The New York herald., 1863-11-16
Mr. Oscar q. Sawyer's Despatch.
Folly leland, 8. c., Nov. ~, 1868.

Ms SITUATION.
rhe present state Of affairs s decidedly duh and
tonous Not single event has occurred Of stirring
character during the past ten days. The bombardment
Of Fort Sumter continues without Interruption but with
less vgor did week two ago. But that sort
Of excitement has lost its charm, and has now become
exceedingly fiat stale. The enemy's nro is languid
and Ineffective and frequent enough to attract the
least attention. Under these circumstances is easy
matter to gather material enough for correspondence
To be might describe the fight Of shells and
their effect on Fort SUMTER but that is an old story,
familiar to the HERALD readers as "housenold
words" Sumter appears about the IL
did ten days snce-a little more battered per-
haps, but still presenting the general features in
outline. 1t is badly preached it be with:
out expenditure Of material that would attain
mensurate results. So conGne ourselves mortar
firing. which, from rebel accounts Is exceedingly
rate and effective. The garrison Of Sumter is weakened
daily by the Of half dozen killed and wound
ed aud process Of wearing out that will tell Of
these days N" ''-~
4 TEA PARTY BROKEN Up M'DoNouGH.
Recently OF light draught steamers have been
passing between Stono and Light House Inlet through the
inside channel, instead Of going out to sea. This
new movement Immediately discovered by
the sharp.eyed rebels in Secessiouvie, and at
the batteries looking this way; and the other
winding through the crooked channel, and had
reached point within rife range Of the rebel guns they
opened with long range rife, and fred two or three
shells at the Planter and others at the Philadelphia The
shots fell short and did damage; but they attracted
Captain Bacons attention. be directed several shots
to be fred at Secessionvle in return, from tho 0ty
FOUNDER rifles Of the Commodore McDonougb. The rrac
tice was excellent, The first shot fell little to the left
Of the principal house in the village but the second burst
In the battery it, and occasioped an immense com
motion among party Of ladies from Charleston, who
enjoying the society Of the gallant ocers there at
tea party. They had been singing the "Bonny Blue
Flag" my Maryland" and other popular rebel songs
and at intervals INDUCED in agreeable salutaiory exer
cises TO music furnished by second rate brass band
when their festivities brought TO sudden close by
the music of Yankee shell the hum Of Its fragments
above their heads. Such . hasty and uDceremonious
separation and parting before seen From the
McDonough could get gmpses OF rapidly retiring TO-
male forms, which lost to sight, followed BY
the band with their instruments their shoulders, AZ
double quick, ana general hurryng out Of the way Of
large crowd Of spectators. Where the "Bonny Blue
Flag" went TO could not decide, but that and
"My Marylapd,r and the "Lone Star" were heard
Of during the night Since that eventful
occasion there have been no parties given at Sc
cessionville, and l fear tho fright occasioned by
Captain Bacons shells deter the ladies' from visiting
that charming hamlet, again to pass the evening 10
dripping the light fantastic toe. Captain Bacon Is
most gallant oncer and dslkes 10 occasion trouble in
these festive SCENES but he placed in the inlet to keep
the rebels quiet and respectful and they choose to fire
on our they must take all the consequences that
follow their acts.
The Commodore McDonough has performed excellent
service department, and getting little wcrse
for wear she ought TO be sent North for repairs, but
will probably not be until her services longer
needed
The Coast Survey schooner Bailey, W. s. Edwards, As
Commanding aids the McDOnoush in guarding the
inlet and does good work in the surveying line well
IBE BATTERIES.
In company with Captain Bacon, Of the McDonouRh and
Mr. Edwards. OF the Coast Survey, visited Black Island
yesterday and from the lookout closely examined through
powerful glass the .!enemys deeuces james Island.
The amount OF work accomplished by the rebels during
past year incredible. From johnson TO the south
end OF island there less than eight large
works. skifuy laid and handsomely finished. These
are connected with the other by line OF inrench
ments and rife pits. Batteries Smpkins, Haskell,
Cheves, Reynolds, Reyan and the secessouvo works,
furnished with immense bombproos traverses and
magazines perfectly snoiproof and ample enough all
purposes
Nearly all have guns mounted in them, OF which
have Quaker look They may be genuine Back OF this
line OF works second series OF deiences, probably not
mounting heavy guns bst ready for the reception Of Geld
pieces when needed. They protected by abatis,
stockados friezes be nearly inaccessible
to force from this side The rebels st vigorously
at work building new batteries and strengthening old
They TO be In strong force island and
always vgiIant.
We had . 1ne view Of the city, could look into
the streets and persons walking about Two three
fouudries eeemed TO be In full blast turning
| material.
The rebels al work placing obstructions
| In the Cooper river. opposite the city. 10
guard against visit from Admiral Dshlgren's iron.
clads. which show signs OF attempting 90 up 70 the
city at present. Altogether the view obtained well
worth our trouble. and stiguing climb up old plpa
/ tree TO the 'cro nest.
Commander Ammen returned q day or two since from
the North where he had been important business
nectcd With proposed naval operations 10 ths quarter
Ills object attained and he will now n IA said a.
sumo command OF one OF the Monitors when attack ts