Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-19

Correspondence from Morris Island
gives the particulars Of the attempt to de-!
stroy the Ironsides st Charleston by rebel
torpedo. Itseems that the affair had been
planned fora long time. The craft that
propelled the torpedo was called the "Da-
vid,' which was to smite the Goliath of
iron-olsds. The three rebel rams in
Charleston harbor are each supplied with
similar tOrpedOes to this one. 1t is prob
able that had this attack been made upon
any Of the Mentors they would not have
been able to Withstand the shock. But the
Ironsides came out of the encounter ss
good as ever, while the assailant was shfv-
cred to atoms. The vessel to which the
torpedo was attached was shaped like q
cigar, in diameter six feet, in length about
fifty feet. The torpedo was secured on a
bar ten feet long projecting from the
b1w, immersed six feet. 1t contained
sixty pounds of powder. 1t passed out
side the feet before attacking the New
Ironsides.
The correspondent Of The Tribune gives
the following particulars Of the attack
iAt % o'clock Of the night in question.
the QuarIsrmaster on watch aboard the
New Ironsides reported to the officers Of
the deck q suspicious craft, with smoke
stack, and setting very low in the water,
making directly toward the vessel. The
night, although clear, and the sky stud
dark, and but little could be distinguished
Of the stranger except the smoke pipe and
her low hull, the latter extremely indis.
tinct she appeared 10 be steaming at the
rate Of seven knots an hour. How she
could have passed our picket-boats was q
question to be considered, for it was just
possible she might belong to US, and to
FIRE upon her without drst determining her
character and intention might result in
more serious damage than il she were 81
enemy so she was allowed 10 come with.
in hailing distance. More and more dis
tinct she grew as she spproached-a ci-
gar-shaped hull, after the pattern Of the
RinRnt gunboat, driving before it through
the water smaller object which could
hardlybe distinguished black smoke.
pipe, from which issued q thin cloud Of
DL4gA bmOkCf Bus GU luulc4IlOu8 OIL the mo-
tive power within, were visible. Sill She
glided on, the object Of her sppr5ach either
the frigate itself or the Devils which Ia,
moored on the port side Coming neal
eno4gh to her she was hailed and ordered
10 stop, but she neither made reply o.
obeyeds the summons. All hands wer
piped 70 quarters; q gun was fred, bu
the curious craft sat too low in The water
and the ball passed over her. A seconl
shot followed the FIRST, with the same re
suit; than volley Of musketry, lightin
up for moment, with its fash, the steam
er, the torpedo at her bow, and the igur
Of q man, sitting astride Of the cigar
shaped hull, engaged in steering. Thi
man, whose name is Toombs, and who j
now in irons on board the flagship, fire.
shot Ia retaliation, which seTerel
wounded Ensign Howard, the officer Of th
deck. He pretends to have been sailing
master Of She expedition, which he un
dcubtedly was, and is & man Of moderat
height, strong, muscular frame, a darl
Wrinkled skin, dark eyes, snd cosrs
black hair and black beard. Fher
o Wsre three othsre with him, all m
derOonmAnd Of Lieutenant GiAssel, for