st!

AUGUST 17TH.--No news, except that the bombardment at Charleston is
getting hotter--but the casualties are few.

The chief ordnance officer of Gen. Lee's army writes that the ammunition
from Richmond has always to be tested before they can venture to use it.
The shells for the Parrott guns are often too large--and of course would
be useless in the hour of battle!

The _Examiner_ to-day has an attack on the President for removing A. C.
Myers, the Quartermaster-General.

AUGUST 18TH.--There is heavy firing, day and night, on Wagner's battery
and Fort Sumter. The enemy use 15-inch guns; but Sumter is 4000 yards
distant, and it may be hoped will not be reduced.

After all, the enemy did not, durst not, shave the head of Gen. Morgan,
and otherwise maltreat him, as was reported.

The Secretary of War is, I believe, really in earnest in his
determination to prevent future blockade-running on private account; and
is resolved to send out cotton, tobacco, etc. by every steamer, so that
funds and credit may be always available in Europe. The steamers go and
come every week, in spite of the cruisers, and they bring munitions of
war, equipments, provisions, iron, etc. etc. So long as this continues,
the war can be maintained; and of late very few captures have been made
by the enemy.

There are rumors of some manoeuvres of Gen. Lee, which may indicate an
approaching battle.

AUGUST 19TH.--A _scout_, from Washington, has reported to Major Norris,
signal corps, that 10,000 New York troops have recently left Meade's
army, their term of service having expired; and that 30,000 men have
been sent from his army against Charleston. This accounts for the
falling back of Meade--and the detachment never would have been made
without.

This intelligence has been in the possession of the government four
days; and if Charleston should fall now for want of men or material,
there will be great culpability somewhere.

All the non-combatants have been requested to leave Charleston--and none
are allowed to enter the city.

We have just got information from Charleston of a furious assault. So
far the casualties are not very great, nor the Island batteries
materially injured; but Sumter, it is feared, is badly shattered, yet is
in no great danger. Much apprehension for the result is felt and
manifested here. Six or eight large columbiads have been lying idle at
the Petersburg depot for a month, although the prayers of the people of
Ch