Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-07-16
1, ,neu.yH brings us news and it brings rumors


Tuu Tx,peR6rH brings and it brings us rumors,
Int most generally place very ttle oepenoence III
s svces 1t may fairly be said that in order to have any
assurance of truth of report we have TO
-yaitthe course of the mails going to say, me
regular recoscted that there no regular
y In the mails these latter days, owing perhaps 10 eau
sss beyond the control of the Department. OF Oh Ine ra
roads.
We have never been annoyed by the unreliabity
oftelecraphc reporters have been during the week
nowabout closing We have got of immense successes
Pennsylvania, which had not even the sightes
semblancs truth foundation We have on the otner
hand heard that LEES army routed and aOls TO De
cut up or captured We heard that Vcksonrg was
strong defiant have found out that VlcFsburg
has fallen and that garrison prisoners. More
than thst now out that the fall of Vicksbug
expected to be inevitable, for weeks before it
actually did fall.
Part of deception chargeable the dsingenuous
the stupidity of the Geographic reporters part
the pursued by distinguished officers charge,
for all the dispatches from Jackson had to be approved
and such stuff 50 approved " it would be hard TO
match.
But the mist has in cleared off, the curtain
has lifted and find that upon the whole the last week
ten days has been extremely unfortunate for the Con-
federacy. We had hoped that signal euccees OF Gen
eral LEES part would have made an offset for
the loss Of Vicksburg, but cur hopes have proved
TO be usory In meantime the attack upon Charles
ton in to add TO the complication Of affairs and to
commanders The attack this time will probably be
made upon Sumter directly, but upon Horrs Island with
the view OF obtaining point land, from which %
attack that widely celebrated work there can be
but little doubt that the fa of Morris Island would almost
necessarily involve tn fall of Fort Sumter II is the Kew
TO Sumter. lt from Morris Island that BEAUREGARD
took the Fort the first instance and it will be from that
stand that the Yankees will take it back they ever do
take it, which the Lord forbid.
No information from Charleston has reached the press
We laern 81
ed no material advantage in his attack on oar batteries
yesterday report how started, upon what based we
cannot TELL cun en this morning to the effect that
Fembertor on the stono River had silenced Fort
Pemoerton is of the Forts James Island and ap
peared to be quite streng earthwork when We saw it in
April last Some accounts say that the batteries senced
were those on Morris Island. No doubt the enemy beeV
ing that the coast has been denuded of troops make
determined attempt to possess himself Charleston In
ths attempt we believe that he will fall though same
time, think his present movement more dangerous one
TO rs than that OF last April He has learned from that
experiment that the direct attack Fort Sumter by
gunboats extra hazardous and he will this time make
his approaches by James and Morris Islands We avyat
news with the greatest anxiety All can be cone bv
human with the force his disposal will be dops
by General BEAUREGARD and have few fears CT failure
to defend Charleston successfully.
YESTERDAY morning. in pursuance Of al agsat.on from
General WHITNG, tie Commissioners of Town and of Nay
lgation, together with ether gentlemen left town on
board the Steamer Petteway to visit and view the
works erected for the defence of the Cane m Tho
protection of Wilmington.
After running down the river and seeing from the boat
The different batteries nearest 90 town, the location Of
which We need rot give the party arrived gbout O'clock
at Fort Anderson located old Brunswick Point This
work was formerly known Fort st. Phillip that bainp
Inc name OF she old Church whose ruins are within short
distance OF the fort caion. surprising to see the
amount OF Wok that has been done th point: the exc
cuon OF which reflects great credit upon the officers and
men by whom It was executed.
we FOUND Major HEDRICK at Enttvil!e where he ia su
perntendEg the works in progress OF Fort Branch (for
mery Fort JOhnston) These works appear to be beaut-
July constructed and powerfully built In fact we have
never finer earhwoks. There new features
their construction which understand are with
the ms who deVeopes natural genius for engineering
which drew from high and distinguished source the re-
mark in hearing that Wilmington ought to be proud
of Major BEDRCE who had displayed sach marked ability
in line SO different from his former pursuit: and avoca
ons. r
Previous TO visiting Smthyie, however, we landed at
Confederate Point and up the top Of COL LANES
artificial mountain, upon which battery be planted
It is an Immense work. but that gave idea of
he extent Of the works at Fisher. 1t lis actually
work itself to traverse the long lines OF the batteries
which completely command the inlet By the way while
we the mountain Col. LAME fred off ten inch col.
lm5iad and for the first tine the ght cannon
ball almost from the moment it left the gun until it struck
he water lire with, but feet beyond buoy at
which it was aimed.
We need not speak OF The courteous reception given to
the visitors by COL LAME. ali know that his kindness is
qua TO his energy and to that the amount of work which
been done under his superintendent bears witness
The Col enjoys the confidence ard aectiol of both his
officers and st Fisher many friends whom
was pleasure to take by the hand.
Forts Fisher, Branch Anderson and others have been "
created within brief PERIOD Caswen has been so much
altered and strengthened that hardly recognizable as
The work year ago. Not the brick p
scarp unprotected earhwork which over AID
will soon be green and beautiful. The iron classmates are
also thus protected and will be immense gun that will
make much impression upon them. Of will not
speak of the offensive power of the Fort the enemy
sill nd he attacks it, but of its defensive power there
,Rn be question
The Fort Is under the command Of Col GwATHMEY who
the reputation of being skful competent officer y
While due credit should be given the officers and men
~ whom or under whose immediate superintendent the
immense works on the river have been executed of course
he general plans those of General WHITING who has
infused his energy into every branch of the service
within his district Very much of the work has been dona
ince the Yellow Fever and much is yet required to
re DONE 1t seems little strange that cut OF pop.
aon of over three hundred thousand General WHITING
annot command the services of hundred DO employ
ID on the works which may depend int rests Of vital
moment not only 10 this district but the State a.
arge.
larred only by the dscouragng from LEES army ~
nd by anxiety in regard the Conflict going at ChIe
on, news of which came TO Fort Fisher by telegraph
Since we have to notice the arrival Of the fine
b Cronstadt, from Falmouth with fall cargo, and
ge number Of passengers from nearly every portion CT o.
urope We may daily look for other arrivals from VI
indicated by the list published last of vessels fo
q the way to this port.
har had tba oS