The Portland daily press., 1863-02-09
FROM CHARLESTON.
Arrival of the Princess Royal at Philadel-
phia.
The Mercidta and Keystone State Dis
abied.
The Blockade not Broken.
Attack by the Montauk on Fort McAllister.


charge of Acting Master Edward Van Syer,
arrived of the navy Yard to-day. She brings
highly important intelligence, both as relates
TO her capture and the rebel attack on our
blockading squadron at Charleston, showing
conclusively that there is no foundation for
the assumption of the rebels that the blockade
of Charleston was ever raised by the depart
ure OF the United States fleet, only two yes
sells out of eight or ten having been disabled
or obliged to leave. Itappears from an intelli-
gent eye witness that the cause of this attack
of the rebel ram on our squadron was owing
to the capture of the Princess Royal, the cap
tain and pilot of that vessel having escaped
ashore during the darkness of the night, and
communicated the intelligence to the enemy
The Princess Royal endeavoced to run the
blockade by way of Beach Inlet, on the Goth
ult., but was discovered by pilot boat Blunt.
On signal being given the Unadilla pro-
ceeded towards her, and captured the prize
without other assistance. 1t was then discov-
cred that the captain and pilot had succeeded
in getting ashore by small boat, carrying
important dispatches to the rebel government
The Unadila carried the Princess Royal
to the side of the Housatonic, and laid there
until daylight, when the thunder of guns was
heard, accompanied by sharp flashes of fire.
1t vas supposed that our fleet was engaged
in making an attack on the Alabama or Flori-
ia, OF were eilutdVOflug 10 iOTce an entrance.
At daylight two iron-clads were seen coming
down from the direction of Stone Inlet to-
wards our fleet. They attacked the Mercidita
first One ram struck her on the water ridge,
keeling her over, and at the same time firing
a shot, which entered one OF her boilers,
causing the death of three persons, including
a gunner, by shot and steam. The ram then
hailed the Mercidita, and Capt. Stillwager
lowered one of his small boats, after leaving
one OF the plugs out, allowing the water to
enter it. The ram answered our hail by re-
plying, Confederate Ram Palmetto State
do you surrender?r This was repeated three
times, Capt. Stillwager replying at each in
quiry, 81 am In a sinking condition. The
rebels answered, cd d-m you to h-ll, il
you don't answer we will blow you out of the
water. Send your boat aboard" The boat
which Capt. Stillwager lowered, then con-
veyed his Lieutenant to the side of the ram
and the officer asked to be admitted on board.
The Lieutenant then repeated Capt. Still
wager's statement that We were in a sinking
condition. The rebel officer replied, "You
can't sink lower than the rails; we cannot
take you aboard" The officer then gave his
parole as demanded, and returned to his ship,
The rebels were thus successfully deceived as
TO the condition of the Mercidita, they think
ing she was in sinking condition. She laid
in shoal water, and hence their reply.
The ram then steamed towards the Keystone
State, and sent shot through her steam
drum, causing the death of q persons, IL by
the shot and by being scalded by steam
Fifteen were wounded, and are lying at Port
Royal, some in precarious condition. In the
meantime the gunboat Housatonic engaged
the other ram, driving her away. At half past
six in the morning both rams left the scene
and proceeded up to Charleston.
During this attack on our fleet the Princess
Royal, which laid near the Housatonic, and
was the chief object Of prize on both sides,
succeeded in getting off, mainly through the
energy OF third assistant engineer Thurston,
who piled into her fires all the infainable ma
terial at hand. Her escape Is chiefly owing
10 his endeavors, as well as her safe arrival at
this port. Notwithstanding the severe gale
which prevailed during her passage from Port
Royal, and although the coal was the anthra-
cite, with which our navy is supplied, she
made ten knots an hour on her trip with ease
in the heaviest storm. Her usual rate is fifteen
knots.
The Mercidita steamed down to Port Royal,
escaping with only one of her boilers injured
She arrived safely, and would be repaired in
day.
The Keystone State was entirely disabled,
but was towed down to Port Royal by the
Memphis.
The rebel statement that Federal fleet en-
tirely disappeared from the Port of Charles
ton, is not sustained by facts.
The fleet consisted OF the following vessels
Unadila, Honsatonic, Augusta, Quaker City,
Keystone State and Mercidta, besides pilot
boats Blunt, Memphis and other vessels
During the daytime our bockadng fleet are
not particular as to keeping TO the station, and
on the day Of this assault most of the vessels
sailed toward the Keystone State to ascertain
her condition, and whether she wanted any as