, 1863-08-20
FROM CHARLESTON.
Terrific Bombardment of SEE-
day.
THE CITY REACHED BY OUR
SHELLS,


WAsH1SGToS, Aug, ID, 1868.
The Government received dispatch from
Charleston, via Fortress Monroe, this morning
to the effect that on Friday and Saturday tho
bombardment Was terrific; TINT the action
Of the sen was SO great on Sunday tho: the
gunboats could not cooperate with the land
batteries with any good result. On Monday
1t was expected that the sea would be smooth
enough to enab1c the iron c1ads to join In
grand attack.
This dispatch says nothing about the rumor
brought by Mr. Fulton of the evacuation Of
Fort Sumter, but it states that there was
report that Gen. Gilmore had succeeded in
reaching the city Of Charleston with some Of
lis long range guns, and had actually thrown
shot into the city to snch an extent as to call
Enbject.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Trbuue.1
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 70, 1868.
Letters have been received in Philadelphia
bringing news from Charleston and vicinity,
to the 14th inst. There Is much in them but
They contain no important news. They speak
OF the certainty Of the fall Of Sumter, aad say
after making arrangements to blow 1t up,
then the Stars and Stripes shall float over its
ru1na. s.E@5 s....E@5
The rebel defences have been greatly
strengthened nearer Charleston. Tbs letters
say that If Charleston cannot be held by the
rebels, thentheY intend to apply the torch
and bum 1t down.
The telegraph this afternoon, brings intelli'
gence up to Sunday, at which time 1t WIS
thought the rebels we're eyacuatlng Fort Sum-
ter. So far, the programme, as detailed In the
letters seems to be carried out.
FLAG 6uP DrSs4ons, OFF
CHARLESTON, August 16.5
Since Monday events here have been rathcr
monotonous. We have been exchanging shell
and shot With the rebels night and day, prob
ably With but little damage to either eide.
The.caemy's object IVES to rctard Genezul Gil
morc's eiege works, but they have al been
perfected for several daye.
The intention to open on the 18th Was aban-
doned on account Of some difficulty as to the
quality Of the army ammunition, and owing
to tho eerious indisposition Of Gen Gilmore.
ue l., however, much better, and the opening
Of the heavy Siege work will commence ut
daylight tomorrow. The shore batteries in
getting range Of tie guns yesterday aud day
before, knocked three holes In tho wallis Of
Sumter.
4 general Impression prevails TINT the .rcb.
els a1e eyacuatfng Sumter, and will blow 1t
up as soon as tho assault commences. Out Of
nearly thirty guns on the parapets, ten days
krtfe etx oF%
in the casemates had previously disappeared.
Tie rebels have erected line Of Garth
works mile long on James Island, from Fort
johnson to secessionville, although they have
but few guns mounted as Jet. This Is sup.
posed to be the destination Of Sumter's guns.
Our picket boats around Sumter report great
activity e7ery night with schooness, steam
ers, DC.
The weather Is fine, with very calm sea,
and most favorable for operations. The sun
is hot, but there isa good sea breeze, and oc.
casional showers.
Everything Is now in readiness on sea and
zhore, and all are looking forward to the work
ofto-morrow. certain Of success.
Reinforcements continue to arrive to Us
daily, and quite large army Is now on the
iE1anIs
On Wednesday night the rebels fred on our
works with grape and canister, on intorma.
tion received from the suffers who deserted
to the enemy. We lost two killed and two
wounded. Tho Monitors went mp In the nigh.
. and opened on Wagner. The rebel guns were
soon siieuced. The Admiral went On board
the Potapzco, joining her under the guns Of
Wagner, and came near being taken of by
ten-inch shot.
The Indications are that the rebels Will de-
pend mainly en- the distractions and the into
rior line Of defences.
In the attack tomorrow the Ironsides will
engage Wagner and keep her silent, whilst tho
Monitors and shore batteries will engage Sum-
ter. The wooden fleet and mortar schooners
will engage Moultrie. It will be . grand
affair.
The rebel works on James Island indicate
IN attempt on the part Of the rebels to drlre
annoy him as to interfere with his siege Of
Sumter.
VERY LATEST.
CHARLESTON, Aug. 1916 p. m.-The rebels
have piled sand bags on the wharf against the
rear Of the wall Of Sumter, forty feet high,
completely protecting the magazines from
Gilmore's shore batteries. But few shots
were fired during Sunday. It Is sgenerally un-
derstood that the assault will be made to-
mor1ow.
The weather promises favorably for opera
tions, and General Gtlmore's health is much
better.
~ IT