The above picture and article below are transcribed from Harper's Weekly Journal of Civilization, dated August 22, 1863:

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          The illustrations of the Siege of Fort Wagner, from drawings just received from thence. One large picture gives us a general view of Morris Island, showing Fort Wagner, Battery Gregg, General Gilmore's Works, his Camp, and Landing-Place, and Admiral Dahlgren's Iron-clad Fleet; other smaller designs illustrate our advanced works, Fort Wagner, hauling guns into position, mortar practice, etc., etc.

          We have recorded from week to week the progress of our work before Charleston. By way of explaining the large view of Morris Island we append the following extract from the Herald correspondence:

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          Every morning two or more of the iron-clads move into position off Wagner, at a distance of from one thousand to one thousand seven hundred yards, and deliver their shot and shell into the rebel work. The firing from Wagner has within the week past become irregular, and almost every time the iron-clads attack it the firing from it ceases in half an hour or forty-five minutes after the commencement. Yesterday only one gun was observable upon the work, and no signs of another could any where be seen. The one gun in sight is a 10-inch rifle, and from it they have made some excellent practice. In the attack on Monday morning last only two shots wee fired from Wagner, and both of them struck the Montauk, but, as usual doing no damage. The firing then ceased, and the remainder of the day the fort was silent. The ball, however, is regularly taken up by Battery Gregg (the old Cumming's (Point Battery) and Fort Sumter, from both of which excellent firing has been made. In the position usually occupied by the iron-clads during an engagement they are within good range of Sumter; indeed, shots have been fired at them from Fort Moultrie, and not falling very far short. The beach in front of Fort Wagner is cut and scooped up as though a party of navvies had been seeing how irregular thy could make it look. The parapet also and casemates of the fort look scarcely like anything more than heaps of sand, so much have they been torn to pieces by shot and shell.

          Although each day more or less firing from the fort is seen, yet it must be nearly untenable, and the fire of the iron-clads for half an hour silences it. Deserters, who were in the fort on the 18th of July, the day of the bombardment and storming, say that the explosion of the eleven and fifteen inch shell was frightful. Burying themselves in the earth, they exploded and dug immense holes, throwing the earth high into the air and over every thing around.

          It is but proper to say the Montauk has been engaged more hours and thrown more shot and shell, grape and canister, than any other iron-clad. Testimony to the effectiveness of her shots is borne on all hands. Mr. Giraud, the executive officer of the Montauk, is known as one of the best shots in the service, and he rarely fails of hitting the object upon which he sights his guns. It is thought he has not lost a dozen shots in the three weeks' duty off Morris Island.

          On James Island, over beyond Morris Island, and somewhat in the rear of Fort Johnson, are two new rebel batteries, which have been erected within the last ten days. The result of the firing upon Wagner has shown how probable it is that we shall soon possess and occupy it; and these new batteries are for the purpose of an enfilading fire. They look formidable as batteries, and yesterday they opened, throwing shot on Morris Island, and even near the iron-clads. They probably mount four or six guns each, though of what calibre it is impossible to state.

          But General Gilmore is at work as well, and undoubtedly his efforts to possess all of Morris Island will soon be successful. The batteries which he used on the 18th inst., and indeed since, will be superseded by works more extensive, which he is throwing up three hundred yards in advance. These works if not entirely, will soon be completed. Already they are of such magnitude as to excite the wonder and admiration of beholders. The front of the work extends far up the beach, and can not be more than seven hundred yards from Fort Wagner. It will not surprise some if, when this work is finished, General Gilmore entirely discards Wagner and turns his attention to a more ancient and familiar locality. His batteries, in the centre of Morris Island, cover any approach from James Island, if it was possible to make one from that direction. The lower end of Morris Island is as busy as a work-shop in unloading and transporting guns, carriages, ammunition, and stores. On the shelving beach, under the bluffs, his men are encamped, and morning and evening witness the company drill and the dress parade. The whole extent of the beach is alive from dawn to dusk with the men and horses, who are accomplishing the work from which so much is hoped.

          From the new work a wharf has been built out upon the beach, affording quite a depth of water at high tide. This has been constructed under the fire of rebel guns, as all the work has been since the landing on the island.

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          A letter of the 5th, published in the Times, contains the following:

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          The preparations for renewing the attack on Fort Wagner are progressing as rapidly and favorable as could be desired. There is not an officer or private in the entire Department who is not sanguine of the fall of Fort Wagner on the renewal of the assault. The same buoyant feeling is also shared by the naval officers, many of whom are positive in their belief that Charleston will be in our possession before the close of the summer months. Within the past three days General Gilmore has added numerous and heavy guns to his line of attack, and the unceasing toil day and night of the men upon the trenches indicates that work of a different character will soon commence. It would perhaps be superfluous to add that reinforcements have been arriving at Morris Island since the late fight, so that the strength of the enemy, when the next battle occurs, will be severely tested. These reinforcements are greatly needed, as many of the soldiers who have been digging in the trenches and attending to other duties are completely worn-out from continued exposure and labor.

          The public may rest assured that the heavy ordnance now trained and be trained on Forts Sumner and Wagner will by manned by men who have been educated to the business.

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