Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-02-19
The M0ntauk's First Engagement.

i
journal, on board the iron clad Mon
tauk, under date of January %, gives
the following minute and interesting de-
tails of the first engagement of Montauk
with Fort McAllisler.
t We have opened our ports, and made
the first practical application of 15inch
shot and shell upon one of the strong
holds of Secessia The officers and men
were already at quarters, and in ten
minutes, a shell was sent from our H.
inch gun, which fell little short; an
other was tried, which struck the bate
ry, and then she'll was sent from the
15-inch gun, striking apparently on the
top of the parapet, and bursting with a
tremendous explosion, filing the air
with dirt and dust
! Instantly they replied from the bate
ry with 10-inoh shot from their pet gun
a columblad. striking fair in the centre
of the turret; and making an impression
about as large and deep as common
saucer. We fred at intervals of six or
seven minutes, alternately from the / l
and I5-iuch guns, for an hour. when
the length of the intervals was increased
to ten or twelve minutes. 1t was no.
ticeable that they fired from the bate
rics Immediately after tle discharge Of
our own guns, evidently intending to
send shot into one of our ports. AZ
ter firing our guns the turret was i'm
mediately turned aside, and the GINS
reloaded.
They replied from the battery briskiy
and with wonderful precision, making
splendid shots, remembering that our
steamer presents but little surface for a
mark, and sent nearly every shot within
twenty or thirty feet Of US, throwing
floods of water upon the turrct and
deck
They fired rapidly for AT hour and
three quarters, when their firing began
to slack, and became irregular, and
from only two guns; aud as we knew
they had been using eight guns, we
came to the very reasonable conclusion
that six of them were disabled, and
though we could see them dismounted.
We steamed down to our anchorage
of the morning and made fast. The
steamtug with us left Immediately for
Port Royal after she'll and fuses, and IS
expected back this noon, when we shall
try to finish the work we have begun.
Our steamer was struck thirteen times,
four times on the turret (once exactly
between the portS) once on the smoke
stack, and the rest on the deck, where
indenta!ion have becn made in the deck
plates two or three inches wide and deep
and twelve or fourteen inches long
A spar to which oar boat was fa.ten-
ed, had one end shot away, a long 32
FOUNDER entered one of the BOATS and re-
manned there, and one of our cnlors was
riddled with exploded she'll, but no BARN
has resulted to the steamer or men. the
latter eating or attending to their du
ties as claimly and quietly as though s
and 10-inch shot and shell were not
whi:tling by less than ten feet over their
heads. The turret aud guns worked ad-
mirably, The smoke occasion ed by the
firing was Immediately taken away blythe
blowers. and the steamer constantly
supplied with fresh air by the same
means. ....
The firing produced no unpleasant
sensation in the turret, and the sho,
striking on the outside would not be
perceived were it not for the sound
The Rebls fought well. and their works
were extensive and strong. That which
we have called battery they call fort
Fort McAllister-after Col. McAllis.
ter who commands it, and upon whose
plantation it is located 1t is formi-
cable work, too, more capable of max
ing n deter mined resistance than any
have ever seen. This is the testimony
also of all the other officer.
Mr.. B. S. Osbon, of New York, who i.
with US, and has been engag ed in eigh
teen fights, says it is the most extern
sive work of the kind he ever saw.
The fort was commenced before the
war began, and for three months they
have been working on it continually
until it is immensely strong. each gun
protected on either side by large bank.
or easements twenty-five feet thick.
1t has also what they call rat holes
for the men to run in when they see oul
shells coming. This We could see
them do. But We shall take it. The
steam tug has arrived from Port Royal
with more shell, apd we are going at II
again. The Nashville is lying ten miles
above the fort and they are building
battery to protect her. ...t.....
SOLDIERS, TO THE RESCUE Young