The New York herald., 1863-07-19
Ths News from Charleston.

We publish in another column this morning
graphic letter from our special correspondent,
giving detailed account Of the operations of
our army and navy against Charleston. The
substance of the news is that General Gilmore
has taken all the batteries on Folly Island
nearly all the batteries on Morris Island, and Is
investing the rebel Fort Wagner and tho iron
clad battery at Cummings Point. Itwas stated
at Port Royal, just before one of our cor
respondents left, that General Saxton had re-
ceived despatch informing him of the capture
Of both these rebel works. If so, Morris and
Folly islands are entirely in our possession,
and the fall Of Fort Sumter, and consequently
of Charleston, is inevitable.
General Gilmore has set to work to re-
duce Fort Sumter upon precisely the same
plan which was so successful against Fort
Pulaski After the last attack upen Charles.
ton by Admiral Dupont a small force of
soldiers was left on Folly Island. Tho
rebels, regarding this force as o mere out
post, soon ceased to take any notice Of it.
When General Gilmore assumed command he
gradually increased this corps Of Observable
and began erecting masked batteries. At tie
proper moment these batteries opened, fhc
rebel works were stormed and the rebels, CON-
pletely taken by surprise, were driven off the
island. The same careful, systematic tactics
were again employed upon Morris Island, aud
have again succeeded. A gunboat and body
Of troops have also been sent up Stono Inlet to
operate against James Island Thus, step by
step, General Gilmore moves forward, and the
navy, under Admiral Dahlgrcn, admirably co.
operates with him. Our batteries are advanced
slowly and imperceptibly. masked by clumps
of bushes, as at Fort Pulaski; and almost before
the rebels know their danger they are in our
power. 1t Is by this means, aided by a stimuli
taneous bombardment from our iron-clad neet,
that Fort Sumter will be wrested from the
rebels, who, dspirited by their recent reverses,
will hardly make a. gallant resistance as did
Major Anderson In the first days OF the rebel
lion.
The current reports OF the evacuation
Of Charleston are probably based upon the
iact that large fire was observed there on
Tuesday last and It was therefore Inferred that
General Beauregard had deserted and fred the
| city. This inference may be, and doubtess Is,
mistake. The rebels have never yet shown
any inclination 10 make Moscows Of their i'm
rortant towns, although there is no telling
what the boasting Beauregard may do in tho
event Of defeat The news that We have is
sufficiently grateful, however, without the as
sstapce Of that faithlcss jade Madam Rumor.
| The successes Of Gilmore aud Dahlgren give
| promise Of even more glorious results, and we
arc sure that BY the lst OF August the fag of the
Union will again wave triumphantly over the
| cradle Of secession. General Gilmore Is q mill
tary engineer Of no ordinary ability, and has
never failed In anything he has undertaken;
and tho army which he commands, though
small. is composed Of veterans who are
anxious for active service and tired Of
being made subsidiary to abolition efforts
for The regeneration Of the negroes NJ
Fort Royal and Hilton Head. Admiral
rahlgren Is also a practical engineer, and
has tlat confidence in the capabilities of
tue Monitors which ADMIRAL Duoont y