Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-24
MONDAY, Auausr "a. 1893.
The news from Charleston.

The News from Charleston.
Later news from Charleston, which We
publish in another place. shows that fort Sum-
tiers has been riddled by our artillery. BY
this time, probably, that fort is a heap Of
ruins. 1t is likely that the capture Of the
batteries on Morris Island will soon follow
this result; and then the rebels will find it
difficult to live in Charleston, for our batter
les will be able to reach every part of the city
Moreover, with fort Sumter silenced, and the
battery at Cummings Point in our possession.
our iron-clads can more easily operate agains'
the Instructions in the harbor, which have
been very carefully and thoroughly reconnoi-
tered by that daring young officer, Ensign
Porter.
1t is evident from the tone of the southern
newspapers, and from what is said in rebel
letters from Charleston, that the rebels do not
expect to prevent the capture of the city
One of these letters, published in the Sayan-
nah Republican while Gen. Gilmore was pre-
pairing the present attack, stated that there
was in Charleston "a feeling of commingled
doubt and apprehension, in some cases
amounting to hopelessness." All business
was suspended; the importers were trying to
send their goods out of the city to places of
safety but could not get sufficient tEansporta-
ton; and meanwhile, the women and chill
dren had not left the city, choosing to stay as
long as possible, although the mayor desired
to have them leave The writer said Mo-
body believes that the city is perfectly defen-
sible, but the impression is general that the
proper military efforts have not been made
for its protection" He adds -
but granting that there has been remiss-
ness, that things have been left undone that
ought to have been done, it does not necessa-
rily follow that the military authorities are
responsible. When absorbed with an effect,
we are very apt to overlook the cause, an
excited state of the public mind being I'M
favorable to rational investigation. Are the
slave-owners of South Carolina, aye, of
Charleston herself, free from blame in the
matter? Taking it for granted that they are
willing to face the inquiry, we may observe
that for many months past we have seen re-
peated and urgent calls in the Charleston pa
pers tor the planters of the state to send in
their negroes for work on the Notifications.
The last legislature of the state, impressed
with the importance of the subject, passed Il
law imposing heavy fine for refusal to fur
nish the desired labor. Still more recently
Gen Beauregard and the mayor of Charles
ton issued most urgent appeal to the same
end. What has been the result of their tre-
quent calls for aid to the military? The pres
ent state of the defences answers the ques-
ton, and concusively.
HAftpr more than two years for incarnation
the enemy are knocking at the very gates of
the city, and we are not ready. The papers
of this very morning contain an appeal and
statement from the governor, which show the
most culpable indifference. So far from
planters answering the appeal to their patriot
ism for contributions of labor, the governor
informs us that even ''the act of the legisla-
ture proves insufficient to the procurement of
the labor asked for by the confederate author
ties l am informed that the planters,
many of them, prefer to pay the fine rather
than respond to great public necessity in
volying the lives of thousands of their fellow
citizens, and perhaps their own liberties. The
negroes OF Charleston were impressed few
days ago for this same work. Why was it
not done months ago? Georgia, l am proud
to say, has set better example. These
things may be very well taken into considera-
ton when come to enter judgment against
the delinquents.'
All this shows a lack of confidence in the
measures arranged for the defense of Charles
ton. But we must not expect that the cap
ture of Charleston will Immediately follow
the fall of fort Sumter. There is much more
serious work to be done, before our troops
can reach and occupy the city. First, forts
Wagner and Gregg must be taken, and this
will require some resolute fighting, although
the destruction of fort Sumter will make the
work easier by giving opportunity for the
gunboats to operate with more effect. Next,
the iron-clads must contrive to make their
way through the Instructions across the har-
Dor. These have been SO carefully ex-
amined that Admiral Dahlgren now under
stands what is necessary to remove
them. Although time may be required to
open way for the gunboats, he feels conf
dent of success. Probably Battery Bee, on
Sullivan's island, will be more troublesome
to these operations than any other rebel
work.
Let us wait for the news with patience, and
not expect that the difficulties to be encoun
tered will be overcome in day. Our fleet
and our troops under Gen. Gilmore, are as
anxious to get to Charleston as we are to
hear thatthey have taken the city. They will
do all that can be done, and do it as fast as
possible.