New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-09
nm AFFAIR IN CHARLESTQNaARBOR'
vuz OBJECT OF THE REBELS IN
MAKING THE ATTACK
they wished to xeeaptufs the
Princess Royal.
How Captain stellwasen Hoodwinked
tho Rebels.
Only Twoof OurVessels Slightly Damaged
MIME Of THEM DRIVEN FROM THEIR STATIONS.
The Gunboat Housatonic Makes for
the Rebel Rams.
They Hasten Back to Charleston as
Quick as Possible
,v,yMaKE N0pRISONERS AND CAPT URe h0THlNG.
np,TREGigDS LYING DISPATCH Exploded.
The Biggest Rebel Humbug Of the War;
The Particulars Of the Capture Of the
Princess Royal.
They Hasten Back to Charleston 81
Quick as Possible
rgIy MAKE nupRIsoNERs AND CAPTURE NOTHING
ap,TREGiUps LYING DISPATCH EXPLODED
The Biggest Rebel Humbug Of the War
The Particulars Of the Capture Of the
Princess Royal.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8, 1863,

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8, 1863.
~. iron steamer Princess Royal, in charge OF
letting Master Edward Van Size, arrived of the
s,vy.Ysrd to-day. She brings highly important in
diligence both az relates to her capture, and tho
R.e attack on our blockadiDg squadron at Charles
,co showing eonclusively that there Is no founds-
finn for the assumption Of the Rebels that the
| yOeksd. Of Charleston was ever raised by the de.
puaus Of the United States aset, only two vessels
ont Of the eight or ten having been disabled or
obliged 10 leave their stations.
II spears from the statement Of an intelligent
yswness that the cause Of this attack Of the Rebel
sus 90 our squadron was owing to the capture Of
De Princess Royal the captain and pilot Of that
vessel having escaped ashore during the darkness Of
Id. night and communicated the intelligence to the
enemy.
The Princess Royal endeavored to run the block
i BY way Of Beach Inlet Oh the Goth, but was dis.
covered by the pilot.boat Blunt. On signal being
,rvsn tie Mercedta proceeded toward her and cap
srsd the prize without further assistance. 1t was
ben discovered that the captain and pilot had sue.
ssad IN getting ashore by q small boat, carrying
a;maut dispatches to the Reb el Government.
he Mercedita carried her to the side Of the Hou.
I.xe and laio thcro till daylight, when tnundvr
ID rss was heard, accompanied by sharp flashes Of
lts. 1t was supposed that our fleet was engaged In
Iutipg or the Alabama or Florida were endeavor-
Iv.oiorce, an entrance. At daybreak, two Rebel
lrp<ads were seen coming down from the direction
" Seno Inlet toward our feet.
hey attacked the Mercedita 6st. One ram
Irud her on the water-ridge, keeling her over and
Iths zane time firing shot, which entered one Of
EbOisrs, causing the death Of three persons, in.
Icing gunner, by o shot and steam. The ram
La hailed the Mercedits, and Capt. Stellwagen
rred one Of his small boats, after leaving one Of
Ieplgs out, allowing the water to enter it,
he ram answered our hail by replying, ICON
Sxs.s Ram, Palmetto State. Do you sur
hAsl" This was repeated three times, Captain
klysgen replying at each inquiry, / am IN
'f,thg condition" The Rebels answered:
'GSa damn you to hell, If You don't surrender
n viii blow you out Of water. Send you
gon board"
Tie boat which Capt. Stsllwagen lowered ther
Invsysd his lieutenant, executive officer, 10 The
Es Of the Rebel ram, and the officer asked to he ad
IrNd aboard. The lieutenant then repeated Capt
slwsgens statement, that we were 10 sinking
Petition"
The Rebel officer replied /" You can't sink lower
IN the rails; we canno, take you aboard The
Ger then gave bis parole as demanded, and re-
Isaed 70 his ship ship. The Rebels were thus sue
Iszully deceived as TO the condition Of the Mer-
Isa's, thinking she was in sinking condition.
&e laid in shoa water. and hence their reply that
10 could not sink lower than her rails" Tn,
~ Steamed toward the keystone State, and sent a
FN'Afough her steam drum, causing the death OF
t''yone persons-twelve by the shot and nine by
Ils 'e4ldsd Fifteen were wounded, and are lying
fM Royal, some in precarious condition.
The mean time tho United States gunboa
'ea"nic engaged the other ram, driving bel
way At6l O'Clock in the morning both rams left
s'ns and proceeded up to Charleston.
O'rg this attack on our feet, the Princess Royal
'Eh aid near the Housatonic, and was the chic
!sa prize on both sides, succeeded in getting
= manly through tho energies Of Third Assistan,
l''ea'r Thompson, who piled into her fires all the
'snnabls material at hand.
A'f escape ia chiefly owing 10 his endeavors, al
ia" hsr safs arrival at this port Notwithstanding
s'1e gale which prevailed during her passage
90 Port Regal.
"''0'aeh the coal was tho anthracite, with whice
~Ts supplied, she made ten knots an hour Oh
"P with ease, in tho heaviest storm. Her usua
sasiissn knots.
Ass'edA steamed down 10 Port R"vsl, o.