The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-02-10
REBEL RAMS DRIVEN OFF.
IRON.CLAD MONTANA UNINWREB.
The affair of CharIeston--FuII Par
ticulars.


tieuIars. r.-
PHILADELPHIA, February S.-The iron
steamer Princess Royal arrived Off the
Navy Yard to-day.
p She brings highly important intelH-
gence both as relates to her capture, and
the rebel attack on our blockading fleet
at Charleston, showing conclusively
that there is no foundation for the as
sumption of the rebels that the blockade
at Charleston was ever raised by the de-
parture of the blockading fleet, only
two vessels out 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 our
squadron was owing to the capture of
the Princess Royal, the Captain and pi-
lot of that vessel having escaped ashore
during the darkness of that night, and
communicated the intelligence to the
rebels.
The Princess Royal attempted to run
the blockade by the way of Beach Inlet,
on the 39th, but was discovered by the
pilot-boat Blunt. On signal being Civ
en-, the Unadilla proceeded towards and
captured her without other assistance.
1t was discovered that the Captain
and pilot had succeeded in getting ashore
by small boat, carrying important dis
patches to the rebel government At
daylight a thunder of guns was heard,
accompanied by sharp flashes of fire. 1t
was supposed our feet was engaged in
making an attack, or that the Alabama
or Florida was endeavoring to force an
entrance.
At day break two rebel iron clads were
seen coming down from the direction of
Stone Inlet towards our fleet.
They attacked the Mercedita first.
One ram struck her on the water ridge.
keeling her o,or, ana at the same time
firing a shot which entered one of her
boilers, causing the death of three per-
sons, including gunner, by the shot
and steam.
The Ram then hailed the Mercedita,
and Captain Stallwager launched one of
his small boats, after leaving one of
the plugs out allowing the water to en-
ter it.
The ram answered our hail BIZ the
Confederate ram Palmetto State, ado
you surrender" This was repeated
three times, Capt. Stalwagger replying
at each enquiry, " l am in sinking
condition" The rebels answered, ed
d-n you to hi, if you don't surrender
we will blow you out of the water. Send
boat" .... ..-...
The boat which Capt S. lowered then
conveyed his executive officer to the
rebel ram, and the officer asked to be
admitted on board. This was refused
The Lieutenant then repeated Capt. SIS
statement, 1--WE are in sinking condi-
ton The rebel replied, you can't
sink lcwer than the rails we can't take
you on board" The officer then gave
his parole and returned to his ship.
The rebels were thus successfully de-
ceived as to the condition of the Merce-
dita, thinking she was in sinking con-
dition. She lay in shoal water and
hence the reply that she could not sink
below her rails. .e
The ram then stored towards the
Keystone State, and sent shot through
her steam drum, causing the death of
twenty-one persons on the spot and nine
scalded 10y steam Fifteen more were
wounded and are lying at Port Royal in
a precarious condition.
In the meantime the gunboat Housa-
tonic engaged the other ram, driving her
away.
At half past 6 A. N. both rams. lIset6t, rti the
During this attack on our feet the
Princess Royal, which lay near the Housa-
tonic and was the chief object Of pursuit,
succeeded in getting off mainly through
the energies of the Sd assistant engineer
Thornton, who pitched into her all the
inhammable material mt hand. Her es-
cape is chiefly owing to her endeavors as
we'll as safe arrival at this port.
The Mercedita steamed down to Port
Royal escaping with only one of her
boilers injured. She arrived safely at
Port Royal, and would be repaired in a
day or two.
The keystone State was entirely dis
abled but was towed to Port Royal by the
Memphis.
The rebel statements that the federal
feet had entirely disappeared from the
port of Charleston, are entirely unsus-
tanned by the facts. During the day time
our blockading feet are not particular as
to keeping to the station, and on the day
of this assault most Of the vessels sailed
towards the Key Stone State to ascertain
her condition-whether she wanted any
assistance.
This may account for their apparen
absence at the time of the visit OF The
foreign consuls, as mentioned by thu
rebel papers.
Our vessels, as usual, resumed thei
positions at dark.
day to reinforce the blockade.
Information is also brought by tn
Princess Royal of the attack by the iro
. clad Montauk, on Fort McAllister on tn
2Sth ult.