Special Despatch to the N. Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON, March 17. —The decision in regard to the withdrawal of Major Anderson’s command now rests exclusively with the President. He has had the fullest oral and written opinions of General Scott and the most skillful officers of the army, and the spoken and written counsel of every member of his Cabinet. No determination was reached yesterday. Mr. Lincoln is fully sensible of the important responsibility which rests upon him, and will decide finally with the full knowledge that he is to bear it before the country.
It is known that after a deliberate investigation of all the facts, the Cabinet, with one exception, approve the military judgment of Gen. Scott, and yield to it as a necessity which cannot be avoided. This almost unanimous concurrence on the part of men who have been supposed to regard this subject from opposite standpoints, and to hold different views of policy for its treatment, is sufficient to show that there must be the most sufficient reasons for this conclusion.
Various modes have been suggested for reinforcing Fort Sumter, but not one of them can stand the scrutiny of scientific military authority, and all others are unworthy of consideration.—Some emanate from civilians, and others from naval officers of respectable standing. They propose a demonstration at night through the shallow parts of the entrance to Charleston harbor, sending in the men and supplies by boats. These plans have been discussed for some time in naval circles, but with a few exceptions they have not been regarded as practicable, though there are many officers who would cheerfully command such an expedition.
It is stated upon the best military authority that Major Anderson’s present force could not hold out forty-eight hours in the event of a collision with the batteries now concentrated against him in full play. The physical endurance required to work his heavy guns would be exhausted in that time.—He could, doubtless, destroy Fort Moultrie and sacrifice many hundred lives’ besides, but would be compelled to surrender from causes beyond human control. It is easy for those who have no responsibility to propose plans and to blame others for not adopting them; but if an experiment should be tried against the advice of the most experienced soldiers and fail, who would avert the execration which would follow it? Mr. Lincoln will deliberate well before deciding.
Fort Pickens
There is no intention of abandoning Fort Pickens, whatever may be the necessity in regard to Fort Sumter. On the contrary, since the recent military preparations by the revolutionists, orders have been sent to land the troops from the Brooklyn and other sloops of-war, to reinforce Lieutenant Slemmer’s command. That was Mr. Holt’s order at the first sign of a hostile purpose. The reinforcements were not actually landed, because assurances were given that no attack was meditated, and to satisfy the Peace Convention.
Jefferson Davis has recently sent secret orders to the commander of his troops at Pensacola.
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