The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-08-20
ADDITIONAL FAon TIE .ooIn

---sEcREsy TO BE OBSERVED By THE pKD-
ERAL TRooPs-TnE COSTRABASps xCsT
WORK OR BE sHoT.
The New York papers Of the l4th con-
tain very full correspondence from
Charleston, as late as the 6th inst. Some
OF II is very interesting The cor
respondents seem TO be amazed at
being unable TO explaia the partial cessa-
tion Of fire. from the Confederate forts -
The New York Times correspondent,
giving resume Of the weeks operations.
says:
Fort Wagner is already about non ea. At
any rate it is impossible for that work TO use
It's guns to any advantage, in consequence oi
the expertness of our sharpshOOte. 8, who
are ready to pick off the first rebelthat shows
his head above the Notifications. By this
means 1t may be safely said that Fort Wagner
Is entirety al our mercy. When the Union
forces first arrived on the island the ,guns Of
Fort Wagner were trained on the beach so
as 10 sweep its entire lchgth, and in fact il
was rendered anything but an agreeable
promenade at that time. But now the sd.
diers can walk on the b each with ippuniey
to within mile and a half of Fort Wagner,
not fearing any trouble from the guns Of that
work.
Fort Gregg, otherwise known as the Cum
mings Point Battery, is completely out ofthe
question at present The special points OF
interest are Forts Sumter, johnson, and, as
before intimated, Fort Wagner. Let those
forts be reduced and the land forces will have
achieved all that can be required Of them in
their present situation. The iron clads must
do the rest in the reduction of Charleston.
Fort Moultrie occasionally throws shell,
but for what purpose il is difficult TO con-
ceiye, as the projectile invariably falls in the
wafer without causing the slightest damage
to any Union material.
Of the health Of the Union troops it may
be said that they are comparatively i'll Il good
condition. The cases Of sickness have been
greatly reduced during the past ten days,
and the probability is, that in the course OF
another week the sick list will he very small
Those who are sick have the best of treat
ment and attention, being Immediately con
veyed to Hilton Head, where aecommoda-
tions have been provided for them. As YET
there have been no signs of the yellow fever
or any other epidemic and such is not ap
pretended on the island this season. A few
cases occurred last year at Hilton Head, but
such sanitary measures have been taken as,
il is believed, will prevent Il return of that
class of disease this summer On Morris
Island not a tree or shrub is to be found
The only thing that approaches ycgetat Jon,
grass which is discovered in certain spots,
like the oasis in the desert. The absence OF
vegetation is believed to have saiutary ef-
feet ON the health of the soldiers. AS would
be naturally supposed, the climate here is
excessively warm, especially in early morn
ing. Al about 1Oo II \. VI. We have ifesl
sea breeze which continues tor the remainder
of the day and long into night. Within the
past six days 400 men have been sent from
the hospitals To their reg iments. In fact,
one or two hospitals have been broken up
entirely.
II must no, he supposedth hat Morris Island
is n leyel plain of sand There can be no
doubt about the sand, but the island is by no
means free from hills and low'hluifs, especi-
ally on the lower on aonthern end. These
bluffs extend about one and a half miles pa
rallel with the island, or to the lookout tow
er. Beyond that point, the country Is com
paratively even, but aDOunds with marshes.
From the peculiar shape of the island and The
contracted limits which, can be occupied, it
is impossible to conjecture upon II very
heavy number of men. Notwithstanding
this, however, it is thought We have troops
enough TO accomplish the object intended.
II will not he 4 matter Of news TO state
thar work is being vigorously prosecuted on
the trenches and parallels The nature of the
next conflict can De easily surmised- IT viii
be, for the most part, an artillery duel.
Lighthouse Inlet has certainly become a
famous harbor on the Carolina coast. The
rebels, in looking from their observatory
lust below Fort Johnson, cannot be other
wise than astonished to witness the heet oi
vessels of various kinds that are constantly
anchored nj that point. Perhaps they also
witness with feelings Of regret the wreck OF
the impudent Ruby, which was driven on
the beach by the blOckaders while attempt
ing to run the gauntlet with a cohlraband
.4I., l.
tion between Morris and Folly Islands is
kept HID by means of a small steamer which
hOnrly plys back and forth. In addition to
the steamer a dozen or more Tow-boats are
ALWAYS on one or the other shore, so there l.
never a lack of transportation.
A flag of truce was sent to Fort Wagner
Yesterday, but no reply has been received up
to the time of mailing this letter.
In Gen Gillmore's marquee are three cle-
cant flags which have been captured oH this
island. Two belonged to the 21st South
Carolina, one Of the Old and the other the
new style. The old one has "Pocotaligo"
inscribed on it, and was captured by private
Poper Counslow, company u, 9th Connect
cut. on the 10th ult., alter shooting the rebel
colOr-bearer.
MILITARY NEWS TO BE SUPPRESSED - A
STRINGENT ORDER.
The following order has been issued
by Gen. Gilmore relative to the press ::
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOrrH,
Headers in the Field,
Morris Island, s. c., Aug. Z, 1863.
General Orders, No. GG.
I. The practice of giving information TO
their friends or to the public press on mat
ters connected with military operations In
progress or in contemplation, so unscrupu.
Iously indulged in by officers, citizens, and
soldiers in this Department, and by employ
ecs on transports, is fralght with incaicula-
| bic evil TO our cause, and must be stopped
| at once. No information which could in any
way benefit the enemy must be divulSed, iii
| rectly or indirectly.
ITnon the following subjects in particular
the strietest silence must be observed, viz:
The names of divisions, brigade or post
commanders.
The strength Of regiments, brigades OF
divisions, except after engagements have
| taken place.
5. The numbers and-position of regiments
brigades, divisions, batteries, or pieces Oh ar
tiliery
| 4 Allusons TO the kind or quantity O
| arms, cannon or ammunition.
| s. The number of transports, or klna o
supplies transported in any movement
| g. The description of any movement, c
any illusions to its object, until the same
shall have been accomplished or defeated.
| T. Suggestions of future movements o
| attacks.
8. Any illusions whatever 10 scouts or lie
connoissances, whether accomplished or We
| ia prospect.
q The position or location Of camps, bat
| teries. pickets, military roads or outposts.
10. The publication of official reports Q