The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-15

Clad Flees-They Gross the Bar-Open
ing or the Fight-The Battle Become,
The Enemy (Union) Retire Discomiited
&c.
From the Charleston Mercury, April 81
At last the long period OF doubt delay is al an end
and this goody city girdled with the fiery circle OF ts
batteries stands confronting the formidable armada
that the hands OF men have ever put adoat.
The first in the novel drama Of the war, which
we ust Is to add lustre TO the fame OF Charleston
has Closed Let render thanks to the Lord Of Hosts
TINT the result thus far has been Of proud rrph
our country: As yet. however, we have but entered
upon the ordeal II will be for tho days 70 tell
the tao OF our sad disaster or complete suceese.
In view OF the retgerce which or reasons Of military
pocy) has heretofore marked cur illusions to tho pre-
scnce az the neet brior review Of the events
OF the week viii not be oct }, place About noon Sun
day last the first intelligence flashed to the city from
Fort sumter that the trrets OF tho far famed Monitor
gunboats looming up against the southeastern hor
zon. During the afternoon the entire eet hove nsht
Eight Monitors besides the fgate ronsdes and twenty
seven wooden war vessels took up their position just DO
yond tie bar. AS the news became bruited about Il
city very many OF combatant population (pre-
vIousy ncrecuous Of danger made hasty preparations
heavily aeen with the eleventh hour refugees and their
Affects. Ir-
brought reports Of the movements Of transports up the
Stouo river and the debaraton force Of
Yankee troops Coles Island But throughout Monday
and Monday night the armored feet held It's position
yond the bar On Tuesday morning II observed that
another Monitor had arrived making force Of less
than ton ron-clad vessels, including the IropBdes
At two O'Clock ON Tuesday afternoon despatch from
Fort sim announced that these ten had
the bar, and were cautiously steaning nwardthe oro
most one having at that time reached point about three
thousand yards from the Fort. The next was
Srouga. p u.s. a. ACa later BY the dull de,onaoa Of the
swered by a heavy report and cloud OF white smoke
from the turret OF OF the Monitors AZ ten minutes
after three, the enemy having within range Fort
sumter opened her batteries and almost simultaneously,
the white smoke could be putting from the low sand
hills OF Morris AID Suivans Islands indicating that the
Beauregard Bery on The left, aud Battery Wagner on
Iva f Tho iron
cads forming In line OF battle fron Of Fort sumter,
maintained very rapid return Are, occasionally hurting
their fifteen inch shot and shell against Fort Mourie
the minor batteries but all directing their chief Efforts
against the east face OF Fort Sumter. Gradually, but
vsiby the distance between the attacking vessels and
the Fort lessened and the enemy nearer the
firing became hot and almost continuous.
About halfpast four o'clock the battle became fierce
aud general The scene ut that hour viewed from the
Battery promenade, truly grand Battery Zee had
gled the hoarse thunder OF It's guns In the uni
vesa din and the whole expanse OF the arbor entrance
from Sullivan's island 10 Cummings Point became en-
veored in the smoke and constant flashes OF the conflict
The iron clads kept constantly shifting their position but
whichever way they went their ports always turned
towards the baements OF sumter poured forth their
terrible proectes against the walls Of that famous strong
towards the mark, the water was dashed up In vast
sheets OF spray towering far above tho parapet OF the
fort, while the wroaths OF smoke constantly ascending
from the barbstte guys showed how actively the artc
rymen OF the post we're dischargng their duties IN the
foreground our staunch little iron cladsthe Pal
mctto state and chicorscoald be seen steanng ener
Up 70 This time iae frsas rGn.de Ssd borne very
conspicuous part In the fight Her long hull lay at the
distance, apparently o mile from batteries and her
tremendous broadsdes were than once fifty answer.
cd by brcadsdes from the fort II soon became apparent
that she unable TO stand the severe Ore directed
against hcr Scaming rapidly southw ard she gave Fort
Sumter few parting shots and withdrew from the Action
Tho Keokuk. double turretted Monitor soon followed
her example, and before Ave O'Clock the IRE had evidently
began 10 sacken. The remaining Monitors, however stl
kept UP the bombaI dment. and ferris aud batteries
urifh mini
Ave ~ the Monitors began TO retire and at har mast
i've the enemy fired the las, shot Of the engagement
late hour al which il closed precuded the possSi,y OF
our receiving the full details IRON the forts despatch
from Fort sumter informs us that the Ironsides aud
retired seriously injured. The Keokuk had her nag
shot down, her boat shot away, three holes her
smskestsok and portion Of her bow shot The prac
tce Of our gunners creditable Nearly every
shot struck some one " tho iron cads but with what Of
feet Is not known. Fort Sumter was struck thirty four
times. One OF guns was dismountsd, but otherwise
the fort In good condition. Fort Moultre unniur
cd The casualties st Fort sumter q drummer boy
M med Ahrcns MORALLY wounded, two men severely
wounded, and three others slightly injured. At Fort
Moultre accidentally hurt by fall from the
flagstaff en- which he was replacing our flag which had
been shot away. We learn that he afterwards died Two
small hoscs the back beach OF Sulvans Island were
demolished by the enemy FIRE.
After their Withdrawal from the action the encinys
iron clsds anchored on Morris Island, where they now
lie Miny think that the 6ght Will lie renewed day.
break this mornings but M TO the time at which write
tono say that the enemy transports still remain
in the stream Doubtless the Yankee generals intend he.
fore venutng vpn land attack 10 await the ISSUE Of
the struggle bctw cen heir SHIPS and our batteries.
lfrom tho Charleston Courier, April ST.
The day Of trial Tor Charleston has at length arrived
The battle 80 long threatened was begun Tuesday
Afternoon The result Of that conflict has increased the
confidence felt IN ability 70 Illustrate the devices Of
the toe ana protect our fair city from toe pollution OF
presence AZ no mind dsIuiced with apprehens lon
BY the boastul threats aud formdl bic prcpara s Of
the enemy 80 now after the rcpusc " his st attempt
every heart u sanguiuc Of complete aud brilliant gcccs
We have 80 often been di-apl onlcdthe eueniy has 80
often and pcrslstenty tailed redeem bis pronso IN
corning the nest of the rebcon-that the be mug Of
the signal qua. and Tie announcement that the battle had
actually begun, Was rcliel 10 tho s4scn under WLru
our community have - long suffered The cheerful man.
ner In whcn tie military hld uniformly sgokcn ~ IN.
conflict Ieiwcen ha,trcs aud tic turrctcd ousics
had embcdcncd the hearts Of the people such
that. when was positively known that the engagement
ope'ed, there came thrill al JOY every heart All
the countenanccs OF al declared plainly that signal vic
tory over the mailed vessels was rcvkoned upon without
doubt ~ misriying.
information received from mysterious sources cansed