Affairs at charleston.
The
Yankees, it seems, are again active around
Charleston.
The
Mercury, of the 12th, says:
‘
While the
Northern journals console their readers for the late disappointments by telling them that another expedition is preparing for the capture of
Charleston, there are undoubted signs of activity on the sea islands in possession of the enemy.
Within the last two days and nights a very large and formidable battery has been erected by the enemy on
Folly Island to bear upon the southern portion of
Morris Island, and in full view of
Fort Sumter the
Yankee sentinel is seen steadily pacing to and fro on his post.
An entrenched camp has been made lower down on
Folly Island, and unmistakable preparations are evidently progressing.
The abandonment of Cole's Island spring before last, and the difficulties of access on our part, enable the foe to proceed.
At
Seabrook's Island,
North Edisto, there are also indications of earnest efforts to make a safe basis.
A force of several regiments has been and is now at work, while five iron-clad gunboats and a number of transports lie in the stream.
Some seventy transports are still waiting in
Broad river, and the outposts of the enemy in
Gen. Walker's District have recently been doubled in strength.
In view of these appearances it becomes us to prepare vigorously to resist another demonstration before the heated term puts an end to active operations.
The 16th June, 1862, saw the bold and desperate assault upon
Secessionville.
We have not yet reached the middle of May Under all the circumstances, to assume that the enemy will not attack again before fail would be the most reckless fatuity.
It may be presumed, however, from the following item from the New York
World taken in connection with the fact that the
Passaic, one of their most formidable iron-clads, is undergoing extensive repairs, that the anticipated attack will not take place at least for several weeks to come.
Meantime, we trust a few of "
Brooks's" guns, the size of the bow gun of the
Richmond, may be added, if practicable, to the defence of the city:
A partial revolution has been effected in the ordnance bureau of the Navy Department, in consequence of the failure of the attack on
Charleston, and new instructions have been issued respecting the armament of the iron-clads, not only those at
Port Royal, but those now building, and also respecting naval ordnance generally.
The
Dahlgren guns are to be removed, and an entirely new 13.
inch gun, capable of using 75 pounds of power at a load, is to be substituted.
This is to be done before the attack on
Charleston is renewed.--By this change a single effective shot may be retied on to breach
Sumter.
It also may be effectively bombarded at a much greater distance than by Dahlgren guns.
The new guns are now in process of construction, but it is believed several weeks will elapse before they can be put in a sufficient number of Monitors to permit a renewal of the attack on
Charleston.
It was rumored at one time that
Mr. Ericsson protested against sending his iron-clads into collision with the forts of
Charleston with no better armament than they carried; at least, the necessity of a change is admitted and acted upon at the Navy Department.
’
