Daily national Republican., 1863-04-14
The BATH, OF the Monitors.

and batteries will be found interesting!
ALP. IN. the pilot Of tho flagship at last
declared himself ready to move. The signal to
get under way was made, aud at fifteen minutes
before two the whole feet was in motion in the
order given above. At 2l O'Clock the batteries
on Morris Island had been passed by the first
four Monitors without drawing the fire of the
enemy.
shortly before 3 O'Clock the IronSidcs showed
disobodienCe tn her ruddGr, her bow swinging
to the strong ebb tide, and threatening to bring
her on the shoals TO her right.
She was, therefore, cOmpCllOdto come to an
chor to stay her course. Meantime the first
four Monitors had continued on toward the fort.
The enemy allowed the Weehawken to come
within 500 yards of Fort Moultrie, when two
shots across her bow from this fort opened the
action.
The Ironsidcs had again got under way, and
approached within 200 yards of Fort Sumter,
when she once more became eunmanageablG and
was again Obliged to drop anchor.
The Monitors ahead of her had then reached
the COnvCrging point Of the fire Of Cummings
Point Battery, Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and
a work between Fort MOultriC and MOultriC-
willie; known as Battery Bee.
A sheet of flame and volumes Of smoke, ex-
tending from Morris to Sulliyan's Islands, in
auguratcd what has been undoubtedly the most
terrific clnnOnadc Of the whole war, If, indeed,
1t was ever cqualled In the history Of the world.
perfect torrent of shot and shell was poured
upon the Monitors, wrapping them sometimes
almost entirely in spouts Of water thrown mp
by the striking prOjectilcs.
The Monitors continued their way, replying
vigorously from their batteries to the enemy.
They passed the northeast face of Fort Sumter,
but when they came near It's angle with the
northwestern face, they made out at a short
distance three distiCt lines Of obstruCtiOns, CON
sisting of floating logs with torpedocs at
tached, and networks of cables held pGrpGn-
dCuarly in the water by weights.
The PatapscO got foul Of one Of them, and
could not make her screw work for some fifteen
minutes, but finally got clear. torpedo ex-
plOded close to the bow of the WechAwken,
without, however, doing any damage.
The vessels all steering very heavily, the mar
row passages through the lines of obstructions
could not be reached. After several vain at
tempts, the four vessels turned about and
steamed back down the harbor, all the while
sustaining heavy Hre, and responding with
| their guns as vigorously as they could.
The PatapscO had her 2O0-poundCr ParrOtt
gun disabled by It's own rocol earlyin the ac-
| ton.
The turret of the Passaic was bent in, and
cramped her ll-inCh gun so as to prevent its
working. Shortly afterwards her turret stopped
revolving, and she lost all offensive power.
The lrOnsides had, meantime, vainly strug-
gled to come closer to Fort Sumter. The rebel
gunnerS, finding her a fixed mark, piled her
| freely with shot and shell. Her position was
such that she could not bring her broadsdes to
/ bear until about O'Clock, when she got an op-
/ portunity to deliver her fire at Fort Moultrlc.
This was the only offensive demonstration
made by her during the action.
When Admiral Dupont found that he could
not readily move the Irons!des, he signalled to
the four iron-clads behind her to pass ahead
and go to the support of the four vessels already
engaged
In trying to pass by, the Catskill and Nan
tucket brushed the lrOnsdes on the port anu
starboard sides, but after awhile managed TO
get away and moved on.
They and the Keokuk and Nahant came under
the ConcentTC range of the forts and batteries
at about the time the other four Monitors were
turning back.
They nevertheless advanced, with their guns
at work brisklY, past the northeast face Of Fort
Sumter, until their course was likewise impeded
by distractions.
The Catskill Nantucket, and Nahant ro-
ceivGd the united fire Of both Forts Sumter ard
Moultrie.
The Keokuk had stocrrd little more to the
left, and for awhile received the fire of Fort
Sumter alone. She fired the gun in her for
ward turret but three times, when 1t became
disabled.
her after gun could not be brought TO bear
effectively and was rendered useless. After
continuing under the united fires of all the
forts and batteries for about three-quaTtGrs oi
AL hour. all the Monitors and the Whitney bat.
terry came back in obedience TO q signal from
the flagship.
The Ironsides had already dropped back some
distance out of range Ui Fort sumter. At {
O'Clock the entire fleet was out of range, and
the action ceased.
The Ericsson raft, known as the Devil, wal
attached to the bow Of the Weehawken, bu
lt .ARa lot l..Ns lslV
barrasBing the steering of the WCehawken.
The monster torpedoCs, intended to be con
nected with the raft, were not used, as they re
quired delicate handling, and fears were enter
tanned as to their success. The Devil was los
the day after the fight, and washed ashore.
1t was the intention Of the admiral TO renew
the attack on the next day; but when the re
ports Of the commanders Of the Iron-Clads wer
received, showing that two (th0 Keokuk anC
Passaic) were fully, and three (thc PatapscO
Nantucket and NahauD were partially disabled
the admiral determined to desist from con
tinuanCC.
In this decision he was sustained by tn
unanimous opinion Of the commanders of al
, the irOn-Clads.
, The firing on both sides was good, and tn
thunder OF the CaDnonade terrific.
T The striking Of the heavy missiles used b.
the rebels against the sides, decks, and turret
Of the Monitors; the reyCrberationS Of thei
own monster guusi the plunglnB Of shot an
shell into the surrounding watCrsi the dens
smoke, now hiding the forts and batteries fror
} view, then broken by sheets Of lamC; the uu
certainty az to what new obstacle or iuivrna
: machine might be encountered by the Iron
clads; the difficulty Of properly manUuyrein
= the vessels; the anxious suspense Of the inhuL
itants of the iron boats as to whether victor
or defeat was to crown their etiortB-all thi
made the scene one Of unparalleled interest an
excitement.
: AEELLmE II EI-EEnL. XII La ILelL Lnmmn nm