The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-22
The New Confederate Ram FinEal-
the Yankees i'm Great TrcpidatiOm.

Carolina, have been recently thrown into per-
feet fever OF excitement on account of the COM
petion OF, and anticipated attack from, the
new Confederate steam ram Fingal. Instead
of anticipating life of case and Incidence the
summer through, both the land and naval
forces at Port Royal are in momcntary expec-
tation of an exchange of compliments with this
new and unsurpassed specimen of Southern en-
terprse. From the Hilton Head correspon-
dence of the New York Herald under date of
August ,. we extract the following:
The note of alarm has been sounded Un-
less some Monitor comes to our succor the fair
weather yachts now reposng on the placid bo-
som of Port Royal bay have before them an
excellent opportunity OF learning what it is to
be blown out of the water The rebels have
completed their ram. 1t has been manned
and armed, and is now ready Tor sea- With
an enterprise, perseverance, and determination
which are yet to be met by a corresponding &C.
tlvity on the part of our Government, but with
resources insignificant in comparison with our
own, they have again succeeded in constructing
an engine of war whose advent will find us
powerless for resistance.
For several days we have noticed growing
boldness on the rebel side. We have seen
them defianty coming down the Savannah
river, replacing the buoys, taking soundngs,
and making most careful aud minute observa-
tions. Through the strong glasses of the sig
nal station at Fort Pulaski we have watched the
crews of the blockaded ships as they bent their
sails at the city wharvcs and have noticed the
unusual activity with which flat boats were null
tiplied and lighters have increased. Word has
come to us, too of the condition of the naval
monster, and the fact that it was to be used
against us at an early day has not been un-
known.
Day before yesterday she first came under
fire of Fort Pulaski. She was feeling her way,
apparently unmindful of the shot from our
heaviest guns OF course the intelligence was
not long in reaching Hilton Head. From that
moment such preparations as we have been
able to make for proper reception have been
in progress. The heaviest of our transport
steamers have been placed under the orders of
Admiral Dupont. Gunboats have been sta
toned at each approach, and new signal lines
have placed them in instant communication
with Headquarters. We shall know when the
ram passes Fort Pulaski, what direction she
takes, and what her evident purpose is, long
before we sec her. Meanwhile the rebels arc
concentrating at Buffton, at Hardccvillc, and
at Grahamvlle. 1t is their plan first to destroy
our fleet, aud then to move the Fingal around
to Seabrook, and there cover the landing of
their forces
How the Admiral proposes to meet the Fin
gal is not proper for me to reveal It's sufi
cient for me to state that he believes at once
the imprcgnable nature of the craft, and in the
reckless daring of her commander. Whether
in the event of her advcnt-he will remain
on board the rudderless helpless old Vermont
which at present is his flag ship--or betake
himself to some one of the steamers in port. l..
do not know. | do know he thinks that, un-
less some other means than those now at his
disposal are supplied, there is dire disaster in
store for him.
Tonight every transport has its fires lighted
and steam ready; all are lying on spring cables,
ready to move at moments notice. All civ
ilians have been placed on shore, and to every
man remaining on board has been given life
preserver. The gunboat Conemaugh, one of
the new "double enders," lies quietly down the
channel. Lanterns are swinging from the sip-