The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-04-14
OFFICIAL FROM ADMIRAL DUPONT
THE ORDER OF THE ATTACK.
DESCRIPTION OF TIE FIGHT.

WASHINGTON, April l2-The steamer
Flamheau arrived here this afternoon,
with dispatches from Admiral Dupont to
the Government
The reports from the several command
ers had not been received up to the time
of the departure of the Flambeau, Wednes-
day night
From other than official sovrces, it is as
certained that the vessels comprising the
fleet advanced upon Charleston in the
following order:
The Weehawken, Capt Rogers; Pas
sale, Capt Drayton; Montauk, Capt.
Worden; Patapsco, Capt Amnen; Iron
sides. the flag ship, Commander Turner,
with Admiral Dupont on board; next fol-
lowed the Catskill, Capt George Rogers;
Nantaucket, Capt Fairfax; Nahaut,
Capt. Daums, and Keokuk, Capt. Rhind.
In this order they proceeded up the main
channel, arriving within | 100 yards of
the main Forts, the Ironsides beca me
unmanageable owing to the tide, and
narrowness of the channel, and was
therefore obliged to drop anchor to pre-
vent drifting ashore. Owing to these
circumstances she signalled her consorts
to disregard her motions.
! The remainder of the squdron came
within easy range of the rebel fire from
all points
The distractions of the channel from
| Fort Sumter to Moultrie ihterfered with
the progress of our ships in consequence
of which and the position of the Iron
sides, as above stated, the plan of opera
tons was deranged and the space for
maneuvering being only from 500 to 1000
yards, the vessels were obliged at once
to prepare to engage the Forts and the
adjacent batteries.
The signal had been made for action
at halfpast | o clock P. NJ, by the Iron
sides, but the rebels had previously open
( ed fire on the leading vessels.
/ The contest is represented as in the
highest degree exciting, presenting a
fearful scene of fire belching upon all
points of the land and sea.
I'm the course of 80 or 40 minutes the
Keokuk was in a sinking condition, and
was obliged to withdraw from under fire,
and seek an anchorage below the range
of the enemys guns.
A few minutes afterwards all the yes
sells withdrew from the contest, it being
deemed impracticable to continue any
further hostilities. s-
The Keokuk was within 500 or Coz
yards of Sumter, and was completed
riddled-struck from all the batterie:
within range at least 80 times in 80 min
utes. The shot was from rifled cannon
of the heaviest calibre.
Capt. Rhind, her commander, receiv
ed confusion of the leg from fyins
fragment of his vessel, which only slight
ly famed him.
Twelve of the men were wounded, to
/ gether with Ensign Mcintosh, who haC
charge of one OF the guns The injurie!
are all supposed to be fatal. r..
The next morning, finding it impossi
BILE to save the vessel, Capt Rhind got ;
tug, which took all his men aboard. A
minute thereafter the Keokuk sunk.
The passengers belonging to the yes
sci lost all their private effects.
!. On Wednesday the squadron rename
E at anchor in the main ship channel.
1t is said the number of men in on
fleet was only LOO with 80 guns, Will
the enemy had, it is supposed, at leas
500 guns, the best in the world.
3 The injuries to the vessels includin
: the Keokuk, is represented to be OF sue
Is a character as to require but a short tim
= for repairs.
Casualties among our men were r
markably few, including one killed an
F three wounded on the Nahant.