The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-09-11
From Charleston.

| "A MOTIFS Island letter OF the list inst. to
the Herald says:
For two or three days past a new rebel
battery on Snllivan's Island has been ma
KING irui'less efforts TO annoy our men in the
advance trenches. The caliber of the gun
lemployed is not certainly known. but sup
posed to be one of the l inch guns taken
from the keokuk. The firing of the gun
was very good, exceptin one rather impor-
tant particular-its range being short; aud
only at long intervals a shot from i. reach
es the Island. Those thrown in thus far
have been solid shots, and have done no
damage other than to the sand hills, which
have been hit. The great majority fall into
the water outside of the beach. and expend
their force upon the surf.
-Four monitors-the Passaic Patapsco,
Nahant, and Montauk-came in yesterday
afternoon,and engaged Fort Moultrie and the
batteries on Sullivan Island. firing occasion
al shots at Sumter and Wagner.
The engagement opened about 80 P NJ.
and two hours fire was maintained with
great intensity, particularly on the rebel
| side. The firing from Moultrie and Battery
Bee was terrific. Their heavy guns ratified
off Ike a snare drum in tattoo. Many shots
struck the monitors but did little damage.
Our heavy rifle and 15-inch shells on the
irod- cieds burst with effect over and in
Multrie, and sent the earth whisteling in all
observation-disclosures was repeatedly struck
by exploding shells and somewhat damaged.
She fred but few shots during the contest
at the monitors.
Battery Gregg was exceedingly active.
Her heavy guns We're in play from the first
to the last Of the engagement, and made
some excellent shots. The MONITORS bells
went wildly on all sides and had no effect
in silencing her guns.
Sumter was struck several times by rifle
shells from the Passaic and Patapsco, but
besides detaching masses of loose masonry,it
did no further damage to the fort. No guns
were dismounted. Aftcr two hours fight
sing the monitors withdrew. The object of
the attack has not been developed.
Some days since the enemy made an eff
fort to blow up aud destroy the gunhoats
and transports in Stone Inlet by means Of
torpedoes. Fortunately no serious damage
was inflicted on any of the vessels by these
Internal machines. One torpedo exploded
a little astern of the Pawnee and blew her
launch, which was towing astern, to frag-
ments. few moments later a tremendous
explosion occurred the Bird Key. few
rods below the Pawnee. occasioned by an
other torpedo sent down at the same time.
From facts since developed it is certain
that the rebels sent down that night at least
ten Of these inventions, Of which three or
four exploded, aud four were picked .up. and
one drifted through the feet and up Folly
river and exploded under the morter scnoon-
er G. P. Williams, but occasioned no dam
age. The tarpedoes are precisely like those
VIC have found in Lighthouse Greek and go
of at the slightest conclusion.
The Tribune's Morris Island letter says
Wagner will be held to the last moment. aud
nothing, it is said, but want of water will
compel her to surrender. The dead lie so
thickly around her walls that the water from
the shallow wells cannot be drunk. 1t COM
PEELED by thirst. some of the soldiers are SO
imprudent as to use it. and the next day
they are in the hospital. and before tie close
many'of them are In their graves.
Brave attempts have been made to supply
the garrison from Charleston. but a small
quantity only has been furnished. Only at
midnight, or under cover of a dense fog in
the morning have any rebel vessels been
known to reach them for the past eight
days. II the Monitors would only cut of
communication for one week longer the fort
would be in our possession, and with Wag-
ner, Gregg and the whole of Morris Island
once ours. in few hours tho stars and
stripes would wave over Sumter.
We are now within 100 yards Of Wagner,
and by tomorrow our heaviest PARROTS will
he able to deliver fire at distance OF 200
yards into every embarsure commanding the
beach, and an enflading one upon every
gun looking seward.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. THE transport
New JERSEY with Charleston dates of the Sd
has arrived. Operations were progressing
favorably. On the lst there was general
engagement between the iron clads and Fort
Sumter, Wagner and Moultrie. Much dam
age was done to the forts. The fleet Cap
tain, Oscar q. Badger, successor to Captain
Rodgers. had bis leg broken by shell. 1t
is feared alnputation will be necessary. The
Ironsides was at anchor but not engaged
when the New Jersey left. Four monitors
had gone up ready for action, and were
nearly abreast of Fort Sumter preparatory
to making a new attack. The land bate
ries were firing night and day. The bonn
bardment Of the city had not been resumed,
but ne W batteries would open at the proper
time The army was in fine spirits. Gen.
Gilmore was working with the utmost en-
ergy and all were confident of success.
TRENTON. GA, Sept, 9. via !
STEVENSON, Sept. .. }
At IL o'clock to-day. Gen. Crittsnden
took psaceable possession OF Chattanooga.
the rebels having evacuated. Gen. Wood
was put in command of the place. The
principal portion of the rebel infantry left
Chattanooga yesterday morning. Their |
cavalry remained until this morning.
The headquarters of the department will
probably be at Chattanooga tomorrow.
The rebels are doubtless in rapid retreat, but
our combinations are such that they can /
hardly get off With all their forces, and they /
are cutting down trees and using other
means to obstruct our further passage over
the mountains Our advance threatens i'm /
minently the Georgia State road which il
the rebel line OF retreat
Weather tolerably warm bu, highly IA /
vorable for military operations
LxAvEx~oarH, Sept. 8s-Msyor Anthony |
Al, >fe- 49,