OFF MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-6.10 a.m.

General GILLMORE:

Please have your extreme advance marked by an American flag, and if the fire of the Ironsides injures the trenches have a white flag waved over the American flag.

DAHLGREN,

Admiral.

MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-10.10 a.m.

Lieutenant PRESTON,

Flag-Officer:

I propose another trial to-night. The failure last night* was owing to Mr. Higginson's acting without orders. My troops, when they passed down to the mouth of the creek, met him returning with a captured boat. Musketry had been resorted to in making the capture, and Cumming's Point was alarmed.

GILLMORE,

General.

MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-1.50 p.m.

Admiral DAHLGREN:

I shall try Cumming's Point to-night, and want the sailors again early. Will you please send in two or three monitors, just before dark, to open on Moultrie as a diversion? The last time they were in they stopped re-enforcements, and may do so to-night. I do not want any fire in the rear. Please answer immediately.

GILLMORE,

General.

OFF MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-2.30 p.m.

General GILLMORE:

As your request is at variance with the written programme, I have sent Lieutenant Preston ashore to see you on the subject.

DAHLGREN,

Admiral.

OFF MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-5.30 p.m.

General GILLMORE:

At what time this p.m. can you dispense with the Ironsides' fire?

DAHLGREN,

Admiral.

MORRIS ISLAND, September 5, 1863-5.45 p.m.

Admiral DAHLGREN:

Let her cease now. If we do not succeed to-night, I suppose she will open again at sunrise; if we do succeed, a red light will be shown

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*The above dispatch has reference to an attempted assault of Battery Gregg from small boats, on the night of the 4th. The object was to spike the guns and blow up the magazine.-GILLMORE.

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