The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-09-23


on Of Chattanooga They have mAssed an i'm
nense force tor this purpose, but ~e have full
confidence in the ability OF Gen. Rcsecrans 10
hold bis present position. The matter OF re-
gaining Chattanooga i one Of the greatest i'm
portauce TO the rebels, as they are nov cut OF
from their chief source of supplies for their
entire army, and there Is no doubt but what
they will make desperate effort L defeated,
il will be a terrible crushing blow to the rebel
lion. II our forces are beaten, it will be
matter Of deep regret, and the result viii doubt
less be to put of the final overthrow OF the re-
beilion for a short time.
PROM CHARLESTON.
Morris Island letter TO the Herald, dated |
the 18th, ays: Ever since our occupation Of
Wagner and Gregg, the rebels have been ex-
ceedingly norose and savage. They do not al
low US a moments peace. They fire night and
day upon Wagner, but they left Us such an ad-
mirably constructed work, and so capacious aud
safe bomb proofs, that no one is injured. They
fire often enough during the night TO enable us
TO sleep solndly.
"Siuce Tuesday, 10 or ~ deserters have
come in from James Island, belonging to the
rebel army. They report great disafection
among the men, and a general desire to escape
from the service, which has become disagreea-
BILE TO them.
" The rebels are building several new bate
ries on Sulliyan's Island, above Fort Moutrie
and Battery Bee, to cover the channel to the
CITY Additional batteries are also being con
-tructed in the most approved style between
Fort johnson and the city, on James Island, on
which they are mounting 10 inch Columbiads
and inch Brooks rhed guns. On the green,
At the city, the rebels have mounted Is inch
rife, which they have just received from Mobile,
where it was brought, with another of the same
character in an AnglO-rebel blockade runner,
TWO weeks ago. The second Of these is in
Charleston, not mounted. Il was at first pro-
posed to mount il on Fort johnson, but that idea
vas given up, and so far as the deserters knew,
no place had vet been determined on where it
could be put in position. Nine Of these monster
proiectiles, weighing over 500 pounds each,
we're living beside the gun on Charleston Green
"The health Of the command is good, but the
soldiers need fresh vegetables. Gen Gilmore
mas issued a general order, giving so days fur
| Tough to privates who have distinguished them
selves in the recent siege. They are not to ex-
coed two per cent. OF the effective force on the
Island, and must be recommended by their
Colonel"
A Morris Island letter reports the rebels ex
uemely busy in repairing Sumter. Steamers are
constantly plying there from the city with mate
riai- therefor. A deserter says, after strength
eniog Sumter and planting more batteries or
James Island, Beauregard intends to assume the
offensive, in order, if possible, to gain possession
of Morris Island Charleston il said to be fall
of rebel troops.
The accounts state that it may be week be-
fore Gilmore can open FIRE upon Charleston. The
mounting of guns on the North end OF Morris
Island proves very slow work under the fire
from the rebel batteries on James Island but
our losses there;rom are trifing.
Cen Gilmore hos issned "a congratmlafnry or
der 10 his troops on the capture of Morris Island
in which he says the city and harbor Of Charles
ton be at the mercy Of our artillery.
The explosion of the rebel magazine near Fort
Johnson IS confirmed
A Fortress Monroe letter to the Herald, IN
der date Of the 18th, says: Yesterday tour
men in the uniforms Of rebel soldiers arrived at
Fo-'ress Monroe from Newport News They
proved to be some Of our men who had thus dis
| Il. "a
They were captured on she lsth of July last in
the first terrific charge OF our troops on Fort
Wagner. They state that for some time past
four or five trains per day have been running
through Richmond, South, and say that when
they took their uuceremoniOus departure the
city was Illuminated with camp fires and crowd
ed with troops, all doubtless being hurried to-
wards Charleston. Their Notifications of Pc
tersburg they state to be quite formidable
They passed three lines of these, and were not
interfered with.
The same letter says. Rumors here are OF
the most exciting kind. 1t is rumored that Lee
is deserving the whole State of Virginia to Join
Bragg. Charleston, it is reported, was shered
for three days aud completely DESTROYED This
is said to be communicated by parties direct from
Atlanta, Ga.
FROM The ARMY or THE POTOMAC
The Philadelphia Press has the following
Our army will not have to rest this side Of the
Rapdan for two days. The soldiers are without
fires, fearing to attract the enemy's attention,
who would have shelled Us Gen. Fitzpatrick
made several feints across the Rapidan, but found
he couldn't live moment on the other side
Yesterday body of rebels crossed the Rap
idan near Raccoon ford and drove $50 Of our
men away, but were afterwards driven back in
confusion by US. We lost about 80. Rumor
says a strong force of rebels crossed at Raccoon
Ford this morning and captured so of our cav
airy. The rebels have a strong position on the
Rapidan, but no great force
Dispatches from Washington, dated the l7th.
state that the enemy attempted to force pas.
sage to this side of the Rapidan, and advanced
for that purpose en- nasss, with full compile
ment Of artillery. Our cavalry, supported by
the d Army Corps, successfully prevented a
crossing. Il IS quite evident that either Meade
or Rosecrans viii soon be attacked by the con.
centrated forces of the rebels, in last desperate
throw
No doubt Is entertained in the army that Long
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