Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-09-03


gineers.
The Boston Journal thinks that the contest now 60
ing on at Charleston between two of the best, if not
absolutely the two best engineers in their respective
armies is extremely interesting in every point of view
besides that which concerns itself with the national
bearings Of the result. 1t says:
1t is universally admitted that if Beauregard is good
for any thing in the way of generaIship is as an en-
gneer. And he probably is very accomplished and
ingenious In that line of service. s ctuaI exploits
thus far are rot proofs OF great originality perhaps
the occasions did not call for it, but they show no de-
tects IN bis claims to be first Class engineer But
General Gilmore, in his reduction of Fort Pulaski de.
monstrated highly original and brilliant qualities
w hat he accomplished in that is we'll knovn but
the following statement by the Philadelphia North
American OF the immense birres OF routine opinion
which be lad the b0ldness attack ard denolish al
the same time, best shows what stuff the made
OF:
1t is stated that General Wright, for three Years
Chet OF the EOgneer Bureau at WASHINGTON after a
careful survey, pronounced most positively against the
practlca0ilty OF an attack on Pulaski, stating that
there Is not old iron enough America to take that
for General Iotten long the heat OF the entire Eu-
gineer CorTs is reported to have said, you might as
well undertake to lombard the Rocky Mountains from
lybee as sort Pulaski. General Robert L. Lee gave
rebel testimony 10 the same point " TIE enemy may
I'LL your fort with shot and SHE'LL they cannot breach lis
walls" But the increduOus Gilmore insisted on an
opportunity to drag some cannon miles f)atng
MARSHES 10 little firm land on which he proposed to
plant them for breeching battery aud by some strange
chance he was permitted to do so. The world krOws
the eff ct Fort Pulaski and inform ed that
It's quence with the branch of the service which
he was attached was to make General Gilmore the
best hated officer in the Engineer Corps"
In the present struggle Gilmore has displayed deci-
ded superiority over Beauregard in respect-that
is in getting his foothod on Morris Island II be had
been kept ont Of that-and he might have been-he
could have made no progress but that having been
cured and held, he has fair field and need ask IA
vora. At the very starting point, therefore, General
Gilmore evinced generaship of hgher grade than
belongs to the strict department OF engineering. AS
for what is to come the exprienl of Pulaski only
give confidence without determining specific results
the conditions Of the problem being different. Sum
ter is farther of from General Gmoe's batteries than
Pulaski it is of instead of brick, and is ad
ditionally protected by tiers of cotton bales. On the
other hand, General Gilmore has much heavier and
batter ordnance than be had at Pulaski, and IT.
teries besides having the aid of the roi-cads, the
balance of the conditions is believed to be not against
the present undertaking. but experience alone settle
the question.
But Gen. Gilmore and his gallant troops as we'll as
the whole loyal public, sanguine in the conviction
that his is only question of time. 1t is mill
tary axiom that every fortified place can &c taken, if
~ the proper means are expended. The Government
that there shall be failure in the in the case
Men, ordnance, and the requisite material of all kinds
will be supplied in abundance. Let the people, there
FORE be 10 haste to the cradle of rebellion brought
low. The work must go scientifically to DE efactual,
and should not be hurried. 1t reported that the
grand attack to BE opened last Thursday, but
are assured, good authority, hat Gen. Gilmore will
not be ready to give the word for action before today
or tomorrow Perhaps, also, day or tw0's addition
al delay may BE 5sary. But the third contest at
Charle9On-ths time the battle Of the engineeIs-wil
soon begin, and will we confident, march steadily
to the complete satisfaction of all loyal and tie
confusion of traitors.