Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-30
THE UNION FORCES IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
ALL READY FOR BATTLE.
Correspondence of the Ne,o York Tribune.

HILTON HEAD, Is. C J APRIL 20, 1868
The second expedition has not yet sailed but is ready
at any moment to receive the order The same trans
ports which have been in and Of the habor so many
times again laden with troops not quite as iubant
cheerful when they set sail three weeks since but
not by any means hopeless dishearened The army
in the Department of the South has not yet had its mete
fairly tried The battles James Island and at Pocsta
go. although by called repuses that
led by competent officers fears need be entertained
that victory will await them if overwhelmingly out
numbered Having been comparatively idle for more than
year, fight would be looked upon by them as god
send and woald if possible be entered into with too much
ardor is to be hoped that this patriotic ime may not
be smothered and allowed go through the want of
skill the part of superior officers furnish the oppor
uny for it to manifest itself in heroic deeds we'll as
noble desires.
The Monitor feet together with the army also ready
The PatapscO and the Montauk moving out of the
harbor, bound for Folly Island Before the close of this
week all the ncads in this department again will be
within the bar at Charleston. When the attack will be
reopened it is difficult to but that another and more
desperate engagement in which both the army and the
navy will this time participate, at band one can
doubt Charleston must be in our possession
later; If not within the next six weeks il will not be within
six months Hot weather is almost upon us Troops on
the march already seek the shade and blankets
drop the wayde We begin to hear typhoid and typhus
the hospitals Something must be done nme dately or in
the spring campaign will have closed disgrace to the
national and the department Of the South up to the
present moment will not have to say the least very
brilliant record in history.
From Edsto and Stone this morning we learn that the
rebels strengthening their lines of esthworks upon
Johns and Jamess Islands mounting the forts along
Edisto and Stone rivers and daily growing more be
geren and maneslng disposition to take the offensive
themselves Deserters report that troops from Savannah
being sent to Charleston and put work upon earth
works along Waupoo creek and Stone river and that an
effort is being made to make Charleston imp feguabe
The old pro-slavery dsoyal mutnous spirit has not en-
rey disappeared from some Of the regiments in this de-
partment. Col Rust, Of the Eighth Maine, loyal and
Woodworking officer who has endeavored in every parti-
cuar to carry out the views of the Commanding General
OF this department. upon discovering thst few Of his off,
GERS were plotting to thwart h efforts solely because he
in favor OF standing by his General and the Admins
tration, reported their to headquarters General
Hunter with his usual promptness 10 such matters i'm
medately teegraphed to Beaufort, where the Eighth
Maine stationed order to have the mutinous Off
GERS arrested This morning Lieut. Col Twitchell and
Dr. Mitchell have had the opportunity to resign be dis
charged in Disgrace from the army They have accepted
the first alternative. IL evident that Gem Hunter ia
determined to crush the least symptoms Of dsoya nsub
ordination.
Gen. Hunter yesterday spent the day at Beaufort and
with the Rev Mr. French visited the negro
Some rebel officer desiring to communicate with Cen
Hunter by flag OF truce at Port Royal Ferry instructed
the officer bearing to hold inte course with any officer
commanding negro regiment. As Col Hggoson hap
pened to be the officer in command the flag truce was
returned, with no answer.
From Florida learn that there are no rebels in arms
east Of the St johns river Col Putnam Of the Seventh
New Hampshire, in command at st Augustine, to return
TO Hilton Head and take command Of brigade in the d.
vision OF Gen. Terry sufficient force will still be left at
st Augustine and FerDandna hold them against any
force the rebels can bring against them.
The Clerk Of the United States Prize Court has absc nded
with about 800 900 Of Government funds He obtained
permission TO witt Havana for the alleged purpose If pro-
curing sword which TO be presented Col Good by
certain parties in Key West who allowed to remain
after the arrival of that officer to take command.
The Port Royal New south" Of April lS gives promi-
hence editorislly to the following paragraph:
The renforcemens ordered and on their way
from the North will elevate this department TO the
hrrt rank in public interest aud military Importance We
not at liberty to give further Indications but this much
certain that the gray backs along Southern coast are
about to have some lively AMI interesting times /"