New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-17
FI0m CuE SQecGl IcHosI onleni.
Or CHARLFsToN Sept. II. ls63.

Dahigrcn's Threat Of Retaliation.
From Cur Special ccHeT ouleu,.
or CHARLESTON Sept Il, 1853.
On Tuesday, Sept. :, loat-expeGi,iol from
Ire Navy was organized for an assault " Fort Sumcr
Tie command was given to Capt Thomas II. stevens,
Of the Monitor PotaTscoi Lieut.. Morcau Forrest; Of:
Admiral Dallgfens StaG. acting as Aid.
Tie expedition was divided into FIVE divisions nun
terine in all AS men, commanded by the following
named officers:
First Division Capt. z T. Williams Ensign Wallace, 60
marines Third Division, Flag Lieuteuaui :. w Preston
knsisn Brewer, - sailors Is marines ouh Division Lielt
Cewey - marines. Total - .aiors. ia marines.
Ims lat division consisted q battalion o marine solder!
nom shoIe.l
The expedition left the far ship at % O'Clock in the
evening under tow Of the steantur DafFod stopping
alongside the Monitors Lelieh and Montauk. with or.
ders for them % up and cover in case FIRE was
opened upon the boats on Mourie any Of the forts
IL the haIbos
Al l2 o'clock the expedition cast OF nom the tug
ntont 600 yards from sumter and headed for the fort
in line abreast tic division under Gen. Hlggirsou
starting 10 go round with tie object Of making fcui
the north face the battalion Il MARINES being ordered
20 remain at distance Of 10 yards and fIc az the
enemy should any make their appearance on the
par.pet
The NIGHT very dark in many respects fayoring
he eYrtl.!on which was rot discovered tn TIE dip Of
he oars in the water alarmed the sentinel the walls
wlo Immediately challenged Tie usual answer. "A
'r.ond given when lie demanded tie counicsign.
and receiving reply. called 10 the corporal of tn
guard that tile fort attacked al tie time dis
tharcnc his muskei 20 arouse the sleeping garrison.
1t soon became evident 10 hose IN the boats from the
rr which followed that they would meet wit deter
mined resistance bnt they were Lot prepared for tho
sudden yoley Of uskctry which hailed them from The
iort when within only fifteen yards enycloing as it
Gid for the moment The whole parapet in q sheet Of
Game. At this moment o signal rocket was sent up.
and Moutrie, Bee and BeauTcgard opened simul,a
seously with destructive fIe II shTainei Gn1 shell
ty which two q the boats swaHpcd almost imme
ia.ely and the men those WHO were not too
severely wounded 20 exert thcuselycS LETT sirug
yng in the water. Instantly. with The momen.
tary cessation Of this FIRE Two small steamers con
ccaod b.l.nd tie font emerged from their hiding
place and poured grape and canister among them then
retrcatod The boats pushed on, however end about
20 of our men. .il uDdaunted succeeded in landing
amid terrific explosion O. hand gIcnades and shower
ofm.sses such bricks, roc and the like. LIEUT..
PIes;ous division among TIE frst to land, Bidding
bis zen follow lin lc charged up among tie debris eGg.
:CgnC1s the gorge wall but tho ascent was 90 steep
and the Of gubsh 20 loose that many obliged
70 lay aside thcr and climb with hands and feet 10
he top. From tie breach here the enemy rolled ont
.hciT ten inch she'll with fuses lighted falling among our
men and prostra,ing them Ike many ten pins ex
poding almost Instantly, dealing death and distruc-
hon around. With the retreat Of the two steamers,
Mou.tFle Bee and Beauregard again opened fire the
Strapped striking against the fort and falling into the
water Ike much hail 4 second and third charge
ordered with Ike results to the first when the word
was given to retreat. Many Of the boats were swaaped
turing the action those that could be brought Off
but the remainder Lad to be left behind.
The following are The names Of the officers captured
Lieut. Commander L. 7. Willsins, Lieut. q. c. Reiney
Flsg Lieutenant : " Preston Lieut.. D. r. Brewer Endgn
teyeIesy, Lieut. Mc5de, L. s. NJ c. Acting Masters Mate
Dayton, IN hand
Only three - actually Known 10 have been
killed bnt there must have been others. Our whole oss
is estimated AT one hundred and fifty The enemy say
they have one hundred and tlirty prisoners.
flag Of truce went up the fort Oh Wednesday
carving clothes and some provisions II returned
bringing number Of snClaagos from the Prisoners 10
Their friends in the feet. Also the impairment state
nent that shogd we frc on Sumter they would place
Our men on the paFapct an told that Admiral Dahl.
qren has expressed his intention should this inhumanity
De exercised 10 ash TIE pIisOLcIs we nave DohghD 10
them TO tie turrets Of Monitors and give battle.
These would prove, ] imagine, more effective safe
guard than either bales Of hay or cotton.
viii no attempt TO say where the blame lies in this
matter whether in the planning or the execution {" IT,
or whether IT should should not have been attempted
That IT was most unfortunate affair cannot be denied
that its object is impossible Of execution with proper
disposal and use Of force cannot be made TO believe
saors certainly not the men for an assault Ike This
true they are agile and accustomed 10 climbing but
almost entirely unused TO handling arms Tie small
number Of marines inadequate to cope with the
strong garrison Of the fort upward Of five hundred
with the additional advantage Of being hidden and pro-
tecied by brick walls
Gen. Beameguds obstinate holding Of this point
would seem 10 indicate that it IT, in s present
dismantled and reduced state the key 10 Charleston
HaIbor Under the fires Of Forts Moultrie, johnson,
Battery Bee and BeauregaId even did we occupy IT, we
could hardly put it in offensive positions II must
remain nd it now In The precise relative value which
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