Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-13
From the Charleston Courier, AprilS.


confidence felt in ability TO Illustrate the devices OF
the foe and protect fair city from the pollution OF
his presence. As no mind disquieted with appre'
henson by the boasul threats and formidable prepara
tons Of the enemy now, after the repuse OF his hr'
attempt every heart is saDgulne Of complete an6 Drill
liant success.
We have so often been disappointed-the enemy has
so often and persstenty failed to redeem his promise
concerning the nest of the rebelhon-that the booming
of the signal gum and the announcement that the oate
IA .t,sIv 6egun was a relief TO the suspense under
L which our community have so long suffered. The
/ cheerful manner in which the military had uniformly
noken of the conflict between our batteries and the
trrgted monsters had emboldened the hearts of the
/ people 10 such degree that when it was positively
known that the engagement was opened there came
thr Of Joy every heart and the countenance Of all
declared plainly that signal victory the mailed
vessels was Teckoned upon without doubt msgving
Information received from mysterious caused
the General in command of this District TO expect an
attack at an early day. And that intelligence received
confirmation on Sunday morning. On that day four
Monitors the Ironsides and thirty vessels OF various
sizes we're of the bar. -Four Monitors aud thirty
i've wooden vessels added TO the fleet on the fol-
lowing day thirtyfve vessels for the most part trans
ports appeared in the Stone, and the enemy landed
force of about six thousand on Coles and Battery
Islands These facts with other indications, lead Gen.
era, Beauregard to count upon attack on Tuesday,
and the expectations Of that spacious and Watchih
i General were realized.
II ~
hpfas the day advanced the haze Gghtened, and the
Monitors and the Ironsides lying off Morris
Island Between two and three o'clock IN the alter
noon q dispatch from Col Rhett cOmmandant OF Fort
Sumter informed General Beauregard that i've Mont
tors and the Ironsides approaching tue Fort
The fleet we're rounding the point OF Morris Island
The Keokuk in the advance When the double turreted
monster the most formidable of its class came within
range Fort Sumter opened upon her with 0roadside.
They kepl their way and formed IN line OF oa'e oil
=, Of ohO ut tEn
Al three T. NJ the action opened, by Fort MOul-
Trio firing the first gun. Fort Sumter opened ten mi
mites later Battery Bee, Forts Wagner and Beaure-
card and the Battery at Cummins Pont also opened,
Sring by battery The feet fred with great rupiuity
onr forts and batteries replied with spirit and singular
accuracy The Ironsdes took position TO tie lett of
Fort Sumter direc ing all her guns at that Fort, and
throwing shells exclusively.
II was manifest that the Ironsides appointed to
test the strength Of the Fort whose reduction was the
Inauguration of the terrific contest going Fort
sumter acknoNled the compliment OF the preference
nv mourning the contents of her biggest guns into the
sides of that pride of the Yankee navy ana she
treated with contempt by the other Forts and Bate
ries.
steam was seen issuing in dense volumes from the Iron
SIDES and she withdrew from the action taking position
% the south of Fort SUMTER but remaining silent spec
ttor of the exciting scene. 1t is believed she ser
ously damaged.
cprate as the engagement proceeded The shot aud
she'll fell hicky in the midst Of the hostile feet and
the stacks of every OF them struck
eral times Fort Sumter now appeared to be the chief
aim of all the euemy's iron.clads.
The Keokuk double turreted ironclad, and consid.
srd nv the Yankees the most formidable Of their terri
HE monsters received large share OF attention from
our gallant gunners. She occupied the post OF homer,
and In accordance with the custom Of war; made
the post Of danger She paid dearly for her reputation,
having been hit several times. At about five o'clock
she followed the example Of the Ironsldes, and with
drew evidently seriously crippled
The other Monitors continued the fight till forty five
minutes past five O'clock when they steamed away, and
ease 10 anchor off Morris Island.
During the battle q drummer boy, named Ahrens, was
kiIed at Fort SUMTER and FIVE men wounded two Sc
vsrelv in the head the others slightly. One came
a., hs death from the falling Of the flag staff of Fort
Moultrie Two houses Suivan's Island, on the back
beach we're struck, OF which was demolished. \
Shot pas ed through Fort Sumters aag
Colonel Rhett vas in command OF Fort Sumter, Col.
Butler of Fort Moultre Captain Sgraves of Fort Beau
rerard Lieut. Col Simkins Of Battery Bee, Major Hu.
Ger of Battery Wagner, and Lieut. Lesesne, with de-
tachment from Fort Sumter, Of the Battery on Cum
Minis Point.
Fort Sumter was hit thry-Our times, but received no
damage.
Artillery Company stationed at Battery Wagner, were
i wounded Two of these have since died. Two we're
very seriously wounded and it thought one would
die before morning. The other two, including Off
Ger, we're but slightly wounded
The last gun was fired by the enemy al hafpast five
JPN.
Three iron-clads, one supposed to be the Keokuk,
were seen about six o'clock going South, apparently in
tow of a large steamer The others all outside
the bar The IrOUsideS was struck IN the stern by RI
fed shot from Battery Wagner.
There were no casualties at the Cummins' Point Bat
terry.
upon officers and All who took part in the battle
performed their duties with ardor, skill and fidelity
Their behavior and the accuracy with which they fired
their guns assure that they sufficient for the i'm
portant work assigned them and furnish with strong
grounds upon which to bottom our hope of decisive
aud glorious victory. When they again and nearer
the iTon-sheathed vessels will fare worse.
From the Charleston Mercury, AprI9h
The haste and confusion of the enemy in his retreat
NAV be inferred from the fact that he did not take time
TO secure the machine which he had brought with hin
for the purpose OF feeling for torpedoes This non
descrpt continuance, devil" the Yankees term it
aoated ashore the Morris Island beach on Wednesday
forenoon and fell into the hands Of troops. We
learn that it is simply long and substantially built scow
having bow beautifully supplied with hooks, etc., anC
with forked stern, constructed to fit the prov OIL
one Of the Monitor gunboats In coming up the mair
ship channel the attack the Monitors advanced in sin
ole file the Pasaic slowly leading the way and pashnE
premature explosion of submarine defences. The
Monitors on delivering their fire. steamed round in
elliptic course in front of the face of Sumter the
closest range into which they came being estimated Al
| six hundred yards
All the batteries in the harbor commanded by
Gen. Ripley admitted to be probably the best artillery
officer in The Confederate service, whose approved
angemen Of works and of guns for the defence Of the
approach to Charleston have at length been put
on trial
The Courier of the 10th confirms the report that one
of the turrsts of the Keokuk was shot through Itwa
pierced by eonca shot from the Brooks gun, recent
" received from Richmond. The following paragraphs
are from the same paper;
The enemy still continues to occupy the position h
+ook after Withdrawing from the engagement on Tues
dav It was expected that he would renew the battle
and with more fierce demonstration of strength ESSAY
the reduction Of the sroDgholds that guaI1 the az
nroaehes to our city by water. But for reasons known
| - -. b;,,saf he DELAYS another attack and cOntent