The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-24
. CHARLESTON.

Z
: history. For feur months have the Yankees been
hurling upon its Notifications hurricane OF the
most tremendous missiles ever used in warfare ana
for four months they been met and baffied by
a devotion aud heroism which they cannot equal
nor overcome. The failure of their combined
military and naval operations to accomplish their
object covers them with humiliation and disgrace
We believe they have done their worst and wheth'
er they have or not, Charleston bids them defiance
and laughs them to scorn.
The report of the last week or so is that the
enemy's fire has increased, though many OF their
shells now fail strike the object aimed at. Til.
shows that their great guns suffering the wear
of their tremendous discharges. Old Sumter, bat.
tered and bruised fortress before, still
holds out and frowns grim and sullen defiance al
her foes There is no sign of giving up. Has
Gilmore found this out? If he has, he must
nevertheless keep up the bombardment, and still
make show Of successful progress towards the re-
ducton of the "nest OF the rebelon"-for to give
it up would be confession of Confederate impreg-
inability at war with Lincous whole theory of sub,
LOCATION. We think the principal danger now is
that the Yankees will fill the harbor with iron and
make blockade of shot and shell more effective
than the stone blockade they tried at the begin
ming of the war; The Editor of the Savannah Re
publican, who speaks from careful personal obser-
vatons made on the spot, says:
Gen. Gilmore knows quite much about the
difficulties that lie in his path do-a knowl-
edge derived from long, bitter and bloody ex'
perence After seige of nearly five months, by
land and sea, with implements of war unparalleled
in the history of the world he is now just about a
half mile nearer Charleston than be was in the be-
ginning, aud with over four miles stretching be-
tween him and the city. All their powers have
been recently expended against Fort Sumter, but
it still stands, monument to their impotence
They will doubtless assault it again and with
still greater numbers, but it will be 10 vain. And
just here we would suggest, in parenthesis, to the
authorities, to the garrison with double barrel
shot guns instead of rifles; they would Go Infinite
ly more execution 10 case of assault. Loaded
with buckshot of large size, it would require but
dozen men to sweep entire face Of the fort
But the Yankees without knowledge. They
vainly imagine that Sumter Out of the way, the
road to Charleston would be clear-at least SO they
say. We cannot think that Gen. Gilmore is pos
sessed of any such delusion. We have other bat
eries to the right and Left entirely up the city,
fact which he knows as well as we do, and it
seems they have recently found out, by the aid Of
strong glass; that the Battery at the city itself,
is frowning with formidable guns. We do not be-
leve that the Yankee commander has any more idea
Of taking Charleston than he has of taking London
Paris but still, it will not do to give it up and
acknowledge all his efforts and sacrifices to- be in
vain-in the classic language of Mr. Lincoln, he
must keep pegging away" If he does not get
Charleston, he may prevent US from getting the
Yankee army in some other field.
CHARLESTON, Nov lS-The enemy fred YES
terday on the city from Battery Gregg, twenty
three 100 pound shells. Three fell in the bay,
two exploded in the air, and one struck in the vi.
entity of St. Michael's Church. Range, Al miles
Nearly all exploded on striking. No casualties
and little damage DONE The enemy's Greek fire
is humbug
November l9.-The bombardment Of Sumter
continues as usual, with little damage and few
ualties. The enemy's batteries at Cummings
Point again opened St. Michaeps Church to-
damage or casualties yet reported. The citizens
manifest but little caution.
s 2. M.-The enemy fred eleven shots from
Gregg, at the city between IL a m. and D. H.
The damage was trfng Some three or four
buildings were struck and one person slightly in
jured.
ASSAULT ON FORT SUMTER REFUSED
CHARLESTON, Nov. 2O.-Between two and
three O'Clock this morning the enemy, in several
barges, approached Fort Sumter, and upon being
hailed from the Fort, answered with oaths They
discharged several volleys of musketry which were
replied to by the garrison, the engagement lasting
from fifteen to twenty minutes, when the barges
withdrew. Forts Moultre, Bee and Johnston al
so opened on the barges, but it is not known with
what damage to the Yankees. Major Elliot says
it was feigned assault. Batteries Gregg and
Cummings Point opened very heavy fire on Sum-
ter this morning. Two or three more shells were
thrown into the city last night but no person Was
injured
A PATRIOTIC WoMAN.-Capt. James II Foote,
who has been appointed Assistant AGjutant Cen
eral and assigned to the duty of making out the
"Roll of Honor of those of our citizens who have