The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-13

$OsUUO. l&lQ over.
was referred TO the Committee on National Affairs.
The salary Of Harry Howard. Inspector Of Vaults &C
was increased to 81 500 year.
The Board adjourned 70 Monday next, at O'Clock.
THE BLOCKADE AT CHARLESTON.
~~~>~~~~~>~~~~~~~~~>~~~-
Rebel Omcial Accounts or the Recent
Engagement With our Fleet, %.
We copy from the Charleston 0bSriw the following
official reports Of the attempt 70 raise the blockade
At that pert
REP0Rr OF FLAG 0FFIcER nsGRAHAH.
OYucE, NAVAL STATION CHARLESTON Feb. q, 1855
SaR-I have the honor % inform you that upon The
night Of the sOth utmo, LETT the wharf this place
r. Tucker quarter past eleven O'Clock and steamed
slowly down to the BAR - from our draft could not
cross Inti! nigh wstsr hall past four We crossed the
her. ana directed Lieutenant Commanding Rusledss
haied-"what steamer thar drop your anchor or
you WILDE into us.n He informed that Il WAS the
struck her and fred the inch gun into her, Is be
gave an order 70 re. then inquired he surrendered,
and was answered IN the armssvs then directed him
lay Lieutenant Commanding Abbott came on board and
informed tina: the vessel tho United States steam
asinktng condition, and bad crew OF one hundred and
yeight ell told and wished be relieved that ali his
s being and
the enemy, and the alarm was given. know our only
opportunity was to take the enemy unAwares a. the mo-
could not close with him. thcn directed Lieutenant
Commanding Rutledge 70 require from Lieutenant Com
ooers and that they would NOT serve against The
Confederate States until regularly exchanged when he
was directed to return with his boat his vessel 70 rem
ward and eastward and after made another steamer
getting under way We stood for her and fred several
shot at her, but as bad to fight the weasel in circle
TO bring the different guns TO bear she was soon out Of
our range In this way engaged several vessels they
keeping range and steering to the southwark Just
as the day broke we made large steamer Supposed
DO hePowhatan) on sarboard bow with another steamer
IN company which had just got under way They stood
tories upon the Chcora who distance astern OF
then turned and stood TO the southwa~d TO
course to the soathwafd then made sispsl 10 com
mandor Tucker 10 to anchor and led the way TO
the entrance Of Beach channel whore anchored at for
ty five minutes past eight A. NJ and had remain seven
hours for the tide as the vessels cannot the
cepting at high water. -
The sea was perfectly smooth, as much in the
harbor everything most favorable for u.s. gave
opportunity to test tine qualities Of the boats
The engines worked well and we obtained greater speed
than they had ever before attained. - - = :
cannot speak In too high terms Of the conduct Of Com
mander Tucker and lieutenant Commander Rutsdge the
former handled his vessel In beautiful manner and did
the enemy much damage refer you 70 hts Official
Lieutenant Commanding Rutledge also fought the Pal
motto State In manner highly gratifying 70 Every
officer and man did his duty nobly and deserve well
We had but little opportunity Of trying our vessels, a.
the enemy did not Close and not single shot struck
am highly indebted 70 Commodore Harssiue who gal
lanty 10 take charge OF three steamers with
Afty soldiers board. who accompanied ~ In case We
the bar joined after daylight at The north channel
and rendered their assistance In getting through the
Of the conduct Of NJ gladden. the PILOT 4 the Palmetto
State, cannot speak IN TOO high terms He vas perfect
y cool under The est responsibility he had 10 taking hs
vessel over Ut night with 80 great draft and during the
vessels approached them in Che uncertain light
commsnSsr r Rr.i.S y. o0'AAAousi i"''
am, Sir, very respectfully. your otsdisnt servant
Flag Ofacer Commanding.
Hon R. MALLORY Secretary Of the Navy, Richmond Va.
REPORT or COMMANDER TUCKER.
CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER CHir ORA, JAN 81, 1868.
SR-In obedience 70 your order, I got under way u
half past eleven p ~ yesterday and stood down the bar
nos in with the We State: Am S Pa.
twenty minutes 10 ave A. NJ, and commenced the action
at twenty minutes East Eve A. NJ, by firing into .
schoonergged propeller, which set fire. and have
every to believe SUNK she nowhere 10 DO
seen 1t daylight We then engaged large side heel
three shots into her with telling effect, when she made
for It, This vessel supposed % be the Quaker
city We then engaged schooner rugged propeller and
large side-wheel steamer, partially gripping both and
setting the latter on fire. causing her to strike her flag at
this time tho latter vessel supposed to be the keystone
yssd
gave the order firing upon her. and directed
Lieutenant Bier first lieutenant Of the Chicora, TO
and take charge Of the prize II possible her
y that possiae, 70 rescue her While the
boat In tho act or being manned discovered that
endeavoring TO make her escape by working her
starboard wheel the other being disabled. Her colors
being down t0nce started In pursuit and renewed the
engagement. Owing TO her Superior steaming qualities
she wdened the distance two hundred yards
She then hosted her flag and commenced firing her red
gun her commander, by this faithless set, placing
himself beyond the pale Of civilized and honorable war
fare We engaged two schooners, brig and one
bark rugged propeller but not having the requisite speed
unable TO bring them 10 close Quartcrs We pursued
them six miles seward During the latter part
OF the combat engaged at long range with large
bark riggcd steam soop but in spite OF all e.
forts unable bring her to close quarters owing
her superior steaming qualities. Al hafpast seven A
NJ obedience ORDERS stood In shore, feav
ing the partially crippled and fleeing enemy about sever
miles clear OF the bar" standing 10 the southwark ant
eastward. A. eight A. M, In obedience 10 signal, we m
chored In four fahoms water on tho Boach channel.
Il gives mo pleasure testify TO the good conduct AM
cficiency Of the officers and Of tho Chcora. an
particularly indebted the pilots, Meess. Payne AM
Albert for the eklful piotags Of the vsssel gives m
pleasure 10 report that have injuries OF casualties
Very respectfully, your obodient servant,
j. r. TUCKER, Commander, Q. 8. NJ
Flag 0f1cer d N ISGRAHAx, @. 8. NJ, commanding Sta
ton Charleston, 8. c.
MflAtary Affairs.