July 18. — General Beauregard, from his headquarters at Charleston, S. C., issued the following address: “While the Commanding General regrets that the enemy have succeeded in effecting a landing upon Morris Island, he acknowledges with satisfaction the conduct of the troops in their brave and prolonged resistance against a force largely their superior in numbers; and he is especially gratified by the spirit and success with which the garrison of Battery Wagner, and the troops under Colonel Graham, repelled the assaults on that fortification, as it gives the assurance that he can rely upon the conduct and courage of both officers and men to check the progress of the enemy.” — General George C. Strong, with a column of General Gillmore’s forces, made an assault upon Fort Wagner. The storming party was led by the Fifty-fourth regiment of Massachusetts, (colored,) under Colonel Robert G. Shaw. After gaining an angle of the Fort, and holding it for some time, they were repulsed with terrible slaughter. Colonels Shaw and Putnam were killed, and General Strong severely wounded.—(Doc. 41.)
—George W. L. Bickley, supposed to be the originator of the order of the Knights of the Golden Circle, was arrested at New-Albany, Ind. —The draft in New-Haven, Ct, was concluded.— The expedition into North-Carolina, under the command of Brigadier-General Potter, left Newborn.—(Doc. 101.)
—John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts, delivered an eloquent speech at Boston, on the occasion of the presentation of four flags, the gift of the women of Ohio, to the Fifty-fifth regiment Massachusetts colored volunteers. — One hundred guns were fired at Cambridge, Mass., in honor of the fall of Port Hudson.
—The rebel steamers, James Battle and James Bagaley, were captured off Mobile, Alabama. —At Baltimore, Md., an order was issued by General Schenck, directing all officers in the military service of the United States, residing at Rarnum’s City Hotel, to leave that establishment without delay.—Wytheville, Va., was captured by the National forces, under Colonel Toland.— (Doc. 132.)
—At Yates’ Point, on the Potomac River, an action took place between a party of rebels on shore, and the gunboats Jacob Bell, Resolute, and Teaser, and mortar-boat Dan. Smith. While the firing was going on, a party of Nationals was sent on shore, and the rebels were put to flight. —Major-General John G. Foster assumed command of the Department of Virginia, in addition to that of North-Carolina.
