The new South. (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, June 06, 1863, Image 4
TtiE itOtflTOkS BEFOBE OHABLEsTON.
Hiz.ro* Head. B. C., April 26.?My Dear :
Our friend Col. showed me one paragraph of
j our letter to him, in which you referred, apparently
with surprise, to the fact, that the athi^c
on Charleston by the iron-clads should have been
discontinued ' when so few casualties had occurred."
Tins is so obvious a refection ou the first
liasty view of the atfair, and yet so radically unjust
...I- ?al It? at tk . faoto fkat in i 'nl
UUd nr umiw vat aw iu / ?u??^ ?u w..
s absence (he has gone to St. Augustine and
Fernandina) 1 will venture to occupy your time a
lew moments on the subject:?
In ordinary warfare the amount of casualties
will give a fair idea of the strength of the resistance
and the power and persistency of the attack.
With wooden vessels, your remark ?and I know it
To be an all but universal one?would apply with
Truth and it i* because we have all become so ac?
( tiHiomed to measure battles on land or sea by the
amount ot blood spiled, that we are apt to err in
judging an utterly uncommon and unprecedented
baitle by the ordinary or common standard. Let
me now submit some points:?
1. It is to be borne in mind that this (so far as
the navy was concerned* was purely an experiment
as to the possibility oftak:ng the city hv machinery.
The Monitors might be called blood-saving
machines, with this penalty attached to them: that
whenever the loss oi life should begin, it would involve
the inevitable destruction of every man ou
boaid. The number of men in the whole iron-clad
j *? 1a..? *1a? a nnrl knan a?tr?
*<|uuuruu icaa man a i v^iiutiu , muu luvow icn
hundred men, rushing against forty or fifty thous
md. were to have no other part in the fight than
to snpply the necessary powder for working the
machines If Charleston were to fell, it was by
machinery; and the moment the experiment was
tested to the point of proving that the machines
were inadequate to their work, it was wisdom to
withdraw them and would have been dangerous
foolhurdiness to have held them longer exposed.
2. The experiment was fully prosecuted np to
this point, with a magnificence of gallantry before
which, as a spectator, I bowed in reverence. The
machines were untried, and the conflict was the
first practical test we have ever had of the power
of the new kinds of ordnance and ordnanc i material
employed against them. I refer to the Blakely
and Whitworth Knglish guns, firing steel bolts and
sieel-poioted shot. The warfare was almost as
new to the Admiral and bis captain as it wonld
have been to you or myself?new kinds of projectiles
raining on him from above, vast torpedoes
known to he underneath his heels, and every channel
of entrance blocked with triple rows of torpedoarmed
<>b itructious.
2 After less than an hour's conflict, five out
of the eight Monitors were disabled, the K okuk
sinking. Behind the forts, calmnly waiting their
opportunity. lay three of the enemy's iron-clads,
in plain view ; vessels not able,-in fair fight, to
live an hour before one of onr Monitors, but held
in readiness to cruise out and capture any Monitor
disabled by the artillery practice of the forts aud
batteries This should not be lost sight of.
4. With two or three of our vessels of this kind
disabled, captured, repaired and in the enemy a
service what force would it require to maintain
the blockade of Charleston ? Wooden vessels?
our gun boats and steam-sloops would be useless;
and our iron vessels could not live outside of
t liarleston .bar in rough weather. Nor, even if
they could, unless we had enough of them to cross
fire over every inch of the mouth of the harbor
permanently, could a blockade be maintained
norninBt Ihii fa at rlirmer steamers hnilt as blockade
runners in Knglisli ship-yards. In a word the
en my, with a single "Monitor" of onrs could
drive every wooden boat from the blockade ; and
M ould, practically. " have raised the blockade."
5. Could we afford to have Charleston a free
port?the greatest free port in the world, when
viewed as the only outlet and inlet for the commerce
of eight millions of people, with arms and
all other requisites pouring into it nnmo ested, and |
cotton pouring out ? Would not such an event of!
necessity?I mean a moral and political necessity ;
?have compelled France, and perhaps, other wa-'
vefhig foreign powers, to acknowledge the Con- i
tederacy ? Are we in a position to hasard these '
consequences lightly?
6. Bear in mind that the weakness of the Mon- I
itor turrets was increasing in geometrical ratio ;
under the force of each concussion. Each bolt!
started, each plate cracked, each stanchcon bent |
by the first ball, left weaker protection against the I
second ; and tne second transmitted tnis deterioration
increased by its own impact to the third,
'lhns onward, the element of the calculation being
that three hundred guns, worked with every advantage
of space and fixity, were arrayed against
thirty-two guns cramped up in delicate machines
and requiring to be fired just at the exact right;
moment of rotation.
7. Fort Snmter, itself, we should not forget,
was but the fire-focus of two long,converging lines
. ? V ,.
i *
1 <?
, of forts and battel ies; and while, for aggressivi
purposes, and from its position, its armament \va
more to be dreaded than that of any other work
the fort itself, being built of masonry, fully expo
sed to fire, was the most pregnable point in th<
; harbor; nor would its fair have terminated tin
contest, nor given any further ease to the iron-clad;
than the withdrawal of so many guns against theiu
1 heir work would be still before them in silencing
the other forti and batteries and removing tin
triple line of powerful and cunningly devised ob
struciiuug.
The foregoing are on'y a few of the most prom
inent suggestions to be used in forming a rtgh
! estimate of tns struggle, busy. and overworkec
as 1 ain,'I could not rest until my very utmost wai
done to let yon see this affair fiom the staudpoin
, of a deeply interested spectator; who had giver
some thought and observation to the problem, anc
who certainly has no other interest in this mattci
I than to see that no injustice is done to brave tvut
patriots, whom he honors, honors with his whoh
heart and soul.
j How i should have felt if in the W ekaxrkti
(which led the van)> I do not know; bur Mijipos?
' that pride and the busy sense of duu uud le.spoa
i sibility would have held me firm to ui\ work, bu
only a spectator, with no cares to distraci my at
1 tention. i am not ashamed to say that 1 troiubloc
like a leaf for the gallant souls on board the Wee
i haicken when she first went into the hell-made
visible fronting and around Fort buniter.
Earnestly begging you to reflect on the point
in this 1 tter, and to use them in any quarter when
you think they can do good, or help in the slight'
est degree to remove misconception, 1 will onlj
further tax ray injured eyesight sufliciently to as
sure you that, with many pleasant memories of tht
kindness you have heretolore shown me, i am youi
very sincere fi:eud and servaut, \ ***
I
CtTBEE?TT Fashions in Story-writihg.?Then
are two styles of story now extant, only two whict
have any ruik One is of a haughty, hi^h-flyiuj
damsel, who does not know her own mind, anc
while basking in the sunlight of prosperity, scorn:
the true heart that beats lor her, and rather inclines
to the pertidious wretch who, to make a
wretched pun, regards her purse onal attraction*
only. Then her fortune disappears?generally by
an unfortunate law-suit?she goes out as a governess,
falls into the depths of poverty, and lives by
the most imperceptible means. Finally, after ?
proper degree of discipline, she is discovered by
the faithful lovyer, who. has sought her all the
world over, except just where she is, and so they
Host off*on a sea of translucent bliss!
A second style of story is the growth of the
times, and runs thus. A young woman is engaged
A? ? A ll a/v IUm !a amAntK Knf tlti.r
lu a ^uuii^ iiiau* All b\j jai ? auiuuiu- uuv iuvn
he goes to the wars, is reported dead, circumstantial
evidence is afforded, his last messages are received;
showing how miraculous calm he was
< 'mid din and smoke," and a photograph is sent
back, (so deiaced they are not sure it *as the one
lie carried ;> still he is gone, they pnt on mourning
and so on. and then, after all this useless ex
pense and expenditure of feeling, the writer bring?
him back, to tloat off', as usual, upon asea of bliss!
'1 he only latitude allowed here is the number o!
legs, arms, dyes or ears, minus, on his final appearance.
,i
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 40.
|
Hkai>qua*tkb8 Department of thf. South, >
Hilton Flfivl Port ltuviL S. C.. Mav Md. 1863. I
I. The Uajor-Genernl Commanding desires tc
call the attention of all officers and men in the
Departiner, j, to the paramount necessity of observing
rules for the preservation of Health during tin
warm months, upon which we have now entered
There is ie*s to he apprehended from battle than
disease, the records of ail campaigns in cl mates
such as this, showing many more victims to tin
neglect of Sanitary precautions, than to the skill,
endurance or courage of the enemy.
The following rules for the sanitary government
of all the troops at present serving in this Department,
are hereby re-promulgated, and all offideri
having the charge ot camps or posts, will he held
to a strict responsibility for their enforcement.
II. Care will be taken in the selection of camp
ing grounds, to avoid, as much aa possible, the vicinity
of malarious morasses or swamps, and tht
tents in 8$ far as practicable are to be faced to
the South. Each camp will be thoroughly policed
twice each day. morning and eveuing, and all
garbage or refuse matter will be collected and
buried in the sinks. Post and Regimental Commanders
will be held directly responsible for on;
neglect of police duty.
III. Each tent will be screened or covered at
the top and half way down the sides with an arboi
of brushwood or palm-leaves, and shall be floored
at au elevation of not less than three inches from
the ground. Where lumber cannot be procured,
each soldier will bare a bunk raised eighteen
inches from the ground on side poles supported
t.:* x*
. ' h
% $
*3*;; . ^ .
-k . 1\?* 4?VMWU^ n4l /*! 4 11 r i!1A?tAllK1ArtAt.J t<\ fltll 4?V_
7-j UJ AVifWC\A AU ^uaiiCftiiiiirigiOj i" vuy vas
tent of their ability, will furnish bairei-*ta ves to be
, placed across these side-poles, n<l will issue the
-; necessaiy lumber on receipt ol properrequiiiitioiis.
i IV. Tents will be struck at least three times
3 each week, and every article of bedding and do.
9 thing taken out and aired, the flooring and bunks
. to be thoroughly cleansed before the tents are reI
erected. On the dava in which the tents are not
i struck, the sides will be raided and kept raised
- for the purpose of ventilation, and during
the nights free ventilation Mill be secured
- by having the centre seatu in rear of the teut
t j opened for the space ol two feet, and kept opened
i; by the insertion of a Jorked stick. An officer of
* - each company will inspect the tcnto nightly, exII
cept duiing stormy weatner, to see that this pro11
vision is carried out.
I' V. Sinks of the proper size, screened with
r1 pine or palmettoAraucbes, shall be suuk at suitai
b!e distances, on different sides of each camp, and
i the bottoms of these will be covered each morning
with a layer of sand or clay. It will be the duiv
i of the camp police to sen ii+td outy the sinks on
? the be side of tfifc cafup are used.
VI. Fresh itoeat is to oe issued as often as
t practicable, and Commanding Officers while near
- tnc sea coast, win encourage siicn oi ineir uicn as
I are off duty, or not otherwise employed, to fish
- during the cool hours of the uiorniugand evening,
- not later than 9 in the morning, and not earlier
than b in the evening. In a scarcity of fresh meat,
i those troops in the most exposed and unhealthy
t situations, are to be first served.
VII. Breakfast will be ready for the men a*
r soon as they leave their tents, which must not he
- until after sunrise. Except when immediately to
i face ot the enemy, or when specially ordered by
r the i ommanding officer, reville will not be sounded
until after Mimise, by which time the sun's
heat will have absorbed tue miasma of the night
' dews. All the uien will be f urnished with straw
i hats, and will be required to bathe or wash them\
selves at leftfcft* ice each week and change their
I tinder clothing once a week, or ofteuer if piacticai
blc. fcentry-boxes of lumber, or small shade-ai
bors of brush-wood, will be erected in the vicinity
k of all points where sentries are stationed, and ail
i soldiers on night picket oi sentry duty w ill be pro'
vided with india rubber poacikos.
VIII. 'ihe proper cooking of provisions is a
r matter of great importance, more especially iu
k this climate, but has not vet received from a uiiu
' jority of the officers in our Voluuteer service that
> attention which is paid to it in the Kegular Army
r| of the Vnited States. ana Dy tde armies or
Europe. ' Hereafter an officer of each company
! will be detailed to superintend the cooking
i of provisions, taking care that all lood
i prepared for the soldiers s sufficiently cooked,
and that the meats are bulled or roasted, not f ried.
With a little care bestowec. on this point, and the
> advantage both to health and comfort of good cook'
ing explained to the men, much good may be et>
fected.
Po?t and Regimental Commanders, Post Provost
Marshals, Post inspectors and the Officers of the
1 Medical Staff, will see tba- the provisions of this
1 order are'tftmplied with, and will promptly repot t
f any failure or neglect to the Senior Officers ol the
Commands they are serving with, and to the Medical
Director of this Department.
By Command of Maj.-Gen. D. HUNTER,
CHAS. (j. liALPINE,
Lieut.-Col. & Asst. Adjt. General,
J 1U/A Jlrmy Corps $ uepur vieni oj me sown.
, General Koseckan's Position.?A correspondent
of the Boston Journal, writing from Murfrees,
boro. says that the position ot General hosecrans
is one of great strength, from which he cannot
, possibly be driven. It is thought that the rebels
, will be compelled upon to attack the Federal army
. in hopes to find subsistence tor their forces. 1 he
rebel papers in that quarter are strongly urging
' Bragg to attack our positions, frankly alleging, as
their justification for this course, that their gvana.
ries and storehouses are now empty, and no further
, subsistence cin be furnisher, his ai my. The Chat[
tanooga Sentinel says " Bragg has ordered all the
wagons and baggage to the rear." which certainly
. looks as if he is to accede to the urgent appeals of
. the press. u Wt only wait for him, ' says the
r 1 /...--.nn/lIt nnnKHunl in lUiiiurA olr?
. JUU11KU rurrcnjwiiuviuv. WMU..V... ... p..
, rioufl victory than has yet been gaiued during lite
war."
ADYERTfcKMKXTS.
mHB OEM. liC'CLELLAN BEADQCAliTEltS.?
No 3 East Houston St. (one door East of Broadway) N. Y.,
asovi THE ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL.)
Hftaiauaruft in See York, ?/ the qfliCat tj riilum Utah
[ j Ale, Wines, Brandies, Whisky, and Cegsra, of ths cLoi.
cest character. The current armv intelligence, Ac. hear
all the places of public amusement, and the most pepnW
place in the city of MILITARY BL30BT.
I COL. JAS. L. FltASER. (late 17th BegL)
[ May 16, '63.?tf. Uon^tr.