The New York herald., 1863-10-15

seems, fun Of enthusiasm and folly went upon The
railroad track just the connection with tho rebel
wires bad been nicely established. aud was seen
by the passengers an approaching train The specsa
Gle baeclad federal led 70 the gobbns Of the party
with only single exception.
ExxIxn % THE TROOPS.
1bs hsssh of The troops the best. A you VIII
SEQ BY the mortality record published yesterdays Ness
SsA, the deaths Of hast week numbered thirty five,
ing increase Of twelve those OF the previous week.
No epdsmc has yet appeared and that the
90 far advanced none apprehended. Chronic darrhea
and typhoid fever are tho prevailing ailments
MEDALS yoR BRAVERY.
Major General Gilmore has ordered large Aumber II
bronze medals 10 be prepared brave
and meritorous soldiers who have dstingushsd than
selves in the late campaign.
The Attack On tho lrensides.
BALnnoRs, Oct. II, 1858.
The correspondent Of the Amscam writes from Charles
ton narhOr az follows
CHARLESTON HARMON, Oct. 10, 1858.
On Monday night daring but unsuccessful attempt
made by the rebels destroy the frgae New hon.
sides, lying Fort Moutrie, by torpedo. They en-
ployed for this purpose small and very swift steamer
segar shaped and showing but very small portion
above tho water. She was manned By . crew Of four
persons consisting Of Lieutenant Gassett who was tho
commander of the party, engineer named Toombs,
fireman named Scott and pilot whose 10 unknown
ct the present writing.
THIS sseamsr sluded the picket boats Of hest BY
passing close in to the shore Of suvans sland She
then made directly the harbov, and came up 70
the Ironsides without attracting any attention. she
struck the vessel fairly amdships, exploding torpedo
containing sixty pounds Of rifle powder At tho moment
0f contact. Tho rebel steamer was undoubtedly sunk,
aifh fherh fha forro M tha llkaion nv sh0
Lieutenant Gassett jumped overheard and swan 10 =
schooner He and tho fireman, Scott prisoners
on board the guardship.
Lieutenant 6assett formerly In our navy he says
that the explosion the torpedo drove the
UNDER that the water into her smokestack and
put out her 1res. The torpedo was suspended to
tho bows Of the rebel vessel, 30 TO strike the
rsnsdes under the water The explosion was severely
felt the Ironsides but material damage done
10 her hull engine or armament One man had bis leg
broken, and Of the bulkheads Of the vessel was
knocked down-an injury which can be repaired here.
The Ironsidos Immediately prepared for action by
Captain Rowan, and effective for offensive opera
tons She Is regarded here rs torpedo proof
She opened fire with muskety the rebel vessel and
in few minutes fired two Of her larger guns. musket
shot, fred from the yeb steamer dangerously wounded
Ensign Charles Howard tho Ironsides who was officer
Of the deck at tho tme The bottom OF the Ironsides
has been examined by divers and found TO be wholly
injured.
The REBEL engineer Toombs, formerly % navy, and
the pilot Of the rebel supposed TO have been
drowned.
On Tuesday night supposed that the rebels medi
tated second attack the Ivonsides. boai Of tho
kind, believed 70 have been . smah steamer, ap-
preached picket line, but was discovered and driven
or after some firing.
The rebels greatly dread the Ironsdes, and It is said
that the psoplo Of Charleston have offered reward o
sixty thousand dollars In gold for hes destruction
General Gilmore and Admiral Dahlgren have both paid
brief visit 70 Port Royal While there General Gill;
visited the flagship with band and serenaded tbs
Admiral. This incident shows how ttle truth there
story Of III feeling between these two distinguished
officers. They are and always have beeu IN hourly inter-
course by Signals
There has the usual firing during hs past week.
principally BY The rebel batteries General Gnose
casonaly replies 10 the James Island batteries throws
o shell into Fort sumter
The signs encouraging for renewal Of active opera
tops.