Letter from Charleston.
[Correspondence of the Dispatch]Meanwhile Gen. Beauregard and Gen. Gilmer are not idle. Their active brains are busy, and the Argus eyes and Briarian arms of the army under their command are ever at work. It is said that James Island, which lies between Morris Island and Charleston, and over which the enemy must pass if he would reach the city from his present base is impregnable. I hope the same is true of Sullivan's Island. On the main land there is no danger.
The harbor is not yet lost to us, and the loss of the harbor does not necessarily carry with it the loss of the city. The possession of battery Wagner and battery Gregg, and the new works being thrown up by the enemy, will enable him to render the blockade more effective, and at the same time to dispense with a portion of his blockading fleet. This will be no great loss to us, however, except in regard to the importation of supplies on Government account. The country can easily dispense with the liquor and trumpery which constitute the chief part of the cargoes brought in heretofore.
The people here have taken in that kind of aspect or expression which betokens fire resolve and minds made up. One reads this fact in the countenance of every man he meets on the street. Nearly all the non-combatant population has been removed from the city entirely, or to the upper portion of it beyond the reach of the enemy's projectiles. A few only remain — such as are unable to go. The Mercury and Courier offices have been removed up town, from whence they continue to fire red lot shot at the invader, as in former times. The hotels are kept open, and the "Charleston," where I am stopping, continues to furnish excellent "entertainment for man and beast, " as the old tavern sign-boards were wont to have it.--The Federal army may yet hoist its flag over Charleston, but it will be amidst heaps of ashes and blackened walls, and the charred and fleshless bones of her heroic children.
The weather is rough outside to-day, and betokens the approach of an equinoctial gale. The monitors have taken the hint and disappeared. They have probably sought safer anchorage in the Stono, or some of the inlets below. We continue to fire upon the enemy's working parties, day and night, and have the satisfaction of knowing that our fire is not without effect.
I go hence to Savannah, and thence to Gen'l Bragg's army. Sallust
