Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-09-04
The siege OF CHARLESTON.

..,s,nnaI shot AZ Fort Sumter from the enemy, was
kent up during Sunday night The firing MONDAY morn-'
lrg was somewhat slacktned
oH Cummings Point aud opened on Fort sumter nTihg
shot and els frOm one gun about every neeen mn
a es Fort Moultre, and Batteries Gregg ana mS9ne,
lso opened on the monitor with spirit she retired
about e'egen O'clock At twelve n, another monitor
made her appearance around the point, between Sumter
aud Gregg and commenced firing on Sumter.
Number one Yankee battery also opened on Battery
Wa gner the latter replying slowly Ine monitos ON
Cummings' Point ei 'ged Fort Aoultne ana Battery
q egg tor short tune but found it too hot little
before one o'clock he monitors ceased firing and moved
Oft evidently to gain breathing time
shortly before three O'Clock in the afternoon, four
Monitors rounded Cummings Point, aid approached
Fort Sumter until within three quarters OF mile, when
hey formed in line of battle aud opened hire on Sum
sr Noultrie and Battery Gregg The enemy, it is be
sieved attempted 10 Sc: an e-hadng hire on the Latter
fertilization.
FOR. MOuitre, Batteries Bee and Beauregard. on Sui
liyln's leland opened brisky with their heavy guns
the Monitors; Battery GNgs also keeping up a con-
staut and vigorous fire IRON Cummings Point In
about half Of the Monitors left, It Is be-
iirved badly damaged.
To, engagement was continued by the others until
four oc ock when they also hauled OF Batteries Gregg
aud Wsgner giving them parting salute
Our batteries struck tie Monitors tWeny-eight times,
some Of the shots striking plump on the khuckle
or base Of the turret evidently ntctng cons derable
damage
The heavy booming of the cannon heard in the city
brought crowds White Point Battery aud other point
OF observation 10 witness the col d CT.
Tee casualties on side reE orted to be very
light.
been no further demonstration by the feet.
III number Of vessels inside the bar yesterday
orty-one including the Irousides and FIVE Monitors.
The bombardment between the land batteries con-
inued last night up to the hour Of closing report
at IL O'Clock.
SAD MIsaAr.
About two o'clock on Monday morning a. the steamer
Sumner was Transporting parts Of the 2Sd Georgia 6lst
North Carol IA and ooh South Carolina Volunteers from
one position in this barbor to another, she fred at
by one o the batteries Sulivans Island oWrg TO a
msapprehensiOn Of her character and several soldiers
vere Immediately killed Others took to the water and
IL il feared some Of them were drowned. The great
body Of them, we're, however got into position OF
safety
From letter found in tie msil bsg of the guDbOat
Ottawa evidently written by officer, we learn that a
Whitworh gun burst ia Of the shore batteries few
days previous to the date OF the letter. killing lumber
| OF blue jackets
one hundred FOUNDER PARROT rded ako burst on
ooaId the guuboat Mahaska. The gun Of the Ottawa
has been fired i've hundred tines aud is obliged TO be
uursed with We, cloths when bot
CONTENTS OF THE YANGSE MAIL Rag
The Cour er publishes several letters from the nail
bag Ct the T. s gunbOst Ottawa, which 6O4ted ashore
on Sulivan's Isand Beach last Sunday. They are all
written from on board the Ottawa friends at home
and throw considerable light upon the operations and
intentions of the enemy All the writers appear to in
dulge in the fond dream of AN enly surrender Of
Charleston. There is general complaint of sickness,
and one Of the letters notices the havoc made among
| Il. stolI, or
| fal4,hoods Of the newspaper correspondents.
We select an extract from letter written by one Of
tue officers of the Ottawa 10 his sister, aud bearing date
Saturday last the 2sth
had dcaW back few nights ago from the fact OF
our vessels being detailed on most hazardous duty,
which was no less than accompanying the Monitors
pht I'D to the distractions 10 the face OF all the fors
aud att, mpung TO remove them. Everyth ng pre-
/ pared and STATED from our aLOlCrIge and stood
down the channel but before reached our destina
ton violent squalls OF rain ind wind obliged to retire.
The Admiral sent Tor our Captain, and when be gave
bin hS orders this perous work in which only
other guuboat to be employed said to him that
the only vessel Of that class that he knew be could
always depend upon. The Capt cane down al soon as
he rStmned on board, which VAS Immediately before we
started read bis orders and thar it the
unfortunate my berg in such opposition, for the
only oC that could take his place in Of accident
TO him. who would be likely 70 act as he would himself
He would scarcely for moment listen to my turning out
but notified me 10 do my best in case OF accident,
/ however Immediately called the Doctor and by the
aid of powerful stimulants go, up and dressed myself
aud went up Tor rather craWled up) deck, that
everything cleared for action, guns in order &c
but fortunately the storm prevented US from going in
have doubt that the exertion set back consd-
eraby bat the trial is to be repeated again tonight
| and unfortunately the Captain quite unWell to-day
himsel but am gaining nay strength again shall
again exert mysGl' to be at my post Wien the time
comes IL will be hard 70 tell how the expedition will
teimuste, but hope successfully. Fort Snmter has
still a small CARR Of few men slowed away some
where 1t night excuse to keep flag flying, al
though the sides nearest present nothing but
hopeless ruins end the work goes steadily and
~ Very many OF our officers in the feet are breaking
down and being cent home continually from the inces.
SAINT and tear them in this hot cimate but
successful those who hang out to the last ought TO
receive the thanks Of Government if promotion OF
which they be at present bestoWng only on pol
tcans, and perhaps will reserve them for that class,
and tickle far cies with gold 'piece as large as
quarter eagle with string 70 harg it round our necks
by but time will show whether we are to be rewarded
or kicked for our services.
Another officer, presumed to be the commander,
writes to his wife that be is SICK and thinks that if he
should really insist it the surgeons would send him
away TO recruit but he has determined leave his
pest long he feels able hold out especially when
hue is such great want of officers there now there
is not a single snip has her full compliment The fO!
loving is extract from the letter:
Tonight going up 70 remove the distractions
that block up the channel he Iron Clads, Monitors
aud the Nebrasks send you some clips cut from the
New York Herald this is the kind of work doing
almost every day At FIRST it very exciting but
t is Old story, and has become almost mOnotonou
as blockading used 10 be.
You can show those 70 Asa B. il you like, and tel
him that is officially announced here that Sumter is
no further the rebels fori smoothing bua shape
less heap of bricks and mortar, with every gun dis
mounted. For six weeks have heard night and dl!
without stopping the booming Of canAon and the whist
ling Of shot and SHE'LL and many brave fellow careI
dOSn the beach from our batteries to hislas resting
place.