The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-10
BRILLIANT NAVAL VICTORY.
Near Charleston, s. g.

| Near Cgrlesfon, s G.
We copy from the Charleston papers the following
account OF the attack the Lincoln blockadiug YES
sells by two Confederate gun-boats:
At about ii O'Clock on Friday night, the 30th
| of January the Palmetto State in command Of
Capt RutIedge, and with the Flag Officer, Com
modore ID. lngraham, on board, together with
the Chicora, commanded by Capt John r. Tue
ker, cast off from the wharf, and with their prows
turned seaward Having reached Fort Sumter,
/ they came to anchor and there awaited the going
! down of the moon
AT 5 o'clock, the report of two guns echoed
through the AIR. That the signal for heir
departure, and once more the gun boats are in mo-
! ton. Silently they move through the dark ness
urging their course with all speed. so as to come
upon the unsuspected war vessels before the dawn
Of day.
The undertaking promised rich rewards. and
the nearer the monsters drew to the hostile ships
the more impatient and resolved became the gal
liant men who were beneath their iron roofs Never
did the little vessels seem to move so suggishly
and most closely did the officers and crew sean the
clear horizon, fearing that the light would teal
over the before they reached the blockading
fleet. But deep darkness is still on the deep and
! they are near the enemy. CGnmndCre Ingraham
descrleS black form just ahead, and the sharp
bow of the Palmetto State is turned upon the OBJ
ject. Nearer and with all steam on moves
the iron vessel. A crash is heard, and the ram of
the gun boat penctrateS the wooden side of one of
Llncoln's bl0ckaderS. And while the water was
washing in the hole, the guns Of the Palmetto
State opened upon the hostile vessel
The officer in command Of the Mercedita, see
ing it folly to coutend with such au antago-
nst, immediately struck bis flag and surrendered
La short time the vessel went down.
We indebted to several friends on board the
Palmetto State for the following account OF her
operations We also give the account of our spe-
cIal reporter, who on board of the tenders.
these accounts contain all the particulars OF the
expedition aud engagement, aud show that ii has
been brilliant and glorious success on our SIDE,
limited only by the cOwardly action of the blocka-
dcrs They fled small and large, without even
making show of fight, notwithstanding the pre-
sence OF two forty gun fris2tes the Susquehahna
and Canaudaigua Their loss, however, known
TO be severe. Two Of thor vessels known
be sunk, while several We're fired and went of in
damaged condition
THe IUoycmcnts cfMe Pul,nctto ,Stafe.-At IL.
O'clock, Friday night, the Suu-boat Palmetto State,
Capt. Kuttdge, bearing the flag OF Commodore
Duncan n. lng:aham, LETT her moorings aud pro-
ceeded out the haIb bor towards Fort Sumter At
/ 80 d. m, the Palmetto State crossed the bar,
and stood out at in the direction of the block
aiding feet. AT $40 a. m., We came up to the
United States steamer Nercedita, and was hailed
by the watch on deck, when the following colo
guy took place:
Watch What steameris that? Drop your
anchor-back- back-ani be careful, or you will
run into us.
Captain Rutledge.-ThiS is the Confederate
States steamer Palmetto State.
AS the answer was given, the Palmetto State,
with full steam up, ran into the MerccdIta, the bow
striking her right about mdships and making an
entrance Of about three feet. AT the same time
our bow gun was fired with seven-inch incendia-
ry she'll We Immediately backed out, when the
Mercedita hauled down her flag. They were
ordered to send boat to us, and Lieut.. L. Abbot
commanding, came off with loat's crew aud CUR
rendered his vessel in the name of Com. Stell-
wagon, Of the Mcrcedita, carrying guns and l5S
men, He stated that his vessel was in sinking
condition, and begged officers to relieve them.
A shot had pierced her boiler, which had bursted
and scaldcd a large number of men. Lieutenant
Abbott begged Commodore Ingraham to take the
men with him on board the Palmetto State, in
their haste to come to us they had neglected to
put in the plug, and their small boat was only
kept aHoat by the strenuous efforts Of the men
bailing the boat. ile also stated that the water
in the Mercedta had, at the time OF his leaving al
ready risen as high the engine floors.
Commodore Ingraham regretted that he could
not comply with the request he had room
to accommodate them aboard Of his vessels aud
no small boats any other means OF aiOrdIng
them relief Lieut.. Abbott then pledged bis word
OF honor for the officers and crew Of the Mcrcedta
not to serve in any manner against the COnfcdc-
rate States until regularly exchanged, upon which
condition lie was sent on board his vessel.
The Mcrcedita was taken completely By surprise
They were reused from their slurnbcrs b. the
shock, the men not having time TO dress them
selves Lieut.. Abbott and the with him
were nearly destitute of clothing.
The Palmetto State, leaving the Nercgdita to
her fate, stood out to sea, aud engaged several
other vessels of the Abolition blockading feet
occasionally exchanging shots. he hitter, how
ever fed at approach firing at on-, distances
and leaving US far astern One or Lwo shots were
exchanged with the United States frigate Powha-
tan. The latter, bowc;er, followed tGr example
of her companions aud fed We then stood
Northward towards the Chicora, which at this
time Was almost surrounded by the enemy's YES
sells Ats a. m., there being no more Of tie
Abolition feet in sight, We stood back to the
trance Of Beech Channel, having signalled the
Chicora TO return.
The NoreD,entS Of He CHieora.-The Chicora,
Captain John r. Tucker, started from her wharf
at half past eleven, Friday night, and crossed the
bar at so a. m We commenced action at D %.
The Palmetto State engaged Abolition vessel
on the right, while We engaged the one on the left
Keeping on our course, We prOceedcd to within
fftv wards of the the vessel THE left and then
gave her shot from our bow gun, the bockader