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YOL. 1, ' LETTERS FROM MORRIS ISLAND. Morris Island, Aug. 18, 1863. j Sunday the 15th inst., it was currently rumor- , etl about camp that Gen. Gillmore was about ! ready and would feel the rebel works the next j day. In the mean time a few shots were sent to i Snmpter which raised considerable dust and. left ! tagged pits behind. Considerable activity was also noticed among the shipping and iron clads, little steam tags going from one to another in a , sort of earnest business-like manner, awnings .taken down, dtcks cleaned, and all seemed confident the drama was about to open. About 2 o'clock Monday morning, I was ! awakened by the most terrible cannonnding I <srer heard. Heavens artillery- was also at work, | :and day was sainted by the flash of lightning, I the |?cal of thunder, the booming of a hundred cannon and the j?r}>etual screaming and bursting of shells. What a morning! I thanked God it was not the holy Sabbath. About sun- i rise the Ironside* nnd six Monitors begnn to j creep -along slowly to the front of Wagner and the scene of action. They were aeconii>nnied J?y a number of gunboats, which however, kept ai a respectful distance from Wagner's Whitworth guns. Bat they were near enough and did good service. I repaired to near the front and in the shade, on the >jgfth side of a sand hill was able at glance to see the whole field of operations. ^\n tue iore^on oumter was siuien ami silent. On the soutn side had been piled up n?i immense amount of sand bags. This u-all j j. ??^ of sand could not have been less than ten or j twelve feet thick, and was^early as high as the fort itself. But the Monitors, the Ironsides and die land batteries make it Hv in all direct1' >ns, j and gradually the stone wall of Sumptcr ai t)cars in nil its nakedness. Shells are expltplinj within her walls even* few minutes and yet lie is <alcnt as death. Now a solid shot st'ses her; ramparts nnd a section disappears. -Yet she is siieiiL Pit after pit is dug into the wall and sometimes that huge pile of masonry* is enveloped in a cloud of dust and smoke. FinaHy^ her j f3ag comes down to half-mast and after a few rainutes is lowered to the wall and then goes up .Again to the top of the staff. One of the Monitors mor es up and up most saucily and fires most irnjHHlently. Gregg is wide awake, and though w shot are ploughing through her every minute vet she finds opportunity to make some good . and manv wild shots at the iron clads. The * Ironsides is tossing* the sand walls of Wagner About in the air as if it were a holiday job*? The gunboats and some of the Monitors are pUyiiig at the same game. Earlv in the morn Tag she did some wild shooting, but the quietness :?f death are in her batteries now, except as our shells keep every thing in a sort of iron and sand tempest. .Johnson and two newly formed earth works on James Island are very active bursting shell o\cr our batteries and fatigue parties. I have not seen or heard of any damage done.? But tjlie Monitors are too active and impatient, rind Sumptcr rouses herself (10 o'clock) to resist their insults. Her parapet and two barbette gnuare worked with much vigor to drive off the "devils" as they call them. In the space (rfan hour they had to withdraw because of the meeting tide. With our most powerful glasses I have examined Sumpter, and am happy to say that a I good days work has been done. Her southwest . turner is well rounded off, and the deep, ragged pita arc thickly scattered over her entire southern wall. Near her sally |>ort it is thought a serious breach has been made. I caunot say . certainMthat such is the case. They cannot {madbly repair to-night the injuries done to-day. A number of feet of earth has Ixxm removed from "liregg but those sand batteries are more easily repaired. The rebel steamers?black, ungainly, sluggish Cooking things? have l>eeu very active in the luzijor. Nothing is more certain than that this bag been n teirible day to the rebels of Charles-.tnn. But it is only the beginning of sorrows.? "To-morrow thev will have the same diet, with a .number of important additions. At 3 o'clock the fleet had retired from action mad it wag noticed that all the war vessels had .dteir flags at half mast. We soon learned that the CaUlill had been hit, and a bolt driven through, killing Capt. llodgers, (not the liodgof the WteJficLen,) also Paymaster J. G. Woodbury. These arc all the casualties I have Heard of to-day. llodgers was an excellent <rt5eer, and his loss is njuch lamented. August 18th. We kept up occa:>ional firing during the night, and I cannot sec that any repairing has been done to Snmpter. Our heavy 31ws Jiave opened upon her again, and it is expected that this day will add another sad chapter THE FREE SOUTH, SATO". to her remarkable his ton-. The rebel guns are all silent this morning. The weather is cool, the sky overcast with heavy clouds, and the soldiers are in the finest spirits. We look for the fiercest cannonading to-day that has characterized the war. Much of the fatigue duty is done hy the colored regiments. From all conditions-of mcu, from the private to the General?the testimony to tiwn* efficiency is the same. A captain in tKe Volunteer Engineer corj? said to me, that he preferred thera on some accounts to the white soldiers as details; they being more easily managed and workin^with a desire to emulate, and if possible*exccll their white brethren in awns. It will be a useless task for the copperhead demagogues to attempt to argue with those who have served in this deportment against the employment ^ of negro soldiers. Men who lmv? been saved days , of toil in the henvv sand, under the burrilugheat | of a South Carolina sun, will bcriow to perceive the force of that logic which would compel them to dispense with their assistance. Here and there a man may be found, and, I am sj^rry to say, more frequently among officers than privates, who is willing to show his meanness by casting a slur upon colored soldiers. In every instance I have known such a man 1ms been a "scallawag" himself. He is invnriably either * man who is tired of fighting, a grumbling, discontented, ignorant and worthless soldier, or a ^raitor at heart. Yours, f ~ M. Morris Island, S. C., Atig^2, I8G3. jr Editor of the Free South :? Fort Sumter it is thought was evacuated on Tuesday, the second day of the bombardment, and as it has not replied to onr batteries since, it is believed that the guns have been removed dur ing the night, and planted in batteries on James island in order to resist our occir ation ot that island, and consequent advance upon the fated city. On Wednesday a new battery was opened on the rear of Sumter, and the terrible execution of that battery was plainly to be seen, nearly even- shot told, a dense volume of dust and smoke arose high in the air from that side of the fort, and the tumbling of the brick and masonry work showed that this hitherto impregnable fortification would soon share the fate of Pulaski. Before night of that day two breaches were discovered in the walls extending through the second wall so that the casemates on the opposite side were clearly discernible. The belief in the evacuation of the fort is strengthened by the fact that whenever the flag is shot away a boat is seen moving from the side towards Moultrie with a .ew men in it, one of whpm throws up a roj>c from the water, enters the fort and sets up the flag on the parapet. These men arc probably paid a large sum to remain there and set up the flag after it has been shot away by our batteries. It was shot away three times in the 9pacc of an hour this morning and as often reset. Seven deserters from the 8th North Car! olina, stationed at Sullivan's island, came into our lines yesterday morning, they report that the fort is badly knocked to pieces nnd that the guns liavc all have been removed on to James island. Fort Johnson has been greatly strengthened recently and many new batteries erected on shore, in line with it, during the past two ; weeks. Tins js eviueni rrom tne met mat some of them hare already been unmasked and are delivering a regular fire daily. The location of the troojH is much more healthy than I exjjected to find it, tar more; so* thau the Peninsula where we lost so many by disease under McClellan. We have here the cool breezes of the ocean, and from the-salt marshes around us ho malarious^exhulations arise as from the stagnant fresh water swamps of Virginia. For my own pan I would as soon think of taking disease on the sand beach of Cape May or Xahant as on the islands in Cliarlcstou harbor. The sickness we now have in camp is the result of the severe fatjgue duty which the army has had to do in the trenches, and in mounting aud working the batteries. The amount of labor accomplished for the number of men employed, and the time in which they have done it - I _L T is almost incredible. Some regiments wnicn i can mention have been on constant duty, night aiul day, nine days out of eleven, and so cheerfully have they i>erformed it that they "would do it again, they say, and even for a longer period should it be required. The country will uot be slow in acknowledging the services of such men, nor the ]>cople delinquent in tendering their gratitude in such a way that the war-worn soldier on his return home will feel proud of the cause for which he has fought, and of the country which he has perilled his life to save. EtDAY, AUGUST 29, 1893, Fort Sumpter is little else but a heap of ruins. Our batteries have pretty nearly ceased firing upon it, and now confine their attention to Wagner. The reduction of this fort can now be accomplished with far less trouble than when Sumter could pour her shot and shell into anitdvancing column. Several new batteries have been opened: by the rebels, but very little trouble is occasioned by them. Deserters are frequent from the rebel Ones.? They report the feeling to be very despondent.? Little doubt exists of the ultimate fall of the city; but a determination is expressed to dispute every inch the gTound and finally to leave nothing vui it wi iuius, as uic uuain jimvihw^u ?/i i*v of months of labor and danger. SeveraLinfernal machines have l>ecn sent down the rivers and inlets where our fleets of transjorts are moored. So far these have been captured before any dam-, j age has been doue. An ingenious contrivance has been invented which catches them liefore they ; reach our fleet. Our ^sharpshooters now approach to within j one hundred yards of the parajwt of Wagner.? ; Several conflicts have taken place cansod by attempts of the enemy to dislodge them.. These have hardly amounted to the dignity of sorties ami have been easily repulsed without severe loss. A small party of four had a narrow escape on Sunday night. They were in the signal station at the front, when a shell pcnctrated the frail roof and exploded within its narrow limits. Sergeant Emerjon, and Col. Howell, 85th Pa., were seriously injured, while Lt. Cross and Col. Bell, 4th X. H., were dug out of the sand unhurt. Casualties during the week ending Saturday August 22, 12 M. Aug. 17, CoL Howell, SSth Pa., badly stunned; Sergt. John 1). Emerson, (signal corps) concussion of brain ; John Roach, C'0. C, 1st lT. 8. Art. wounded in head; Corporal James Moren, Co. K, i'th Maine, arm amputated ; Private John lioover, Co. 1, 3i?th 111., wounded in thigh. Aug. 18, John Cianll, Co. I, 3d X. Y. Infy. wonnded in thigh; Nelson .Miller, Co. K, l"Oth X. Y., wounded in the back a nd died on the way to the hospital. j Ang. 19, Louis Weise, Co. K, X. Y. Engineers, killed ; W. L. Cannon, Co. K, N. Y. Engineers, arm nmpntated; Corporal Garret Leman, Co. E, 100th X. Y. wounded In face and arm amputated; Heury T. Debrach. let) X. Y. wounded in head; Iieury Zand, 100 X. Y. wouuded In face; (ieorge P. Stevens, Co. B, 7th X. H. arm shot off and amputated at shoulder; James Kaue, ! Co. E, 103 X. Y. wounded in the back; Sergt. Finn, | Co. B, X. Y. Engineers, wounded in back; Robert 1 Land, Co. I, 7th X. 11., wounded in back. Lieut Henry Holbrook, Co. M, 3d 11.1. Art., mor| tally by shell. His arm was amputated and shoulderi blade removed. Aug. 20th, Charles M. Derby, Co. A. 3d X. H. wounI ded in arm; Lewis D. Whitton, Co. B, 40th Mass., leg | amputated; Wealey Brisel, Co. li. 40th Mass., wounj ded in chin; Lieut. Augustine F. Webb, wounded in head and died soon after; Thomas Cnsie, 157th X. Y., I wounded in hip and died soon after ; four marines beI longing to the Naval battery were killed Friday afterI noon by the accidental explosion of one of their own i shells, and Saturday morning two men were brought i in from the front on stretchers, one with both legs shot 1 away and the other the loss of an arm. I have not yet been able to ascertain their names. J. B. M. A Question. Cami- Sbymocr, Beaufort S. C.) August 25,1SC3. J To the Editor of the Free South :? Sin With the most profound assurance that nought bat a thirst after knowledge could impel me to intrude on your time, I submit the following (jnesrio* for your consideration, knowing that l>' > * 1-.? 1 voqr MiriCU KI1UW HHgc UUU upjAiUUiiiiio ivi ?v" quiring such enable you to treat the subject with due ability. The Query is: to what species of plants does the vegetable belong to which is issued by the Commissary of Subsistence, under the ttom-ik guerre of tea. It is certainly a botanical phenomenon, being when expanded after boiliug, about as wide as a mulberry leaf ^d hcarly as long as a palametto; and capable of ' being compressed almost to a nonentity in a crude state, as a teajwt can accommodate several of them at a time. It makes a fascinating decoction, strongly resembling the solutiou which shoemakers make use of to impart a black color new leather. If the seeds of it can be procured in this country and information to that effect, will be thankfully received by your patrons in this camp, as we contemplate planting shade trees over our newly invented sweatbox, to mitigate the temperature, and thus dispense with the necessity of perverting the bukeoveu to purjroses of military castigation. Most obsequiously yours, A "Regular." Respectfully referred to Lieut. E. H. Brown, Post Commissary.?[Ed. Capture of the Evirglade.?We do not know the exact facts connected with this capture but give them as we have heard them. The Everglade?a side-wheel steamer formerly on the line between Savannah and St. John's river, Florida, li;is been lying up the Savannah river for several ??\' S NO. 34. j weeks, ready to run the blockade. She ; was loaded with cotton, and had, as p*s~sengers, about one hundred sailors and naval officers,?a complete crew for one of ' \ the privateers now fitting out at Nassu* or some other Anglo-rebel port. Last Friday night she is said to have run past Pulaski (?) but was overhauled by the Madgie before she got clear of the coast, > and was sunk near Tybee island. Only twenty-two of her passengers and crow were taken, the rest escaping to Tybee and thence to the main, via Si. Andrew'* island. Among those captured were some of the officers and crew of the privateer before referred to. The officere were well covered with gold lace, stars, anchors, Ac,,?the usual decorations of Naval of ncers.?jxetc. oomrt, xza. / A man who had been fined several weeks in 8uccession.for getting drank, coolly proposed to the judge that he should take him by the year at a reduced sate. Promotions.?The following, is a list of promotions since July 10 :? B. Frank Oaks, Sergt. 21th Mass. to b* Captain, 2d N. C. Vols; Jesse S. Williams, 1st Sergt. 21th Mass., to be 2d i Lieut, same Regt ; Frank H. Skepard, i Sergt. 21th Mass., to be 2d Lieut, same Regt.; George B. Dyer, 1st Sergt. 9th. Maine to be 2d Lieut, same Regt. ; J. Erving Skepard, Sergt.-Maj. 9th Maine, to be 1st. Lieut, and Adjt same Regt; Charles K Oaks, Sergt. 3<1 R. L Art., to be 2d Lieut, same Regt. ; Richard W. ( Coe, Sergt. X. Y. Engineers, to be 1st Lieut, same Regt. ; Charles P. Ross, Com.-Sergt. 52d Pa., to be 1st Lieut, and J R. Q. M. same Regt. Resignations.?The following is a list of resignations accepted since July 2d? , D. J. Flanders, 1st Lieut. 3d N. EL i Vols. ; A. S. Jackson, 2d Lieut. 3d R. I. Art ; William F. Barret, 2d Lieut. 18th N. Y. Vols. ; Jno. Remley, 1st Lient. 85th Pa. Vols. ; Horace Baker, 1st Lieut. 100th N. Y. Vols. ; Patrick Leary, 1st Lieut. 39th HI. Vols.; L. H. Bredt, 1st Lieut 67th Ohio Vols. ; D. A. Allen, Ma! ior. 17th N. Y. Vols. : A. G. Brann. 2d ; Lieut lltli Maine; F. M. Johnson, 2d I Lieut. 11th Maine ; L. F. Place, 1st Lieut 3d X. H. Vols. ; Otto Yernam, 1st Lieut X. Y. Eng. ; A. H. Ferrill, 1st. Lieut 1st ; S. C. Vols. ; J. W. Ackerman, 2d Lieut 3d X. H. Vols. ; C. F. .Schaffer, 1st Lieut 100th X. Y. Vols. ; J. H. Touting, Capt 1st S. C. Vols,; E. G. Allen, Lieut. 10th Conn; Jno. Speidel, Lieut.-Col. 6th Conn. ; M. Bailey, Capt 100th X. Y. : Vols. ; T. M. Jackson, Capt. 3d X. H. i Vols. ; C. F. Brainerd, 1st Lieut 3d N. H. Vols. ; J. M. Welch, 2d Lieut 85th Pa. Vols. Bntnm.?At St. Helena, on Monday, Aug. 24th, 1S63, Mrs. Gkoi'oe M. WtLu, of a daughter. We congratnlate the community upon the commencement of a new era in the history of Sooth CaroBna. The old slaveocrats who once occupied these islands are to give place to a new loyal population. The auspicious event announced at the head of this paragraph, indicates the beginning of this Important movement. Long life, health, and prosperity to the first Union babj of St. Helena. ?catjjis. August ?th Mansel Bigsby, Co. A, 7th New lLamp Isoire i ui0. August 2T>th, Private L. O. Crosby, Co. M, 1st IT. S? August 26th, Private John Jloacb, Co. C, 1st U. 8. A. August 21st, Private Aaron C. Varney, Co. C, 9th Me. Vols. August 22d, Private Samuel Bliss, Co. K, 7th Conn. Vols. | August 20th, Private William E. Moore 1st Com., i Buttery. ? August 24th, Private Sandy Baker, Co. G, 1st 8. C. Vols. JprnttementiS. Ice! Ice!! Ice!!! Edwako L Llovis is now ready to tarnish veaniaw steamers, hotels, and private persons with Ice in any quantities. ? Orders left at the Ice House, or through the Poet Office, will receive prompt attention. EDW ABD L. LLOTV. MILITARY FURKISHIHG STORE. DOUGLAS <fc CO., having removed to their NCTT STORE, on Bay Street, one door east of the Poet Commissary Building, Beaufort, would respectfully call the attention of Army and Navy Officers to their large and ?cell selected anoortment of Military and Naval Good*. Consisting of SWORDS, 8ASHES, BELTS, PAS. SANTS, Ac., Ac. Also a good stock of f?(t Ltrnaani Undre** Military Clothing. They have a fine stock of GOLD and SILVER WATCHES, adapted especially to Army use; also JEWELRY, WATCH-CHAINS, RINGS, PINS, Ac.? GOLD PENS and PENCILS of the best quality. F. DOUGLAS A CO. formerly Douglas, Steele, A Co. Aug. 27th 1SJ3? ttilwi