New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-14

aad
mails prepared Tor the iron-cad vessels VAL DO N''N
The order Of battle will be the line ahead IN 'n0
following successon:
WeekSwken, Capt. John Rodgers
Psssaic. Capt 7. Drayton.
Montauk, Capt J. L. Worden
Rst.p Osc '.! Con "a p A% y Tarner
CatskiIl, Com. George Rogers
Nantucket Com D. NJ H. FainAN
Eahsn,, Com: . J; DO Downs q C. Rhind.
S ~ &c roserye of which Capt. D. f. Green
~ S en;or offcer will be formed outsl1e .ile
h.r ond near the entrance 0uOy, consisting VI VIC
following vessels: = o,ssn
ySSinsstoppe CAPT. w. r. Taylor
i u..sS LiSut Com. g. A. Stevens
Ifay1ia Lieut. Com. S, T. Qusckenbusn-
Wis.sbickos, Leut.Com. J. L. Dsyisn,,poyr
R.,rAdmursl CONG S. Atlantic Bock'g Squad
NM ;ron.clads had come to anchor to get the BEN
aft Of the ebb tides which it was deemed the part
~ prudence to await in order to discover more read
jv and avoid, take up or destroy more easily the
ysr;ous distractions OF the channels but shortly
altar eleven haze arose, and in the course of an
bonr rendered the shore lines indstinc, In the ab.
seuce of any other means Of guidance, Pilot God
frey deemed these requisite for safe steering and de-
clared a postponement Of the attack to the next
dsy necessary. The Admiral assented to II, ano
hence after standing distance further IN 20 as
TO bring Us directly opposite Lighthouse ihleI we
again let 90 our anchor. Our turreted consorts ike
wise came to anchor to the south-eastwsrd and
nortb-westward of us in the line designated In the
order of battle.
From the spar-deck of the Ironsides q unique
panoramic scene was now in range Of vision. The
apprebeusiops Of the closeness OF Rebel batteries
having been alayed the matches of all the iron-cads
were opened, and their decks crowded with swsrms
Of men from stern to bow, that made the quaint
forms of the Monitors and Whitney battery appear
Ike "a many small islands with low mounds and
teeming population. Through the mist the walls OF
Fort Sumter roso dmly to the northwest. Seaward
the .Powhatan, Csnsndaigua, Huron, Housatonic
Wissshickon, Unadilla, Flambeau, Ladona, Flag
Bib, Ben Deford and othors ranged in long semi
circle around the horizon Upon Morris Island beach
crowds of curious Rebels watched the strange sights
before them with evident amazement AT intervals
GUNS from the forts aud batteries spoke OF the ene-
my's readiness for the combat to which we were
challenging them. Those around me manlfestly first
fretted from disappointed expectation, but by de.
Orees lost their i'll humor and INDUCED in pasimet
little in keeping with their earnest duties The crew
seemed unusually jolly, and amused themselves with
such sports as only sailors know how to practice.
In the latter part of the afternoon Gen. Seymour
and Major Duane, Chief of Engineers, came aboard
and had a brief consultation with the Admiral. A
brigade Of Gen. Ferrys Division, it is understood
Is engaged in working its way up Folly Island
with some siege batteries. That the army will re-
main passive witnesses of the attack by the iron
clads, is now certain.
A spirit of indifferent merriment continues to pre-
vail among my sbipmates. On the gun-deck and in
lie that
with songs and jokes, as though they were not Oh
the eve of struggle to the ferceness Of which hui
man records will probably have no counterpart, bu
about jOyOusly returning home from long cruise.
EVENING Aprn7.
In few brief hours this afternoon, history ha
been enlarged with volumes of ever memorabl
matter. The combat, for which we have been
long accommodating strength, ia over. II was she
and decisive. We have experienced bitter n
pulse. The iron.elads have come short Of the e,
pectations even of the most difident, and
mourning over the apparent certainty of an abar
donmeut of the enterprise, Of which the country
with more faith than reason, hoped such great re
suits.
At sunrise q vail of mist hung over the horizon
but toward the middle Of the forenoon it cleared
rapidly away and at ten o'clock the pilot announced
that, at last, our work would commence.
Early in the morning signals from the shore 70
vealed to us the undisputed occupation Of Folly
Island by Col Howels Brigade. Gen. Seymour i
with it, and seems at loss why did not move tc
the attack with daybreak.
The Admiral, Commodore Turner, and all ar
anxioos to get under way as soon ss the mist haC
disappeared. But Pilot Godfrey again prevail
with bis augmentation in favor OF going in upon low
tide, and we must put up with continuing upon the
rock of suspense until after noon.
The opportune arrival Of o mail on the supply
steamer Massachusetts assisted greatly in passing
the dragging hours. Officers and men forgot for
while the approaching dangers in the eager perusa
ofetters from home.
As the morning hours advanced, the sphere of oul
operations became more and more defined. On the
lower end of Morris Island, Rebels could be seer
dragging heavy guns TO the beach. The men and
guns on the walls of Forts Sumter and Moultrie
could DO readily counted. The spires and even the
houses Of Charleston seemed not more than q mile
or two off,
Our friends outside evidently know that we are
about striking blows The gunboats and transports
arc all standing closer to the bar. The Flambeau,
Bib, Ben Deford and Nantucket are seeking the
best points Of observation from the North Channel,
but shell or two from Fort Beauregsrd, the outer
work on Sulivan's Island, compelled the latter to
make hasty retreat 10 a safer position.
At noon. there is a call for general muster on
the gun-deck. From the Admiral down to the pow
der.bOys, all humbly kneel and listen TO and seek
strength for the coming trial. from @ short touching
PRAYER read bv Commodore Turnar The recollection