The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-10

! The advantage it gives us in cutting
off the supplies Of the rebels, and in mov.
ing forces below, will be immense.
1t is reported that twelve iron clad
gunboats are ready TO follow the Queen
the first favorable opportunity. Nearly
all the squadron is now up the Yazoo.
The Hawmtt was fired upon from the
Arkansas shore, just below Napoleon,
and struck by several mllsket balls. AT
Memphis, the rebels are reported as still
at work on the railroad below Holly
Springs, their advance being this side Of
Okolcna.
The steamer Ruth, Capt. Pegram. on
her last tri to Memphis, took down
thirteen hundred head of cattle, one regi-
ment of troops, four hundred passengers,
and 100000 dollars. 1t was the
most valuable cargo ever ahoat on the
Mississippi.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8.-The iron
steamer, Princess Royal, in charge of
Aching Master L. Vanise, arrived off
the Navy Yard to-day She brings
highly important intelligence, both as
relates TO her capture, and the rebel at.
tack on our blockading fleet at Charles
ton, showing conclusively that there is
no foundation for the assumption of the
rebels that the blockade of Charleston
was ever raised by the departure of the
blockading fleet, only two vessels of the
eight or ten having been disabled or
obliged to leave
1t appears from the statement Of an
intelligent eye witness. that the cause Of
the attack of the rebel rams on the squa-
dron was owing to the capture Of the
Princess Royal, the Captain and pilot Of
the vessel having escaped ashore during
the darkness OF The night, and commun-
icated the intelligence TO the rebels.
The Princess Royal endeavored 10 run
the blockade by way of Beach Inlet on
the 29th, but was discovered by the pi-
lot boat Blunt. On signal being given,
the Unadilla FASTENED forward and cap.
tured her without other assistance.
/ 1t was then discovered that the Cap
tain and pilot had succeeded in getting
ashore, by small boat, carrying import
ant dispa ches 10 the rebel government.
| At daylight a thunder Of guns was
heard, accompanied by sharp flashes of
fire. 1t was supposed that our fleet was
engaged in making an attack on The Al
ALBANIA or Florida, who were cndeavoring
TO force an entrance.
/ The prize steamer Prince Royal arriy.
ed at the navy yard to day from off
Charleston. She brings partial con
! tirmation OF the attack on our blockading
/ fleet at Charleston. The keystone
State had lwenly-lhree killed, and the
! Mercedila four killed.
Al daybreak, two rebel ironclads were
seen coming down from the direction Of
Slono Inlet, towards our feet. They at
tacked the Mercedia first one ram
struck her on the water ridge, keeling
her over, and at the same time firing a
4 shot which entered one Of her boilers.
causing the death OF three persons, in.
Guiding gunner, by shot and stone
1 The ram then hailed the Mercedita, and
Cap ain Siillwager lowered one of his
small boats, after tearing off the flags and
allowing the water 10 enter il. The ram
answered our hail by The Confederate
lam Palmetto State ; do YOU surren-
der; )" dis was repeated three times
Captain Still"ager replying at each time:
/ am in a sinking condition" The
rebels answered, +" God damn YOU 10 he'll,
! il you don't surrender, we will blow you
out Of the water. Send your boat
aboard" The boat which Captain SILVIA
ger lowered, then conveyed bis execu.
& live officer TO the rebel ram, and the
officer asked to be admitted on board :
tins was refused. The Lieutenant then
repeated Captain Stillwager'a statement.
that we were in sinking condition.
! The rebels replied, {" you can't sink low.
er than the rails We cannot take YOU
on board. The officer then gave Lis
parole, as demanded, and returned to his
ship. The rebels were thus successfully
deceived as 10 the condition of the Mer-
cedita, thinking she was in a sinking
condition, laid in shoal water and hence
the reply that she could not sink below
/ her rails.
The ram steamed toward the keystone
State and sent shot through her steam
drum, causing the death of twenty one
persons-twelve by the shot, and nine
by scalding by steam. Fifteen were
wounded, and were lying at Port Royal,
some in precarious condition.
In the meantime the gun boat Housa.
tonic engaged the other ram, driving her
away.
AT hal-past six in the morning both
rams left the scene, and passed up 10
Charleston.
/ During the attack on our fleet, The
Princess Royal, which lay near the IIou
satonc, and was the chief object Of prize
on both sides. succeeding in getting off,
mainly through the energies OF third as.
sjstant engineer Thurslon, who piled into
her furnace all the inflammable material
at hand. Her escape is chiefly owing to
his endeavors, as well as her safe arrival
at this port
The Mercedita steamed down to Port
Royal, and with only her boilers injured,
arrived safely at Port Royal, and would
be repaired in day,
The Keystone Stale was entirely dis
abled, but was lowed 10 Port ROYAL by