Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-17

sources information OF the actual commence
ment Of the attack upon Charleston. The
bombardmcn. Of Fort Sumter by the iron
clads commenced on Monday. Capt. Moses
Of the Fairhaven brings intelligence from Capt
Steadman that Admiral DUPONT had on the
Sd Of April proceeded to Charleston with the
following ironclads New Ironsides. flag
ship Commander Thos. Turner Patspsco,
Capt. d. Arnmen Catskil, Capt. George w.
Rogers; Montauk, Capt. J. L. Worden
Passaic, Capt. percival Drayton; Weehakw-
en-, Capt. j. Rogers Keeokuk, Com. N. @.
Rhind Nahan., Capt. ]. Downs Nantuck-
ct, Com d. N. Fairfax.
WAsHINGroE, April u.
The steamer Flambeau arrived here this
afternoon with 1t. Commanding Rhind. as
bearer of dispatches from Admiral DUPONT
to the government.
The reports from the several commanders
had not been receive ed up to the time of the
departure Of the Flambeau, namely, Wednes-
day night.
1t is ascertained that the vessels advanced
on Charleston on the 7th. They proceeded
mp the main channel arriving with 1900
yards Of the main forts. The Ironsdes be-
came unmanageable owing to the tide, and
narrowness of the channel, and she was
therefore obliged to drop anchor to prevent
drifting ashore owing to the circumstances,
she sgnaled to disregard her motions. The
remainder of the squadron continued on its
course and soon came within easy range Of
the rebel fire from all points. The obstruc-
tions of the channel from Fort Sumter to
Fort Moutre interferred with the progress
of our ships. In consequence of this and
the position Of the Ironsides as above stated,
fksv, v,l. x..F Co. tl,.L L.ke
ranged and the space for manoevering, being
only from 500 to 1000 yards, the vessels we're
obliged to prepare at once to engage the forts
and the adjacent batteries. The signal hav-
ing been made for action at 3 IL o'clock in
the afternoon, by the Ironsides, but the reb-
els had previously opened fire on the leading
vessels.
The contests represented as in the highest
degree exciting, presenting fearful scene Of
fire, belching from all points of the land and
water, with continuous roar Of cannon. A
few minutes afterwards, the Keokuk was dis
abled, and all the vessels withdrew at signal
from the flag ship, it being deemed impracti-
cable to continue any further hostilities -
The keokuk was withhin 500 to 900 yards
OF Fort Sumter, and was completely riddled.
She was struck from all the batteries within
range at least 80 times in 80 minutes. The
shot was from rife guns of the heaviest cali
bre Capt Rhind. her commander received
a confusion on the leg. Twelve Of the men
were wounded, together with Acting Ensign
Mcintosh who had charge of the guns his in
juries re supposed to be fatal The next
morning finding it impossible to save the
vessel, Capt Rlinl called a counsel Of all his
men on board In few minutes thereafter
the Keokuk sunk Persons belonging to the
ship lost all their personal effects.
On Wednesday the squadron remained at
anchor in the main ship channel. 1t is said
that the number Of men in our fleet was only
about LOO, with 80 guns, while the enemy
had, it is supposed, 800 guns, the best in the
world. The injuries to the vessels exclud-
ing the Keokuk, will require but short time
for repairs. The casualties among our men
were remarkably few, including one killed and
three wounded on the Nahant The advan-
tage Of our fleet being in possession of the
main ship channel narrows, the circuit of
blockade, two-thrds of the former distances.
None of the batteries fred upon our vessels
till the latter reached the vicinity of the main
forts.
FORTRESS MONROE, April u.
The Mary Sanford arrived at Morehead
City on Friday from off Charleston, with in
of the entire attack, which COM
nenced at 8 o'clock, and lasted three hours.
The Keokuk passed one-half mile above Sum
ter, when she met with Instructions, at which
time terrific firing was kept up on both
sides. She received shot which passed
through her between wind and water when
she sunk in eleven hours. The Nahant was
withdrawn 200 yards off Sumter in the ac-
ton, and received she'll at the junction of
ha Mil fba 1oo IN.
iurret from revolving, and made her useless
for the time being. The Ironsides received
so shots, but sustained no damage further
than wrenching few bolts, in her turret-
The rest of the fleet received no injury and
hauled off, the object of the reconnaissance,
20 obtain the locality of the distractions,
was successful. Our entire loss was two
killed and seven wounded
As the Sanford left some iron-clads were
going to blow up the Keokuk.
BALTIMORE, April IL.
The engagement at Charleston was kept up
from one till four o'clock when in obedience
10 the Admral's signal the feet retired slow
y. II is believed that the damage done to
Fort Sumter by our fire was serious. So far
Is is shown externally, it consisted of two
'mbrSsures being knocked into one, and nu-
hIlOuo ihhShNoNlouh uaAt III huc wall, WHICH
{ is believed few hours more pounding
would convert into serious breach. What
oss Of life was sustained in the fort, is Of
,ourse not known. but is believed to be con-
siderable. Fort Moultrie was considerably
hammered up, and at least one gun dismount-
ID. The Devil was not lost as stated by
cbel dispatches.
The affair may be sumed up thus
We haus entered Charleston Hirbor. Made a
Successful Reconnaissance. Engaged the
Rejei Forts Three Hours. Damaged Fort
Sumter pretty Seriously. Lost one vessel.
and hare grooming proof of the vulrera-
Jaiiy af tie Monitor Fleet
The foregoing is made up from an interest
ng account furnished to the Baltimore Amer
can who was a witness of the fight.
As regards future movements reports are
onacting, 1t was positively stated by one
# the pilots who boarded us that the moni-
oIs would withdraw over the bar and further
Iction for the present would be suspended.
This was subsequently oorroborated by re-
lorter for New York paper An officer
rom the James Adger who previously board