New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-26
From ChnrIcsfon Harbor.
From Our Special Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent.
NORRIS ISLAND, s. c., May IA, 1864.
In the midst of the conflict of almost titanic
proportions. which Is now raging In Virginia and
Georgia it may be impossible to fix attention upon tho
secondary part we playing in this department But
it VII. be that the following summary Of events in
dicges activity. and at least threaten the most Inn
portant results. The first positive evidence received
that Scm:cr, though demolished. assuming o
bcIligerent character, the 9th Of April. Two
shots fired at Putnam known under Rebel rule as
Battery Gregg. Their compliment was returned with
ample interest. and thus the affair closed Bnt night
after night when the wind was in the north, could DO
heard the sound ofthe hammer and ponderons sedge
Indicating that worhmen were engaged III remodeiing
that ruin, and preparing it lOr future use
steadily growing heap OF rubbish at the northeast
and south west angle could be distinctly observed. On
the night Of the csth dcserter came into the Union
lines and gave the positive Information that fourteen
and four heavy guns were mounted IN sumter
and that preparations going day and night TO
regain possession OF Morris Island. Cur iron navy was
the great obstacle in the OF success. We had ds
covered Rebel of the MerrimGe pattern, in
the harboi and it expected that tn SC. with the
lelp Of the guns SHlliya's Island would engage, II
no, cripple our iroG.clads while under cover OF the
guns II sumter and james Island landing could be
effected All things considered it IL not strange that
this dcserleis statement coroborated by 50 many we'll
known crcumstanecs a little startled Us.
OUR MORTAR BATTERIES
were ordered to open immediately upon Sumter. Our
Navy was on the alert, and Morris Island not with.
out its interests. y heavy gale was blowing day and
night vhich considerably embarrassed the ming; but
IL could b. that the Inortars ponderous she'll were
changi what the interior of Sumter where the
late works had been erected
About tie same time tie Rebel batteries at Secession
Vile opened fire upon Long Island, one point Of which
extes ds 10 within about mile and half u that t0vn
They evidently fear that they may wake up some morn
ing aud tnd batteries there unmasked or tn'y antc,-
patod effecting a land ne. only wish their fears al
ways had solid foundation Our batteries Green and
Pui,iance either OF Lish House Inlet retn ned
DE compliment in handsome style. Battery Puryiance
is manned by Company 4, Capt. Hoyt, Gath q. s. G. l.,
and con.d not bu, that these colored men, but
short time slaves did just good shooting with
the biz guns s any arterists.
Since the fire was renewed upon Sumter
| THE REBEL POLICY
seems to have changed. Within u few days battery
has emerged from the water far up the harbor 20 The
right of lower Charleston. IL looks little like our
Angel" in the swamp. The idea seems TO be that We
cannot be dsiodged from our present position and that
our tenacy and perseverance, yet give access TO
the harbor This battery have other object than
% cooperate with the Rebel rams in fight with onr
none llds. after they have passed the distinctions In
the channel They anticipating such result, no
doubt and hence we infer that they. who are good
Judges think il possible.
| Ou The night OF Tie 9TH instant.
TWELVE coNTRABANDs
eight men and four women, landed at Fort Strong.
One of them was from Charleston and belonged TO Capt
| H. l.. Iescsnc. Commander OF Castle Pinckney. Tie
brought with him 4 pass dated May !. The others
werc from plantation four miles up the Ashley River.
They we're fine looking ot pretty well dressed. and
gave considerable important information OF local
enar cter Tony the Captains servant, had seen much
Of the shelled district ui Charleston Such were our
means OF verifying the Truth Of many OF bis statements
that no doubted The truth OF all he told u.s. It's
eftn thgt Charlestn has not for long time been
hlsmcss civ, but a military post. Tony was closeted
with both array and naval officers most Of the time Tor
day or two aud valuable information gained IN regard
to I,ehel movements.
REAR-ADMIRAL DAHLGREN
Arrived here the oth Instant, III his Nag steamer
PHILADELPHIA and the report was soon In circulation
IL. ssti e ffptf
that new spirit had been infused into the EnVy Ltto
Jugs were moving rsrdly about from one place to
another transports we've ii ced alongside the monitors
as il dlschargng shot and she'll one new monitor sud.
denly made lis appearance and everything iGGieated
business and active service. But all our operations
have been annoyed BY one OF those heavy and long.
continued gales peculiar to this coast Shlpping OUTSIDE
OF the lar has had rough time. but have hot heard
Of any damages. On the land. tents have been blown
down, aud the drifting, driving and shaIp-euuing
/ snnd.sOru Las been very unpleasant
ARRIVAL OF DFsEETERS.
On the night Of the 9Th squad OF descrters eight IN
number, came in and delivered themselves ny u our
darkev pickes (2lst L. :. &. T. (outh Carolinans)
They were all OF Irish birth but had lived IN the NORTH
and were the finest looking lot Of Rebels ever saw
They from Fort johnson but had served In Sum.
ter and various other places about the city Most VI
them were heavy al tIllcists One Lad worked num-
Der of months the distractions in the channel and
Knew al, about them. To Tx NJ such works ID a very
difficult matter and they are not very lasting AS our
guns ON Gregg sweep the whole channel from sum-
tor 10 the city it has become about impossible o repair
or renew them. The difficulty Is experienced IN
placing torpedocs, and the old ones are considered
about useless.
| The sto: us for the last six months have handled
roughly all these rebel arrangements These facti
throw additional light upon the sudden apcdrance OK
the battery far UP the ha Dor In the neigEborhood ~
their laus The l5inch Blak.slee gun, when our
deaily beloved British cousins helped the enemy TO ~
an occ; of their special care and caressng She ~
held IN reserve for the bcncht o. our lrVnsidcs. And
yet great and eycrS fears are entertained That she
viii burst on firing few shots as her sister did IN
Nou.t lie last Autumn. Her shot would be very uncer-
tain non fleet in motl0at least her threats have no
power 70 keep Dahlgren OFT OF the haibor.
These men confirm the report published some months
ago that during the terIbc hgut our ron-clads had
Ns H.. Suiiynns Isale batteries last September, the
i,unses was for two hours anciOicd across monster
turu.lo This engine oi destruction was made OF
mboat boiler filed with powder; IL required tun TO
do mi, and was have been exploded ny some wire
,,ork attnced to the band. These men state That they
eoulu not make their machinery work. Inc report
WIS that the operator played false and anticipating
unnlsIlnonr made his escape That part Of the state
mont these descrters know nothing about. The old
bocr lies there yet and the slumberlng earthquake
contained within viii probably sleep forever
ATTACK on SUMTER.
On the 18th inst about IL M. being at that hour
roo,lfie the monitor Nantuc ket was to be slowly
r,eerng along to the front. II strength aud merit
were lways where there no ponip or display, the
mouilus-thc slecpcst looking things that Goat upon
lie waicr-woud have parallel in those particulars.
,se seems SCARCELY aud vet she passes given
point ~ a short tine hut she goes and passes Moul