Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-08-07
FROM CHARLESTON.

goth, was kept up all the afternoon by the
fleet, aud during the night the heavy batter
les on shore maintained their FIRE on the same
Early on the morning Of the 2lst, the rebels
sent up balloon from Castle Pinokney. It
was secured by a strong cord and assembled
about three hundred yards. 1t was quite vis-
ible to the army on shore and to the fleet,
and two persons were distinctly seen in it.
This was done, undoubtedly, with a view to
obtain complete survey OF our forces on
Morris Island and the fleet that now surrounds
1t. 1t is reported that the gunboat Pawnee,
stationed In Stono, has done more, and cap
tured more guns, &c, since the attack COM
menced than any other two boats of the fleet.
The Paul Jones, whenever she opens upon
the battery, displays some splendid gunnery.
Every shot from her 200-pounder makes it's
mark in or near Wagner. and sometimes she
s'nds her compliment into Battery Bee. DIS
tanee of three and half miles.
1t is admitted here that this siege Of Charles
ton Is no boys play, nor one weeks work,
but that il Is a second Vioksburg. and it may
require two months time to insure the fall of
the birthplace Of secession. Deserters con-
tinue to arrive on board the fleet from the reb-
ell lines. They state that the people of
Charleston have nearly all left, panic stricken,
Business is suspended and the stores all clo-
sed. The churches and public buildings are
used as hospitals. The fight and lombard
ment are kept up daily on the other side Of
Morris Island, with what result it is impos-
s.ble to ascertain. Our last adyices n ON that
quarter are that we are doing we'll
During the 2lst firing was kept up by our
gunboats and land batteries. Wagner repli-
"a H., &C. ii.
remained silent day and night
A movement is on foot which will be con-
summated in day or two, but | am not at
liberty to mention its character. No outsid-
ers who are not actually engaged either in
the navy or army are to be allowed within the
lines during the siege Not even our own
sutler schooner eau enter inside of our outer
line of ships. We have no steamers here
with spectators on board, as was the case in
April last.
Our forces on shore, on the Charleston
side, are working with a will. They now have
three heavy batteries erected so as to com
mand Wagner and Battery Bee. On the 22d
the bombardment was kept up by the batte-
ries on shore all night, the enemy replying
occasionally.
The anchor boys sent out to Port Royal to
assist in removing obstructions in Charleston
harbor-which important duty they will soon
be engaged in, in due season--are now in the
Big Ship Channel, near Morris Island, arrang-
ing their powerful apparatus for the purpose
of raising the celebrated blockade-runner
steamer Ruby, sunk few weeks ago in the
channel by our fleet. She is very valuabl,
and fast Clyde built steamer, .and had OF
board valuable cargo, which, with the
steamer. will shortly be raised by those at
tached to the boys, who will reap ri-h har-
vest thereby. When raised, the Ruby will
be towed to Port Royal, repaired and sent
North.
The Times Washington dispatch says Gen
Gilmore has been promised all the reinforce
ments he needs. Charleston must fall, ant
speedily, if energy, celerity, and Is inch guns
will accomplish the result. The statement
that Gen. Gilmore's loss in the recent engage
ments were one-third Of his total force, i,
pronounced incorrect.
In the last action he did not lose over 70t
men. His total loss since he begun the cam
paign will not amount to over 100.
The United States steamer Paul Jones ha,
Just arrived from Charleston, the Goth inst.
and reports that the siege of Fort Wagner
T was still progressing. Gen. Gilmore haC
succeeded in erecting a battery of heavl
siege guns within 1000 yards of Fort Wag
ncr Forts Sumter and Johnson keep up
continual firing IN the Federal forces on Nor
ris Island. Our casualties are about six
day.
Reinforcements are said to have reache,
/ Gilmore, beside several two or three hundred
pound PARROTS.
The rebel officers were exceedingly exasper
ated at being attacked by the Mass. 54th reg
/ iment On b,ing asked for the body Colone
Shaw the rebel reply was, he had beef
buried along with his niggers."
Offensive operations by Gen. Gilmore arr
being actively prosecuted.
The Tribune's Morris Island correspon
dent says our loss in the entire late assault
on Fort Wagner, according to official report
is 1917. The rebels claim to have burie,
$50 of them. This extraordinary proportion
of killed could only have been reached by thu
indiscrimiuate slaughter of our Wounded
One hundred aud eight of our wounded arr
still at Charleston and Columbia. The Off
GERS and men of the 54th Massachusetts, (col
ored) regiment will not DO given up to us
and unofficial reports say the negroes hay
been sold into slavery and the officers treate
with unmeasured abuse. In fact all ou
wounded at Charleston have been treate
most barbarously. Opportunities to ampu
tate were eagerly seized on by the rebel sur
geons, and it was performed in cases OF tn
slightest gun-shot wounds.
On the left our batteries were advance
600 yards nearer Sumter on the 25th, an'
six 2o0-pounders have been placed in posi-
ton.
Information from the front is that Lee
moving near TO south bank OF the Kappa
hammock.
The following was received to-day at head
quarters of tue army
Department of the South, IN the Field,
Morris Island, S. c. July %.
Mli GEN. H1ueck, Gen,rai-m- Chid'
My Medical Director in the field report
au aggregate loss ia killed and wounded i
our hands Of 635. Judge there are $50 mis-
sing. The losses cover the three actions {
the 10th, llth and 18Th inst. Many of th
wounded will return to duty in week or tie
days. The health OF the army is improving
Respectfully your ob't servant,
q A. GILMORE, Maj. Gen. Com.
The U, 5. Transport Belvidere, from Por
Royal, brings Charleston dates to July 20
She passed off Charleston same day, tw