Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-12
Charleston Under Fire.


We take the liberty OF presenting TO our readers the
following Cxt ract Of pr. ate letter just received lis
genial description Of the present aspect of tie city aad
bay OF Charlie ston will repay pRrusal TIE triet sen
more of that bold, ardent and able soldier thfn We
know he deserves. We hope, with all heart, that
hour Of bis long meritcd promotion has arrived al
last
CANT you come and s1c is? The city is very safe
and interesting row. visit to the objected" district
excits the mos varied and stranSest emotions. The
dlearness Of w2tr has passed away, and the vvying
touch OF spring has brought cut the green g0ries q
trees and crowded gardens with flowers OF all
hul8. They were never more beautiful The silent air
s rich with perfume. Bat the solitude seems IN orange
contrast with this lavish Infusion of beauty The rose
especially seems TO solicit the Pr1seuc2 Of man, and
crave witness FOR It's charms Other flowers may
properly grace the lOtudl3 OF The wilderness and de-
cCrAte the painless prairie, bit the rose the garden
rose, asks for human COmPaniOnshiO, and when bloom
ing unseen suggests tie idea of utter dc7olatOn ard
abandOnmeLt Oar gardens are sad IN their solitude,
and the absence OF those graceful and beautiful
flowers, their proper companions, wli,h gave them life
and checrlQLcs and all tier value, their bloom and
perfume is wasted. What is the rosa what the iapon-
lea without the maiieDs 20 add to their beauty from
the fellowship
Notwithstanding the constant shcIiinC there are yet
pRuses in which the most timi can venture down
and enjoy the freshness OF the sea air and the
beau ties OF harbar. The ladies occasionally Vcu-
ture go Tar down as the battery. Yesterday evening
a
lovely scene. Our o-J never wore aspect mote
lovely but it the loyuess Of nature IN its soi-
Iute. Scarcely sail en- on ,ha unrufi.d kriyht
expause OF the noble sheet Of water. Ii look, d-Wi
the exception OF the ruins of Fort SUmter-c cheerful
II the sunlIgbt-as II might have looked 10
those who first beEGId 1t strangers the Old World
Never SINCE the canoes OF the Indian It's and
gave nnlmaton, has 1t been entirely deserted of man
Ine shores OF Sulvan's island, Mount Pleasant ard
J .lnGs' Island distant disclose the mprey
nabe frtressts OF sand and the hos. brave men who
hold them secure against all invasion. lmPregnobe
indeed the chain OF sand batteries that encrce 0u
entire haUbOr. l Su,iiyan's Island recently
and was onsCed to behold the miracles Of successful
atOr that mad been wrought Ihere within he last year
1t may well be said 10 be cue fort The skill OF cuI
engineers, both regular ard domestic has been exhaust
cd upon these works, aui they monument OF the!
science and energy These occasion could OverWhelu
with hurricane Of iron any itet that should attempt
TO pass and they all under the com laudtO givs
them taCIr greatest eficcBcyOt the skal, well trie9
devoted veteran, General Ripley, who "a the commence
ment OF the war dedicated himself to the cause, aLt
sgnaIzed his patlotsm, vaOr aud Skill BY bis gaan
defence of Fort AlOulIrie IJu Will be clad to bea
that there Is believe that his devoted services
-tendeTed Wnen the tlnli shjGuk aud the calculating
held back-are 10 be properly recognized, and wide
held Ind larger au thpTity given him. for the proper
eTton OF his superior energy ard military genius
need tell you that The history Cf our military
aAns in the defence OF this harbor would vDdicate tn
highest promotion as only just reward for bis pas
service, and fui1g theatre for the exercise of his mil
ltary knowledge, apprehension, resources and capac
OF conception and execution.
Oar people rest behind their deferceq satsiC
that force that the enemy can bring agaiLs ca
break through the bals which have been raised to kee
him out Ii may be that there is even too great
sense ol security but such is TIC fact, and th
mass OF our people are comfortable as if the
were at the foct Of the mountains, instead of ben
Wlthln sight OF the ironcads and continually With
nearing OF their ceaseess Shells