Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-02-20

stranger again replied, "We are the Confed
rate steamer Alabama" which was accom-
panied by broadside. at the same moment
'eturned the fire. I steered directly towards
he Alabama, but she was enabled by her
great speed and the foulness of the bottom of
The Hatteras, and consequently her dimin-
shed speed, to thwart my attempt.
When had gained distance of but thirty
yards from her musketry and pistol shots
we're exchanged, the firing continuing with
great vigor on both sides. At length q shell
entered amidship into the hold, setting fire to
It. At the same instant shell passed through
the "sick boy" exploding in an adjoining
also producing fire. Another
entered the cylinder, filling up the engine
room and deck with steam, and depriving me
of any power to maneuver the vessel or to
work the pumps, upon which the reduction
of the fire depended. With the vessel on fire
in two places, and beyond human power a
hopeless wreck-with her walking beam shot
away and her engine rendered useless-I still
an active fire, with the double
hope of disabling the Alabama and of attract
ing the attention of the feet off Galveston
only twenty light miles distant.
1t was soon reported to me that shells had
entered the Hatteras at the water line, tear
ing off entire sheets of iron, and water rush
ing in, utterly defying any attempt to remedy
the evil, and that she was rapidly sinking
Learning this melancholy. truth, and observ-
ing that the Alabama was on my port bow,
entirely beyond the range of my guns, doubt
less preparing for raking fire of my decks,
felt that had no right to sacrifice, useless
and without any desirable result, the lives of
all under my command. To prevent the
blowing up Of the Hatteras, from fire, which
was making much progress, I ordered the
magazine to be flooded, and afterwards lee
gun to be fired. The Alabama then asked if
assistance was desired, to which an affirma-
tive answer was given. The Hatteras was
now going down, and in order to save the
lives of my officers and men, caused the ar.
mament on the port side to be thrown over.
board. After considerable delay, caused by a
report that a steamer was seen coming from
Galveston, the Alabama sent us assistance
and have the pleasure of informing the De.
partment that every living being was convey
ed safely from the Hatteras to the Alabama
Ten minutes after leaving the Hatteras she
went down, bow first, with the pennant at he,
mast head, with all her muskets and stores Of
every character, the enemy not being able
owing to her rapid sinking, to obtain single
weapon. The battery upon the Alabama
brought into action against the Hatteras, mum
bered seven guns.
From the character of the contest, and
amount of damage done to the Alabama,
have certainly no reason to believe that any
officer failed in his duty
To the men of the Hatteras cannot give
too much praise. Their enthusiasm and
bravery were of the highest order. I enclose
the report of the Assistant Surgeon, by which
you will observe that five men were wounded
and two killed.
l am very respectfully, .-
Your obedient serv't,
tSigned] R. c. BLAKE,
1t. Commanding.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec'y, &c.
...... NASHVILLE, Feb. 16.
Yesterday foraging party of the I'd Min
nesota, Stedman's brigade, camped neal
Natinsville, had severe skirmish with two
companies of Forests command. Our men
killed and wounded g. the latter taken
prisoners. The balance of the rebels escaped
Immense supplies are constantly being for.
warded to the army by the railroad. 1t is
heavily guarded along Its entire distance to
Murfreesboro. Skirmishing daily occurs be.
tween the p;ckets. sH,..
The Louisville and Nashville railroad is
now running regularly.
MEMPHIS, Feb. Is, via Cairo II.
Advices from below state that the rebels al
Port Hudson are communicating with the
Gulf by way of Atchafaya river. The Queen
of the West, as soon as repaired, will inter
rupt that movement.
One million bales of cotton are below Hele.
ma, awaiting Grants permission to ship.
Special to New York Herald
-.'s".~s'' CAIRO, Feb. II.
A party of guerrillas fired into the ram
Dick Fulton, at Cyprus Bend, and killed sew
eral of her crew. She was towing coal to the
fleet, and would have been captured, but was
saved by the gunboat Rather.
Times Special
WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
The Senate Military Committee instructed
the chairman to report bill authorizing Tax
Collectors in insurrectionary districts to pur-
chase at tax sales and execute such lands as
the President may designate as being needed
for military and other Government uses.-
The appropriation is to be made fer navy
yarding in the west. To be selected by the
President. st. Louis is understood to be the
place.
Times Special.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
A gentleman recently from Charleston, who
escaped through the rebel lines, says large
force has recently collected there to defend
the city. The citizens generally have left, in
anticipation of an attack from the National
forces. The means of defense are very for
midable, and he thinks the city cannot be
captured without severe struggle. ..
Mutiny had recently taken place, in which
several North Carolina regiments were en-
gagged. The ringleaders were shot by order
Of Beauregard. ......-
The city is strongly fortified on all sides
but the west, and the hArbor supplied with
iron-clads, two of which are destitute Of ma.
chincry. se .s-. @ 81.
New YORK, Feb. 19.
New Orleans advices to the 9Th, per Creole,
state that preparations are actively progress
ing for a new campaign in La Fourche county
Gen.. Weitzel is on the eve of departure with
his expedition up the Bayou Teche. Move
ments is said to have actually commenced on
the 9Th.
A writer says the progress of Weitzel, will
by no means prove bloodless. He must over
come resistance at every step. He will prob
ably be supported by four or five gunboats.
The enemy's force is $500 men, under COM
mand of Gen. Dick Taylor. 81 1
On the 2Sth ult., the gunboat Owasco was
despatched to Galveston. with orders to run