The New York herald., 1863-08-29

4
sorve The weeks imports dry goods nj hs port were
20 tho value Of 81 43o o including $1702o2 N entries
for CONSUMPTION direct and S25Ss9s entered for ware
housing The ota OF foreign dry goods thrown
upon on the market during the week was ~ sI5 s.s
For, sumter and Battery Wagner Ours
The Approaching Fall of Charleston.
AD arrival at Fortress Monroe from the
blockading feet off Wilmington brings the news
Of the occupation of Fort Sumter and Battery
Wagner by the Union forces on Monday even
ing. The Arago left the bar on Monday after
noon at five o'clock, while in all probability
the Florida, having an intimation that an as
sault was TO be made that evening. delayed her
departure TO witness IL. Even had she been
she could have read the messages as they were
transmitted from the victorious assaulting
party to the commander Of the naval forces
Having thus obtained the desired informa ton,
she probably Immediately started fog the Will
mington blockaders, having only about one
hundred and twenty miles to rum This could
have been easily accomplished, even had she
started at midnight; so that it is not improba-
BILE that she has brought the positive informa-
tion which we publish to-day Of our success.
She arrived at Wilmington at three o'clock on
the afternoon of Tuesday.
The capture of these formidable points of de-
fence will greatly facilitate the task Of reducing
the city The continued bombardment of the
latter, however, will not advance us anything
as far as these intervening obstacles are con-
cerned. The rebels have declared-and we
believe them-that they would sooner see it
destroyed than allow it to fall into our hands,
1t must not be imagined, however, that this
Spartan determination arises merely from
their hatred Of US. There has long been growing
conviction among the people Of Charleston that,
owing to its difficult approaches and its malari-
ous atmosphere, their port was becoming more
and more unified to the requirements Of their
commerce. Before railroads were built, when
internal traffic had to be carried on with Savan-
nah and Mobile by water Charleston did very
well; but now it is but lily adapted to its pur-
pose. Its foreign trade has become of vastly
more importance, and would become still more
so did its harbor offer greater facilities. Hilton
Head, owing to its superior climate and its fine
entrance and anchorage. is destined to usurp
the place SO long occupied by its rival The
people Of Charlestdh are impressed with this
fact, and hence in part the declared indiffer.
ence with which they would see It destroyed
sooner than allowdt to fall into our possession
That they do not feel. any strong interest in
preserving It from the decay to which the su-
perior claims Of Hilton Head must ultimately
consign 1t Is plain, sincs no attempt has been
made to rebuild that extensive portion Of the
city which was destroyed by the last great nrs.
Z Whilst, therefore, we do not believe that the
surrender OF the remaining defences Of Charles
ton will be hastened by the bombardment Of
the city, we are Of opinion that their destruction
or capture will be the result Of only few
days work-a week at the farthest Once de-
moralization sets in, its progress is rapid. Now
that Beauregard Is beginning to whine about
the inhumanity Of our Greek fire, forget
ting the barbarism Of his torpedoes, about
which General Gilmore says nothing, bid
troops will quickly arrive at the conclusion
that the game is up, and will lose all heart for
their work Although It IL we'll not to be too
sanguine on the subject the probabilities are,
possession of the defsnces Of e e" City BY the end
Of next week.