The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-09-14
BY TELEGRAPH
TorHE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM CHARLESTON.
The Recent Attdck on Fort Sumter.
New YORK, Sept. 70,

NEW L ohh, oept. IL.
We have received additional particulars by
the Arago of the progress OF the lombard
ment OF Fort Moultrie by Gen. Gilmore and
Admiral Dahlgren. The firing had continued
all day Tuesday, the Sth, and up to six o'clock
Wednesday, the 9Th inst, wrln great fury, and
the injuries were OF character to indicate
that the reduction OF the fortress would be eff
iected with comparative ease. The destruc
ton OF the magazine Of Fort Moutre is rep
resented as terrific, though the facts are not
positively known. There is doubt in the
minds of persons who witnessed the explosion
that even if the magazine was not the main of
the fort which is by no means clear, the havoc
created was such as to lessen materially its
capacity for resistance.
The firing ceased on Tuesday night except
from the rebel batteries. On Wednesday
morning the fight was renewed, and two or
three OF Gen. Gimore's batteries, which were
in range of Moultrie, assisted in the cannon
ade but only part OF the monitor feet renew
ed the conflict. The Ironsides, which has per-
formed great service throughout, steamed
toward Moultrie, and was firing rapidly when
the Arago left. The injuries to the walls of the
fort were important. Observations were made
late on the afternoon of Wednesday by pas
sengers in the Arago who were on Morris
Island, and it could be seen through the hay
atmosphere that the parapet walls were brok-
en-, and two Of the guns were dismounted.-
This fort, it was fully shown would bear only
a small amount of cannonading compared with
Sumter. Its reduction will Immediately fol-
low the planting of batteries at Cummings
Point, work which will soon be accomplish
ed The fires from all the rebel batteries
which were within range OF Morris Island up
on our forces there and which began in the
morning after evacuating by Beauregard's
troops, has since been continuous and severe.
Our forces do not occupy the rebel captured
Notifications. Besides the filth which exists,
the rebels made arrangements for the destruc-
ton of the men when they should enter the
works, and these matters must of course be
attended TO previous to occupation 1t is re-
ported, however, that the rebel works will be
OF little use to Gen. Gilmore in his future OPP
erations. He can use the ground which he
has already in spite of the fire on his position,
and when the new batteries now in progress
are completed, there will scarcely be posi-
ton in the harbor but will be commanded by
his guns, while Charleston will be within easy
Smelling distance. The immediate fail OF the
city is not, however, expected.
A novel mode OF removing distractions has
been adopted by Gen. Gilmore, namely, the
employment of rebel prisoners in this duty
when it is attempted. 1t is justly supposed
that the rebels know quite as well, if not bet
ter, how TO handle their own Internal machines
than do the Union men, or their risks may
possibly be less. Our soldiers and sailors are
enthusiastically in favor OF the new arrange
ment.
NEW YORK, Sept. IS.
A Morris Island letter OF the OH, TO the
Herald, gives an account of the recent boat
expedition against Fort Sumter. The floiilla
consisted OF between twenty-five and thirty
boats, manned by over one hundred sailors,
under command OF Lieut.. Com Williams, of
the Wissahickon, and one hundred marines
under Capt. MCKINLEY. The entire force was
commanded by Com. Stevens, OF the mouitor
Patapsco. The boats were towed within
short distance of the fort. Three boats, UNI
der Com. Williams, Lieut.. Kenny aud Ensign
Porter landed, and the parties attempted To
run up the ruins to the parapet They were
fired upon by musketry and hand grenades
were thrown down upon them. The slope
was sharp, ahd they We're unable to reach the
parapet. A signal was given from the fort,
and in an instant all the rebel batteries opened
on the fort and sheed it terribly. The three
boats were smashed, and all who landed were
killed or captured. Lieut.. Bradford of the
marines, was MORALLY wounded. Among
those captured were Com. Williams, Lieuts.
Kenny, Preston, Brewer, Bruce, Dr. Wheeler,
and Ensign Porter. Forty or fifty sailors and
marines were killed and wounded, and the en-
tire list OF casualties will number eighty
lne remainder oil the command are III safety.
A flag of truce states that our men were in
Fort Sumter and well treated.
The Herald's letter states that the iron-cad
battery at Cummings Point forms the cover
Of the magazine OF Fort Gregg 1t affords a
good cover Tor our men, and has already sus-
tanned heavy fire from the rebel batteries
without the least damage.
The same correspondent highly eulogzes
the lronsides, whose broadsides against Fort
Moukrle he had never seen equalled in rapid
ity and effect. She was unimpaired though
struck all OF two hundred times.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Is.
A private note received here to-day from off
Charleston states that abont 300 men composed
the recent expedition to Fort Sumter, and that
only portion OF the force landed, some of the
boats having grounded on the shoals. But for
this there would probably have been differ
ent result.