Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-05

Morning and Noon Reports
INTEREsTING FROM CHARLESTON

i
Rebels Attack and Drive orr tho
BiockRdtng Fleet The Blockade
Declared Raised.
NEW York, Feb. 4.--The Herald publishes
Dispatch
CHARLEsToN, Jan. 3I.--The two iron clad
gunboats Chicora and Palmetto State, with
three steamers Ga tenders, went out beyond the
bar at one O'Clock this morning, to attack the
Diockading feet. Firing began soon after one,
ana Tor q time was very rapid. Afterward Il
slackened, but continued ct intervals until nine
this morning, Owing to the fog, the result
has not yet been ascertained. Commodore
lngr9ham is aboard the Palmetto State eh com
mancer Of the expedition.
SECOND DISPATCH
Ihia morning the gunboats Palmetto State
and Chicora, accompanied BY three small
steamers, all under command of Commodore
ingrahsm, made an attack on the bIockaders
and succeeded In sinking two and crippling
1hird. The engagement commenced ct four
O'Clock. The Palmetto State, with Commodore
lngraham aboard, opened fire upon tie Federal
gunboas Mercedita, carrying eleven guns and
one hundred and ffty-eight nen, which was
soon sunk IN hVe fathoms of water. Her COM
mander, Capt. Stillwagon, with buat's crew,
-
pierced her boiler, going clear through. Cant.
3. and crew were paroled BY Commodore Ingra-
ham.
Capt. Tucker, OF the Chiccrs, reports sinking
another Federal gunboat and disabling the steam
kship Quaker City. The latter was set on fre by
the Chicora, and hauled down her flag and sur
rendered, but afterWsrd managed TO escape
with only one wheel. She was very seriously
damaged. The number Of the bockeding feet
outside at the time of the attack was thirteen,
with two frat class frigstes-the Susqushanua
and Canandaigua.
The Federal loes was very severe. Ii wGs
complete success On our part, with not man
nurt: Our gunboats we're not even struck.
All the blookaders have disappeared; there Ia
not one to be seen within five miles with the
strongest KIND OF glasses. Our gunbosts eIs
now returning to Charleston.
The following is an Official dispath from On
board the gunboat Palmetto State:
Asl went ont last night this vessel struck the
mercedita, when she sen! a'boat aboard and
surrendered. The officers and crew were ps
rolled. Capt Tucker thinks be sunk one vessel
and set another on fire, when she struck heE
nag. The blockading feet had gone southwark
and eastward and out Of sight.
(sigued) D. n INuRAHAM,
Flag g-Of6cer Commanding,
THIRD DIsTArcR.
CHARLESTON, Jan, 3l.-Our puaboais Pal.
net.o State and Chicora have reached their
Wharves. They were enthusiastically chseved
oy an immense concoufse Of citizens, who hsd
assembled to greet them. Salutes were fred
| from iorts and batteries. Not a man was hurt
cn our SIDE, and our gunboats were not struck
by the enemy. Our attack OF the feet Wss
complete surprise TO the blockadeFs-e one
running away without caring for the othere.
IL IS supposed nearly all the crew of the Mer-
cedita perished. The Palmetto State, which
engaged the Mercedita, having no boats, and
nehtng atthe time, could render her no assist.
ance' The Quaker City was struck twice, and
one OF her wheels almost torn of.
FOURTH DIaPAToH.
CRARLEsToN, Feb. l.-Gen. Beauregard and
Com. lngraham, as commanders of the land
and naval forces, have issued Joint proclama.
ton, dated January 81, declaring the blockade
Of Charleston raised, the entire hostile squad.
ron having been sunk, burned or dispersed by
the superior naval force of the Confederates.
Yesterda afternoon Gen. Beauregard placed a
steamer at the disposal Of the foreign consuls,
to see for themselves that nc blockade existed.
The French and Spanish consuls, accompanied
by Gen. Ripley, accepted the invitation. The
British consul, with the commander of the
British war steamer PetIel, had previously poR
five miles beyond the usual anchorage of the
blockaders, and could see nothing of them
with glasses.
| Late In the evening four blockaders reap
peared, keeping lar out This evening large
number of blockaders are in sight, but keep
steam up, evidently ready to run.