Affairs at Fort Sumter--a plan for reinforcements.
The
Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune gives the result of the visit to
Fort Sumter of
Capt. Fox, who was sent by the
President.
The agent has returned to
Washington, and the correspondent says:
‘
It is very well understood that he had a plan for introducing reinforcements, which had been submitted to the members of the
Cabinet, and was regarded as measurably practicable, but attended with the probability, if not certainty, of collision, which constituted the chief objection to its adoption.--He is perfectly familiar with all the approaches to the harbor of
Charleston, having been long connected with the Coast Survey, and had practical experience as the commander of one of
Aspinwall's steamers.
His scheme did not contemplate any serious danger in running the gauntlet of the batteries on the islands which guard the channels, but only in landing the men and provisions at
Sumter, after it had been reached.
If a fire was opened upon his transports from
Fort Moultrie or the other batteries, it would be necessary for
Sumter to silence them in order to discharge the reinforcements.
Any attempt, therefore, looking to that object, would almost inevitably lead to bloodshed, and before resorting to it the Administration would be constrained to expect that alternative.
Even if successful without great loss of life, nothing would be gained but the retention of a fortress which has only a local value in protecting
Charleston, and is of no national moment whatever.
’
Captain Fox is fully impressed with the courage, integrity and sincerity of
Major Anderson, with whom, however, his communication was necessarily limited, as
Gov. Pickens sent
Capt. Hartstein, late of our Navy, as an escort with him to the
Fort, who kept within earshot during most of the interview, or, at least, near enough to prevent any free communication.
He considers that the
Fort can be reinforced either by a military operation, which, of course, would require a force not at the disposal of the
President, or by the strategy already referred to, with its attendant hazards of a desperate conflict.
The supply of provisions now in the garrison will probably enable
Maj. Anderson to sustain his command reasonably well until the 15th of April. From all the facts disclosed by this investigation, it is manifest that
Fort Sumter must be abandoned, or civil war inaugurated.
Capt. Fox is cautious, intelligent, and well-informed, and was brought to the notice of the
Government by
Mr. Aspinwall, and some of the principal ship-owners of New York and
Boston.
Mr. Lamon, of
Illinois, who also went to
Charleston to make certain inquiries, will return to-morrow evening, or the next morning.
After all the information has been laid before the
President, and he has satisfied his own mind conclusively as to the absolute necessity, the order withdrawing
Major Anderson will be approved.
