Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-19
THE REBELS DESPAIR OF HOLD
ING SUMTER.
THEY REMOVETHE GUNS TO
JAMES ISLAND.
ILLNESS OF GENERAL GILMORE.
MONDAY THE DAY FIXED FOR
THE GRAND ATTACK.
ASSOCIATED PRISE DIspATqH.l

NEW YORK, Aug. f9-The steamer Fulton,
| from Port Regal on the 18th inst has arrived.
! Since Monday last H0th) events before
| Charleston had been rather rnonotonous, We
| have, the accounts say, been exchanging she'll
| and shot with the rebels night and day, with
| probably but little damage to either party The
| enemy's object was to re,ard General Gill
| more's siege works on shore; but all have been
perfected for some days
The Intention was to open on the 18th. but it
was abandoned on account Of some dlficulty
as to the quality Of the army ANN rition, and
owing to the serious indsposition II General
Gilmore. He, however, is much better, and
mence at daylight to- morrow.
The shore batteries. in getting The range OF
their guns yesterday ahd the cay before,
Knocked three holes in the walls OF For,
Sumter.
The general impression prevails that tina
rebels will syacuate that fort, aad will blow il
up as soon as the assault commences. Out OF
nearly thirty gums on the parapet ten days ago.
only six now remain. The larger number Of
those in classmates had pre- viously disappeared
The rebels have erected a line Of earthworks
a mile long on James Island, frcln Fort John
son to Secession vile, although. rs yet, but few
guns ha We been mounted. This is supposed to
be the destination OF the guns taken from Fort
Sumter.
Our picket boats arrived from Fort Sumter
report great activity among the robeis every
night, with schooners, steamers, etc.
The weather continues fine, with a calm sea.
and most favorable for our operations rba
air is hot but good sea breeze and occasional
thunder showers cool the air.
Everything is now in readiness. on sea and
shore, and all are looking forward to the work
OF Tomorrow as certain OF complete success.
Reatorcements continue to arrive daily.
Quite large army is now on the islands.
On Wednesday night the rebels opened on
our works with grape and canister.
On information received from two sullers
who deserted. we lost two killed and two
wounded.
The Monitors, however. soon sileneed the
rebel guns.
Admiral Dahlgren went on board the Pa.
tapsco, joining her under the guns O, Fort
Wagner, and came near being taken on by q
tea-inch shot from the fort.
The indications arc that the rebels will de-
pend upon distractions and the interior lines
OF defeneee in the attack 70 come of to m orrow
The Ironsides will engage Fort Wagner and
keep her silent, while the monitors and tina
shore batteries engage Fort Sumter at r,e same
time.
The wooden fleet and mortar schooaers will
support the mohito.s.
1t will be grand affair.
The rebel works on James Island indicate
that an attempt will be made on the part of the
rebels to drive Gilmore of Morris Island. or To
annoy him. go as to interfere with the siege of
Fort Sumter.
VERY LATEST.
August l6-5 p. nj learn from shore tina,
the rebels have piled sand bags on the wharf
in the rear OF Fort Sumter, against the rear
wall. forty-fye feet high. thus completely pro.
teeting the magazine from the shore batteries
of Gen Gilmore.
The removal OF guns from the parapets of
Fort Sumter, Is probably from the conviction
that our army batteries will silence them.
There have been but two or three shots fired
to-day, both parties observing the Sabbath.
1t is generally understood an assault will be
made tomorrow, and the weather promises to
be most favorable.
The ocean is as calm as a mill pond. TnA
atmosphere Is clear and bright.
General Gillruors's health Ii much better
this evening.
NEW YORK. Aug. ia private note, dated
on Morris Island. p. m. August 18th. says
I'VE wiia have Fort Sumter Tomorrow, Ger.
tain" .-,s.F.ssF sg...4
The above information is from q. G. Fulton.
Esq. the Editor OF the Baltimore Ameyicua,
~-A,n e 1s-n,k exA~