New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-03
PROGRESS TOWARD FORT SUMTER.
GEN. GlLLhORE CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS.


transport Fulton, Capt Elbridge yesterday we have
sdyice, from the siege of Charleston to and incud-
ny Aug. l.
The Bevidere has on board the Hath Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers, numbering az non'eonl'
mssioned officers and prvates, whose term Oh ser
vice had expired. She passed of Charleston DSr'
July och, at IL O'Clock, a. m. Saw TWO Moii''orS
aud lronsider engaging Fort Wagner
The Fulton reports the siege OF Fort Wagner,
stin continued. Gen. Gilmore, has mounted "a
number of OC-pcund siege guns within one mile OF
Fort Sumter. He is confident 6 reducing beth
Sumter aud Wagner in a short time.
Affairs on Morris Islend-Ac,ivity I'm
strengthening our Position An xm-
prcgnabie FooihoId-No More Fighting
nj prcsent-The Rebels also Active
Their New Works ON James Island
Good Guunery-More about the Mnssu-
ehusetts Finy-fourfh-Our Fleet I'm
ereasing.
rron, Our Special Correspondent
MoRRis ISLAND. S. C, Aug. !. 1853.
Since the assault of the 18th but little has been
done Of any special interest TO public craving bat
tee and bloody encounters, the demolition Of the
most formidable fortress the Atlantic coast, aud
tbe capture of the most accursed of all the cities in
the Rebel Confederscy
But although no battles have teen fought, and no
assaults made, with long and narrowing lists of
killed and wounded 10 and scruiinize, the 10th
and 18th Amy Corps have not been idle, but by
day aud night. through the hot hours Of midday
and the still watches Of night, have been working
With unsbated energy and determination and have
tagged and fsltered only when utter physical ex-
baueton and disability compelled them TO leave the
field.
venture to say tba; the troops in this depart
u-uG have performed more severe lsbo- under
greater difficulties tince Gen. Gilmore assumed
command than those Of any other department in the
country OF the kind and amount of labor it would
not be proper for me, at this stage, TO speak But
results within few weeks will show for them
selves, and then we may enter upon details without
the least fear of jeopardizing the success Of the
campaign. For public encouragement 1t will not
be improper to cay that the position we now hold
upon ;ais island has been made so strong by skiiul
engineering that no force the Rebels can possibly
trng agains, it can weaken, impair, or by prolonged
and obstinate fighting drive us from. Fifty thous-
and men might possibly overwhelm ns If they could
find stand upon but the strip OF terrorIy now
hela by the Rebels the land go contracted that
upon it, and not one-twentieth could be massed for
III assault upon the only natural ne OF approach
evil left to them.
While standing upon the defensive, therefore, our
position may be considered impregDable When
ready again to assume the offensive nothing will be
abe TO resist us, and the fall Of Wagner, Sumter
and Charleston, IN turn may be, US nave III
another letter remarked, considered SIMPLY ques-
tions Of time But If We are active, and are work
ing by day aud night with almost superhuman eDer-
gy The rebels in full sight, under the blaze OF the
game hot sun, aud beneath the hight Of The same
night moon, are throwing up in!renchmeni after
iptrenchmeut upon Jemes Island, Strengthening the
gorge wall of Fort Sumter and the small tanks OF
Eort Gregg, aud in every conceivable way endeay-
orug 10 make their own position impreenabe:
Capt Paine of the New-iOIk Vol Engineers
made alone ght Reconnaissance OF the works upon
james leland and reports embrasures for twelve
guns already erected, with one gun mounted. This
one gun has already been brought TO bear upon our
batteries the eft but has, thus lar, infic,ed no
further injury than tie frightening OF several horses
engaged IN drawing ammunltlon. IL shOuId be un-
dersOod however that all this ceaselesr activity on
both sides is under fre more or less hot and dan
gerous. Yesterday puff OF smoke rose from ia.
one gun on james Island, tue soldidrs at WORK N
our own battery on the left TO their sandhoie 10
dodge the shot but unfortunately II struck directly
behind the embankment and covered the whole party
Eve ieet deep 10 tie sand. They were all dug out
In few moments, uninJared, 30 far ae Their bones
were concerned, but considerably IN want Of breath
and fresh air.
This shot from the Rebel gun having proved 60
rood one one OF our own artillerists seeing sol
der standing upon the earthworX OF the same Rebel
battery, wheeled up small Ward gun into iotluon,
took aim, and In an Instant sent hls BODY hying
twenty feet into the air. Better firing could not
have been made by the most practical shaIpshooter
As many false reports with regard 10 the conduct
Of the 54lh Massachusetts, lnegrol Col Shaw, are
being made by the Copperhead officers who, 10 serve
the Rebels, have obtsined commissions In our own
army, which will appear, if they have not already,
in the COpperhead Journals Of the North 1 trust u
further allusion the action Of this regiment the
assault OF the 18th will not be out Of place or mop
perfume.
II will be remembered the 54h held the night Of
the stormng column, led by Gen. Strong, command
Ing the let brigade. The regiment went INTO action
Elk hundred and fifty strong, and came out with
lors Of two hundred and eighty prvates and officers,
being over one-third Of the whole number. Among
tine officers the proportion Is much larger OF twen-
ty-three who went iuto action but elght came out
uniDJuret. The regiment marched up IN column by
wings; the fret was under command OF Col. Shaw
IL person, the second under Major Halhwell. When
about one thousand yards from the fort the enemy
opened upon tnem with shot, shell, and canister,
which KEPT lying through their ranks necessarily,
and woundng MANY "a their best officers. But still
they pressed on through this storm Of shot aud shell
and taltefed not, but cheered and shouted as they
advanced.
When about 100 yards from the fort the Rebel
musketry opened with such terrible effect thai for
an instant The fret battalion hestated-but only for
an instant for Col. Shaw, springing 70 the front
and waving bis sword shouted, Forward INV
brave boysl" aud with another cheer Gno shont
they rushed through tie ditch, gained the parapet
OIL the night and were soon engaged III Il hand 10
hand conflict with the enemy Col. Shaw was
Of the FIRST 20 scale the walls lie stood erect TO
urge forward his men, and while shouting for them
10 press shot dead and fell the fort. Ills
body was found with twenty Of his men lying dead
around hin, two lying on hs own body In tue
-. III - h4r ff IN