The Confederate steamer
Ida visited
Fort Pulaski under a flag of truce on Friday last.
Her object was to take beyond our lines a number of parties captured some months ago with the brig
Santa Clara by the privateer
Jeff. Davis.
On arriving within a half mile of the fort, a shot was fired across her bow, when she laid to, and a Federal steamer came round from the
South Channel and took the prisoners and our officers on board and conveyed them to the wharf.
The Savannah
Republican publishes the following information obtained by the crew of the
Ida:
‘
Our officers were informed that both
Charleston and
Savannah would be taken within thirty days. The Federals had gunboats that could readily pass
Fort Sumter, and this done they regarded the fall of
Charleston as accomplished.
Upon being informed of the
Federal loss on
James Island, as reported in the
Charleston papers of some days ago, the
Federal officer expressed an agreeable surprise, as they had learned it was at least nine hundred.
The officers say they receive the
Savannah and
Charleston papers regularly, and have a complete file of them at the fort.
They are obtained through messengers who communicate with the two cities.
The sick and wounded of the late garrison were sent to
Hilton Head, for greater comfort, about two weeks ago, and
Gen. Terry (formerly
Col. Terry, of the Seventh Connecticut, but recently promoted, and in command of the
Fort), informed our party that he had heard that the prisoners were sent to New York in the
Arago, last week.
Private Moulton died of his wounds soon after the battle.
Private Ames, whose foot had been amputated, was doing well and fast recovering, and the same account was given of
Private Bruce, whose arm was lost in the fight.
When interrogated with regard to the terms of capitulation as published in the New York papers, and the failure of the
Federal commander to comply with the stipulation to return the sick and wounded to our lines,
Gen. Terry acknowledged that such was his understanding of the matter, and he was unable to inform them why the contract had not been carried out.
The flag at the
Fort was at half mast in respect to the new
Colonel of the 7th Connecticut, who died on Thursday, and was buried yesterday.
Workmen appeared to be engaged in repairing the
Fort, as derricks had been erected on the injured side.
The walls of the magazine had not been breached, but a number of shot had been driven into the brick, and the walls roughly handled.
The garrison were employed in erecting additional guns.
The intercourse with our officers was pleasant and even kind, and
General Terry spoke with great confidence of the ability of the
Federals to take any portion of the country they desired, and to crush out the rebellion at an early day.
There were no war ships in sight, or sail of any sort, except two or three in
Warsaw, the character of which could not be distinguished at that distance.
All the batteries along the river have been removed.
’
