Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-17
The Siege OF CharIsston--A Northern View Of IN,


(hRrkCstOn--A Northern
Prospect.
The following, from the Philadelphia Inquirer shows
how the delay in the siege of Charleston is regarded by
the enemy and indicates the disappointment settling
into hopeessnegs, which their failure TO take tie city
has naturally produced
AFFAIRS NEAR CHARLESTON.
By the arrival of the Fulton we have Charleston
dates to the Goth While nothing decisive has been
accomplished by forces in that locality, several
events have anspired during the past week of more
than ordinary interest Charleston has been shee for
the third time by Gimore's guns at Cummings Point.
On the morning of the 18th instant Wenty-one per-
cussion shells fired at the city, nineteen of which
fell in the most populous part Of The town The dam.
age prodHced By this bOmbaTdmGnt is unknown though
the Charleston papers have since reported not
terial 1t is said at Morris Island that Gilmore ill.,
tends to continue this bombarGment from day to day,
and by this means possible, destroy the city, unless
the rebels conclude to surrender.
This method of destroying the city, however will be
very tedious if not mpEactcahle one, both because OF
the distance CT Charleston from Cummings Point, and
the constant liability OF guns to burst at great
elevation is required to reach the city If the Greek
FIRE shells bad only proved themselves effective
hoped the destruction of Charleston by fire w0u1 lon
since have been accomplished. But We hear OF
Greek fire. It's reputation, if not eral, has proved
itself ertinguiSbctLe. The shells now thrown into
Charleston the ordinary percussion shell, and the
damage inflicted by such bombardment best be
judged by considering the siege OF NicksbaTg, which
Notwithstanding the thousands of shells thrown into it
by our land and naval forces, neither forced to
surrender by such bOmbardment totally destroyed
Therefore, affairs now stand at Charleston, We be-
eve that the capture or reduction OF that city depends
upon a nearer approach either Of land naval
forces. How the land forces at present advance
any to the city is matter OF great doubt Gill
must hold Morris Island, Is the key to the
barber and absolutely essential to any further success
in that vicinity. He also keep possession OF Fol
y Island which is, it his base Of Op rat0ns
and also the adjacent isiauds-L0ng Island, Coles,
kiawha, Seabrook, Black and EdistO-which imTnadi
atey threaten ii. That Gilmore has force enough to
retain these positions is doubted but that be can
in addition to this, make an overland demonstration
against Charleston acquainted at all with the
coDfguraton of the country, and the of Beau
regard with which to repel such advance can for
moment believe.
Gilmore has done all that is reasonable for US to ex
pect of him with his present force He has not only
destroyed Sumter and shelled Charleston, but be has
accomplished that which is greater Injury to the
South, namely: the perfect blockade of the barbor.-
de Is also ready at any time to cooperate with any de
nODsraOus by Dahlgren against either the obstruc-
tons in the channel or any OF the Notifications in the
harbor.
While, therefore, it is pleasing variation of tie
nonotony into which the siege has reapsed, to bear
that Gilmore has again shelEed Charleston still it is
upon Dahlgren that all future success in that locality
must rest Fer the past month he has been recovering
his health ard rejoice as MUGS now 10 hear that We
have our Admiral in good health as we lamented be-
fore because our Admiral was sick.
Now that Dahlgren's health is excellent we naturally
expect that attempt at least will be made by him to
force his way into the harbor of Charleston or, at
least let him proceed far enough to find out what kind
OF distinctions in the channel or whetherthere
any at all Time is not more precious anywhere to our
success than at Charleston barber The rebels have been
constantly erecting batteries under the very guns Of
Dahlgren's teet Last week, in the night time, they
openea with new battery OF seven guns on Sullivan
Island, and sheed Gilmores batteries on Cumming s
Point most furiousy 1t is supposed that the rebels
expected an assault would be made upon Sumter Ac-
cordingy, they kept up furious cannonade upon Gill
mores batteries, while they landed heavy force in the
ruins of the fort
The same night, also the Monitor Lehigh ran
agroun1 near sulivan's Island, and being unable to
get Oh, she was exposed to heavy fire in the morn
ing from the rebel batteries Through the bravery
however, of a boats crew from the Nahaut, she was
nnay extrcated from her danger and has since "gone
to Port Royal for repairs" In fact, going to Port
Royal for repairs is very faVorite pastime with tie