Daily national Republican., 1863-02-09

The following Is the report Of Commander
stellwagsn
U. 8. STEAMER MERoEDITA,
PoRT ROYAL, Jan. 81, 1868.
Rear Admiral s. +! DlfPont, &C.:
sIR; have to report that at half-paSt four
this morning two iron-clAd rams, from Charles
ton, in the obscurity of a thick hazo, and the
moon having just set, sucCeoded in passing the
bar, near Ship Channel, unpcrcCived by the
squadron, an attack upon this ship being first
encountered.
Particular vigilance was exhibited by officers
and men In expedition Of vessels to run the
blockade.
At Ia. III. we had shipped cable and over,
hauled u troop steamer running for the channel
by mistake. AT laid down. Lieut.. Comdr
Abbott was on deck, giving orders to Acting
Master Dwyer about recovering the anchor,
when they saw a smoke and faint appearance
of vessel close at hand. heard them ex-
claim, "she has black smoke" "watch, mhu
the guns, "Bprlng thorattle, "call all hands
to quarters" Mr.. Dwyer came to the cabin
door, telling me a steamboat was close aboard
was then In the act of getting my pea-jacket,
and slipped II on as followed him out; jumped
TO poop ladder saw smoke and a tow-bOat ap-
parently tug, although l thought It might be
little propeller for the squadron.
sang out, "Turn your guns right on him,
and be ready to fire as soon as order" l
heave TO. What steamer is thAt1' Then or
dered my men, "Fire on him. Told him you
will be into us. What steamer is that 20 His
answer TO first or second hail. Halo "-the
other replies were indlstinct, either by inten-
tion or from being spoken inside of his mail
armor, until In the act of striking us with his
prov, when he said, "Thls Ia the Confederate
States steam ram" l repeated the order,
Fire Fire ~ but no gun could be trained on
him, as he approached on the quarter, struck
us Just abaft our aftermost 32-pounder gun and
fired a heavy rifle through us, diagonally pcne-
lrating the starboard side through our Norman
dy condenser, the steam draw OF port boiler
and exploding against port side Of ship, blow
ing hole in Its exit some four or Ave feet
square.
The vessel was instantly filled and enveloped
with steam. Reports were brought to me,
Shot through both boilers, . "f fires put out by
steam and smoke" '"gunner and one man
killed" number Of men fatally scaldod, wa
ter over hro-room floor, vessel smoking fast.
"Thc ram has cut us through at and below
water-line on one side, and the shell has burst
| at the other almost at water-edgo."
After the ram struck, she swung around under
our starboard counter, her PROV touching, and
hailed "Surender, or III sink you! Do
you surrender !" After receiving reports,
answered, 81 can make no resistance, my
boiler is destroyed" "Then, do you surren-
ueT r. bdlu! 1ebjN nhNlnR IOunu my
moving power destroyed, and that l could
bring nothing TO bear but muskets against his
shot-proof coating.
He hailed several tImes 10 send about, and
threatened 70 fire again. Amer some delay, a
boat was lowered, and Lieut.. Com. Abbott
| asked IL no should Join her, and asked for
orders what 10 say. told him 10 see what
they demanded, and to tell him the condition
we were in. ,.. "a'
He proceeded aboard and according TO their
demand gave his parole on behalf OF himself
and all the officers and crew. His report ac-
companies this. The ram having been detain-
ed half an hour or moro, ran out for the Key
stone State, which weasel and three others we
had tried 10 alarm by lights. We saw a shell
explode as II struck the ram without injurlng
her. Saw the Keystone State was struck sever
al time and saw the smoke and steam pouring
from her. The firing then reeeded TO north
ward and eastward, and was pretty brisk at the
head of the line.
/ set everybody TO work taking care of wound
cd, pumping ship, stopping leaks, examining
engine, &c. About 6 q. m, got things In order
10 start, little steam ONT hove anchor. The
stettin and Flag recognizing us, told them
they might DO wanted to the nOrthward 10 pick
up the mon, the fighting now being over
(abOut a p. m.)
In conclusion, have to say that In this
squadron, where all the vessels were conspic.
uous for vigilance, this ship has never been
found wanting. Everything was done, the
circumstances permitting, in proper manner.
Very respectfully, your obedieut servant,
+. 3. BTBLLwAGEH,
Captain.