The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-10-28
BY TELEGRAPH.
Afternoon Report.
Engage lncnt with the Ram.
Washington, Oct. 25.

Commodore Mckean's dispatches are
received at the Navy Department. Capt
Pope, Of the Richmond, reports the hole
made in her by the Ram was feet below
the water line, and FIVE inches IN clrcum-
ference At the first alarm the crew cool
ly repaired TO- quarters, and as the Ram
passed abreast the Richmond, the entire
port battery was discharged at her with
what effect il was impossible to discover
in the darkness. A red light was shown
as a signal of danger, and the squadron
was under weigh i'll very few minutes,
the Richmond covering the retreat. The
Preble went over the bar while the Vim
cennes and Richmond grounded. The
enemy now coming down the river with
five steamers, they commenced hiring ut
us, while we returned FIRE from our port
batteries and rihed gun on the poop, our
shot however falling short, while their
shell burst on all sides of US and several
passed directly over ship. AT 900 Com
mander Handy, of the Vincennes, mis-
taking my signal to the ships outside the
bar to get under weigh for a signal for
him to abandon his ship, came ON board
the Richmond with all his officers and a
large number of his crew, the remainder
going on board the Water Witch. Capt
Handy, before leaving his ship, had placed
Having waited reasonable time for an
explosion, | directed Commander Handy
to return to his ship with his crew to
start his water, and if necessary at his
own request 10 throw overheard the small
guns for the purpose of tightening his
ship and carry out his kedge with cable
to heave off by. At 10 a. m the enemy
ceased their firing and withdrew up the
river During the engagement she'll en-
tered our port and one of oar boats was
! stove BY another shell. Capt. Pope re
! ports the Richmond and NiDcennes both
aiioat, the leak of the former SO reduced
! that the small engines keep her free
This is only temporary and the ship vii
have to 90 to some place and have three
planks put in. | have received rified
guns and placed the 3-pounder on The
torecastle and the l2-pounder on the poop
Could / have possibly managed this ship
in any other way than keeping her heac
J up and down the river, | would hay,
stopped at pilottown and given battle
: but this was found hazardous owing to hei
extreme length. The attempt was made
but broadside could not be brought L
: bear without running the ship ashore.
Commander Alden of the steamer Soutl
Carolina, relates the capture of the schoon
cr Ezidia commanded by an officer of ,
Sumter, VIM. Anderson Hicks, and tn,
schooner Jos. H. Toone. The vessell
contained from 600 to 5000 guns, man,
! of them old flint locks and some entirely
useless. Two passengers, VIM. IL. Amo
merchant of New Orleans owner of th'
vessel, aud Thos Lewis, were taken prls
]: oners of war. The captured cargoes ais
!. embraced quantity Of powder, caps, re
! volvers, blankets, lead, &c
Adjutant Gen. Thomas has ordered tha
troops transported by railroad through
: disafiected parts of the country shall marcel
on foot over bridges where possibilt,
. exists of the cars breaking through. II
this end there will be an agreement in th
contract for transportation that the train
! shall he stopped to permit the troops I
alight before crossing the bridge.