The New York herald., 1864-08-19
ARRIVAL OF TIE STEAMSHIP COMMANDER.
A Blockade Runner Sunk in Charles
ton Harbor.
The BsmbardmeAt Of Sumter and
Tho City GeiEg On,
The steamship Ccmmanaer, Captain Powers, from Port
Royal c.. 18th nst arrived at this port last evening

ME. Samuel w. Mason's Despatch.
HHTcS HEAD, s. G., August IA, 1864
DESTRUCTION OF A BLOCKADE RUNNER
From General Eckimmelnnnigs district we have q
gratifying report On Tuesday night last large propel
ler-something like the Commander, which is to carry
this etter-rsn through feet Off Charleston and got
aground the suvans Island side Of the channel near
Fort Moutrio
She was discovered there ip the morning. someof the
naval vessels opened her without effect. She was
seen by the batteries Morris Island about the
time dayligbt-and several shots fred, nearly
every doing execution. One went through her
smokestaok took or her nose, and just her bow
began to sink third shell went through her boiler and
sunk her The firing was kept up until she was made a
complete wreck. She is now a shapeless hulk, nearly
under water. portion OF her cargo evidently de-
stroyed with her. but considerable portion was also
saved by rebel wreckers.
THE FIRE ON SUMTER
Tho IRE from batteries is still kept up Sumter
and the city, slowly but with most gratifying
A deserter who in recently informs that our
firing does great execution and directed at the weakest
points OF the fort fact attributable General Foster
knowledge Of it while stationed there The rebels, it s
sad great fear lest this continual hombardmen OF
points by means imprcgrebe viii ultimately inter
fere with the safety Of their casemates, and much
weaken the defences.
NAVAL BATTERY.
In consequence OF the receipt OF guns for which
reQuSitlOn Deen Genera roster reqneStcs
mial Dahgren 20 loan bin battery, and the result is
an arrangement by which battery OF six q think
eleven inch guns Is to be placed on Morris leland be-
tween Chated and Gregg TO be manned by sailors and
marnes and assist in the 0onbardmen there One gun
has already gone up and the rest win probably be
mounted before this letter reaches you.
DETENCEs FOR HILTON HEAD BEAUFORT.
During the summer the main defenceS OF Ii lton Head
inland consisting principally of simple line of earth
works, with two batteries have been extended
and strengthened by the construction OF citadel in their
centre TINS enab ing small to hold them AGAINST
1arre "a har ca pyarn
Anothe citadel is to be erected Mitchevle render
ing island safe against any attack from the seabrook
direction A third Is to be constructed just OUTSIDE the
town OF Beaufort
These works are probably net absolutely necessary for
the protection OF these posts but they Will render them
mpreguable and save much loss Of lie side
should serious attack bcrnade
GENERAL HATCH.
We have had news rom Florida for some days. but
ut last accounts Generai Hatch bound raid III
result OF which we are anxious to hear.
RUMoR
seldom give rumore but here Is one, "mporant. II
true" II Is said that Admiral Dahlgren been
North for some other duty; that Commodore Rowan IL
coming here. and that he will bring the Ircnsides. This
is given only as rumor for " hat IL Is worth.n
Some trouble has arisen between army ard navy off,
growing out OF IN attempt TO arrest alleged descr
ters from tho army, employed 10 Davnl sh0ls at Bay
Point St. Helena and an alleged recruiting OF cne or two
ton at Fay Point where the naval rendezvous Isl but
there opportunity for contestug the claim,
from the fact that the army have fort there with
garrison.
TIE REcRuIrIYG AGENTS
from Northern States find but poor show to obtain
making every effort but nearly all the eligible recruits
already In the army.