Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-14
The siege ofCharleston
THE SMELLING OF NORRIS ISLAND BY THE
REBELS
AN UNSUCCESSFUL ASSAULT BY OUR BOATS
UPON FORT SUMTER.
THE BoMBARDMENr on PORT MouLrRIK

OF the U. s. steamship Massachusetts, we have
news from Charleston up to Wednesday eve
ming last.
The monitor Weehawken, which had ground
ed at Cummings Point was got off safe on
Tuesday, although she had been exposed to a
terrific fire, the rebel batteries having been con-
cenIated unon her.
Whilst the Weehawken was aground she
kept up spirited fire on the rebel batteries in
W whch she was assisted by several other moni-
tors. One OF the Weehawken's fifteen.inc
shells penetrated a magazine at Fort Moultrie,
which blew up with q tremendous explosion,
the concussion from which was felt even on
board the vessels lying in the lower har Dor. An
immense cloud OF smoke hang over the fort af-
ter the explosion, and the impression was that
much damage must have been done inside the
fort, and perhaps q large number Of lives lost,
as the fire OF Moultrie visibly slackened after
the disaster.
On Tuesday Admiral Dahlgren organized an
assaulting party to endeavor to take possession
Of the ruins Of Sumter and drive out or capture
the rebel garrison which was still kept there.
The expedition was exclusively naval and con-
sisted OF about four hundred sailors and ma
rlnes, under command Of Commander Stevens,
Of the monitor Patapsco. The launches from
the different vessels OF the sqaadrons with the
men detailed assembled near the nag ship soon
after dark, and at given signal the boats
started quietly and expediiiously on their dan
about eleven O'Clock and effected q landing uu-
der the walls. 1t was then found that the diff
ficulties OF the attack were almost insuperable
The wall OF the fort for from six to ten feet in
height was still standing, and the efforts to
scale this exposed the men, with scarcely an
opportunity OF retaating, to the fire of the gar
rlson. Hand grenades were thrown down upon
them, and from the heavy fire Of musketry it
was evident that the garrison of the fort was
more considerable in point Of numbers than
had been anticipated. =
Disregarding the danger Of injuring their own
CulIi -
Island also opened fire on our fleet boats, and
succeeded IN damaR ing or sinking several. The
expedition was bravely led, and the men did
not finch from the W ork, but success was evl-
identity impossible, and the signal of recall was
given. The retreat was effected in good order
and the loss was less severe than might have
been expected. Forty-eight were left under or
on the walls of the fort, either killed wounded
or prisoners.
Besides he fire of shell from the encirclips
batteries, rebel steamer, probably one Of the
iron-clads, fired canister and shrapnel into the
boats with terrible execution. The boats that
got of were fortunate enough. The chances
were aR ainst them. i
Our officers and men were taken into Fort
Sumter, where they now are, and they report
that they are treated very well by the rebels
The expedition was unsuccessful because the
boats did not land at the proper time. Each
one was so anxious to get in first that the line
was broken, and the three boats struck together.
Another despatch states that the expedition
failed from the fact that some OF the boats
grounded upon the shoals.
The operations Of the navy are now princf-
pally directed towards Fort Moultrie, which
on Tuesday and Wednesday was subjected to
the fiercest and most continuous fire which the
Hon-clad fleet has yet delivered. The Iron
sides has been particularly efficient in this
service. On Tuesday she laid about one thous-
and J ards from the fort and discharged broad
side after broadside into it with great effect
In three hours she expended over five hun.
dred shell, an example of rapid firing that is
said to be without parallel. The effect of her
fire and that Of the Monitors upon Moultrie
was very damaging The shell from the Iron
sides set fire to the village of Moultrieville,
and more than one half Of the houses were de-
stroyed.
When the Massachusetts left the lombard.
ment OF the Sullivan's Island forts and bate
rit had ceased for the day, but it was under.
stood it would be esumed next day
The officers of the Massachusetts knew little,
of General Gilmore's operations on land ex.
cept that our flag was waving over Wagner
and Gregg, and that our forces had complete
poss session OF all that portion Of Morris Island
II not taken by the navy, the ruins OF Fort
Sumter will be rendered untenable as soon as
General Gilmore brings his heavy guns up to
Cummings Point. The health Of both army
and navy is reported good, and the stubborn
defence Of the Rebels but increases the deter
mination that Charleston shall fall.
PRosRRss OF THE SIEGE.
Wehave additional particulars, by the Arago.
OF the progress Of the bombardment Of Fort
Moultrie by General Gilmore and Admiral
boA1SAoA' hc uIluS udO COutluueu all Qay
Tuesday, the sth, and mp to six O'Clock on
Wednesday, the 9Th instant, With great fury,-
and the injuries to Fort Moultrle were of
character to indicateethat the reductions of The
ease.
The bombardmenf, which began. on TnssdaY
at daylight, " as kept up during tie day. The
Of the magazine Of McnltFie ts rep
positively known. there Is no doubt In The
minds OF persons who witnessed tho explosion,
that even II the magazine was not the main opS
Of the fort, which Is by NO meanS clear, the
havoc created fnsiae was such as te matsriaHy
lessen its capacity for resistance.
On Wednesday morning the fight was -.
sumed. Two or three OF Gen. Gilmorss bat
teries. which were in range OF Fort Moultrie,
assisted in the cannonade, but only part Of the
monitor fleet renewed the conflict The Iron
sides, which has performed great service
firing rapidly when the Araeo left.
The injuries to the walls OF the fort were i'm
portanf Observations were made late in the
afternoon Of Wedne.day BY passengers in the
be seen through the haxy atmosphere that the
parapet w ails were broken. Two of the gnns
had been dismounted. This fort, II was fully
shown, would bear only q small amount Of
canponadIng compared with Sumter. Its reA
duction will Immediately follow the planting
OF batteries at Cummings Poin.-a work which
The firing from all the rebel forts and batteries
which were in range Of Morris Island, upon
our forces there, and which began on the morn
ing after the evacuation by Beauregard's
troops, has since been continuous and severe.
1t is evidently the intention to revent our
troops from occupying the forts or from con-
strueting any batteries on the end Of Morris
Island nearest Charleston, Moultrie and the
other Qualifications, for the object. as viii be
seen Of rendering Gen. Gilmore's success q
barren one.
Notwithstanding the diversion Of the IRE of
Fort Moultrie by the Ironsides and one Of the
M Monitors, the guns Of that fort were still ope-
Ia:lng on Morris Island, and the rebels refuse
to intermit their attentions to the point Of land
on which they SO long withstood the attack Of
our fort es.
Our to.ces do not occupy in force the captur-
ed Rebel fortifcations. Besides the nth which
exists, the Rebels made certain arrangements
for the destruction Of our men when they should
-nier the works, and these matters must OF
course be attended to previous 70 occupation
1t is represented, however, that the Rebel
works will be OF little use to Gen. Gilmore IN
his future operations. He can use the ground,
" hich he is already doing, IN spite Of the ftrc
on bis position; and when the new oafterIss
in progress are completed, scarcely POSITION
in The harbor but will be commanded by his
guns, while Charleston will be within easy