The weekly Butte record., 1863-02-07

il slackeDed. but was continued at intervals
until nine o'clock this evening. Owing TO Q
heavy fog the result has not been ascertained
COMMANDER Iugraham is aboard the Palmetto
State and Is commander Of the expedition.
A second dispatch, dated this morning, says
the gunboats Palmetto State and Cbicora
accompanied by three small steamers. ..under
Ingraham, made an attack on the blockade
and succeeded in gripping two and sinking q
third. The engagement commenced at four
o'clock. The Palmetto State opened FIRE on
the Federal glnboat Mercedita, carrying Il
guns and l55 men, which soon sunk in FIVE
, fathoms Of water. Her commander, Captain
Stillwagon, with a boats crew came aboard
and surrendered One shot pierced her boiler.
going clear through. Capt. Tucker, of the
Chicora, reports sinking another Federal gun
boat and disabling the steamship Quaker City
The latter was set on fire by the Chicora, and
hauled down her flag and surrendered, but
afterwards managed to escape. She was seFi-
ously damaged The blockadng feet outside
at the time of the attack numbered 3 vessels
There was also two first class frigates-the
Susquehanna and Canandaigua.
The Federal loss very severe The
attack a complete success on our part,
with not man hurt on our ganbOats. They
were not even struck. All 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.
1t is suppose. Thai nearly all the crew of the
Mercedita persisted the Palmetto State, which
engaged the Mercedta, having no boats, and
fighting at the time, could render no assistance.
The Quaker City was struck twice and one Of
her side wheels almost torn Off
:, An official dispatch on board the gunboat
NPalmetto State says:
The blockading feet has gone southwark
and eastward, out of sight.
Signed, D. n. INGEAHAN.
Flag Officer Commanding.
CHARLESTON, Feb l.
Yesterday afternoon Gen. Beauregard placed
a steamer at the disposal of the Foreign Con
suls to see for themselves that no blockade
existed. French and Spanish COnsals accom-
panied by Gen. Ripley, accepting the invita-
ton of the British Consul, with the commander
of the British war steamer, Petrel, had previ-
ously gone five miles beyond the usual anchor
ageof the bockaders and found nothing Of them
with their glasses.
At late hour this evening four blockaders
reappeared, keeping far out This evening a
large number Of bockaders are in sight.
HEADQUARTERS LAND AND NAVAL Forces.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 3l.-About O'Clock this
morning, the Confederate States naval force of
<this station attacked the blockading feet of
the harbor of the city of Charleston aud sunk
dispersed and drove off out of sight for time
the entire hostile feet Therefore, we the IN
dersigned, commanders, of the Confederate
States land and naval forces of this quarter do
hereby formally declare the blockade by the
U. S. of the city of Charleston South Carroll
na to be raised by a superior force of the
tot anil aft p1-f
day OF January, 1868.
Signed, O. P. T. BEAUREGARD,
General Commanding.
d. \. INGRAHAN,
Flag Officer Commanding Naval Forces.
An official dispatch from Thomas Jordan,
Chief of Staff, says the results of the naval
engagement yesterday, are two vessels sunk.
four set on fire and the remainder driven away.
The foreign Consuls here held meeting
last night and were unanimously Of the opinion
that the blockade had been legally raised.
The news from Charleston created great Joy
here.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,
February 81.
Parties who crossed the river yesterday
under flag of truce, state that the rebels at
h Fredericksburg were very jubilant over the
news from Charleston.
The belief of the Government is that the
Charleston affair is grossly stated, and that the
result is of trhing consequence, except for any
moral effect it may produce.
2. p Watson has been confirmed Assistant
Secretary Of War.
New YoRk. Feb. 5.
The Herald has advices from the city of
Mexico to the 4th of January, being one week
later. The Mexicans complain Of their SYM
pathising neighbors for sending supplies of
mules to the French, and under the circum-
stances have began to capture them as fast rs
they can.
The French are gradually advancing to an
attack on Pueba. The MeXicans are ready
for the invaders. General Carovaya Is contin-
ually on the watch, to guard against surprise.
1t is said that the enthusiasm of the Mexican
soldiers amounts to kind of frenzy
Reliable intelligence has been received Of
the movements of the pirate Retribltion, from
the Captain Of the schooner Springbok, which
2rrived at Boston from Port PaiX. The Ret
Iributon was said 10 be Off that port on the
18th Of January. If this is correctly reported,
the rumored destruction Of four or five vessels
off St Thomas. by this privateer, is probably
false as St Thomas is so far to the wiudward
that the Retribution could not have beat up in
WASHINGTON. Feb ).
The Navy Department has ordered the fol-
lowing iron-cladS to be prepared for sea. and
sent South at once. to-wit the keokuk.
" Naugatuek." Catskill." and Sycamore"
it is believed here that they will be ready in
four days. The Department has received IN
formation that the Potapsco left Fortress
Monroe to Join our mailed vessels south-thus
all the Erricson Batteries may be expected
to be engaged in a fight within two weeks.
NASHyILLE. Feb. 1
Stokes Tennessee cavalry and one Ken
tucky regiment, dashed into the rebel camp
at Middleton, on the 2d aud captured 100
prisoners. and all the camp equippage, horses
Wagons, etc.
WASHINGTON. Feb ).
y bill was introduced in the House yesjer-
day which will tend to discourage speculation
in gold oil contracts for the purchase or sale