ruin. In quick response, the flag is dipped, the walls bristle with armed men waving their salute; the band peals forth the "Star Spangled Banner"--fitting harmony to be rolled back upon the recreant sons of the South Carolinian who penned its measures-and we move on to other scenes. Fort Sumter! au revoir!

Just beyond the ruin, at the left, lies the wreck of the famous old floating-battery, built by Beauregard, with which to take the fort. A portion of one of its sides, with four port-holes visible, still remains above the water. Near by, are the wrecks of two English blockaderunners, the smoke-stacks and bowsprit only being in sight. To the right is Fort Moultrie,-abandoned by Major Anderson and his brave followers in 1861, for the stronger defense of Fort Sumter, now in good condition, though never a fortification of superior strength. Battery Bee extends its low earth-mounds, now green with luxuriant grass, for a long distance towards the city. Fort Ripley appears in the midst of the water, a small and insignificant redoubt, built by the Rebels, with the stones taken from the streets of Charleston.

Beyond, and of more importance, rises Castle Pinckney, surrounded by a high light-house.

On either side of the harbor, the shores are crowned with groves of the pines peculiar to this country, their tops branching and interwoven, and presenting to the inexperienced, the appearance of the palmetto. This latter tree shows itself but sparsely here. We saw but or two specimens, and these were as crooked and

one

uninteresting as the natives whose cross-grained State they symbolize.

All these places of martial reputation were greeted as we passed, with cheers, the band meanwhile playing patriotic airs, for we saw waving above them all, the Banner of the Free.

We were now abreast of the United States vessels-ofwar at anchor, the blockading vessels released from service, the captured blockade runners, the Government transports, and two monitors scarcely clearing the water's edge. To each of these we shouted the news, which was received with wild hurrahs, and the rapid dipping of the colors. A unique and beautiful sight presented itself through the thickly gathering twilight, as we steamed past the men-of-war. At a given signal, the boys in blue sprang to the shrouds, ran up like so many squirrels, walked out upon the yard-arms, filled all the rigging, and aspired even to the top-masts; then turning about, they waved their hats in exultation, and sent their ringing cheers across the water.

The monitors lie nearest the city. It is easy to understand the contempt which the Rebels felt for the first craft of this description, as commanded by the gallant Worden, it bore down upon their vast lumbering monster, the Merrimac, in the waters of Hampton Roads. Their title, bestowed at that time, was certainly graphic, “A Yankee cheese-box afloat." And yet the "cheese-box" has poured contempt upon the wooden walls" of England, and revolutionized the naval warfare of the world.

Darkness was now settling heavily upon us. We could dimly discern the Battery, with its row of once magnificent mansions, with the marks of shells upon them. Before us lay the City, dead to all appearances. Half a dozen lights gleamed along the wharves, but these were upon our own vessels. Not the flickering of a taper was to be seen in any other part of the City. It was the very darkness of desolation. We could see the crowds gathering upon the wharves and vessels. As we drew nearer, a voice was heard faintly calling through the gloom.

"What's the news?"

One of our company, a man of stentorian lungs, putting his hands to his mouth, roared forth, the thrilling intelligence.

"Lee has surrendered, with his whole army!" Again, the voice from the shore, faintly.

"Have we got Lee!"

"Yes!" thundered the spokesman, and then from the shore, uprose such a peal of huzzas, such a wild tumult of exultation as made the night vocal. The band on board the Blackstone, which lay at the wharf, struck up the "Star Spangled Banner," to which our band responded "My Country, 'tis of Thee," then again from the shore, the "Red, White and Blue," and from the Oceanus, "Hail Columbia!" and enthusiasm indescribable reigned. As we came up to the anchorage near the wharf, we waited for a permit to enter the dock. Though Gen. Gilmore had not yet arrived from Hilton Head, an officer

from one of the U. S. steamers from Savannah, having a very creditable faith in our loyalty, boldly cut red tape, and authorized our captain to swing up to the wharf.

This done, a few eager members of the party were determined to go ashore. Much confusion ensued, but at length half a dozen succeeded in their purpose, and made their way to the Charleston Hotel, where they announced the news to Gen. Wilson, and others. The wharf was covered with a motley gang of native negroes, contrabands, poor whites and rough-looking fellows, whose appearance was anything but an invitation to familiarity. The remainder of the party retired to the supper table to satisfy an appetite whetted by long delay. After supper, a meeting was called in the Ladies' Cabin. Dr. Leavitt was appointed Chairman. He said that it would be regarded by all as eminently appropriate, after so many and signal mercies, through which we had been safely brought to our destination, to recognize the goodness of Almighty God.

Rev. J. S. Corning was called upon to make a few remarks, befitting the occasion, at the conclusion of which Rev. J. Clement French was invited to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for his "eminent mercy to ourselves since we left New York, and his great loving kindness to our beloved country."

Pleasant speeches followed. By 10 o'clock the party which had gone ashore, returned, bringing with them flowers which they had gathered from the gardens.

Rev. Mr. Cuyler, holding up a boquet of roses and mock oranges, made it the text for one of his most effective addresses. Capt. Hunt, of Brig.-Gen. Hatch's staff, brought us the salutations of the officer commanding, and in his name tendered us the freedom of the city, with promise of conveyance, and privilege of gathering all the flowers we might desire. Gen. Hartwell, and Major Nutt, of the 155th Colored Regt., who had just returned from a ten days raid into the interior of S. C. entertained us until midnight with accounts of their adventures, and we reluctantly retired, that we might be refreshed for the visit to the city on the following morning.