The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-08-01
AFFAIRS AT MORRIS ISLAND.


Since the commencement of operations at Nor
ris Island we have had correspondents with our
army who have witnessed every movement and ac-
quired from personal observation or from official
sources, all information proper to publish and in
teresting to the public. We have spared no pains
or expense to obtain full accurate and early ac-
counts, ard though sf.en obliged to condense, We
have still, we hope, given as good general idea
of the operations as the circumstance and our
space would admit OF. Our columns have been al
most wholly occupied by them, and We have been
compelled to omit many other items of news, in
terestng but still less Importance. 1t has also as
the intelligent public viii readily perceive been
impossible to mention every instance of personal
merit or even to record all the praiseworthy deeds
of many regiments. In giving an account Of a
battle, the general features, rather than especial
instances claim first attention and for that reason
many important achievements of regiments and
individuals, have not received the extended notice
they really deserved and simply from hack of room
It's also possible that in the confusion and hurry
incident to the preparation Of war correspondence
on battlefield, some individuals, reg iments and
events, which should have been most prominent,
have been inadvertently left IN the back ground.
If as we hope is not the case, any serious injustice
has at any time been done, we shall take the ear
]iest opportunity to correct mistakes and omissions
We shall continue to furnish full reports from au-
thentic SOU ce, while active operations last; and
we are confident that in this Department, news
from our army before Charleston will be more ac-
ceptable than any other We can furnish. 1t is due
to our forces generally that word of editorial
praise should be said here. Led and directed by
skilful Generals in whom they have had full conf
dence, who have shared the dangers and hardships
of the field with them, our noble troops have ac-
eomplished wonders, and where they have failed,
only done so after brave attempts to succeed.
The rebels say they fought like devils in their as
saults on Fort Wagner. We say they fought like
heroes. Not regiment engaged has failed to dis
tinguish itself. The capture OF the batteries on
the Southern extremity of Morris Island, by al
storming party landing from boats under hot and
well-directed fire, was an achievement without pre-
cedent in this war. The brave, persistent efforts
TO take al then to hold positions in Fort Wagner,
under grape and canister, and shell snd musketry
fire, cannot be- praised too much. Where all did
so WELL to specify the deeds of individual regi-
ments would be invidious we can only praise the
whole. The noble conduct of the troops will not
90 unrewarded. History will record their deeds,
and posterity will cherish them. We have laurels
for such as survive and cypress for the fallen.
Those who rest in unmarked graves shall be re-
membered as heroes, when the rest of us who did
not fight, shall be long forgotten. We are glad to
learn the troops have such unbounded confidence
in Gen. Gilmore. Faith in a commander is almost
marvels can be accomplished. We do not of
course know Gen. Gillmore's plans but we have
faith in his succeeding, whatever they are.