, 1863-02-10
FROM The SOUTH.
Momentous Events at
Hand,
Especial Dispatch 10 the Chicago Tritrnn.

Especial Dispatch TO the Chicago Tribune.1
WASHINGTON, Feb. ., 1851
The fact that the British nan ,o{:war has
touched at Charleston and taken of the
British Consul, as well as that residents of
the city were deserving in large numbers,
series to show that they already begin to
hare realizing sense Of what is awaiting
them.
NEW YoRE, Feb. 9.--The Port Royal Nt.c
South Of the 31st, says the steamer City Of Bath
las just arrlred with troops. The Cahawba is
coming over the bar, and large fleet is wait
ing for the fog to lift to enter the harbor>
New York, Feb. o.-Dispatchcs from
Charleston state that reports brought there
hy the British ffigato Cadmus lad alarmed
the citizens, who we're leaving rapidly.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a Port Royal letter
Of tile Sd says the Montauk las been engaged
several days in attacking an ironclad battery
on the Ogecchcc River.
Tie rebels hare got much heavier guns
than they ever used before. They also use
stecl-pointed cold shot; but although the
turret has ;becn struck sixteen times, they
have all glanced oil. Capt, Worden has nearly
demolished most Of the rebel parapet md ex-
pccts soon to capture tic battery, behind
which lies the steamer Nashville.
The Passaic Is said 10 be up Warsaw Sonnd,
and heayr firing was heard there on the I'd.
The rebel ram Fingal is in that vicinity. Tie
Pa1atsca md Wcchawkcn arc both hourly ex-
pcctcd. The harbor ot Port Royal is full Of
vessels and troops, and Gen. Foster has ar
rived.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Off1eia1 dispatches
lave been received from Admiral Dupont re-
garding the recent affair off Charlcaton, also
enclosing the account Of Commander slcct-
wagen Of the Mcreedita. The accounts do
not differ from that recently sent By Telegraph,
aud present no new features. The Mercedita
aud KeE Stone we're the only two res=cls In
jured, though other vessels Of the squadron
were struck by the cncn,y's shot. Tie off,
Gers and crew Of tilc Mercedita were paro1ed,
but nothing was said about the vessel, Which,
together with the Key Stone, arc repairing at
Port Royal.
The rams came upon tho flcet during n
thick fas, and were not sccn,,uti1 close along
side the Mercedita. The rams being so low In
tlc wntcr, the Mendoza was unable to bring II
CUR 10 bear on her, aud was disabled bY the
urst shot Of the ram which passed clear
through hcr, and exploding her steam drnm,
dcpriying her Of the power Of motion, killing
the gunner and scalding a number Of the
crew.
The ram after being detained half all hour
By the Merccdjta, started for the Key Stone,
ard soon disabled her by shot through both
her steam chests. Ten rifle shells struck lcr
and two burst on the quarter deck.
The Housatonie gave chase, and n shot
from hcr struck the pi1ot~iiousc Of the ram,
doing, if is thought, some damage, and car.
rying away a flag, The rebel vessels then
parsed nosthward, anu took refuge in the
swash channel. About one-fourth Of tue
crew Of the Key Stone were Killed ani
wounded. Most Of them died from tht
escaping steam.
Commodore slcetwagen has asked, and Aa
1niral Dupont ordered, an Investigation.
Nkwr ToaK, Feb 7.-~The rebel prisoner:
captured from tho Huntre:s report that whc,
! tllcy left Charleston the 1cbcl gunboats wert
| whiting for our iron-elads to 50 to Fort Roy
| 81 to join the Ogeehee fight. They statt
I that the rebel iron clad ChseEora is u hne yes
| zel Of @ thousand tous, six feet above water
| snd attzlcd with tho best English raes.
| el were M 1t Charleston o., tic i;th. The Hcrt
had :, 200 bales Of cotton, and probably ese:p
cd on the night Of the attack. The Ariel ha,
Loo bales, waiting chance to run
From Key West fisherman is reported Il