Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-19
Charleston.

We nay be mistaken, possibly we are, but unless we
are mistaken, think Charleston will be attacked this
week by most formidable land and sea expedition.
We have no fears of any land attack Charleston.
We had no fears when Wilmington was threatened by
land. In fact we felt confident that if FOSTER at
tempted an advance from NeWbern by land, he would
be one of the worst whipped individuals of which his
tory affords us any example. But in regard to the
ironclads confess that we are doubtful. They pre-
sent new and untried force They may be lrressti-
BILE On they may not For our own part we look upon
physical distractions river as the only means BY
which can hope to arrest their progress a ten
inch cast iron ball will not penetrate an armor OF seven
inches of wrought ron at least the chances very
much against its doing So
II we could throw a sixteen inch ball. weighing
something like five hundred pounds there would be little
doubt but could c,ush any urret that Mr. ERICSSON
could build. We could crush it like egg-shel. But
without ordnance of that class cannot calculate with
any certainty and the problem of power of resisting
ironcads remains yet to be solved and will probably
be tested this week or next at Charleston.
IT would appear to be perfectly evident that the
enemy is concentrating heavy force in the waters and
upon the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. with
the view Of making an early attack upon the leading
For reasons referred to in former ISSUE believe
that the main designs of the Feaaras point to at
tack upon Charleston rather than Savannah, since
Charleston is the main uet through which supplies and
munitions OF war find their way into the Confederacy
for the support Of our armies and the prosecution of
the war. AS previously remarked, Savannah has viz
tualy ceased to be port, vessel having gone in
there for months.
But although Savannah has ceased to be port of
try she still possesses large OF Importance by
of her road connections especially the Savannah
Albany and Cuff railroad, extending 40 miles
into Southern Georgia, which section formerly de-
voted to cotton, turned out in 1852 most magnif-
cent corn, wheat and hog croF, being in fact our main
dependence for the bread and meat necessary for feeding
our forces on the Southern Atlantic coast This Saw
annah Albany and Gulf railroad the Ogeeehee
River few miles above Genesis Point, and it is
than probable that the object of the attack Fort Nc
Ater was fact to burn the bridge and destroy the
connection of Savannah and Charleston with Southern
Georgia The attack failed, but there is
that it will not be renewed, disguise the fact
that feel somewhat anxious in reference to the result
for although ironclad driven off, we cannot say
whether the event might not have been different had
there been five or six of them. That the enemy would
like to get possession of the Ogeechee River perfectly
natural since such possession would be apt to give them
control of the most important public works In the State
of Georgia. to say nothing of the Nashville known
as the c. S. Steamer Ratlesnake which the Federals
are blockading in the Ogeechee OF give the
enemy no information by stating this fact, since they
have been watching the Nashville for months and know
where she is better than we do.