The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-05

1EKLY HAWK-EYE'
THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
Report of Gillmore's Chief or Ar.
MORRIS ISLAND, 8. c., Aug. %, IS63.-To
Gen. Gilmore, Commanding Department Of
| the hoEsh:-GENERAL, / have the honor to
report the effect that our preaching bate
ries have had upon Fort Sumter. and the
condition of that work tonight, at the
close OF the seventh days bombardment.
The gorge wall of the fort is almost a
complete mass of ruins for the distance of
several classmates. About midway on this
face the ramparts are removed nearly, and
IN some places quite to the arches, and but
for the sand bags with which the classmates
were filled, and which have served to sus-
tain the broken arches and masses of ma
sonry, 1t would long since have been en-
tlrely cut away, and with it the arches to
the floor of the second tier of casemates.
The debris Of this front room forms a
rampant reaching as high as the floor of
these classmates.
ly faces is completely carried away, small
portion only being left in the angle made
with the gorge wall, and the ramparts Of
these faces are also total ruin.
Quite one half OF our projectiles seem to
have struck the parade and parapet of
these two faces, and judging from the effect
they have had upon the gorge wall within
our observation, the destruction of mason
ry on these two sides must have been very
great, and am of the opinion that nearly
every arch in these fronts must be broken
in, but one gun remaining in position on
these two fronts, and this one in the angle
of the gorge, and think unserviceable.
The rnins extends around, taking in the
north easterly face as far as can be SEEM
A portion of this face, adjoining the angle
it makes with hesouth-easterly facet is con-
cealed from view, but from the great num-
Der of missiles which have struck in this
angle during the last two days it cannot be
otherwise than greatly damaged, and do
not think any guns can be left on this face
in a serviceable condition.
The ramparts in this angle, as well as on
the south-easterly face, must be plowed up
and greatly shattered, the parapet in this
latter place being torn off in many places
as we can see, and 1 hardly think the plat
forms of the three remaining guns over
their face could have escaped.
With the assistance of a powerful glass, I
cannot determine that more than one of
these guns can be used, and it has been dis
mounted once.
The carriages of the others are evidently
more or less shattered, and such is the ruin
of the parapet and parade in the immedi-
ate vicinity of this gun that it probably
could not be served for any length of time.
/ In fine, the destruction of the fort is so
far complete that it is to day of no avail in
the defense of the harbor of Charleston
By a longer fire it can be made more COM
pletely a ruin, and a mass of broken ma
sonry, but could scarcely be more power
less for defense of the harbor.
/, therefore respectfully submit my opin-
ion that continuance of our fire is no
longer necessary, as giving us no ends adj
quate for the consumption of our resources.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN N. TURNER,
Colonel and Chief of Artillery.
SHORT VIEW OF SUMTER.-The view of
Fort Sumter from Morris Island was most
satisfactory. We could look direct into the
west front and see the shell plunging into
The ruins. 1 would like to give you a
drawing of its rugged appearance, but my
genius does not run in that line. Suffice it
to say that the parapet, with the upper ten
feet of this entire side of the structure, is
gone, exposing to view the interior of the
arches Of the classmates built against the
wall, which were packed with sand-bags.
The classmates on this side of the fort were
intended for the garrison to live in, and are
similar to those on the sea front, except
there Were no portfolios to them. The
debris that have fallen on to the wharf, was
scaled out to the depth of about three feet,
| and filled with deep pits, showing that the
balance must soon yield to the constant
boring it is now receiving. Many of the
shells pass over the top of the ruins, and
strike the interior of the front wall of the
fort, and explode there. What damage is
thus done to the inside is not visible, but it
must be considerable. All who viewed it
on Thursday, from Morris Island, were
convinced that the promise of Capt. Packer
| for it's reduction by Saturday will be very
likely realized. The 3OO-pounder is now
up, and will do fearful execution to-mor-
row.
The rebel flag, torn and tattered by frag-
| ments of shell, still foated over the front
parapet on Thursday evening.
A gumber of rebels could be seen on this
mass Of ruins, lodging the shells, with
spade in hand, shoveling sand down into
the opening of the arches, and packing in
sand bags to prevent the entrance of shells
underneath them. When we left the inlet,
late in the evening, however, the tops OF
were passing through and exploding in the
interior. s,. r.s..-. az ...s,-s d, -.s-e gs...
| Friday, August %, 1863.
| THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS cannonading
during the past night was very heavy, and
the three monitors which went out early in
| the morning on picket duty joined occa-
sionally in the melee. This morning the
cannonading was terrific, and the 30Opound
Parrot gun of Gen. Gilmore is speaking
high above the smaller guns. Each report
jars the windows and timbers Of the flag
ship.
ARRIVAL OF DEsERTERs.-The monitor
Montauk brought down this morning from
her picket station, close under the walls Of
Sumter, seven rebel deserters from Sulli-
vans Island. They were picked up in, q
boat, while endeayoring to make their way
into our lines. They state that they belong
to North Carolina regiment, the troops
from which State they represent as greatly
dissatisfied, and looking with great ankle.
| ty for a proclamation from Gov. Vance
| ordering their return home. They repre-
sent them as determined. in such an event
to fight their way out Of the rebel ranks il
necessary. They say that their hatred FOL
South Car DINA and South Carolina troops
is greater than their dislike of Massachu.
sets and the Yankees. 4rI.=
| The most important Information they
I brine 10 II, ralafi0n To Fort SnmfQr CON