New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-09
TRUTH versus THE NETWORK
HERALD,

ings, maps and startling editorials to print
what it called news from Charleston. 1t gave
what purported to be official dispatches from
Beauregard and Ingrsham, and fairly gloated
over q serious disaster to the Union cause in
the very nest of Rebellion. 1t displayed, in
type of gigantic proportions " Exciting News
Important from Charleston-Bod and
Dashug Raid of the Rebel GuEboats-
The; IMercedta and another Union Gunboat
Sunk off Charleston-FOur Union Gunboats
set on Fire by the Rebel Rams-The Quaker
City Disabled-IIer Surrender, but final
escape with One Notwithstanding of the
Union Fleet-The Blockade of Charleston
formally Declared Raised by Gen. Beauregard
and Com. Dgraham-Important Meeting Of
the Foreign Consuls-They Declare the Block
ade Legally Acknowledgements of the
Blockadng Fleet &c, &C." The news"
which followed this formidable array Of headings
is familiar to everybody since it was pub
lshed afterward in The TRIBUNE simply as
matter of current rumor, though we did not
express any faith in its truth. To those who
know the depth and vrulence of The Herdid's
innate treason, the explanation was easy. On
that morning steamer left for Europe; every
word of this so.called news would be sent
forward at least week, perhaps a fort
night before the real truth could follow
it. The cause of the Rebellion would
be strengthened abroad, and possibly the
French Government might take step that
would bring hope to the despairng Confed-
eracy. No one doubted that there was some
sort of foundation for the story; nor did any
one doubt that, at the least, it was greatly
and purposey exaggerated; but we were moi
prepared to learn that it was 50 wicked lie
that if was false in almost every particular
that no disaster worth naming had taken place
that the story of captured and sunken vessels was
untrue in general and in particular, and more
especially that the story Of the breaking OF the
blockade was wiliul interpretation, having
not shadow of foundation. Yet such is the
it will skulk under the wing of miserable
littes Richmond paper, from which part of the
stuff was taken, but it can4ot shirk a pre-
tended dispatch from the headquarters of the
army Of the Potomac indorsiDg and comment
ing upon the news; it cannot shirk the III
disguised joy of its editorial article on the
subject, nor the pains it took TO magnify the en-
tire matter OF blockade breaking for elect abroad.
This morning we print the Union and The
true version Of the affair, from which il ap-
pears that none OF our vessels were sunk none
of them were set on fire, none Of them were
seriously disabled; that the feet was not scat
tered nor was the blockade raised or broken
in any particular. The real facts are briefly
these: The Princess Royal, a new aud valu-
able cOntraband block running sieamshi I
from England was captured by our gunboa'
Mcrcedita on the 18th, but the plot aud another
officer got ashore in a small boat. The Rebels,
annoyed at the mishap undertook TO recApture
the Princess. On foegy morning, a.
O'Clock, they got out two rams, one Of which
ran against the Mercedita Ga light draft yesse
lying close in shore), and at The same time
GAd shot which went into her boiler,
whereby four men were killed. Capt. Stell-
wagon Of the Mercedita sent boat to the
ram, representing that he was in sinking
condition, but not surrenderDg. Tho ran
could not or would not take anybody oa
board, but demanded surrender; tho MHrcc-
dita's Heu.enau, did finally surrender h.u-el
was paroled, aDd went back TO lis sbp.
Meanwhile the ram left the Mcrcedit3, and go q
shot at the kc.stone State, smashing Ae
eteaul-chesi, anu killing 81 men in al. IL,
Union gjipboat Housa,olic by tbs time e..
into action and drove Off the rams, which,
al about sunrise, returned to Charleston with
out prisoner or trophy. The Merceditl
steamed down to Port Royal, whore it would
take one day TO repair her; the Key stone State
was towcd to the same place; the blCckading
vessels were at their regular stations, as usual,
nearly all tie same day, ard were re.en.orced
By tie New IrOnsidcs; the Princess Royal was
Lot retaken, but is now safe in port at Phila.
delphia
Such ia the truth So far az it can be Of dis
astrOus effect upon the Union cause, it is Of no
more account than the sinking Of cenal-scow
would be- to the commerce of the Hudson
River. The only consequences that might arise
out Of il 10 give the least uHeasiAess are such
as may occur abroad, where the enemies
III the Union are 80 active aud uuscru.
pulous in their efforts to divide aud
destroy our country that tie thousand the,
exposed mendacity Of the interruptions news.