Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-04-13
PUBLrsHED (DAILy) BY
EDGAR SNOW D IN, r.
nez~ OFFICE-No 1O4 King street, over
ZONES, formerly Frenchs s. Book Store.
rUE ATTACK ON CHARLESTON.

THE ATTACK ON CHARLESTON.
WAsgryGroS, April l2.--The steamer Flam-
hcau arrived here this afternoon with Lieut.
Commander Rhind as bearer Of dispatches
from Admiral Dupont to the government.
4he renorts from the several commanders
had not been received up to the time OF the
departure of the Flambeau, namely Wednes-
day night. =.
From other than official sources. it is ascer-
tanned that the vessels composing the 1eet un-
der Admiral Dupont advanced upon Charles
Ton on the 7th, in tho, following manner:
Weehauken, Capt. John Rodgers; Passaic,
!. Capt Dayton; Montauk, Capt. Worden; Pa
tapsco Captain Ammen; lronsldes (the tag
Ship Commander Turner, with Admiral Du
pont and his staff on board Next followed
The CatskjN, Capt. George Rodgers; Nantuck
ct. Capt Fairfax; Aahant, Capt. Downes, and
the Keoklk, Capt. Rhind. In this order they
proceeded up the main channel. Arriving
within l,700 yards OF the main forts the Iron
sides became unmanageable, owing to the tide
and the narrowness Of the channel, and she
was therefore obliged to drop anchor to prevent
drifting ashore Owing TO these circumstances
She signaled her consorts to disregard her mo-
tons
The remainder Of the squadron continued in
its course, and soon came within easy range ct
she Confederate fire from ali points.
The ohstructons OF the channel from Fort
Sumter to Fort AlolItne interiered with the
progress Of the ships, and IN consequence OF
this and the position Of the Ironsldes, asabove
stated, the plan OF operations Or battle was de-
ranged, and the space for maneuverng bolng
only from i've hundred t. q Thousand yards,
she vessels were obliged TO prepare and at once
engage the forts and the adaccut batteries. -
The signal had been made fpr action at half
past three clock il. the afternoon by the iron
SIDES, but the Confederates had previously op-
ened fire upon the leading vessels.
The contest is represented to have been IN
the highest degree exciting, presenting lear
tul scene Of fire belching from all points. On
the water and Oh land there was a continuous
roar Of cannon In the course Of thirty Or forty
minutes the keoiuk was in sinking condition,
and was obliged to withdraw from the fire and
seek an anchorage below the range OF the enc
my's guns.
A Jew minutes afterwards, all the vessels
withdrew out OF range, on receiving a signal
froia the flagship, it being deemed impracti-
cable to continue hostilities further.
The KeoIzuk was within five or six hundred
yards Of Sumter, and was completely riadled.
She WAS struck from all the batteries within
range at least ninety times IN thirty minutes:
The shot was from rifcd cannon OF the heavl-
est calibre.
Capt Khind, her commander, received
confusion on the leg from flying fragment OF
MS vessel, which, however, only slightly famed
nm. Twelve Of his men were wounded: to-
Seher With Acting i2u>ign lIackjntosh, who
mad charge OF one Of the guns. Ills injuries
ere supposed to be fatal.
Inc ney; morning, finding It impossible to
*'te Sj'e the vessel, Captain Rhind called tug,
,ch 1''ch took all his men on board and in 9 few