The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-28
Paris, November 30. 1868.
CHATTER I.-CHARLESTON.

pass over the events of my voyage and
b begin my narration in the bay Of Charles.
tOn, having arrived at the scene of action
after perilous passage through double
line OF the enemy, the outer line being
formed of blockaders, the inner one being
The squadron which on the day succeeding
my arrival, reiterated their attempt of the
18th of last April upon the advanced works
which defended the city of Charleston.
On the Sth of July, at half-past one
o'clock in the morning, under the brilliant
light of the moon, the "JunO> dropped her
little anchor under the protection of the
guns of Fort sumter; during the day she
advanced little farther up the bay towards
the city, and landed for the purpose of OBJ
tanning from General Beauregard, the mill
tary commandant of the place, passport
for Richmond.
The General received me with the kind
ness and amiability which are manifested
towards all who approach him, and an ease
of manner which betrayed no anxiety in
regard TO the issue of the fearful struggle in
which his country Is engaged.
His calmness seemed To me a reflection of
the quiet of streets, for apart from the
groups Of soldiers, which the eye encOunt-
cred here and there, a stranger could hardly
realize that the country in which lac found
himself was engaged in bitter and cruel
war, and that the city Of Charleston itself
was the object Of the most NindictlVe hate
of the enemy. In the course OF conversation.
allusiOn having been made to the recOgni-
ton or nOn-recOgniti0n Of The Confederate
States by European Powers. General Beau
regard observed: ave will establish the
Confederacy by our victories, and
then Europe will recognize u.s.
The following day the Federals made an
attempt 10 land on Morris Island, with the
hope of first capturing Fort sumter and
afterwards Fort MOultrie, which is situated
opposite, but the attack was vigorously re-
pulsed, and the Federals were compelled Ia
retreat TO their boats. leaving nine hundred
dead and wounded upon the battlefield, and
three hundred prisoners in the hands of the
COnfederates. Since then the siege OF
Charleston has known no interruption but
such as the enemy has found necessary for
their own security.
cannot pass over in silence the desperate
attack on Battery Wagner on the 18Th Of
July. In this attack "a regiment of negroes
took part, and much has been said of the
admirable manner" in which they behaved
under fire, the =, st Of honor being allotted
TO them by the Federal commander, That is
10 say, they were placed in the fore
most ranks and forced into the
tight by bayoncts in their rear. ANY
who showed any tendency to wayer bein Z
Immediately bayOneted or shot by their
friends, the Yankees, who formed the rear
guard. IL is easy 10 conceive that these
unhappy creatures, under the circum-
stances, would fight with a despairng
courage worthy of better cause, but IL the
negroes showed extraordinary courage in
this bloody conflict, the energy Of the
CharlestOnians proved equal TO the emer-
gency, and defeated once again the bold
measures of the invaders.
The real siege Of Charleston began last
April when the Federals, believing ii to he
expedent, directed a formidable attack
against Fort Sumter-an event which
marks the opening OF the present war.
IL would have been very agreeable 10 the
Yankees TO announce 10 the world the re-
capture of this fort, and the news of the
heroic defence was received i'm Europe with
surprise mingled with admiration.
An impartial history Of this memorable
siege viii cit is 10 be hoped give no secret
Of its many successes and reyerses.
For those who are especially interested
in the matter. / subjOin to this work "A letter
from one Of the defenders Of Fort sumter.
an officer OF mark under the command Of
Beauregard.
When left Charleston the people were in
hourly expectation of the fall of that fort,
but, in the opinion Of all, that would not
hasten the fall OF the city of Charleston; II
that falls into the hands Of the enemy, it
Will only be when IL is reduced TO cinders
n.-BETwEEN TWO CITIES.
From Charleston 10 Richmond Dy rail-
road Is distance OF four hundred and my
English miles.
The principal towns upon the route are:
Florence, in the northeastern part of South
Carolina; Wilmington, GOldsbOro. and
Weldon, in North Carolina, and Petersburg,
In Virginia.
A traveller familiar with the route. when
peace reigned in'tbis beautiful country,
would find many changes; there are still
remaining immense forests Of gigantic
trees, whose long boughs. tufted with gray
streaming mosses, inIerlace themselves
with the underground; but the cultivated
lands and piantatiOns-hOwc changed. There
where lately fOurished the cOttOn-plant,
the scarcity Of which in our markets was
the primary cause Of so much misery and
suffering in the Old World, we lind the
planters cultiyating grain and potatoes, re-
serving here and there little spot for cot
ton as Renaissance OF the past.
The people Of the new Confederacy I'M
derstand perfectly well that their greatest
necessity is % exist. Nature has shown
herself prodigal In their behalf, and the
baryests have been superintendent. and !
they will he able 10 maintain their struggle |
for Independence as long as their fields con- /
tinue fertile and their plantations pro /
ductiye. The pine forests Of North Caro-
inia furnish vast quantities Of resin, and
he product Of two seasons Is lying there,
awaiting the hands OF the disulier and the
OF the blockade that 1t may be ex-
,orted.
Upon the route between Wilmington and
Weldon found that most OF the distilleries
nd storehouses for this product had been
<..t.nx.i NV the enemy. who O,cupy The
sea-cOast aud The shores Of
amlico Sound, and make frequent IN
uysions into the interior Of the State for