Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-04-17

thS pANukAhB VI hupl anu butll INTO Inc durrOuuu-
ing waters, the dense smoke, now hiding the
forts and batteries from view, then broken hy
sheets of flame, the uncertainty as to what new
obstacle Orlnternal machine might be encounter
ed by the iron -clads, the difficulty Of properly
manguvring the VESSELS the anxious suspense of
the Inhabitants Of the iron boats as to whether
victory or defeat was to crown their eiforts-a
this made the scene one Of unparalleled interest
and excitement.
No words can convey on idea OF the terrible
fire The monitors were hit from twenty to sixty
times each, with the exception Of the Keokuk,
which from her exposed position, was struck by
not less than ninety shots. Her turrets were
penetrated number of times, and her hull, Mt
The water mark, showing ninety holes. She was
only Kept atoat by plugging aud pumping, until
next morning. when she sunk on the bar 10 eigh-
teen feet of water, her oolors still flying. All on
board was saved, but al! lost everything they Ind
MISCELLANEOUS.
The lrnnsides was hit from fifty to sixty times
without material damage. The enemy used only
shot of the heaviest cnlibre. The most destrue-
tive OF their missilfs were Of English manufac
ture, principally WhitwOrli's steel pointed pro-
jectiles
Eleven large holes, apparently running through
the walls, some Of which were about three feet
wide, were made on the east face of Fort Sump-
ter, showing that our fire was not altogether
ihphtOthhls lut MuulluTH 1fHu hltOHcthef ABOUT
one hundred and fifty rounds.
The numerical Weakness Of the land force
rendered their direct cooperation in the attack
impracticable. Upon the navy devolved the
main share OF the work, and all the fighting was
done by it alone.
When your CORE spondent left the scene OF
conflict two OF tho Monitors had sailed for Port
Royal, and the others were to follow.
THE CASUALTIES.
The following list comprises all the casualties
in The iron-clAd squadron.
KEoKuE.-Caplain Rhind, confusion right leg.
A. Mcintosh. acting ensign, two wounds on
forehead mud fracture Of skull dangerous
Chas. Mclaughlin, seaman, seriously in both
legs.
David Chaplin, seaman, slightly in left side
James Ryan, seaman, seriously, right thigh.
Q. b. Mott, landsman, slightly.
II. Swords, seaman, slightly.
j, j. Brown, seaman, slightly.
IL. Nicholson, quartermaster, slightly.
bolt.
Isaac SchafIer, pilot, severely by bolt.
Edward Cobb, quartermaster, late of the Cum
berland, fracture of skull from bolt since died
John Macalister, dangerous on head from
holt
THE ARMY AND NAVY FoREvERl
Ahp lulluNlhE correspondence u6IHueu db1efdl
Hunter and Admiral Dupont has taken place
since the close of the aoti0u
HEADQUARTERS OF THE SOUTH,
U $. Transport Ben Deford, April 8, 1868.
admiral s. II Dupont, Flag ship Neio IroHsides,
Fort Sumpter;
ADMIRAL: Not knowing yet what have been
the results of your attack yesterday 30 far as
Fort Sumpter is concerned, cannot but con
graduate you on the magnificent manner in which
Ia Kntar and
mere spectator, l could do nothing but pray
for you, winch, believe me, did most heartily,
for You, and for al the gallant men under your
command, who sailsd ~ culmly and fcatlessly
into and under and through a concentrio fire
which has never heretofore had parallel in the
history OF warfare.
That you are uninjured, and so many of the
Vessels Of your command fit for service, is cnuse
OF deep gratitude to Almighty God. confess,
when the Weehawken first ran under Sumpters
guns, receiving the casemate and barbet broad.
sides from thnt work simultaneously with the
similar broAdside FROM Fort Moultrie and sill the
other works within range, | fairly held my
breath until the smoke had cleared away, not
expecting 10 see n vestige OF the little vessel
which mud provoked such nn attack. With each
Of the others the same scene was re enacted my
interest in the fate OF the lronsides being, per
haps, the keenest, from my knowledge of her
comparative VulnerAbility, and of the deep loss
the country would sustain if anything were to
happen to you.
Thank God for the results ms far as they co.
May He have you in His keeping through what
ever chances are yet before you. No country
eau ever fail that has men capable of suffering
what your iron olads had yesterday to endure
God bless you and keep you safe, Admira, and
believe me, with the highest esteem,
D. HUNTER, Maj. Gen.
FLAGSHIP IRoNsIDEs,
CHARLESTON HARBoR, s. c., April s. 1868.
GENERAL: l am this moment in receipt of
your most gratifying letter of this date. l did
not, however, require this TO satisfy me Of your
deep sympathy III our operations of yesterday,
intensified by the fact that circumstances beyond
our control prevented that which of all things
you would most have desired an immediate and
Motive cooperation.
shall have your letter read in every iron clad
of the Aeet, 50 that every man under my COM
mand 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.
am, General, with the highest respect your
most ebedient servant, S. F. DUPONT,
Rear Admiral CONG. South Atlantic Squadron.
10 Mai Gen. Hunter, Commanding Depart
meni Of the South, off Charleston.
THE OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
ment has received merely brief memorandum
from Admiral dupont The reports OF the vsri-
Gus commanders had not been prepared by them
previous to the departure of the despatch boat,
which arrived here yesterday. 1t is asoertained
that the former contains nothing new in addition
TO what is published to-day.
THE SUMMING UP.
Upon coming out of range, the hatchways of
the Ironsldes were opened, and we could once
more have full view Of all things around us.
AS reached the epar deck, the Keokuk was just
passing our starbOard side, with Captain Rhind
icaping about the forward turret. sorry sight
she presented. Her sides aud turres showed
nnumeruble holes. She,was evidently used up.
The Nahant, Patapsco, md Nantucket also pas
sed, and the commander of each reported more
o. less damage. The pilot-house of the former
wa badly shattered.
But he full extent of the injuries TO the iron
, clads was not known until their commanders
ssyerally reported them to the Admiral in The
course of the evening The Keokuk had 80 shot
III all 10 on the wafer liue IL slarbOard,
I port; Is in the after turret, 8 OF them through
1 l Wbiiworth steel pointed remaining sticking il
the wall II in the forward turret, Of the1
r through 20 in the sloping sides, 10 starboard
) 10 port; 8 through sheeting on after turret; /
q through smokestuck, through, glanced U
h the deck, cut signal staff, or went throug
1t the flag.
~ The New Ironsides was hit between sixty an
l. seventy times, but sustained 10 material dan
ne age. One of the shutters of port Ave port sid
was knocked off IN 1-inch shell lodged In Il
bow between the sides and the sand bags.
shot passed through the smoke stack, and HI
ne | hui, eI,u M oh