Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-04-18

as It has been called.
The Ironsides, with Admiral Dupont on
board, was the fifth in the line, and the
Kcokuk last. In this order the bar was
passed in safety. without detention.
The orders given to the commanders of
the various vessels were to keep straight on
up the harbor until they came within 1000
yards of the forts, and then to attack, di-
recting their efforts principally against Fort
Sumter.
In this order the fleet moved on steadily
and gallantly up towards Forts Sumter and
Moultrie, the Rebels Withholding their fire
until they got well up into the harbor.
The Ironsides stopped off Fort Moultrie,
and let 20 her anchor, it being dangerous to
take her further up on account OF her draw
ing over Is feet of water.
st this moment there seemed to be q
temporary misunderstanding, and all the
iron-clads, except the Weehawken and
Keokuk, gathered about the Ironsides, APP
parently supposing that she had grounded
and needed assistance.
They were, however, soon signallcd to go
into action. The Kcokuk had kept on until
she led the line and had advanced to within
four hundred yards of Sumter, against whose
granite walls She hurled her heavy shot with
all the rapidity that the energy of her brave
crew could furnish.
| The Rebels, as was expected Immediately
concentrated their fire on the Keokuk, which
assumed to lead the attack. From Sumter,
Moultrie, Batteries Bcauregard and Cum
mings' Point, and from a fort erected on the
middle ground, the fire of four hundred or
! five hundred guns were concentrated in a
terrible hail upon the devoted vessel.
Such fire had, perhaps, never in the
! history of the world been equalled. 1t was
met by the officers of the Kcokuk with
heroic fortitude, whilst the balls were strik-
| ing her at the rate of one for every second.
| Her guns were worked with vigor and pre-
cision, and their weight and force were
already making their mark upon the walls
| Of Sumter.
1t soon, however, became apparent that
the Keokull had none of the impregnabiity
of Ericsson's Monitors" and that, in fact
as an iron-clad she was failure. The rebel
balls seemed to penetrate her as easily as
those of wooden vessel. The PORTFOLIOS
or shutters of her ports became jammed, and
her guns practically unserviceabe.
During the thirty minutes she remained
under this concentrated fire, one hundred
shot struck her. ninety of which were water
line shots or such as would cause her to leak
in seaway. In fact, she was perfectly rid
died. Her flag was shot into tatters ant
the whole of her side was battered, bruisct
and pierced. Perceiving the severe injurie.
she had received, the Admiral signallcd hcr
to retire out of action and anchor beyon(
the range This was safely accomplished
In the meantime the Monitors Nahan
and Catskill had moved up to the suppor
of the Keokuk, and engaged Fort Sumter
The Ironsides and other vessels at longe
| RI VII hoir ott hnt
Moultrie and Sumter. Into and on the latte
fort heavy fire was thus poured and, it il
believed, not without effect.
The engagement was kept up from til
4 o'clock, when, in obedience to Admira
Dupont's signal, the fleet retired slowly
receiving and returning the Rebel fire unit
they anchored out of range, within the bar
The Wcehawken was assigned the impor
tant duty, which was faithfully performed
in the midst of the fight, to examine and, i
possible, to fire the distractions which th
Rebels have extended across the harbor from
Fort Sumter to Moultre.
Preceded by the scow and the Devil il
front Of her she pushed up straight toward
the distractions. They were found to con
sist of network Of chains and cable
stretched across the harbor over which j
was impossible for the Weehawken to rul
without fouling her propeller, and whicl
she found impossible to force.
To this network the Rebels are supposed
to have suspended torpedoes and othc
submarine explosives. Having completed
the examination, and tested the impossible
ty of working up the harbor until means ar
devised for the removal Of these obstruction
the Weehawken returned and reported t
Admiral Dupont, who then ordered tn
discontinuance of the conflict
1t is believed that the damage done t
Fort Sumter by our fire was serious. So fa
as it showed externally it consisted of tw
cmbrasures being knocked into one, an,
numerous identations in the wall which it i
! believed few hours more would have con
: verteG into a serious breach.
What damage and loss of life was sustain
cd in the interior of the fort is not, of course
known, but it is believed to have been cor
siderable. Fort Moutrie was also we
hammered and at least one gun was dis
, mounted. Beyond the sinking Of the Kec
kuk, the damage TO the iron-clads was yer
slight, not more than would require twenty
four hours to repair.
They all came out of the contest in fight
ing trim, and able to have continued tn
, conflict had it been advisable. The Iron
sides was hit frequently, but except havin
one port shutter injured, was unharmeC
Our informant heard of no serious casualtc
on board of any vessel except the Keokub
This vessel sunk the next morning abou
1000 yards from the Morris Island beacl
She had thirteen wounded, two of whom
including Acting Ensign Mcintosh, wi
probably die. The Devil was not lost O
stated by the Rebel dispatches.
, When the Weehawkcn returned from til