Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-02-09
Gallant feat at Charleston.

OnS cess9t captured, two sunk, and
TIC balance dricen of.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 31.--Several DAYS aeo.
General Ripley dispatched a force of artillery.
commanded by 1t. Col. Yates, to James Is
land, with the design of attacking the Yankee
gun-boats cruising in Stone River, about
eight miles from the city. Col. Yates post
ted bis guns, twenty one in number. in a
semi-circle, reaching on both sides of the riv-
er, around the Yankee gun-boat, John P.
Smith, and at 4 O'Clock yesterday friday
afternoon opened a concentrated fire upon
her. She replied with broadsides. The en-.
gagement lasted one hour, when the gun. boat
hauled down her flag, surrendering uncon-
ditinaliy, with one Numbered and eighty
prisoners. She carried eleven guns; many
OF the crew were killed and wounded; our
loss was only one man wounded. Other very
important movements in progress here.
The two lron-clad gunboats Chicora and
Palmetto State, with three steamers, went
OCT beyond the bar, at | o'clock, this
morning, to attack the blockaders S. Firing
began soon after one, and for a time was
very rapid and continuous. Afterwards it
s~lackeped, but continued at intervals until Q
o'clock this morning. Commodore 1ngra.-
ham is aboard the Palmetto State, as Com
mander of the expedition.
IL M.-The expedition was a complete
success. We have authentic information
that the Palmetto State sunk the Yankee
gun-boat Mercedita in five fathoms of water.
The Captain and crew surrendered, and
were paroled. They begged for assistance
when their vessel was sinking, but we had
no boats to. offer them, and they were told
10 shift for themselves.
The Chicora sunk one gunboat, name I'M
known, and set on fire the Quaker City,
which struck her flag, but afterwards es-
capped in a critical condition. The blockade
is raised-not a blockader in sight. Our
iron-clads are cruising triumphantly off the
harbor. The whole Yankee squadron has
fed. The prisoners taken in Stone were
brought to the city this morning. Commo-
dore Ingraham's official report c~orroborates
the above. Our community arc much elated
; and excited.
| 9 P. M-The Palmetto State and Chico
8 ra have returned to the city. They were
greeted with enthusiastic cheering, As they
left the bar, four blockading steamers re ap
peared in the ofing.
CHARLESTON, Feb. Cen. Beauregart
and Commodore Ingraham, as commander
of land ard Naval forces, have issued join
proclamations, dated January 31st, d~eclarin,
the blockade of Charleston raised, the entir
hostile squadron having been sunk, burne
or dispersed by superior Naval forces of tn
Confederacy. Yesterday afternoon Gener'
Beauregard placed a steamer at the dispose
Of Foreign Consuls to see for themselve
that no blockade existed. The French an
: Spanish Consuls, accompanied by Gen. Rip
"a ley, accepted the invitation. The BIRTHS
Consul, with Commander Of British wa
O. steamer Petrol, had previously gone fv
miles beyond usual anchorage of blockadel
and could see nothing of them with glasse
in Late in the evening four blockaders re az
NJ peared, keeping far out. This evening
+ large number Of blockaders are in sight, b,
keep steam up, evidently ready to rum
Sc Lieut.. Sheldon and Chief Engineer Pembl
ue of Yankee gunboa. ~Flambeau, were capture
os- by our scouts on Bulls Island last night.