Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-09-08
How Near Fort Wagner was Taken.

The following paragraph from letter
dated at the mills House, Charleston, Au-
gust Sth, and published in the Mobile Tribune,
of the 18th, contains information that might
be servicible to General Gilmore IL may
not be permitted to state what occurred on
the morning of the 25th, which at the time
would have been very impludent TO have
mentioned. Fort Wagner witbstood the
combined fire of the enemy's whole sea and
land forces, which was perfectly frightful.
A new battery, from their more advanced
works, armed with Parrot guns, also opened
on the fort, and did serious damage. The
remaining l0-inch columbiad was dsmount
ed from the sea face of the battery, and the
magazine so much exposed that it became
necessary TO remove the ammunition.
The firing of the enemy ceased ut ten l.
NJ, to permit Of the exchange of prisoners,
according to previous arrangement, and was
not renewed. But such was the alarm of
the commanding officer who had relieved
Brigadier- General Hagood, and anticipating
a renewal OF the attack after the completion
Of the exchange Of prisoners, which was not
effected until two z. NJ, that he requested,
as a matter of prudence and precaution, that
all necessary arrangements should be made
for the transfer of the troops from the ganl-
son. in case it became necessary to abandon
the battery. The condition Of affairs was
reported to General Beauregard, who, after
full deliberation, instructed the command
ing officer not to abandon the works under
any circumstances, but to hold them at all
hazards. l only mention this as part o.
the history of the bombardment, and to
show the critical position that Battery
Wagner was at one time, supposed to be in.
-s-sss%
GREEK FIRE.-The rebel General Beaure-
gard protests against the Federal General
Gillmore's use Of "Greek fire" against
Charleston, as an outrage against humanity,
unworthy of civilized nations, &c. The
name of"Greek fire. is applied to peculiar
compound Of bitumon, naptha, and pitch
that burns on the surface oil or under water.
1t is composed largely Of what the chemists
call "arsenical alcohol" most destructive in
its effects, and in the course Of its discharge,
emitting most offensive odor. "Greek
fire" has frequently been employed in
European wars, but not often in modern
times. The secret Of the preparation and
use was derived from Il native Of HellopOlis,
Syria, about thousand years ago. Origi-
nally it was projected against the enemy on
arrows and javelins, around which wax was
twisted saturated with the inhammabe
compound. 1t was often vomited through
long copper tubes, from the mouths Of hide
Gus ngures, winch were set IN lne pfOWs oil
fire ships. In the holy wars of Syria and
Egypt the Mohommedans often used "Greek
fire. against the Christians-and one Of the
chroniclers of the time describes it us
coming through the air, like a winged long
tailed dragon, about the thickness Of u hogs
head, with the report Of thunder and the
velocity of lightning, producing so much
light from the quantity Of fire through out
that one might see in the camp as if it
had been day-a description not applicable
TO the ordinary sky-rocket