The New York herald., 1863-12-10

A. Aoo,,,, ,b vigilance and effect ID Is not known
that any vessels eude the vigilance OF the heet or
otcc, c,yn,nunilauou with the rebels that So
long as the bockadng force remained Oh Charleston in
stead OF getting within the bar the Illicit trade at that
Dont was prosecuted with some success and no vigilance
~ activity could wholly prevent IL. With a view OF in
tertictine all traffic and III poss ble capturing Charles
ION itself the original seat Of nsurrecton aud Of dis
union, preparations were made oy the department, com
nencing than year ago for the occupation OF the
harbor the reduction OF the delences. The compile
ton OF the clad vessels urged forward with all
the enorsy the department could nluse the conrac
tors aud such other efficient vessels as could be made
available were ordered to the squadron 60 add to s
power and efficiency Delays and difficulties interviewed,
and it was not until the 7th OF April that
a demonstration made ON the afternoon
OF that day Rear Admiral Dupont, in the
vesses Of the Monitor class and the gunboat Kcoluk
proceeded up the harbor and made vigorous assault
upon Fort sumter. From some difficulty or defect, the
Admrals ship was unable 10 ges into action out the
others proceeded onward TO the attack and sustained
terrific concentrated fire from numerous batteries
owing 70 the submerged oostructous, the character Of
which was understood, 1t was not deemed ad;isabe
to attempt passage up to the city and after
OF less than two hours the signal given 10 with.
draw the feet. But comparatively Slight injury
sustained by the turreted vessels, ard only one
life was lost in this remarkable contest No
ships ever before sustained such concentrated
ure the enduring qualities OF this class OF ves-
sels fully proved. II intended to have renewed
the the following day but this intention was
subsequently abandoned and the vessels were withdrawn
from harbor under the apprehension that they could
not withstand the storms o. the season aud the fire Of
the rebel batteries But important considerations
bar aud orders were sent 10 Rear Admiral Dupont to
that eject.
The report of the superinendng engineer 20 the in
jur,es which the trreted vessels had sustained sat
isactory. and confirmed the government in It's determ
nation to close eecuay and completely the port so as
To prevent the ng or egress or single vessel and
as1 to promote operations against the deences in the
harb0r.
Rear Admiral Dupont having expressed Willingness TO
renquish position which he had occupied Tor eigh
months, Rear Admiral Andrew H. FoOte detailed
to relieve hin That brave and distinguished officer pre-
na,aitv -eata
when on his way to his command was seized with fatal
illness and died in New York His associate and second
in command, Rear Admiral John A. Dahgren proceeded
Immediately to Port Royal and on the 9th day Of July
assumed command of the squadron. combined opera.
ton OF naval and army forcesthe latter under General
Gilimore-was Instituted for the occupation and posses.
Morris Island the south side Of tho
harbor After long and struggle the
my operating upon land with the efficient
Monitors and the lronsides, Morris Island with all
its batteries captured sumter was soon made pie
OF ruins by tho fierce artillery OF forces, although the
rebels contriye to continue small but pUweress force
there under the protection Of the surrounding batteries
IN the SLOW operations this protracted siege over
months as well the demonstration OF the 7th of
April both the resisting and attacking power Of Mopl
tors has been illustrated and proven.
Since the fleet under Admiral Dahlgren has remained
inside the bar, and have had possession OF Morris
Island the commerce Of Charleston bias ceased. Not
a single blockade runner has succeeded in reaching
the city for months, and the traffic which had been
to some extent, aud with large profits, previously
Charleston has no existence her wealth with her trade
has departed In military or strategic view the place
is of little consequence and whether the rebels able
oy great sacrifice and exhaustion TO hold out few weeks
more less is Of no importance.
Tho most marked and extraordinary conflict within the
limits Of this squadron, or indeed u the during
the year, and IN respects OF the sgnin.
cant aud instructive naval battles Of the took place
On the I7th OF June, in Wassaw sound between the
Weehawen vessel of the Monitor class and the
dabe armored steamer Atlanta. Like the contest
Hampton Roads in March 1862, when the Monitor and the
Merrmack engaged, this battle between
mored vessels and OF great disparity in size the
result vastly more speedy and decisive lhe Atlanta
was a powerful steamer, had been iron plated by the
rebels and prepared for war purposes at immense
panse. In the confidence OF certain victory her
comparatively dimnutive antagonists, the Weehawken
and the Nahant she accompanied by boats loaded
with gay parties to witness her triumph but the brave
officers and men Of our turreed vessels knew their
Iower ana sought the encounter This battle Vas to
test not only the vessels but the fifteen inch ord
nance then for the first limo brought into naval are
and concerning which there had been, as well as with
respect 10 the vessels themselves some variety Of
ion. The conflict was so brief and decisive that
only one OF the two Monitor vessels, though
not widely separated and each eager for the light,
able TO participate in the engagement. The Nahant
having pilot, followed in the wake OF the Weehawken
but before she could get into action the contest
such the brevity of the fight that the Weehawken
about fifteen inmates and with only hve shots from her
heavy guns overpowered and captured her formidable
antagonist before Nanant which Fastening to the
work, could discharge single shot at the Atlanta This
remarkable result additional testimony favor OF
the csss of vessels for harbor defence
service against any naval vessels that have been
likely to be constructed to VISIT our shores appears
also 10 have cxtingushed whatever lingering hopes the
rebels might have had of withstandne cur naval power
by naval means.
EASTERN GULF SQUADRON
Acting Rear Admiral Bailey has continued in command
Eastern Gulf squadron closely blockadp the Flo
rda peninsula from Care Canavera on the east to Pen
sacoa, the vest. There having been important
military movements within these limits, close watch OF
the coast aud OF the adjacent waters has been maintained
by the navy resulting in the capture OF prizes and
the almost entire annhiaton OF all Illicit traffic Some
important boat expeditions for cutting out vessels and
destroying rebel salt works have been pro ected and
cuted with success. Lying adjacent TO Cuba aud not far
distant from Nassau. the of Florida presented
many available points i0r eudng tne blockade,
ing the shallow harbors and in!ets which iudent its
shores But the trade bas not been carried on with i'm
puniy-more than one hundred craft OF various de-
scrip{ious have besn captured or destroyed by This
squadron during the current year.
WESTERN GUrF SGT uADRoS
Tho duties Of the Western Gulf squad ron have been
diversified aad exactjrg For considerable part OF the
year Rear Admiral Farragut lelt himself compelled 20
employ many oi his most efficient vessels in a,ive river
service, operating with the army with view 10 re-
opening the navigation OF the Mississippi and exIeilny
hose forces from ia banks Impressed win the great
importance OF this work, and aware OF the deter.
minatiou OF the government to promitiy and
nrmly 70 establish tho national authority IN
that quarter, SO that the ocean outlet e
tho great central valley or the Unon should be
aud secure Rear Admiral FarrHgu committed the sub
jcct Of the coast blockade others Of his command and
devoted his unreintting personal attention the
getic aud vigorous prosecnon OF the conquest O the
rebels, 70 overcoming and reducing ther batteries and
to removing every obstacle with which they sought 10
oppose the Navigation OF the or To fesis the anIor
ties OF the Union soon the CAPTURE Of New Orleans
Ia the looZ ana as the hhturu result o. tnat
event. the naval forces formed junction and could the
army at that time have furnished adequate oIerat
ing land force the reduction OF Vcksburg ght have
beon accomplished add the occupation and nRviga-
ton OF tue river easily secured. But the omission
to do this gave the Iebcs opportunity to m.
mensely strengthen Ncksburg, and also to- ort!y Port
Hudson and Grand cur addition. What, therefore,
might been ACCOMPLISHED with comparatively little
effort IN the %. 1862 work VI immense aud
almost incredible labor aud difficulty IN 1858. II
dispcnssbe that Communication should be opened with
Roar Admiral Porter. Tie Mississippi squadron. and
General Grant both OF when were operating against
yicksburg. Rear Admiral farrsgui there moved 40
Ia stroue Iorcc from Baton Rouge March intending
pass the batteries NJ Port Hudson, but
flagship the Hartford aud The .bairuss
tut With these no scccetod spI reaching Vicksburg,
and 10 with Rear Admiral Porter the
peninsula THIS gallant act oi Rear Admiral EarTagut
being elected, the navy bad command VI he river be
tween Vicksbrg and Port Hudscn aud enabled to
establish blockade OF Rcd river aud thus intercept tho
supplies from Texas destined tor the rebel armies Tie
insurgents ict this TO be OF the most serious and
fatal blows illictcd them during the year ana from
the ohect, VI II they have never recovered. This
conpished the Admra eft his nag chip, the Hartford,
aud returning below by way ~ the Atchaissys lie
slmcd operations for final assault Port Hudson. TO
meet tho require u the occasion force was kent
always ready 20 cooperate with the army move.