Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-20
LATEST NEWS.
FROM CHARLESTON.
PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE.
BY TELEGR APH
70 THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY

L ~ ~ - - w L Ii . II E1s
New YORK, Aug. l9.-The steamship Full
ton, from Port Royal, S. c., 10th, has ar
rived -
Flagship Densa,ore, dug. Is. Since Mon
day events have been rather monotonous.
We have been exchanging shell and shot with
the rebels night and day, with probably but
little damage on either side. The enemy's
object was to retard General Gilmores siege
works on shore, but they have all been per-
fected for some days. The intention to open
on the 18th was abandoned on account of some
difficulty as to the quality Of army ammuni-
ton, and owing to the serious indisposition of
Gen. Gilmore. He is, however, much better,
and the opening OF the heavy siege work will
commence at daylight to- morrow.
The shore batteries, in getting the range of
their guns yesterday and the day BEFORE
Knocked three holes in the walls Of Sumter.
The general impression prevails that the reb
els are evacuating Sumter, and will blow up
as soon as the assault commences.
Out of nearly thirty guns on the parapets
ten days ago, but six now remain; most of
those that were in the classmates had previ-
ously disappeared The rebels have erected
line of earthworks mile long on James
island, from fort johnson to Secessionville,
| although they have but few guns mounted as
yet. This is supposed to be the destination
of the guns taken from fort Sumter.
Our picket boats around Sumter report that
there is great activity among the rebels every
night with schooners, steamers, &c. The
weather continues fine with a very calm sea,
and is most favorable for our operations. The
sun is hot, but a good sea-breeze and occa-
| siOnal thunder-showers cool the air. Every
thing is now in readiness on sea and on shore,
and I'll loplinr rJ To tbo ri nf
| tomorrow, certain of complete success.
Reinforcements continue to arrive daily, and
| quite large army is now on the island
On Wednesday night the rebels opened on
| our works with grape and canister, on inform
| alton received from two suffers, who deserted
to the enemy. We lost two killed and two
wounded. The monitors went up in the night,
opened on tort Wagner, and soon silenced the
rebel guns. Admiral Dahigren went on board
the Patapsco, joining her under the guns of
fort Wagner, and came near being taken off
by ten inch shot from the fort. The indica-
tions are that the rebels will depend princi.
pally upon their distractions and interior line
of defenses.
In the attack to come off tomorrow the
lronsides will engage Fort Wagner and keep
ner silent, while the monitors and shore bat
teries engage Sumter. At the same the
| gage Fort Moultrie. 1t will be grand affair.
| The rebel works on James Island indicate that
the atten. pit will be made on the part of the
| rebels to drive Gen. Gilmore off Morris ISL
| and, or to so annoy him as to interfere with
| his siege guns.
NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-Dates from Morris
Island of Sunday five P. NJ. states that only
| two or three shots were fired during the day.
both parties observing the Sabbath. During
the range practice of the shore batteries Sat
urday, Sumter had three holes knocked
through her walls. Nearly all the gnAs are
taken out of Sumter. The rebels intend
blowing the fort up. The grand attack is ex-
pected Monday morning.
AUGUST lG*.5 p. Nj learn from the
shore that the rebels have piled sand bags on
the wharf in the rear of Sumter, against its
rear wall, forty feet high, completely protect
ing Its magazines from the shore batteries of
Gen. Gilmore. The removal of the guns
from the parapets of Sumter is probably from
the conviction that our army batteries will ST.
lence them. There has been but two or three
sbota0frRh tTa6lg tor the assault tomorrow
morning. Zen. Gilmore's health is much bet
ter this morning.
WAsHTNGToN, Aug. l9.-The Republican
extra of to-day saws -
The government received dispatch from
Charleston via fortress Monroe, this morning.
to the effect that on Friday and Saturday the
bombardment was terrific, but that the action
OF the sea was so great on Sunday that the
gunboats could no operate with the land bat
teries with any good result. On Monday it
was expected the sea would be smooth enough
to enable the iron clads to join in the attack
The dispatch says nothing about the rumor
brought by the Fulton of the evacuation of
Fort Sumter, but it was reported that General
Gilmore had succeeded in reaching Charles
ton city with one of his long range guns, and
had actually thrown shot and she'll into the
city to such an extent as to call forth flag
OF truce from Beauregard on the subject. 1t
is proper to say there is no official contim
ton Of this wonderful exploit in gunnery, nor
is the report believed by military engineers
here.