Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-06

New YORK, Feb. a.
The following is from the Richmond Dis
patch Of Feb. 2
Charleston, Jan. 81 49, This morning the
gunboats Palmetto State, Capt. Rutlege and
Cheora, Capt. Tucker, accompanied by three
small steamers, the Gen. Clinch, Etivan and
Chesterfield, all under command of Commo-
| dore Ingraham, made an attack on the block
aders, and succeeded in sinking two and cap
turing a third. The engagement commenced
at o'clock. The Palmetto State, with Com.
! Ingraham on board, opened fire upon the fed
eral gunboat Meroedita carrying II guns and
! So men, which was soon sunk in five fathoms
of water. Her commander, Capt Stllwagen,
with boats crew, came on board and surren-
dered One shot pierced her boiler. going
clear through. Capt. Sullwagen and crew
were paroled by Com. Ingraham. Captain
Tucker Of the Chioora reports sinking an
other federal gunboat and the disabling of
the steamship Quaker City. The latter was
set on fire by the Chicora and haulded down
her flag to surrender, but afterwards manag-
ed to escape, using only one wheel. She was
very seriously damaged. The number Of the
! blockading feet outside at the time of the
attack was thirteen, with two first class frig-
ates. the Susquehanna and Cannandaigua.-
| The federal loss was very severe. 1t was
] complete success on our part, with not man
hurt. Our gunbuats were not even struck.
All the blockaders have disappeared There
is not one to be seen within five miles with
the strongest kind Of glasses Our boats are
now returning to Charleston.
Our gunboats Palmetto State and Chcora
have reached the wharves. They we're en-
Enthusiastically cheered by an immense con-
course of citizens. Salutes were fred from
the forts and batteries. Not man was hurt
on our side, and our gunboats were not struck
by the enemy. Our attack on the feet was
complete surprise to the blookaders, each
one running away without caring for the
others. 1t is supposed that nearly all of the
crew Of the Mercedta perished--the Palmetto
State, which engaged the Mercedita, having
no boats, and fighting at the time, could rem
der her no assistance. The Quaker City was
struck twice, and one of her side wheels was
almost torn off.
The followingis the official dispatch of the
rebel Commodore:
On board the gunbodt Palmetto State.
went out last night. This vessel struck
the Mercedta, when she sent boat on board
and surrendered. The officers and crew were
paroled. Capt. Tucker thinks he sunk one
vessel and set another on fire, when she
struck her flag. The blockading fleet had
gone to the southwark and eastward out of
sight. (Signed) B. II. lNGRAHAM,
Flag officer Commanding.
Yesterday afternoon General Beauregard
placed steamer at the disposal of the For
eign Cousuls to see for themselves that no
blockade existed. The French and Spanish
Consuls accompanied by Gen Ripley, accept
ed the invitation. The British Consul, with
the commander of the British War Steamer
Petrol, had previously gone five miles beyond
the usual anchorage of the blockaders and
could see nothing of them, with their glasses.
Late in the evening four blockaders reappear-
ed keeping far out. This evening a large |
number of blockaders are in sight, but keep |
up steam evidently to run.
CHARLESTON, Feb. /.
Headq uarters, Land and Naval Forces,
Charleston, s. @. Jan. 81.
At about 5 o'clock this morning the Con-
federatss States naval forces on this station,
attacked the United States blackading fleet,
off the harbor of the city Of Charleston, and
sunk and dispersed or drove off and out of
sight for the time, the entire hostile fleet
Therefore, we the Undersigned commanders !
respectively of the Confederate States ma
val and land forces in this quarter, do here
by formally declare the blockade of the Uni
ted States Of the said city of Charleston,
South Carolina, to be raised by superior
force of the Confederate States from and after
this 3lst day of January, A. D., 1868.
(Signed) q. p. T. BEAUREoARD,
General Commanding.
n. q. lNGRAHAM, Flag Officer.
the results OF the naval engagement yes
terday are that two vessels were sunk, four
set on fire, and the remainder driven away.
The Foreign Consuls here held meeting
last night, and were unanimously of the opin-
ion that the blockade had been legally raised.
Twenty blockaders are off the harbor to-day,
Other very important movements are in pro-
gress here.
Petersbargh, Va, Feb /. The news from
Charleston created great joy here.