Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-09-14


zine of MOultrie is represented as terrific
| Though the facts are not positively known
| there is no doubt in the minds of those wilt
witnessed the explosion, that even if the mag
| aZine was not the main one of the fort, whicl
| is by no means clear, the havoc created inside
was such as to materially lessen its capacit,
| for resistance.
That this explosion is, in no small degree
owing to the fact that the monitor Weehaw-
ken grounded in front of Moutre, is stated
on the authority of an eyewitness of the en-
tire proceedings. The vessel could not move
she was thus made an excellent target for the
rebel cannon balls; but, on the other hand,
the aim of her guns was rendered accurate
from the fact of her stationary position, and
one of the shells dropping in the interior of
the fortress fortunately struck the magazine
The firing ceased on Tuesday night, eXcept
from the rebel batteries. On Wednesday
morning the fight was resumed. Two or
three of Gen. Gillmores batteries which were
in range of Fort Moultrie assisted in the can
nonade, but only part of the monitor feet
renewed the conflict. The Ironsdes, which
has performed great service throughout,
steamed towards Moultrie, and was firing ra-
pidly when the Arago left.
The injuries to the walls of the fort were
important Observations were made late in
the afternoon Of Wednesday, by passengers
IN the AragO, who were on Morris island, and
II could be seen through ,lr ay atmosphere
that the parapet walls were broken. L Eo of
the guns had been diSm0dntvi. This fort, it
was fully shown, would bear only very small
amount of cannOnadjng compared with Sum
ter. Its reduction will De Immediately fol-
followed by the planting of batteries at Cum
mngS Point work wIch will soon be
accomplished The firing Of all the rebel forts
and batteries which were in range of Morris
Island, upon our forces there, and which be-
gan on the morning after the evacuation by
Beauregards troops, has since been cuntnu-
Gus and severe. 1t is evidently their intcn.
ton to prevent our troops from occupying
the forts or from constructing any batteries
on the end OF Morris island nearest Charles
ton, Moultrie and the other rebel fortifca-
tons, for the object, as will be seen Of
rendering General Gillmore's success barren
one.
Notwithstanding the diversion of the fire of
fort Moultrie by the IronSides and one of the
monitors, the guns of the fo:t were still 0per-
atlng on Morris island, and the rebels refuse
to ntermlt their attentions to the point of land
on which they SO long withstood the attack of
our forces. Our forces do not occupy in force
the captured rebel Notifications. Besides the
filth which exists, the rebels made certain ar
arrangements for the destruction of our men
when they should enter the works; and these
matters must Of course be attended to previ-
GUS to occupation.
1t is represented, however, that the rebel
works will he Of little use TO General Gilmore
Ill his future operations. lie can use the
ground, which he is already doing, in spite of
the fire on his positions; and when the new
batteries now in progress are completed,
scarcely position in the harbOr but will he
commanded by bis guns, while Charleston will
be within easy Smelling distance. The imme-
diate tall of the city is not, however, expect.
ed naval mode of removing Instructions
has been adopted by General Giim0re-name-
~, employment ot the rebel prisoners in this
duty when it Is attempted. 1t Is Justly sup
posed that the rebels know quite as well, if
not better, how to handle their own Internal
machines than do the union men, and their
risk may possibly be less. Our soldiers and
sailors alo TnthuaIaosiUaiiJ la i@NOI VI IIIe New
arrangement
ATTEMPT TO STORM SUMTER.
FORTRESS MONROE, Sept. l2.-Hhe United
States steamer Massachusetts, Captain West,
arrived here this morning from Charleston bar
on the evening of the 9th inst bringing the
following intelgence:-
On Tuesday, the Sth inst, the Wpehawkcn
sent IL fifteen inch shell into one Of the maya
zines of tort Moultrie, exploding it. Tiie Iron
sides sent Il shell into MoultricyIlle. scttILs it
ON ire and destroying halt of the tuwh.
rne monitors and IronsiIes bonn Jarded the
Sullivan Island forts for four hours, dong eX
tensive damage. The WeehawKen grounded
near Cummings PoRt, but soon hoated oft,
receiving no damage.
At eleven P. NJ. ON the 6th inst. boat ex-
petition left the squadron to storm fort Sum
ter, AMI were repulscd, with the loss OF
number killed and wounded and prisoners.
The following naval officers were captured on
the walls Of fort Sumter: Lieut.. e. p. Viii
liams, Lieut.. S. w. Preston, Lieut.. q. G.
Reamey, Lieut.. Tracy Brewer, Lieut.. b. l..
Mead, Lieut. Bradford, and Ensign Is. IL. Pa
ter. The latter was wounded. Tht Massa-
chusettS leaves Immediately for Philadelphia.