[Major Campbell resumes command of Artillery Section No. 2, on James Island.]

Thirty vessels are reported inside the bar this morning, and six vessels as blockaders outside. All of same character and class as last reported.

At 10.50 p. m. Battery Cumming, with two guns, opened on the city, and fired 12 shells, one-half only of which exploded. As usual, Batteries Simkins, Cheves, Marion, Rutledge, and the Brooke gun battery returned the fire, and ceased as soon as the enemy closed, which he did at 11.40 p. m.

The number of shots fired from our works to-day is reported as follows: Battery Rutledge, 26 shells; Marion, 24 mortar shells; Brooke gun battery, 18 shells; Simkins, 18 shells, and Cheves, 14 shells.

Two steamers came up the Stono to-day, and one of them landed about 50 men at Legareville, and at dark she was still lying at the village. The other had no troops, but returned after remaining only about thirty minutes.

The Marblehead is still lying in front of Legareville.

From the tenor of certain of the enemy's dispatches which have been intercepted, it is believed that there is a regular line of stations between Hilton Head and Morris Island, and that there is also a submarine cable connecting those two points. As orders and messages to intermediate points will probably be continued to be sent by signal, it is deemed important that our operators on John's Island shall be ever on the alert. Major Jenkins was accordingly directed to assume control of all members of the signal corps in his command.

December 20, 1863.-The enemy have remained silent since 4.40 last night, at which time they ceased shelling the city.

This morning the fleet off the harbor is composed of the usual number (six blockaders), while twenty-six vessels form the fleet inside the bar.

During the entire morning our batteries, as well as those of the enemy, remained silent, but at 3.45 p. m. three guns at Battery Cumming opened on the city, and in thirty minutes threw 17 shells, only 5 of which failed to explode. Several buildings are said to have been struck, and one was set on fire, but was soon extinguished. No casualties are known to have occurred.

Shortly after the enemy commenced shelling the city, Batteries Simkins, Cheves, Marion, Rutledge, and the Brooke gun battery opened a steady fire with mortars, columbiad, and rifle shells, and ceased as soon as the guns on Cumming's Point ceased.

The effect of our fire was not ascertained, and no casualties are reported at any of our works.

The Federal steamer Marblehead is still near Legareville, and parties of the enemy can be seen in that village.

The enemy's fleet at Port Royal is composed of two steam frigates, two steam sloops of war, one steam cutter, two iron-clads, seven wooden gunboats, and ninety-four transports.

The following is the number of shots fired by our batteries during the day: Brooke gun battery, 30 mortar shells; Rutledge, 27 shells; Marion, 20 shells; Simkins, 4 columbiad, 3 rifle, and 11 mortar shells, and Cheves, 11 columbiad shells.

December 21, 1863.-There is no material change in either the number or character of the Federal fleet off the harbor this morning.

During a portion of the morning the enemy continued to work unmolested at Batteries Gregg and Wagner, but at 10.30 a. m. one of the Cumming's Point batteries opened on Fort Moultrie with a few shots, which soon brought on a general engagement between that work and Batteries Cheves, Simkins, Rutledge, Moultrie, Marion, and the Brooke gun battery. The firing from our side was continued slowly but steadily until about 4 p. m.

Two steamers were observed to-day off Black Island, and were fired upon by Battery Tatom with the 4.62-inch rifled gun. It is thought one of the vessels was struck.

The following is the number of shots reported to have been fired by our batteries during the day: Fort Moultrie, 6 shots; Brooke gun battery, 17 shells; Rutledge, 59 shells; Marion, 11 shells; Simkins, 37 shells, and Cheves, 12 shells.

It is reported by the engineer in charge that the mortar batteries at Simkins are now repaired, and that the mortar magazine will soon be in the same condition.

The two-masted gunboat remains in the same position in the Stono, and the enemy are still to be seen in Legareville.

The fleet at Port Royal to-day is reported as follows: Two steam frigates, one steam sloop of war, one steam cutter, one iron-clad, seven wooden gunboats, and ninety-six transports.

December 22, 1863.-To-day there were twenty-eight vessels inside the bar, including the Ironsides, four monitors, &c. Eight vessels were outside.

Just after midnight, the enemy opened on the city with one gun from Cumming's Point, and fired 4 shots at intervals of about five minutes. None of the shells exploded, and 1 of them fell short. The firing ceased at 12.20 a. m.

As usual, Simkins, Cheves, and the Sullivan's Island batteries returned the fire, and continued until the enemy closed.

During the remainder of the day all the batteries were quiet. At 1 a. m. one of the enemy's barges was observed off Fort Sumter, taking soundings. It finally retired, however, in the direction of Morris Island.

The condition of the fort is reported to be about the same as usual, very few changes having recently been made in its arrangements.

Captain [W. G. L.] Butt, of the Twenty-third Georgia Regiment, with 6 officers and 109 men from the Nineteenth, Twenty-third, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Georgia Regiments, last night relieved Captain [T. J.] Abercrombie, of the same regiment, and 6 officers and 101 enlisted men from the Sixth, Nineteenth, Twentythird, and Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiments, on duty in Sumter. The two-masted gunboat is still in the Stono near Legareville, which place continues to be occupied by the enemy.

The enemy have at Port Royal to-day two steam frigates, one steam sloop of war, one steam cutter, one iron-clad, six wooden gunboats, and ninety-eight transports.

December 23, 1863. No material change is reported in the enemy's fleet off the harbor to-day.

Last night not a shot was fired by either our or the enemy's batteries. During the day the only one of our works in action was Battery Rutledge, which fired 26 mortar shells against Cumming's Point, but failed to elicit any reply from the enemy.

At 3 p. m. a propeller transport filled with troops was observed going south. A loaded schooner was also seen going in the same direction.

In connection with the expedition organized for the attack on Legareville and the enemy's vessels lying off that village, it is reported that the Pawnee came up the Stono this afternoon, and that the Marblehead is in the same position. All that remains to be done is to build the battery at Lady's Island, and this will be accomplished tomorrow night. The siege train to accompany this expedition passed Church Flats at 9 o'clock this morning.

The enemy's fleet at Hilton Head is reported as follows: Two steam frigates, one sloop of war, one cutter, one iron-clad, six gunboats, and ninety-eight transports.

December 24, 1863. Since 5 p. m. of the 23d, not a shot has been fired. During the day, there was no firing on the part of the enemy, and only an occasional shot from our batteries, directed against working parties at Cumming's Point.

There are reported inside the bar this morning the Ironsides, four monitors, and the usual number of transports, gunboats, &c.

It is observed that the enemy have extensive camps on Cole's and Big Folly Islands, with large storehouses on the south end of the latter, which appear to be at least 300 feet in length, two stories high, with a cupola on top, used as a lookout and signal station.

Infantry intrenchments and a lookout and signal station can also be seen on the northeast end of Dixon's Island. No decrease of camps can be noted either on Morris or Little Folly Islands.

On the west end of Black Island the enemy have erected a two-gun battery, and on the south end of Morris Island, on Light-House Inlet, there appears to be a one-gun battery. Another battery for two guns is on the north end of Little Folly Island. All of these works bear on Secessionville.

The Marblehead remains off Legareville, and the Pawnee, having in tow a bark, came up the Stono in the evening, and anchored off Lady's Island. She subsequently changed her position, and at 7.30 p. m. was, together with the Marblehead and a supply vessel, lying directly in front of our Parrott gun battery.

Two steam frigates, one steam sloop of war, one steam cutter, five wooden_gunboats, and ninety-eight transports compose the enemy's fleet at Port Royal to-day.

December 25, 1863.-The enemy remained quiet last night until about 1 a. m., when they opened a heavy fire upon the city from Battery Cumming. After about 60 shells had been thrown, Battery Gregg and the mortar battery also joined in the bombardment, which was then carried on vigorously until 1.12 p. m., by which hour 133 shells had fallen within the limits of the city. The evening gun, which was fired from Battery Cumming as the flag was lowered at sunset, was charged with a shell which exploded in the city.

Soon after the bombardment commenced, Batteries Simkins, Cheves, Rutledge, Moultrie, Marion, and the Brooke gun battery opened on Cumming's Point with vigor, but did not, as usual, succeed in checking the fire of the enemy. These batteries continued in action at intervals during the entire bombardment. Their fire, however, does not appear to have been very effective, judging from the result.

Captain [T. S.] Hale remained at his post of observation (Saint Michael's steeple) during the entire bombardment, and recorded each shot. He reports that the second shell thrown into the city struck and set on fire a building on Broad near Church street; that he called to the police at the guard-house, directing their attention to the matter (the watchman in the belfry had left when the first shell

struck the city); that the alarm was not given for twenty minutes, and the first engine did not arrive on the ground until an hour after the alarm. In the meantime the flames had spread to other buildings, and before they were extinguished several houses were destroyed. Captain Hale is of the opinion that, had the police and firemen been prompt in the discharge of their respective duties, no such misfortune would have occurred. Captain Hale also reports that he distinctly saw from his elevated position a man with a torch, who set fire to a building known as Turner's Hall. This matter was placed in the hands of the police for investigation.

The regiment of reserves and several companies of the First South Carolina Artillery, under Col. Alfred Rhett, rendered efficient service as firemen, and it is owing, probably, to their efforts that this conflagration was finally checked.

The following is the number of shots fired by our batteries: Rutledge, 58'shells; Brooke gun battery, 39; Moultrie, 49; Marion, 48; Simkins, 111, and Cheves, 40 shells.

As previously arranged, our batteries on the Stono having been completed and everything in readiness, fire was opened on the Federal steam gunboat Marblehead at daylight this morning, lying about 300 yards from the wharf at Legareville Landing. The enemy's force on land was about 200-not in the village, but on a little island with a narrow defile leading to it. Colonel [P. R.] Page determined to attack with a field battery and the infantry; but to do so waited for our siege guns to drive the gunboat from the wharf. She did not open fire for twenty minutes after our fire commenced. Our fire was kept up for about an hour at 1,000 yards distance without making the least impression, or, as Colonel Page thinks, even hitting her at all. In the meantime the Pawnee and a mortar-boat ran up the Kiawah, and opened fire on the flank and rear of our lower batteries, killing 1 private, severely wounding 5 others (2 supposed mortally), and killing 8 horses. Colonel Page instantly withdrew, and fell back; the infantry to Roper's and the artillery to Walpole's. General Wise having arrived at the latter place, and learning from Colonel Page that the body of 1 private and two heavy howitzers had been left on the ground, in consequence of the loss of the horses and wheels, ordered him to regain them, if possible, to-night.*

List of casualties by the enemy's fire on the city to-day:

1. Mr. Knighton, eighty-three years of age, right leg shot off below the knee by a shell at the southeast corner of Meeting and Market

streets.

2. Miss Plane, wounded on foot by shell at same place.

3. Jerry Murray, a member of the Charleston Fire Engine Company, wounded in leg by a brick.

4. Sergt. H. P. McClemons, Company H, First Regiment State Troops, contusion of left arm by fragment of stone.

5. Private Thomas Brown, Company H, First Regiment State Troops, painfully in right hip and neck by a fragment of stone. 6. Private Elijah Ballinger, arm and thigh, flesh wound.

7. Private Walker Madders, contusion in thigh. Both of Company H, First Regiment State Troops.

Last night the enemy's gunboat Sonoma and a small schooner came up Tampa Bay, Florida, and anchored in front of Fort Brooke. This morning the gunboat fired upon the town and garrison for two

*See Attack on U. S. steamer Marblehead, etc., p.

747.

hours, throwing at intervals 150 and 32 pounder shells, while the schooner shelled the shore to the northward and eastward of her, while lying in the main channel. They withdrew about 12 o'clock without coming in range of our guns. No casualties.

December 26, 1863.-With the exception of an occasional gun heard in the direction of the Stono, not a shot was fired from our batteries or those of the enemy during the day.

The fleet off the harbor is about the same in number and character as last recorded.

Colonel Elliott reports that at 12 m. yesterday, at the signal of a steam whistle in the fleet and a gun from the direction of Light· House Inlet, a Federal flag was raised at the middle battery on Cumming's Point. He adds, as a significant fact, that at the first attempt the bunting went up "Union down."

Major Jenkins reports that soon after the withdrawal of our forces yesterday from near Legareville, the enemy commenced shelling the vicinity, and in the afternoon advanced their pickets so as to occupy our deserted batteries. After dark, with a view to ascertain the exact position of the enemy, Major Jenkins advanced a cavalry force, and discovered that they had evacuated the batteries, and retired some distance to the rear, and that the 8-inch howitzers left by Colonel Kemper had been dismounted, carriages overturned, and wheels taken off, so as to render it extremely difficult to recapture them. The night being very still and the enemy only a short distance off, the attempt was for the time abandoned.

December 27, 1863.-The Ironsides, four monitors, and the usual number of gunboats, transports, &c., compose the enemy's fleet off the harbor this morning.

At 3 a. m. Battery Cumming opened fire with one gun, and, after firing 5 shells, ceased. Before the second shell had been fired, Batteries Simkins and Marion and the Brooke gun battery responded, and continued firing until the enemy closed. From this time until 4.20 p. m. everything was quiet, when Cumming and Gregg each fired one gun at Sumter. This brought on a reply from Simkins and the Sullivan's Island works. As the enemy appeared to be satisfied with firing only two guns at the fort, our batteries soon closed.

It is reported that the embrasure at Battery Gregg formerly occupied by our 10-inch columbiad is closed up, and one large Parrott is the only heavy gun now bearing on the fort from that point.

The following is a summary of shots fired by our batteries since last report: Simkins, 3; Marion, 5, and Brooke gun battery, 1.

The enemy have at Hilton Head two steam frigates, one steam sloop of war, one steam cutter, five wooden gunboats, and one hundred and three transports.

The telegraph station at Secessionville was reopened to-day for business.

December 28, 1863.-There was no firing last night, but at 9 o'clock this morning the enemy opened upon the city from Batteries Cumming and Gregg and the mortar battery, and fired 5 shells, 2 of which failed to explode. Our batteries did not, as usual, respond. They remained silent the entire day, and it was not until 9.30 p. m. that a gun was fired on our side. At this time the enemy's calcium light at Gregg being reflected on the channel, Batteries Bee, Marion, Rutledge, the Brooke gun battery, Moultrie, Cheves, and Simkins opened a brisk fire with a view to extinguish it. At 10.40, the light being no longer visible, our batteries ceased.