Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-21

city was destroyed by the enemys shells yes
terday. Not gun has been fired by the enemy
this morning. Various conjectures are INDUCED
In regard to their silence, but well informed
persons think they are trying to flank US our
right, as their cavalry made an attempt to cross
four miles above last night Capt. Ferguson,
of the South Carolina Battery, was morsalIy
wounded by the enemy's sharpshooters yes
terday.
Military Movements.
Under this head the Sentinel SUBSTITUTING
the movements now in progress near the Pc.
tomac the public mind must repress its curios.
ity to know the position of our army and the
intentions of it, commander. For obvious rea-
sons 1t is necessary TO keep the enemy in the
dark as much as possible. To watch our
movements and be swift to report them would
be as fatal as to allow the spies of the enemy
in our camp.
OF the movements of the enemy we will saw
that. at last accounts, they were reported to
be crossing at Shepherdstown to our side of the
river, and that the report Of artillery was
heard In that direction, indicating q collision
of partial extent between their forces and ours.
This was on Thursday last
The Central cars on Yesterday brought down
Gen. Graham Of New York, one of the prison.
ers taken at Gettysburg. Also, a major, cap
tain, lieutenant, and three females from VIM
chester. We learn that 1s9 ficers of ali grades
are expected at Staunton to-day.
From the Seaboard.
A gentleman Just up from that section in.
forms us that the Yankees have evacuated
Bowers Hill, and our pickets now extend to
within three miles of Portsmouth. An i'm.
mense number of negroes (some estimates pla-
cling it as high as $4,000 have been removed
from Bowers Hill to Portsmouth, and the iua-
preston prevails that the enemy was preparing
to eyacuate Portsmouth.
Gen. Dix has removed all his troops from
around Fortress Monroe, and the garrison
within that fortfication is said to be now un.
usually small.
The Petersburg Express, of the 18th, has the
following:
From Lees Army.
RICHMOND, July 1.-THE return of Lees
army to this side OF the Potomac was accom-
plished without serious molestation. The ar
tillery, camp equipage, &c, was brought over
safely. The rear guard was attacked by the
enemys cavalry, and during the march Gen.
Pettigrew was badly wounded.
AT winchester yesterday it was reported that
the Yankees had crossed the Potomac at Shep-
herdstewn, but whether in large or small num-
bers was not known. It was supposed that
their object was to watch the movements of
our army. Cannoaading was heard at Win
chester in that direction yesterday.
The Examiner of this morning says that the
abandonment Of the invasion gives a sensible
relief to the majority Of our people, as the Pot
omac is no longer between the army and base
of supplies.
The Dispatch makes similar remarks.
The Seneincl considers the movement as a
matter of general qualification, in view OF the
swollen condition of the river aud the constant
rains, which suspend all military operations.
The Wing says that politically the move is
good one, as it takes from Lincoln all excuse
for the CONSUMPTION. In military point OF
view it is no less since Gen. Lee made it.
These comments convey the prevailing senti-
ments Of our people with regard to the move
ment.
From Charleston.
From the Mercury Of the l5th.l
MORRIS IsLAND.-There was little change
in the condition of affairs yesterday. Three of
the enemy's wooden gunboatS kept up q slow
Smelling Of Battery Wagner all the afternoon,
which was slowly replied to by our guns at
tho battery and also at Fort Sumter.
1t was reported in the city last evening that
the Yankees had been shelled from their posi-.
ton on Blacks Island by a battery of ours,
near Secessionville, but OF this we have no
confirmation mp to the time of our going to
press. Four new vessels suppo sed % be NOR.
tar boats had joined the enemy IS fleet yester-
day.
Gov. Bonham has called for 5000 negro la
borers to work on tie Notifications.
The Charleston Ccuoier has the following ac-
count of Mondays work:
The sioop of war Bibb and one gunboat
steamed up about eleven O'Clock Monday NOR
ming and opened fire on Battery Wagner They
took their position at long taw, firing every
fifteen minutes which was kept up at intervals
until about five o'clock in the afternoon They
tailed to effect any thing. One large transport
got aground in Folly Inlet Some of the gun.
boats came to her assistance but had not sue
ceeded in getting her of up to dark.
The three Monitors, which were lying be.
hind a point near the lower end of Morris
Island, Kept very quiet throughout the day.
Our batteries, Gregg and Wagner, and Fort
Sumter, responded slowly and at long inter-
walls to the enemy's fire. One shot is reported
to have struck the enemy observatory stu.
ated on Craig Hill, Morris island.
The Yankees have an immense derrick. and
are reported placing more guns in position,
terrifying CraIg's Hill and also Blacks Island,
between Morris and James Island, of which
they are reported in possession.
The IRE OF the enemy was renewed ahout
o'clock last evening. The steamer Gabriel
Ganigault, mentioned in our issue of y.ster-
day as disabled, was set on fire by the enemys
shells and destroyed.
The Fight on Saturday-The Bloodiest of
The editor Of the Savannah Republican
writes frem Charaieston, Sunday night, July
18th, as follows:
ssThe siege of Charleston has regularly begun.
The enemy hope to take 1t by gradual APP
proaches, and they have at least gained en-
couragement from their first success-the cap.
ture of the lower battery on Morris Island,
thus giving them foothold and enabling
them TO set out hopefully on their tedious
work. This disaster is attributable to bad
spOnsible. The lower battery was q shocking
affair, and our men left 1t only when the car
riages of the guns had been shattered to pieces"
The editor goes on to speak of the battle in
the attack upon Fort Wagner, as the bloodiest
and most destructive OF the war, and then
continues: ssWilling to do Justice to a brave
foe, it may be added that more daring and
gallant assault has not been made on either
side since the commencement OF the war"
The letter concludes thus: The whole OF
to day, until SHUTDOWN, has been spent in a
continuous artillery duel between the ships and
battery Wagner. There are three monitors, the
Atlanta among them. cher maiden effort on the
Yankee side,) and three or four heavy mortar
boats.
The signal corps report no casualties on our
side. From some cause unknown to me a great
battle is expected tomorrow.
A supply boat that was lying on the west
side OF Morris Island had a shot through her
boiler and was otherwise injured.
The Charleston Courier, OF the 18th, has
some dismal forebodings trusts that the enemy
will be "miserably unsuccessful in executing
the plans he is at present working so vigorous
ly and resoluteIy to carry OUT hut has
dread that the ssresult the timid and respondent
predict may transpire," and recommends
general skedaddle Of those who can not take
part in the defence, and adds that no flag OF
truce will be sent out to meet the enemy be-
tween Fort Sumter and the city, bat that he
will have to fight his way through the streets.
The Rebels Want 70 Get Away from the