Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-13


THE OTHERS NOT MUCH INJURED.
Fort MONROE, April II. THE Mary San
ford arrived at Morehead, Friday, from off
Charleston, with information of the entire at
tack, which commenced at three o'clock and
lasted three hours. The Keokuk passed half
mile above Sumter where she met with OBJ
structions, at which time terrific firing
was kept upon both sides, when she received
a sho that passed through her between wind
and water, from which she sunk in eleven
hours.
The Nahant was within 200 yards of fort
Sumter in the action, and received a shell at
the junction of the turret with the deck which
prevented the turret from revolving, and rem
dered her useless for the time. The Ironsldes
received 100 shots, sustaining no damage
farther than the starting of a few bolts. The
rest Of the fleet is uninjured and hauled; off
the object of the reconnaissance being ac-
complished which was to ascertain the locali-
ty of the distractions.
Our entire loss was two killed and seven
wounded. AS the Sanford left some iron
clads were going to blow up the Keokuk.
ANOIHEk kEBORl.
New YORK, April 12.- Midnight.-The
following despatch has been received from a
gentleman on board the steamer Mary San
ford =
'MoREHEAD CRY, n. c., via Fortress
/ Monroe the l2lh.-We passed through the
fleet, off Charleston on Thursday, April 9th,
at 10 A. NJ. The Monitors were ranged along
the beach, off Cummings Point, all in good
order. We were boarded by one of the pi-
lots OF the expedition, who stated that the
lrOnsldes and seven Of the monitors attacked
fort Sumter, on Tuesday, the 7th and passed
some distance above the fort, receiving some
''two hundred shot" A pointed shot, of Eng
lish manufacture, penetrated the iron clad
| Whitney battery, Keokuk, and she sank in
| twelve hours after, near the beach. The
| otheriron clads passed the shower of shot and
| shell uninjured, or with triiing damage.
The casualties reported were very few.
| Captain Rhind of the Keokuk, was slightly
| injured by a bolt. The quartermaster and six
men on the monitor Nantucket were wound
ed' Arrangements are being made to blow
up the Keokuk. As regards future move
lnents reports are conflicting. 1t was posi-
! lively stated by one of the pilots who boarded
us that the monitors would withdraw over the
| bar, and further action for the present would
| be suspended. This was subsequently cor
rUborated BIS a reporter for New York pa
| per.
An oaioor VI the James Adger, who pre-
/ vlously boardedus, said the engagement would
| be renewed about P. NJ, and added that the
admiral expressed his belief of success. The
channel above the fort was INSTRUCTED. No
torpedoes are reported to have been exploded.
We LETT the fleet at noon, and when about
twenty-five miles north, heard heavy firing
| The weather is exceedingly fine and the sea
smooth
REPORT FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, April 12.-The steamer Flam-
beau arrived here this afternoon with lieuten-
aut commander Rhnd as bearer of dispatches
from admiral Dupont to the government
The reports from the several commanders had
not been received up to the time of the de-
parture of the Flambeau, viz: Wednesday
night From other than official sources it is
ascertained that the vessels composing the
fleet advanced upon Charleston on the 7th in
the following order: Weehawken, Capt. John
| Rogers; Passaic, Capt. Drayton; Montauk,
| Capt. Worden; Patapsco, Capt Ammen;
| New lronsides, the flag ship, commander
| Turner, with admiral Dupont and staff on
board; and next followed the Catskill, Capt.
| George Rogers; Nantucket, Capt Fairfax;
| Nahant, Capt. Downs, and Keokuk Captain
Rbind.
In this order they proceeded up the main
channel, arriving within seventeen hundred
yards of the main forts. The Ironsidcs be-
came unmanageable, owing to the tide and
the narrowneSs of the channel, and she was
therefore obliged to drop anchor to prevent
drifting ashore. Owing to these circumstances
she signalled her consorts to disregard her
motions. The remainder OF the squadron
continued on its course, and soon cane with
IN easy range OF the rebel fire from all points,
| The distractions of the channel from forts
Sumter to Moultrie interfered with the pro-
gress of the ships.
In consequence of this and the position of
the Ironsides, as above stated, the plan of op-
CREATIONS or battle was deranged, and the space
for maneuyerlng beng only from five hundred
to one thousand yards, the vessels were
obliged to prepare and at once engage the
forts and the adjacent batteries. The signal
had been made for action at 3 1-2 o'clock
in the afternoon by the Ironsides, but
the rebels had previously opened fire on the
leading vessels.
The contest is represented as in the highest
degree exciting, presenting a fearful scene of
lire belching from all points on the land and
water-a continuous roar of cannon. In the
course of thirty or forty minutes, the Keoknk
was in II sinking condition, and was Obliged
10 Withdraw 4rom the IRE and seek an anchor
age below the range of the enemy's guns A
few minutes afterward all the vessels with
drew from a signal from the flag ship, it being
deemed impracticable to continue any further
hostities.
The Keokuk was within six or seven hun
dred yards of Sumter, and was completely
riddled. She was struck from all the batteries
within range at least ninety times in thirty
minutes. The shots were from rihed guns of
the heaviest caliber. Capt. Rhind her COM
mander, received II confusion on the leg from
flying fragment of his vessel which only
slightly famed him. Twelve of the men were
wounded, together with acting ensign Mack
ingtosh, who had charge of one of the guns.
His injuries are supposed to be fatal.
The next morning, finding it impossible to
save the vessel, Capt. Rhind called tug,
which took all his men on board. a few min
utes thereafter the Keokuk sunk. The per-
sons belonging to the ship lost all their private
effects. On Wednesday the squadron re-
manned at anchor in the main ship chan
mel 1t is said the number of men in our
fleet was only about eleven hundred with
thirty guns, while the enemy had it is suppos-
ed at least three hundred guns, the best in the
world. The injuries to the vessels, excluding
the hcokuk, are represented to be of such a
character as will require but a short time for
repairs.
The casualties among our men were re-
markably few, including one killed and three
wounded on the Nahant. The advantage of