The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-18
FROM CHARLESTON.
Daring Attempt to Capture Fort
Sumter Repulsed.

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New York, Sept. ia Morris Island
letter of the 9th, to the Herald gives an
account of the recent boat expedition
against Sumter.
The fotilla consisted of between twenty
five and thirty boats manned by over one
thousand sailors under Lieut. Commander
Williams, Of the Wassahickon, and one
hundred marines under Capt McAuley.
The entire force was commanded by Com
mander Stevens, of the Monitor Passaic.
The boats were towed within short dis
lance of the fort, where they careened
the boats and left them under Commander
Williams and Ensign Porter, and landed,
the parties attempting to run up the ruins
to the parapet. so
They were fred upon by musketry
and hand grenades thrown down upon
them. The slope was SO sharp that they
were unable to reach the parapets. Asig-
nal was given from the fort, and in an in
slant ali the rebel batteries opened on the
fort and shelled it terribly.
Three boats were smashed, and all the
men killed or captured. Lieut.. Bradford,
of the marines, was MORALLY wounded and
captured. Commander Reany, Lieutenant
Preston, Lieut.. Bunce, DR.. Wheeler and
Ensign Porter we're also captured. The
entire list of casualties will Number eighty.
The remainder of the command returned
in safety. A flag of truce states that our
captured officers and men are well treated.
WASHINGTON, Sept. ia private note
received here from off Charleston, says
about thirty-fve men composed the re-
cent expedition to Fort Sumter, and only
portion of the force landed, some of the
boats grounded on shoals, but for this
there would probably have been terrific
result.
1t is understood in Washington that
General Gilmore has tenderly inquired of
the Government if he would be justified
in bombarding Charleston, to its utter de-
structiOn.
The answer returned, it is said, was such
as to give the country the assurance of
heap OF ashes where Charleston stands.
The report that the flag which Maj. An
derson had with him at tie original sur
render of Sumter had been captured by
the rebels few days ago is said to be
wholly untrue.
New YORK, Sept. 13.-The Hes'olds
letter states that ii has been ascertained
that the old iron-clad battery at Cummings
Point forms the cover of the magazine of
Fort Gregg 1t affords good cover to
our men, and has already sustained heavy
fire from the rebel batteries.
New YORK, Sept. IA "A Morris Island
letter to the Tribune states that the rebels
have recently taken to firing large slabs of
iron a foot in length, and four or five
inches in width, bound together with
strong wire. They are intended expressly
for the Monitors, and are thrown with
view of getting them under the turrets, so
so as to prevent their revolving.
A large supply of incendiary shells, or
in other words, "Greek Fire" was sent to
Gen. Gilmore by the steamer Arago, and
they are by this time, probably, being used
with good effect against Charleston.
Fort MONROE, Sept ia transport
arrived from Hilton Head reports the arri-
val of relief boat Cosmopolitan from Morris
Island on Friday evening, at which time
white flag was flying over Fort Moul-
trie, and our forces had captured half of
James Island.
The monitors were lying between Sum
ter and Moutrie. Captain Diggs of the
relief boat passed Charleston bar at four
p. NJ on Saturday, and saw the white flag
still flying over Moultrie. The last gun
was fired from Moultrie on Friday after
noon