The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-08-18

New York, August 1.-THE Tri-
bune's Special says, an officer Just re-
turned from Charleston confirms our
previous statement He says it is next
to impossible tie batter down Fl Wagner;
that the men keep under bomb proofs,
impervtous to our shot and shell.
The fort can only be taken by direct
assault, which will not at present be at
attempted. .#l
The chances of knocking Fit Sumter
to pieces are better. Indeed, it is gen
orally believed there that that fort will
speedily fall If it falls, our forces can
not occupy it, as it will be battered to
pieces Even should we take FITS. Sum-
ter and Wagner, the other forts have
got to be overcome, and the rebels
The public may at once divest them
selves of the idea that startling news is
coming from Charleston at present.
The New York Rerald's special says
affairs remain quiet at the front. Picket
firing has ceased entirely, and both ar
mics seem to have settled down into a
state of lethargy. There is no large force
of the enemy north of the Rappahan-
mock, though the picket line has been
established from United States Ford to
Acquia Creek, and Hartford Church and
Stafford House This line is very weak,
and offers little or no resistance.
Most of the prisoners captured from
the enemy profess desire to take the
oath of allegiance. They express them
selves as being tired of war, and utterly
discouraged. The degree of restitution
in the rebel army exceeds that of any
previous period.
No information has been received yet
Indicating that Lee has been reinforced
to any considerable extent. A few con
scripts and convalescents are arriving
from time to time, but it is not believed
that any portion of the Southwestern
army have Joined the army of Virginia
The activity of our cavalry sent In pur
suit of Moseby has checked his opera
tons. The section between here ant
the army is now comparatively free fron
guerrillas.
A Baltimore correspondent of tn
Herald says my information, never a
fault hitherto, places the number of re
Inducements at 10000, which make
Lees present strength $4,000. Thes
are all old troops Lee is, besides, re
ceiving some conscripts, which will 500
swell his number to 10000. The mai
body of this vast army is massed on tn
line of the Rapidan with Lees headqua
tiers at Gordonsville. New cavalry sqnaC
rons are being drafted and exercised
the Shenandoah Valley lit would seel
also that Lee is organizing some ne
batteries of artillery for artillery drill
with target practice daily, at the sam
point where these new cavalry squa
rons are being exercised. The guns al
brass PARROTS s, and if not new are
bright that they look new. There a.
! twelve of these batteries at one point.
Gen. Dix has issued an address to Il
citizens setting forth the necessity al
. legality of the draft, and exhorting Il
I maintenance of order, obedience to Il
laws and the quiet pursuit of accustom
avocations while the dsaft is in progress
D He says: "Should his suggestions be d
regarded and renewed attempts be ma
to disturb public peace, and to defeat t
!, execution of the law, which 1t is my du
to enforce, warn all such persons tt
ample preparations have been made
n vindicate the authority of the Go1e
ment, and the first exhibition of disoro
or violence will be met by the m
: prompt and vigorous measures for
- pressing it. :.
u Provost Marshal Gen. Fry has publ
:, announced by an order to Provost Nj
ii shall Farnum to proceed with the dr'
and that the draft be commenced
t, Wednesday at 10 clock A. NJ.