New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-21
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE
6Ol TIL.
The Loss Of the plssfen---
Fire in Fort Sumter - IIarbor OBJ
attractions Washing Ashore Smelling
Of Charlesson-The Steamer Planter
Still With Us-DiscovcFy Of Brass
Twelve. Founder.

TWelvesPoundcr.
From Our Special Correspondent.
FOLLY ISLAND. S. C.. Dec. H. 1868.
The monitor Weehawken, Capt. Colhoun,
one Of the finest Of our monitors was lost while
at anchor Sunday, the 9Th inst. at O'clock D. M AT
the time Of the disaster the win was blowing very
fresh from the northeast. and heavy sea Was on
Through some oversight the forward hatch was hft
open when q huge wave washed over her decks, snk'
ing her instantly in ten athos directly IN the channel
leading to the city two miles from Fort sumter iicv
complement consisted Of 20 men. officers included.
seven sailors and four engineers were lost The
others were Immediately floating on the water and
were rescued BY the united efforts Of the feet in small
on hoard OK the Ironsies on official business.
On Friday the llth inst, at nine In the morning,
terrific explosion occurred in Fort Sumtersuppsed TO
have been Of the magazines situated in the north
west corner Of the Fort not Ear from where their flag
doated The bricks and mortar hurled into the air
in vast heaps 10 the hight OF three hundred FEET,
taking at the same time the flag. and more
than likely some Of tho Kebels. As soon rs The
dust and smoke had cleared little, soldiers could be
seen on the south east Of the ruins to the num-
Der Of thirty or more Instantly all OF our batteries
opened upon them which bad the effect o. making 'eiH
skedaddle' double quick into their bomb proofs
Half an hour after the explosion blaze was seen issn'
ing from the Of the Fort supposed TO be some
timber that they have used TO strengthen eir maya
zn--as all the barracks have been destroy0 long ago.
lstead " diminishing 10 increased a. night came on
All Friday night It burned throwing Its lurid hight ON
the water and showing the Fort very distinctly making
good max for orr guDners and II is needless 10 say
that all night long they kept up one continuous shelng
aud late into the next day sunday was stiil smok
ing. This morning the dag can be seen waving from
the south eastern corner OF the roft. ~ wiz ~, 10y
there long Is the programme here TO Knock IL away
daily.
On Saturday ght. during the storm, wooden con
cern 50 by - feet, double PanAs VI the bottom anu
washed ashore this Island mile from Light House
Inlet. The general inquiry Is " What is Ms' Gen.
Turner the able Chief Of Artillery gave It as MS
opinion that il was formerly Rebel foating battery.
AZ II evidently shows signs where guns have oeeh
mounted bat u late bss been used as an Obstruction 10
the h.rbor Y bsIy !sISe stones are SUI An H. Sn'A
During the past week shells have been thrown into
the city OF Charleston at the rate oftweDy Per day
The sEeng does not TAKE place at the same tine eacn
day At time Gen ,Gilmore sends nus comPfmshts
TO the Charesonisns a. early a. a. M Just 70 et tneni
know that be 10 awake. At other times a rev or,
dropped in u the hour OF IL n dinner time the world
over to aid digestion while at 10 p M he gives them
fsr more On tie principle VI the strop man INA,
i, hns a few more left" Bat Il must not BE- inferred
from this that we have il all our own way.
Battery Simpkins, Fort johnson (Motler johnson as
the soldiers ca IT, from the simple fact that she seems
10 ps more attention 20 them At present an any oi
the other ors) and Fort Aourie send n on An aver
age some shells IN the course OF the "a hours ho'
of them fall far short OF their destination WHAT Icw ao
reach US only tend to cur boys. They seem W
care no for shen Than men Of home do for the
what few accidents do occur are the result % their
own rcoklessnsss II 10 this Indifference that oftcnic
results fatally man IL stationed IN place " saef.
report which way the sheu Is coming-of course o:
tells only by the nash-snd the cry 10 Cover sehnso,
or Cover Aoultre.' ~ The easc may be IL 10 ths
duty Of the officer in command to see that all bis mel
GOV r immediately, bat hs, for wonder becomes %
brave as his men, and does not seek cover lie oonse
quence TO- all liable 10 ct HIT while now and then
some poor fellow gets an arm OF leg torn on.
IL /, the duty Of the oiccr that bis men be covered
whether they wish TO or not IL would occupy not NOR
than thirty seconds and would be the means OF SAVING
some Valuable lives We connot Afford Ia lose sodie
when their lives could De spared BY word from The
officer IN command and few steps to cover some one
The steamer Planter Capt. Small. Is stu fired at on
her daily trips from Stone 10 Lighthouse Inlet ron Tue
Rebel battery In Seoess0nyis None 81 the slots do
any damage. Persons stand upon the d"sA ~ thc YES
eel smoking ~ unconc.rnedly rs an excursion paft!
wond do ON the 9Th OF July.
The storm that has been visiting US for the pas. Hw
DAYS il over To-day the weather Is like Spring. Often
before think 1 date my letters june or july. Tie
coolest time have 10 about o'clock a. m. Iher the
mercury not low but are cold because Of the great
change tina. has taken place since noon VI the proa
day \. H. r.
blc i5-Saturdsy morning. while the Tide was
receding. Of the privates of the Sd H. l. Battery
discovered from Fort Putnam on the beach, what h,
thought might be brass field piece. He asked and
obtained permission to 20 and see. No be armed tn'
self with spade few minutes soon r.' called TO The
deli GIFTED soldier beautiful brass l2nound.r Twelve
men were mme detailed Ia carry IL into the fort.
which was done successfully under brisk lire from
Moultre. A. It was in the fort 1t was mounted
in good position, ready at moments notice 10 BE-
used against its old friends The spade In the course
Of the day brought to tho surface so rounds o. soid
shot that Just suited the eaber Of the piece IL Is
thought that the Rebels. before eyacuain9 Gregg.
buried quantity Of ammunition OF all sorts. few
days will decide the matter. The Rhode Island ID
thinks spades are truInps IN this case at least.
The storm and high tides have had she effect OF wash
ing away some Of Admiral Dahlgrens greatest enemies.
Morris Island for mile IL lined the beach with i'm
mense logs 80 feet long and Il inches thick fastened
together BY means Of very strong bands ~ iron. No
traces can be discovered where trpedoe> have been
fastened. Now IL ever is the time for tb' Admiral o
make the attempt u 70 into Charleston. II DOT et him
retire TO his bed Of down n. T.
FROM CALIFORNIA.