Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-23
MORNING LEADER.
THURsDAY MoRNING. IULY as, ,es.
TIE ATTACK UPON CHARLESTON.

reduction Of Fort Pulaski, in April, 1852,
began to manifest themselves Immediately
uFon his assuming command Of the troops
OF he Department Of the South. His frsl
work was 10 reduce and oapture Charles
ton. He commenced operations By taking
and occupying Folly Island, which lies
outside and southeast from Charleston
harb6r Thence he proceeded to capture
the southeasterly end Of Morris Island,
which forms part of the southern bound
Gry Of the boy aad harbOr, and which, at
its northwesterly extremity, is but 1900
yards from Fort Sumter. At the first cap
ture Of this fort in April, 1861, the Cum
mings Point battery, located upon this
island, was the principal agent in the re-
duction Of the fort. Fort Wagner is a
short distance to the eastward Of the Cum
mings Point Battery.
On the 10th inst, General Gilmore took
the batteries on the southern extremity of
Morris Island. This island is separated
from Folly Island by a narrow channel
called Lighthouse inlet. 0na point Of the
latter island, and within 500 yards Of the
Fsbsl works on Morris Island, General Gil
more built strong sand batteries, as quietly
and secretly as be did his batteries en-
Jones Island, which compelled the sur
render Of Fort Pulaski. The work was all
performed under cover Of the night, and
s,quietly that the rebels had no suspicion
Of our movements. Screened from OBJ
ssrVatiOn by the naturs Of the ground,
hundreds Of men we're engaged night sf-
ter night, silently and industriousIy throw
ing up earthworks, and mounting heavy
guns 50 near to the enemy that q loud
word night have revealed the work.
Shortly before daybresk brush would be
90 disposed as to conceal the work Of the
previous night In this manner, and be-
fore the rebels had any idea Of our move
mentsi no less than forty-six guns and
mortars were rut into position. So Sc
Oretly was this done that even the Federal
troops, except the workmen, did not know
that the Morris Island batteries were to be
attacked. On the morning of the 10Th,
the brush and bOugbs which had shielded
the batteries from observation we're re-
moved, and the firing commenced, under
cover Of which the assault was made by
troops which had been conveyed across
during Che night. The rebels retreatedto
Fort Wagner, at the other end Of the
island. On the 1lth an assault was made
here utrepulsed
This is the substance Of the advance thus
far. On the 10th, General Beauregari
: telegraphs the rebel AdiataDt General
Iat General Gilmore seems to be massing
hisstrOOps on Morris Island for another
atta6.k on Fort Wagner. In the first at
tack the rebels lost some three hundred.
The mortar boats and iron-nlads took en-
sctise part in the contest, and rendered
ver,s efficient serrice. they were under
LsalS- fire fromths Morris Island batter
les, aladfrom Fort Sumter but escaped un-
harmed. The Charleston papers speak Of
the FIRE from the boats as being particu-
lsrly destructive. The Courier says:
"The firing on both sides ceased about
half-past six, when the Monitors with.
drew. The report that one left during The
engagement in a crippled condition waf
untrue. The whole four were engaged
throughout the action, and in the after.
noon their FIRE upon Battery Wagner was
very severe. We learn, however, that the
battery was very slightly injured. An
officer, who observed the effect Of our shots
says they struck and rolled off the sides
snd decks Of the Monitors like SO many
marbles or pebble-stOnes.
{" Fort Sumter opened on the turreted
monsters and the Yankee infantry on the
south end Of Morris Island, with what re
suit we are unable to say. The fight doubt
less will be renewed to-day, with greater
herceness than any we have yet seen. Tht
enemy has certainly shown q deep-laiC
plan, and is determined to push it."
Thh Chicago Tribune publishes & private
letter from an observer on the iron. CLAD
Catshll, witch describes the attack Of tn,
10th, and adds the following, which testi
fes to the severity of the engagement:
This noon, about 2P. n, we were al
mustered on deck. The Captain wished +
know if any Of US thought we were no
able to 60 in again, but they all seemed
willing to try it once more. We have al
Admiral this time that knows his business
and is not afraid of sinking the vessels
Our decks and sides, as well as turret anC
pilot-house, are cut up, nearly one sho
went through the galley, letting down day
light and water by the 5ucket-full, anl
another over the engine-room, the same
way. We were struck yesterday forty
nine times, most Of them pretty bad, an
to-day some fifteen or twenty times more
Our smoke-stack also is badly torn, severa
shot having gone through It, There wa
one solid shot lodged on our deck yester
day. The Captain has possession Of il
Thousands Of pieces Of them are layin
around. l can't tell whether We are goin
in this afternoon again or not. The Ad
miral has gone ashore to see the Genera
and find out how he stands it. Sumter
still playing ball with them. All the bal
teries on Morris Island are taken but For
Wagner. That, too, will soon be turned o.
Sumter, then goodbye for Charleston"
Financial barometer.
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