New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-14

ALI na
miles. Some gaps were three feet wioe, anu iv0e0u
M though the shot had plowed rgn1 through 'uo
vail. Two embrasures seemed almost knocked INTO
one. One Of our first shot brought down the nag
staff OF Fort Moultrie.
T copyersed with all the Captains OF the iron
clads during their meeting on board. Their opnionS
had bu, one drift: that ii would be folly and sure
destruction to renew the attack after to-days expe
rience, resulting In the total disabling OF two heo-
kirk and Passaic and partial OF three more tNanan'
Nantucket and Paiapsco). The Admiral quietly
received their reports, but did not ask Tor their
opnions nor make bis decision Of the question OF the
renewal or abandonment Of tho attack known
APRIL 8, 1863,
Late last evening the whole squadron dropped
mile further down the channel and anchored close TO
the bar. s'
Almost my first look from the spar-deck this morn
ing, fell upon sad sight. The Keokuk was sinking
She had anchored on the bar during the night. Her
crew had been busy ever since last evening trying to
keep her aaoat by plugging the holes at her water-ne
But at day break q stiff breeze set the sea rolling,
rendering heir attempts futile. Capt Rhind holsted
signal Of distress at about 7, but it remained un-
noticed until nearly g. when the tug Dandsion came
alongside the sinking craft. Through the strenuous
efforts Of her captain, Acting Master Barrymore,
every soul on board was saved with loss, however,
Of oil they had.
The crew were received with lusty cheers on
board the Ironsdes and 10 the course Of the morn
ing sent to Port Royal on board the Wissahckon.
The Keokuk went down precisely a, $40, with
her flag flying, in eighteen feet OF water. In
order to prevent the Rebels from appropriating the
machinery and guns the wreck will be blown up.
The Weehawksn lost her raft during the night
In the course of the morning il was washed Ashore
on Morris Island and taken possession OF by the
enemy.
About noon the Admiral had the Captains Of the
Monitors called together and declared TO them his
determination TO withdraw their vessels from this
harbor. As is the habit Of his independent mind, he
had arrived OF this conclusion after cool reflection
upon the facts officially reported to him without con-
sulfation with anyone else. But Of course be was
eratifed with the coincidence of the opinion Of bis
Captains.
To give the order 10 withdraw from the harbor
was undoubtedly the most painful act Of the Admi.
rails long and faithful career in the service OF his
country. He had TO choose between the almost cer'
tain destruction Of what left fit for action OF the
ionclads and the loss of personal prestige from ac-
cepting repulss the result Of yesterdays attack
He chose the latter, and say, with all the conf.
dence personal observation can give, the country
should thank him for il.
When the FIRE Of the Rebel forts and batteries be
was to attack and destroy in the short time of three
quarters Of sn hour disabled five and weakened oil
of the iron-elads how could he feel justified in con-
tinuipg work requiring in all probability a
trial Of days Of the powers Of ohense and defense
that had failed in lees than hour 1t IL evidence
Of true courage Of the highest order on his part TO
listen 10 the dictates of reason rather than follow
the impulses OF rash daring
| The honor Of the North was fully upheld in the
action, and the loyal people can be justly proud Of
the devotion and gallantry of all engaged in it, No
better testimony Oh that subject than the following
a. generous ~ true letter addressed by Major-Gen.
Hunter to the Admiral Immediately after the attack,
can DO offered;
| HEADQUARTERS % TIM Souri,,
US. Transport Ben Deford. April y, 1889. !
hd~t,aI r. DuPosT. Flag sap S'D Ir0as4e', OF Fort
ADMIRAL: Not knowing yet what have been the
results Of your attack Of yesterday 80 far as Fort
Sumter is concerned cannot but congratulate you
on the magnificent manner In which the vessels un-
! der your command were fought
A mere spectator, | could do nothing but pray for
yOu which, beliye me, i did most heartily, for you
and for all the gallant men under your command,
who called 20 calmly and fearleDsly into and under
and through a cOncentric fire which has never
heretofore had parallel in tho history Of warfare.
| That you are uninjured and 30 many OF the ves-
sells Of your command still ft for service is cause Of
deep gratitude to Almighty God. confess when
the Weehawken fret ran under Sumter's guns re-
ceiying the casemate and barbette broadsdes from
that work simultaneously with the similar broadslde
from For. MoulIne and all the other works within
rauge, fairly held my breath until the smoke had
cleared away, not expecting TO see vestlge OF the
little vessel which had provoked such an attack.
With each Of the others the same scene was
enacted, my interest in the fate Of the Ironsides
beng, perhaps, the keene,t from my owledge Of
her comparative vunerabiity. and Of the deep loss
the country would sustain If anything were TO hap
| pen TO you.
Thank God for the results so far as they co. May
he have you in bis keeping through whatever
chances yet before you. No country can ever
fail that has men capable Of suffering what your
iron-cads had yesterday to endure, God bless you
and keep you safe, Admiral, and believe me, with
| the highest esteem, ID. HUNTER, MATT
FLAssmP NEW IRosilDKs, CHARLESTON HARBoR. s. ca
April 3, 1863. !
GENERAL: am this moment in receipt of your
most gratifying letter Of this date did not, how
ever require this to satisfy Inc Of your deep sym-
patty in operation of yesterday, intensified by
the fact that circumstances beyond your control pre-
vented that which Of All things you would most have
deE,sd. an immediate and active cooperation.
shall have your letter read Ia every iron-clad of
the fleet so thai every man under my command shall
know what has long been familiar to me, the heart
felt sympathy of the Commanding General Of the
Army Of the Department OF the South.
lam, General with the highest respect, your most obdt
servant 5. !. DUPONT,
RearAdmiral Commanding South Atlantic Squadron.
To MAJ Gen Hunter Commanding Depatnisn! vi tho South
of Charleston.
When left the flagship on "Wednesday night, the
Patapsco had already started for Port Royal, and