Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-04-15
rwise the Fort is in good condition. fForl

Fort Sumter were a drummer boy, named
Ahrens, MORALLY wounded !; two men se-
yere!y wounded, and three others slightly
injured. At Fort Mouitrie, one man was
accidentally hurt by a fall from the flagstaff,
on which he was replacing our flag, which
had been shot away. We learn that he af.
terwards died. Two small houses on the
back beach Of Sullivan's Island were de.
molished blythe enemy 8 fire. -,
After their withdrawal from the action,
the enemy's ironclsds anchored off Morris
Island where they now lie. Many think
that the fight will be renewed at daybreak
this morning; but up to The time at which
we write g a. m. allisquiet. The reports
we get. the Stcno river say that the en-
Iemy's transports still remain in the stream.
Doubtless the Yankee generals intend, be.
fore venturing upon a land attack, to await
the issue Of the struggle between their ships
and our batteries.
The Courier contains the following:
Information received from, mysterious
sources caused the General in command Of
this District to expect an attack at an early
day. And that intelligence received con.
6rmation on Sunday morning. On that
day four Monitors, the Ironsides and thirty
vessels of various sizes, were seen off the
bar. -Four Monitors and thirty-fve wooden
vessels were added to the feet on the fol.
lowing day I; thirty.6ve vessels forsthe most
part transports, appeared in the Stono, and
the enemy landed force Of about six
thousand men on Coles and Battery Island.
These facts, with other indications, lead
General Beauregard to count upon an at
tack on Tuesday, and the expectations Of
that sagacious and watchfnl General we're
realized.
The atmosphere early on Tuesday morn.
ing was misty, but as the day advanced the
haze lightened, and the Monitors and the
IroDsides were seen lying off Morris Island.
Between two and three O'Clock in the after.
noon dispatch from Col. Rhett, comman,
dant Of Fort Sumter, informed Gen. Beau
regard that Eve Monitors and the Tronsides
were approaching the Fort. The feetwere
seen rounding the point Of Morris Island,
the Keokuk in the advance. When the
double turreted monster, the most formida-
bic of its class, came within range, Fort
Sumter opened upon her with a broadside.
They kept on their way and formed in line
of battle off the Fort at distance Of about
two thousand yards.
At three p. m., the action was opened,
by Fort Moultrie firing the first gun. Fort
Sumter opened ten minutes later. Battery
Bee, Forts Wagner and Beauregard and the
battery at Cummins' Point also opened,
firing by battery. The feet fred with great
rapidity; our forts aud batteries replied
with spirit and singular accuracy. The
Ironsides took position to the left Of Fort
Sumter, directing all her guns at that fort,
and throwing shells exclusively.
1t was manifest that the Ironsides was
appointed to test the strength of the Fort,
whose reduction was the Inauguration of
the terrific contest now going on. Fort
Sumter acknowledged sns compliment of
the preference by pouring the contents Of
her biggest guns into the sides of the pride
Of the Yankee navy, and she was not treat
ed with contempt by the other forts and
batteries.
About forty.fve minutes after the en-
gagement began, steam was seen issuing, in
dense volumes, from the Ironsides, and she
Withdrew from the action, taking position
to the South of Fort Sumter, but remain.
ing silent spectator Of the exciting scene.
It is believed she was seriously damaged
Tae firing from our Forts became more
and more accurate as the engagement pro.
ceeded. The shot and shell fell thickly in
the midst of the hostile feet, and smoke.
stacks of every one of them were struck
several times. Fort Sumter now appeared
to be the chief aim of all the enemy's iron
clads.
The Keokuk, a double turretted ironclad,
and considered by the Yankees the most
formidable of their terrible monsters, reeei-
we'd large share of attention from our
gallant gunners. She occupied the post of
honor, and in accordance with the custom
of war, it was made the post of danger
She paid dearly for her reputation, having
been hit several times. At about o'clock
she followed the example of the Ironsides,
and withdrew, evidently seriously crippled.
The other Monitors continued the fight,
till forty-fve minutes past Eve clock, when
they steamed away, and came to anchor off
Morris Island.
During the battle drummer boy, named
Ahreus, was killed at Fort Sumter and FIVE
men wounded, two severely in the head, the
others slightly. One man came to his death
from the falling of the flagstaff of Fort
Moultrie. Two houses on Sullivan's Island,
on the back beach, were struck, one Of
which was demolished. A shot passed
through Fort Sumter's flag.
Col. Rhett was in command of Fort
Sumter, Colonel Butler of Fort Moultrie,
Capt. Sitgreaves of Fort Beauregard, Lieut..
Col. Simkins Of Battery Bee, Major Huger
of Battery Wagner and Lieut.. Lesesne,
with detachment from Fort Sumter, of
the Battery on Cummins' Point.
Fort Sumter was hit thirty four times,
but received no damage.
We learn thnt oix men helonninn 70 Cant