The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1864-06-02

FORT SUMTER ANR CHARLESTON AS
1HEYlARE.

Correspondence Philadelphia Enquirer
Fort Sumter was associated with the re-
BIT lnon in its incirency, ard PROMISES to re
main the bulwark and defense OF the pesti-
lent metropolis Of treason to the the termna
ton of. hostilties. The rebels have defend
ed it with great sacrifice, immense ife.offer
ing with exiraordipaEx jenacity and despe-
peration. Its externaf0ppearance as seen
from Fort Gregg's Point is but little charged
since november last On the surIate OBJ.
iQue from Morris Jslard not wall not
rampant parapet, or anything resembling
tenn, can be distinguished: nothing is there
bat ragged mass OF mortar, sounded BY tie
thousands CT projecties fired from our Guns
and mortars The bernie or base, the sides
and top, art mere ran to the eve, looking
like bluff or steep hAslae, covered with
broken shot, shell iron beams fragments of
guns splip,ered gun Garages, and other
debris Of war Yet the rebel Aag still floats
defantly over tie ruins, and Ike hateful red
cross, dots and bars, hauGt and dance ON
every breeze that sweeps across the bay
Looking on Sumter to-day does not confirm the
encouragement by our Chief of artillery. in
January last that Sumter is now untenabe
and OF no defensive value to the cuntedera
tes" Our operations were abandoned, too
soon. And its present strength
and defensive character confirms that belief
It is still the citadei Of Charleston, nJ,wi,h
standing i's hel llcss al pcarance From the
purapet of Fort Putnam on Gregg'S Point, !
looked into Charleston (through n field
glass), and although the lowest portions Of
the city appeared dull and diawdateu, yet
it was far Irou being deserted A blockade
steamer, which ran up the SwaSh channel
the night p, evious (past the entire feet and
in front Of our batteries) was blowing of
steam at the wharf on the Ashley side Of the
city. Said steamer was observed by our
in Wagner, and several shots were fired at
her, but without effect Two other blockade
runners got into Charleston fortnight
since So Charleston is not thoroughly
blockaded by the feet, mol was it ever half
besieged by the army. Immense volumes of
smoke were rolling out OF some tai chimney
located IN the northeast section of the city
where it is said the confederacy have large
foundry Of ordinance manufactDry. Three
iron clad rams have been constructed there
within the past eighteen months, ana now
defend The harbor above Castle Pinkney-
BIackened walls can be seen in different parts
of the city. evidences of bombardmeut, siege
and coAagration' The bombardment of
Charleston though unsuccessful in its capture
has demonstrated a great idea in var--the
astonishing destruc.iveness of artillery at
long range, b preaterrange than ever b, fore
realized. The batteries at Greggs Point
are over tour miles from Charleston. and yet
we have thrown shells into the city, from
thirty and one.hSndred FOUNDER PARROT
guns, daily ane nightly, for months past
The accuracy of our fire has also been re-
marbable and unprecedented OF course
that is due to riHed cannon, an improvement
that Vauban and Montalembert never
dreamed OF, but which are as superior to
smooth bore guns as were the arms Of the
first Napoleon over the leather guns Of Gus,
tavus