Evening star., 1863-04-13

had not been received up to the time OF the de-
partnre OF the Flamteau, namely Wednesday
night.
From other than off al source S. it is ascer-
taiEed that the vessels composing the Il eet
under Admiral Dupont advanced upon
Charleston on the 1th, in the folio wing man :
ner: Weeha uken, Captain ,hn Rodgers; Pas
saic, Captain Dayton; Monta TX, Captain Wor-
den; Patapsco, Cart n ANN N; Irons des,
9TH flag shin.) Commander furn' r, win Ad-
miral dupont aad staff on board. Next toll
lowed the Catskll, Capta" George Rodgers
Nantucket, Capt in Fairfax, Nahsnt Captain
Dowbes, and the Keokuk, Cap ain ind. In
this order they proceeded u the main channel
Arriving within l,706 yards Of tn" main forts,
the 1ronsides became unmanag able, owing to
tine tide and the narrowness u tue chalnel,
and she was therefore obliged to drop anchor
to prevent drifting ashore. Owing TO the -
circumstances she sig Iailed her consorts to
disregard her motions.
The remainder Of the squadron cont nued in
its course. and soon came within easy range oi
the rebel fire from all points.
The distractions OF thu channel fro n Fort
Sumter to Fort Moultrie interf ed with the
progress of our ships, and in consequence OF
this and the position OF the lronsides, as above
stated. the plan Of operations or battle was de-
ranged, and the space for maneuvering being
only from 5tai to LOCO yards, the vessels were
obliged to prepare and at ono, engage the forts
and the adjacent batteries. The signal had
been made for action at half-past three O'Clock
in the afternoon by the Ironsides, but the rebels
had previously opened fire upon the leading
vessels.
The contest is represented to have been in the
highest degree exciting. presenting fearful
scene of fire belching from all points. On the
water and on land there was continuous roar
of cannon. In the course of thirty or forty min
utes the keokuk was in a sinking condition,
and was obliged to withdraw from the fire and
seek an anchorage below the range Of the ene-
my's guns.
a few minutes afterwards all the vessels
withdrew out Of range, on receiving signal
from the flagship, it being deemed implseki-
cable to continue hostilities further.
The keokuk was within five or six hundred
yards OF Sumter. and was completely riddled.
She was struck from all the batteries within
range at least nin-ty times in thirty minutes.
The shot was from riiied cannon OF the heav-
lest caliber.
Capt. Rhind, her commander received a
confusion on the leg from living fragment
of his vessel, which, however, only slightly
lamed him. Twelve OF his men were wounded,
together with Acting Ensign Mackintosh, who
had charge OF one of the guns. His injuries
are supposed to be fatal
The next morning, finding il impossible to
save the vessel, Captain Rhind called tug,
which took all his men on board, and in a few
minutes thereafter the keOkuk sunk. Those
belonging to the ship lost all their private ef-
fects.
On "Wednesday the squadron remained at
anchor in the main ship channel.
1t is said that the number of men in our
fleet was only about LOO with 20 guns, while
the enemy had, it is supposed, at least 300
guns, the best III the world.
The injuries to the vessels, excluding the
keokuk, are represented TO be of such char
acter as will require but short time for repairS.
Inc casualties among our men were remarkably y
few. including one killed and three wounded
on the Eahant.
The advantage of our feet being in posse sion
OF the main ship channel, mario US the circ nit
Of blockade two thirds of the former distance
None of the batteries fired upon our vessels
until the latter reached the vicinity of the main
forts.