Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-04-14

remain for the rebtls to raise whenever the iron cla
withdrew for come out at some time the yFmUst, fO
fresh supplies. Bat could the army advance at the
time with the navy, the vessels lost inside woot
still be ct our command, to be raised atour pleasure
Under these circumstances it seems that operations
before Charleston must cease for time They a'e
even now at an end for General Gilmore has Already
moved his headquarters to Hilton Head from Folly Is
land, which means that nothing more is to be lone In
that quarter.
The army are now resting without any particular
care to trouble them. But not with the navy. hey
must watch and that the rebels do get with
their iron cads and drive cur army off, They must
maintain effective blockade, and must Battle day
and night with tie elements aud keep safe what we
have gained There is DO rest for the sailor,
Should the navy go. up to the city Tie. ave all to
lose and nothing tc gain. Ttey give receive
blows without attaining anything further itan kuock-
ing down few sand works, which be repaired as
fast as they injured and in the end they
out perhaps crippled to such extent that the rebels
cal bring out their clads sud drive them eff and
raise the blockade. The navy must at the same time
fight batteries torpedoes and hidden obstructions.
The purposes of the navy isto Ma lain an effective
blockade and to cooperate with the army ard III this
they have always cceeGed
We must consider the consequences Of defeat with
the probability OF success and that tbs advantages
to be gained will warrant the risk OF defeat. Let US
then imagine cur iron cl.ds to have been disabled In
that the rt bel rOn-cads would sally out breuk the
blockade which would enable them obtain the sup
plies which they much in need of, cut of our
the coast and, by starving them out, compel
a surrender; Northern cities would te
threatened for these vessels-of which the Atlanta
was one-can endure the With all this at stake,
would it be proper to risk fight where there is
nothing to gain? | should say not?
The excitement caused by the rumor that the Ala
bama was approaching New York, last summer, is
still fresh in the minds of the people aud the reported
loss OF the Ironsces and two Monitors lately caused
painful sensations.
Admiral Dahgren has been most shamofuy attack
ed by some Ignorant and malicious scrbblers. 1t has
even been said that he wanted pluck, when every
knows that, in every fight, his G always ahead,
and at the post Of honor and danger. When the army
first landed and were moving on Wagner, and the
Monitors clearing the way before them, the flag
Monitor, which was in the advance, was struck sixty
times with heavy shot, which is more than any MoGi-
tor has ever received in any battle. And yet with
the record in official shape now before the public of
the almost daily ions in which the Monitors were
engaged last summer, be is attacked for rot doing
something"
AS to what will be done would not be proper to dis,
cuss if it were known. 1t is only reasonable 10 sup
pose that all will be done that is possible.
The impression that the o0stiuctions have been
moved and washed out during the late gales is incor
rect With the exception OF about three hundred eet
OF chain and rope work. the obstuctions have not
been in jured, and formidable Rats are
occasionally sent down with the tide 10 the ve5-
sels but the constant vigilance OF the navy always
prevented any in jury being done. truth.