The New York herald., 1863-07-18
DUR Operations Before Charleston.

Dur Operations Before Charlest0ns
Our news from General Gillmore's forces is
of the most encouraging nature, and will again
call the attention of the country to the COM
bned military and naval operations in the De-
| partlaynt Of the south The public long since
ceased to exhibit interest in the progress Of
affairs in that quarter, aud had almost iorgott
the existence there of corps ddrnses which.
though small was capable OF carrying its
victorious arms into the heart OF tho rebellion,
II led by skilul generals, determined to accom-
plish something for the countrys good The
appointment to the command OF that depart
nient of Brigadier General q. A. Gilmore, a
scientific, skiIiul and successful engineer Off
! Ger, who had given proofs of his abilities and
| energy in the reduction of Fort Pulaski, and in
brilliant operations in Kentucky, was q promise
to the country that experiments with the negro
population, wild and barbarous negro raids,
epistolary labors of the most absurd but funny
character, and general military inacton should
give way to legitimate military operations and
intense activity, which should result in the re-
duction of Fort Sumter and the capture of
Charleston.
The intelligence just received guarantees that
the promise has thus far been fulfilled; and
from our knowledge Of the character of the
general commanding the forces before Charles
ton, we may reasonably look for still greater
activity, until the object of his movement shall
have been accomplished.
According to the latest reliable ac-
counts General Gilmore had gained an
important position on Morris Island, and
was investing Fort Wagner, rebel work of
some strength on the northern part of the
island He was aided by the powerful co.
operation of Admiral Dahlgrens Monitors
and gunboats, and, as the enemy's work
was laid ont to cover the water approaches,
General Gillmore's heavy batteries on the
land side will soon render the fort untena-
bic. The capture Of Fort Wagner renders
! the possession Of the Cummings Point battery
utterly impossible to the enemy, as Fort
Wagners guns take it in reverse. With Fort
Wagner and theCummings' Point casemated
work in his hauds General Gilmore can
quickly mount his heavy siege and breach
ing guns, though he will be compelled to work
under heavy fire from Fort Sumter, which
may delay, but cannot prevent him, and then
the walls Of Sumter must crumbe to the
| ground. Under such fire a. General Gilmore
can concentrate, aided by Admiral Dahlgren
from his Monitors which will now work free
from those disadvantages that they labored
under in Admiral Dupont's gallant attack,
Fort Sumter cannot stand twcnty-four hours.
Forty eight hours will suffice to reduce II to a
pile Of ruins. We may reasonably look for
this work to be accomplished before the mid
de Of August, and then the gates to the city
OF Charleston will be open to the navy. The
three rebel iron-ciads within the harbor can be
taken care Of by the Monitors, as they have al.
ready done in the case Of one OF the same class.
! the Atlanta. Dahlgren's guns will then cover
the city. We observe that General Gilmore
Is also operating from the Stono on James
Island This Is the same line Of operations laid
out last year. but resulting, through stupidity.
in defeat II the rebels are weak. General Gill.
more can push heavy column across the island,
by capturing one or two lines of defensive works
| by storm, and plant his guns in easy range Of
Charleston, and compel its surrender. We
should not be surprised IL that should yet be
found the true road to the city.
The report about town yesterday, to the
! effect that Charleston has been evacuated
by the rebels, is based on questionable
| authority, and we await further intelligence