The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-06
RrIIIiant Naval Victorx.

Ataoout IL o'clock on Friday night, ths Palmetto
State, IN command of Capt. Rutledge, and with the
flag oHcer. Commodore d. n Ingraham. ON board
together with the Chicora, commanded by Can't John
II. Tucker, cast off from the wharf ard with their
prows turned seaward, steamed across the Cooner
The moon was shining brightly, there was not a cloud
on the face OF the blue sky, and the surface of the
water was smooth and CLASSY as mill.pond Nature
seemed to smile upon the enterprise. and water. skv
and wind presented most delightful manifestation
OF the divine favor towards our just and noble cause
Having reached Fort Sumter, they came to anchor,
and there awaited the going down of the moon
AT three o'clock the report of two guns echoed
through the air. That was the signal for their de-.
partnre and once more the gunboats are in motion.
Silently they move through the darkness urging their
course with all speed ss 10 come upon tie upsus.
Pecting war vessels before The dawn of day.
But deep darkness is still on the deep and thew are
near the enemy Commodore Ingraham describes
black form just ahead and the sharp bow of the Pal.
metto Statet is turned upon the object Nearer and
nearer with all steam moves the iron vessel.
crash IS heard and the of the gunboat penetrates
the wooden side OF one of Liucons blockaders. And
whlie the water was washing into the hole the guns
OF the Palmetto State opened upon the host m vessel
The officer in command of the Mercedita seeing il
was folly to contend with such an antagonist imme
dateiy struck his flag and surrendered All this time
captain Tucker of the Chicora was laying about him
vigorously right and left The shell from his guns ct
hre to large ship-ofwar, and she lowered her ao.
he sunk, 1t believed another and the two monsters
'rew shot and shell at the other vessels that seeing
the late that had befaen their comrades turned their
oo"s 10 the sea and making their best speed TO
get beyond the reach of danger. Not one of them
showed any disposition TO continue the fight but care
less OF the honor of that flag they profess 10 ADORE
ther cowardly hearts thoroughly possessed by fear,
they ied with all the speed their. sails and engines
enaoeo them TO command. But though they fled SO
Prec'pHately, we have no doubt that many of the
seventeen carried away with them some painful re-
meorance OF tnat terrible SURPRISE while it is posi-
'Neiy known that several who succeeded in making
good their escape, Were severely injured
When the morning light broke not one of the fleet
was IN sight. The gun.boats cruised many miles sea-
ward from the BAR but the glasses revealed nothing
within the range of vision
OFFICIAL DESPATCH FROM COMMODORE INGRAHAM.
The following official despatch, brought by the
steamer Chesterfield, received in the city about
II m. on Saturday:
GUN-BoAT PALMETTO STATE,
January 81, 1868.
went out last night This vessel ran into and
struck the United States steamer Mercedta, when she
sent an officer with boats crew to the Palmetto
State and surrendered The officers and crew were
Paroled. Captain Tucker thinks he sunk one vessel
and set another on fire, when she struck her flag
The blockading fleet has gone to the Southwad and
Eastward out Of sight
(Signed) d. N. INGRAHAM
Flag Officer board Palmetto State"