The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-12
The Above Accounts Grossly
EXaggeTase Vessels Sank
or CAPTURED.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb S.-Tie iron
steamer Princess Royal, In charge of Act
ing Master Edward Van Sice, arrived off
the navy yard to-day. She brings highly
important intelligence, both as relates to
her capture and the rebel attack on our
blockading squadron at Charleston, show
ing conclusively that there is no founda-
ton for the assumption of the rebels that
the blockade of Charleston was even raised
by the departure of the e. S. feet, only
two vessels ont of eight or ten having been
disabled and Obliged to leave. 1t appears
from the statement of intelligent eye-wit-
nesses that the cause Of this attack of the
rebel rams on our squa0roii was owing 60
the capture of the Princess Royal, the
captain aud the pilot of that vessel having
escaped ashore during the darkness of the
night, and communicated the intelligence
to the enemy The Princess Royal en-
leavored to run the blockade, by way of
Breach Inlet, on the 18th, but was discov-
cred by the pilot boat Blunt, and the
signal being given, the Unadlla proceeded
towards her, and captured theprize with
out any other assistance.
1t was then discovered tfiat the captain
and the pilot had succeeded in getting
ashore by means Of small boat, carrying
important dispatches to the rebel govern
mcnt The Unadllla carried her to the
side Of the Housatonic, aud laid there tiil
day light, when the thunder of guns was
heard, accompanied by sharp flashes Of
FIRE. 1t was supposed that our feet was
engaged in making captures, or the Ala
bama or Florida were endeavorine to force
an entrance.
At day break two rebel iron clads were
seen coming slowly from the direction of
Stono Inlet toward our deet. They first
attacked the Mercedita one ram struck
her on the waters eoge, keeling her over,
and at the same time friug shot which
entered one of her boilers, causing the
death Of three persons Ay shot and steam.
The ram then hailed the Mercedita,
demanding her surrender, to which her
commander replied that they "were in 4
sinking condition" The rebel officer re-
Piled, 'You cannot sink lower tasan the
rails ); we cannot take you aboard" The
rebels Were thus successfully deceived as
to the condition Of the Mercedita, and did
not capture her, thinking she was in a
sinking condition. She lay in shoal water
and hence their reply that she could not
suk lever than her rails.
The ram then steamed toward the
Keystone State, and sent a shot through
her steam drum, causing the death Of
twenty-one persons, twelve by shot and
nine by being scalded by steam. In the
meantime the Z. s. gpnboat Housatonic
engaged the ram, driving her away
During this attack on our feet, the
Princess Royal, which lay rear the Hous-
atomic, and was the chief object of prize
on both sides, succeeded in getting off,
mainly through the energy of third Assis-
tant Engineer Thurston, who piled in her
fires all tie infammable material at hand.
The Mercedta escaped with only one
of her boilers injured. The Keystone
State was entirely disabled, but was towed
down to Port Royal by the Memphis.
The feet consisted Of the Unadilla,
Uousatonic, Quaker City. Keystone State,
and Merccdita. besides the pilot boats
Blunt, Memphis and other vessels.
During the daytime our block aiding feet
are not particular as to keeping their sta