Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
OFFICIAL REPORT.

N
The following report from Admiral DUPONT Of
the attack of two Confederate iron-clads on the
bockading squadron off Charleston was received at
the Navy Department yesterday morning. 1t con-
firms the statement published yesterday that no
United States vessel was lost during that engage
ment
FLAGSHIP WABASH
Port Royal Hartor. February g, 1868.
Hon GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary Of The Navy, &c.
Sin: have the honor to report that about four o'clock
on the morUng of the 3ls umo during The obscurty OF
thick haze two ironclad gunboat out Of Charles
ton by The main shp-channe unpeceved by the squad,
ROD, and commenced raid the blockadng feet Most
Of the latter OF the light class of purchased vessels
two Of the heaviest mei-owsr the Powhatan aud Canaan
daigus) being at this port coaiDg aud repairing.
The Mercedita the first vessel attacked. Her Off
and had been particularly watch u during the
night to look out for suspected vessels and at three
o'clock A. slipped cable and overbaued troop steamer
running for the channel by mistake She had returned to
the anchorage and Capt Stewagen had gone his
short time, leaving Lieut. Commander Abbot deck,
when Of the ronclads suddenly appeared. Her ap
preach concealed by the haze and mist of the atmo-
sphere. The vessel Immediately hailed and order
given to fire. but the clad being close aboard and lay
ing low the water, guns could be brought to bear
n6dVy
g the starbcard side of the Mercedta passed through
condenser and the steam drum of her port boiler and
exploded against the port side, blowing hole in it's exit
four five feet square, killing the gunner and by
the escape Of steam scadipg number of the men, and
rendering her motive power apparently useless Unable
to his guns and being ut the mercy of the enemy,
who lying alongside his starboard quarter, all fur
ber resistance deemed hopeless by Capt Stelwagen
and no surrendered The and officers paroled,
houg nothing said Of the ship, the executive ocer,
Lieut. Commander Abbot, having gone board the
mys gunboat and made the arrangements.
The clad leaving the Mrcedta to her fate, to sink
or not engaged the Keystone State Commander LIE
Roy, who also attacked by the other Their fire was
CALAMITY returned but sbel exploding in the forebod
of this vessel, she set fire. Commander LIE Roy
kept off unt got under when be seered again for
one of the ronc clads ordered full and determined
to try to her down The guns had been trained and
depressed for pungng FIRE at the moment Of collision,
and the ship had acquired speed Of twelve knots when
shell or shot from the enemy passed through both the
steam chests wholly disabling her boilers and rendering
her poweress Ten rifle sh Il struck the Keyston State;
two burst her quarter deck but most of them struck
the hull, being near aud below the water line.
Iu the time the Augusta, Commodore Panoti the
Quaker City, Commander Fraiey; and the Memphis Act
ing Lieut.. Watmough kept up fire upon the enemy dl
verting their attention from the Keystone State, which
was soon after taken tow by the Memphis aud drawn
away from the fire. The Augusta and Quaker City
both struck on their huls-he Memphis only 10 her rig
ging.
The Housatonic Capt. Taylor, gave chase, and shot
from her struck the pilot hous of of the roncads
doing it. it is thought, damage, and carrying away
cne of her flags,
The rebel vessels then passed to The norhwarl receiv
-. nd tOp1- IN nsh
cbanuel, behini the shoals.
The only casualties the Mercedita and the
Key stone State. On the Keystone State they very
large. About onefourth of her killed and
wounded aud among the former the medical officer Of
the shp Assistant Surgeon Jacob II. Gotwortb, who
scaded to death whilst rendering surgical aid to of the
wounded men, Niue of those who died perished from the
escape cf steam when the boilers and steam chimney
penetrated and among the wounded the greater number
received their injuries from the same cause.
As the Mercedta only vessel which surrendered
haze directed court Of inquiry TO examine into the cir
cumstances of the case we'll into the terms under
which the surrender made This inves igaton has
b. en- asked for by Capt Stewsgen.
received this intelligence on Saturday at three P NJ
BY the August which ship pmmedstey ei to Charles
ton The Merceda after arrived, aud the Keystone
State in tow of the Memphis when the latter vessel
at once sent back to the station.
The James Adger Commander Patterson was also tow
ed back as she coming into Rort Royal aud ordered
to Charleston aud the Puwhata through the ccmmenda-
BILE zeal of Capt Godon got ready by nine O'Clock p
had the channel and box buoys lighted, when ste
passed out safely.
forward herewith copies Of the reports of Capt Scl
wsgeu Lieut. Com Abbot, and Capt Leroy Also the
ports of the casualties board the Merceda aud the Key
stone State Ou the Merceds there four killed and
three wounded on the Keystone State twenty killed aud
twenty wounded.
Very respectfully your obedent servant,
F. DUPONT Rear Admiral, &c.