The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-10
Admiral Du points Report.

FLAGSHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL, Feb. 2, 1868
sm-I have to report that about four O'Clock the
morning of the alst ultmo during the obscury OF
thick haze ronclad gunboas out Of Charles
ton by the ship channel unpercevac by the squad
Iron and commenced raid upon the blockadng fleet.
Most Of the latter Of the light class q purchased
vessels Of the heaviest of war; the Powhatan
land the Canandaigua being at this port coang and
y,ring.
The Mercedita the first vessel attacked Her officers
nd had been particularly watchfu during the night
look suspected vessels and at three O'Clock she
had slipped her cable overhaued troop steamer
aing Tor the channel by mistake She had returned TO
Der anchorage and Capt Stewagen had TO his room
ssr short time, leaving Lieutenant Commander Abbott
deck when OF the ron-cads suddenly appeared
Her approach was concealed by the haze and moisture
Of the atmosphere. The vessel was Immediately hail
Cd and an order given but the roncad being close
aboard and lying water guns could be brought
to bear upon her. heavy rife shell fred from the
saemy which, entering the starboard side Of the Merce
through her condenser and the steam drum Of
port boiler exploded against her port side blowing
hole in its exit five feet square, killing the
gunner by the escape Of steam scading number OF
he men, and rendering her motive power apparently
useless
Unable 70 use guns and being at the mercy Of tho
ENEMY who was alongside his starboard quarter, all
wagen and no surrendered The crew and officers were
aroIed though nothing said Of the ship the Execu
hive Officer lieutenant Commander Abbott, having gone
on board the enemy's ganboat and made the arrange
nent.
The iron clad, leaving the Mcrcedita TO her fste-to
sink or nos--next engaged the Keystone State, Com
nander Leroy, who attacked by the other. Their
Gre calamity returned but, shell exploding in the
orehod Of this vessel, she set on fire.
- .
when he stored again for the having ordered
Do full head Of steam, determined to try to run
her down. The guns had been trained and depressed
Tor plunging FIRE at the moment Of collision, aud u,
hip Aad acquired a SPEED Of hoeice KNOBS 'ch shcl
As< from tie eaesy passed through both he Seom Chests
CAoly dissba0 bosiers aAd rendering pocerte
Ten rined shell struck the Keystone State and two
burst On the quarter deck Of them struck the
hull. being and below the winter line
In the meantime the Augusta Commander Parrott the
Quaker City, Commander Fraey, and the Memphis, Act
nc Lieutenant wamough kept up fire upon the enemy
aiverpg their attention from the Keystone State which
Rss after taken in tow by tbs Memphis and drawn
kway from the fire.
Ths Augusta and Quaker City both struck 10 their
Auih.
ma Memphis WAS only struck in her rigging
fne Housatcnic gave chase and shot from her sracS
he pilot house AZ the ironclad, doing thought
Damage, and carrying away one Of her nags.
The rebel vessels then passed TO the northward. re
peving the fire Of ships, and took refuge in the
Bvash channel, behind the shoals.
The only casualties were on the Merocd,a and the Kcy
Acoe State.
On the Keystone ssa,s they very large Abou, ooe
ssrth Of her crew killed and wounded and among
he former medical sncer OF tho ship Assistant
urgeon Jacob II. 0otwed, who scalded TO death
While rendering surgical aid TO Of the wounded
Mos, Of those who died persisted from the
tean when the boilers and steam chimncys pcnc
rated and among tho wounded the greater number re
sived their injuries from the cause.
Az the Mcrcedts the only vessel which surren.
icred have directed court q inquiry 10 examine into
he circumstances Of the case well as into the terms
ander which the surrender made The Investigation
iAs been asked for by Captain steIlwagcn
received this intelligence Saturday q; three r
BY the Augusta, which ship immediately returned 70
Charleston.
The hercedita soon alter arrived, aud tue Keystone
tae, 10 Tow q the Memphis when theat,er vessel
Il sent back 20 her station
Tho James Adger, Commander Patterson was asp
owed back She was Just coming into Port Royal aud
vas ordered back 10 Charleston
The Powhatan, through the commendablc zeal n Can
ain Gordon, was aIso 80, ready oy nine o,cloct \
IA the channel aud bar buoys lighted Ebcn she p,ses
tct safely
7 forward herewith copies Of the reports q c,u,,,
ssllwagen, Lieutenant Commander Abbott ana com
,snder Ieroys the reports Of tho casuanses a.
s.rd thc Nerccd'ia and tn keystns stale.
On the gereeiiia there were foer Killed AMI three
oinaed and on the Kesson, state twenty killed and
xensy nded
Ser, repeatedly your obedcut servant,
ST. DcPovI, Rear Admiral
To hoo crn'S wnlf-. Secretary oftae Navy.
Cemrnasxicr stciiwag-n's Report.
ne foro,fag s he roport q Commander s;ovarn--.
Uspsr STATS sssarE Nsstftr,,l
PosT ROYAL, jan. II, isoS, J
ssy Admiral 4. ". D.osrs--
sn--I have refort dat NJ half at tour ths inornag
10 IRON. clad ruis from Char ston The ohscnry a