Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-03-14

this time, and the former was despatched to
Ossabaw, while the latter was ordered to
Warsaw Sound.
The Montauk, Captain Worden immedi
ately ran well up the Ogeechec, and took up |
her position at point where she was out OF
range of Fort McAllster, and the Seneca,
Wissahckon and Dawn, with the mortar
schooner c. p. Williams, laid below, effectu-
ally closing the river to the Nashville |
After the first attack on Fort NIcAllister by |
the Montauk supported by the gunbodts,
the Nashville was towed up the river several
miles and covered with boughs, to convey
the impression that all ideas of attempting
to run out had been given up, and that she
was 'laid up for the season."
This ruse was too transparent to induce
the blockading fleet to remit for moment
their vigilant watch, and the would be pri-
vatccr gained nothing for the trouble, as
events will prove.
On Friday afternoon last tremendous
column of dense black smoke was seen up
the river, and it was quite apparent that the
Nashville was steaming down towards Fort
McAllister. Her spars were subsequently
seen, but night came on before she had
reached point where her hull could be
discerncd. 1t was evident that she was
coming down to attempt to escape under
thing, making it impossible to sec ships
length. Under cover of this fog and dark
ness she came within Il short distance of the
fort and above It, and then ran aground.
! midnight reconnaissance in small boats,
with mullied oars, determined the fact that
she had not passed below the fort, and
picket boats were posted near the obstruc-
tions to alarm the fleet in case she attempted
to pass them.
The night passed slowly, and morning
! came without an alarm. Daylight revealed
| the Nashville ashore, with tug alongside,
cssaying to cytricate her from her dangerous
position, outs ,ihout avail. She could not
| be moved, an,N the tug took to her heels as
! soon as the Montauk, Seneca, Wissallickon
and Dawn steamed up towards the obstruc-
ton, at daylight, and prepared for action.
! The Montauk pushed up TO the distractions
and opened fire upon the Nashville, while
the gunboats directed their fire upon the
fort After firing three rounds the Montauk
obtained the range, and succeeded in burst
ing ifftcen-inch shell upon the Nashville,
which set her on fire. The fort replied in
stantly to the fire Of the Montauk, address
ing its attention exclusively to the imprcg-
nable Monitor, with view of drawing its
fire from her to the fort itself.
The Montauk, though repeatedly hit, dis
regarded the fire, and continued to fire upon
the Nashville bursting three 1j-inch shells
in succession in her and each time setting
her on fire. The flames were soon under
fine hcadway, and totally enveloped the ship.
A heavy 100-pound rifle gun forward became
heated and went off exploding in dozen
fragments, and scattering timber in all di-
rcctions. In comparatively short time the
flames reached the magazine and ignited the
powder, which exploded with tremendous
force, blowing the ship into fragments and
ending forever her notorious career. The
river was soon filed with floating fragment,
charrcd and blstcrcd, of the wreck and AL
OF the Nashville that got to sea was in such
, Il shape as to cause no alarm in the future.
While the AIontauk was engaged in SC
cticctually using up the Nashville, the gun
boats were maintaining a hot and cfIectiv,
| fire on the fort, knocking thc work about
the garrison's cars in such a manner as tC
entirely Nscompose them, and make thci1
practice comparatively harmless. The Dawr
was struck once bya thirty-two, but little
= damage was done. None were killed OF
wounded on Cur vessel, thou IN the fort
after it was ditovcred that the Nashyill,
| was gone LeyOnFa'i hope, cad no lire coulc
} change the purpose of the Montaul, turncC
upon the wooden gun-boats. and rain"d
G shower of shell and rifle projcctics ahou
them. The practice was exceedingly bad
| and nothing resulted from it. What damag
/ was done to the fort is not of course, known
= Our fire was well directed and many excel
: lent shots were made which must hay
: occasioned some casualties among the dc
' Tenders of the work. To what extent, W
/ must rely upon Rebel statements to inform
/ Us. AS the only object for the the attacl
l was accomplished in the total destruction O
0 the Nashville, the fleet was dropped dow
i the river, out of range, and the contest tel
Il minated, the results exceeding our anticipa
= tons although undoubtedly less gratifying
e to the Rebels.
g The Nashville was n splendid steamer
4 equally as fast as the Alabama, and surpass
= ing in speed the Oreto, very heavily armc
/ and manned by n set Of desperadocs, VIII
!, would have been perfectly at home on tn
i ocean, sinking and destroying detcnseles
merchantmen, but running away from an
t war vcasc, of her own class. The damag
!, inflicted on our shipping on a former cruis
n was nothing to- the vast destruction she WouI
= have carried wherever our commerce extend
u had she been able to eludc the blockade an
reach the sea. But, thanks to the con
manders of the Senaca, Wissahickton an
Dawn, for their skill, sleeplcss vigilance an
cool bravery while necessarily watching til
priyatocr, in preventing second career {
l. depreciation; and great praise to Captai
Wordcn Of The Montauk, Tor his determine
= .tion and skilIful disposition of the force
I der his command, for her complete d,
struction. In entirely disregarding the fiji
e of Fort McAllister and addressing himse
: to one object, that Of the destruction of tn
). Nashville, he cvinced cool bravery thi
u was more commcndable. lie and the of
/ GERS under his command deserve we'll ofthc
G, country for their gallant and valuable Sc
r, vices.
Ie The Monitors Nahant, patapsco and Pa
b, sale have been sent to the Ogeochcc, to II
1f their guns sBd test .heir turretc in an actio
i with Fort McAllister. They, with the MOI
"A tauk, will probably attack the enemy to-da
IS Indeed, as | write, the deep reverberatior
l. of the heavy guns are heard, and no doul
r the action has begun.
IN The gun-boat Marblehead captured fe
IN days since, in Warsaw sound, a small schooi
I, er loaded with cotton, which had come dow
from Savannah, intending TO run the blocl
At ade for Nassau. About thirty bales of ii
ly staple were found ON board. She will |
as discharged and sold here, and her cargo wi