abandonment on the part of the garrison, the senior office of
Engineers and six men maintained possession of the stronghold.
Instead of gaining ready admittance, a solid sentinel barred
the way, whilst a succession of carts loaded with canister and
grape, cooking utensils and cooking stoves, made their devious
way to the lighter in attendance, to convey the ill assorted
cargo to Fort Sumter. It was very easy to see that the fort
had been virtually abandoned, but it was not so easy to
ascertain the full extent of the damage. The barracks were
still standing, though stripped of their furniture, and
deserted by their tenants. In short, it was plain enough an
evacuation had taken place, and that visitors to Major
ANDERSON were expected to leave their cards at Fort Sumter.
From the citizens it was gleaned that the guns had been tarred
and spiked, and that the small columns of smoke rising from
the interior proceeded from the burning gun carriages. One or
two, more mysterious than the rest, stated, with ominous
shakings of the head, that the whole interior of the fort had
been undermined, and that it was perilous to venture within its
walls.
The effect of the news was immediately visible in the
streets of our city. The volunteers were out in full force
and under arms. The Cadet Riflemen and the Palmetto Guard,
with a detachment of City Police, were detailed to take charge
of the Arsenal, and a line of patrols was established around
the walls.
REF: The Charleston Mercury - 28 DEC 1860
