The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-04-17

the great combat. All being completed the
iieet left In detachments and assembled off
Charleston, Sunday, 9Th inst. The iron-clad
fleet crossed the bar and entered Charleston
harbor on Monday. The keokuk drawing
less water than any of the others was sent in
first to find the channel and replace the buoys.
Proceeding up the main ship channel the ke
Okuk found an easy and uncbstructed en-
trance with full eighteen feet of water in the
shalCwest places, more than has ever before
been found in Charleston bar. The buoyS
We're placed without difficulty, the rebels Of
tering no opposition. the keokuk returned
to the fee, and on the morning of the eth,
an order was given for the iron-ciads to enter
the harbOr.
The order was 10 proceed in single file or
in liHe ahead. The Weehauken was the lead
ing vessel, having in front of her scow, aid
Il en- between the scow and herself, Ericssons
torpedo exploder, or Devil, as it has beer cali
ed. The Ifonsides, with Admiral Dupont on
board, was the fifth IA Ike, and he keokuk
he last. In This order the bar was passed IN
safety. without detention.
The order given 10 the commanders Of the
various vessels was to keep straight up the
harnot until they came within one thousand
Yards .! tie forts, ard then to attack, direct
ins their efforts principally against Fort Sum
,er. In this order the fleet moved on steadI
~ ana Saliantiy up towards Forts Sumter and
M1uilf:e, }he rebels Withholding their lire uu-
til they goJ well up into the hacbor. The
ir0gsile> stopped oil Fort AICutrie and let
20 h+f anchor, it beitS dangerous TO take ter
further up on account Of her drawing over fl
teen feet.
At this moment there seemed to be a tenn
purary misunderstanding. and all the ison-
clads except tn Weehauken ard the keokuk
gathered about the Ironsdes, apparently sup
posing that she had grounded and needed
assistance. They were, however. soon sig
nailed to 90 into action. Tie kcokuk had
kept inward Until she led the line, and had
advanced to within 400 yards of Sumter,
against whose granite walls she hurled her
heavy shot With all the rapidity that the en-
ergy Of her brave crew ccn!d furnish.
The rebels, rs vas expected, Immediately
concentrated their fire on the keokuk which
assumed to lead in the attack. From Sumter.
Moaitre batteries Beauresard on Cummings
POM, AID from fort erected on the middle
ground. the fire Of four or FIVE hundred guns
we're concentrated in a terrible hail upon the
devoted vessel. Such fire had never per
haps III the history OF the world been equaled
Il was met hy the officers of the keokuk
with heroic f0r.itude whilst the balls were
striking her at the rate of ore every second.
Her guns were worked with vigor and precis-
ION. ana their weight and force were already
making 'hcir mark upon the walls of Sumter.
1t Saon. however, became apparent that she
had rome of the imp:egnabili;v of the Fries
son monitors that, III fact, as an iron clad
sac was failure. The rebel balls seemed to
penetrate her as easily as If a wooden vessel.
iL@ port h9.sS OF shutters OF her turrcts be-
me ahmed and her gun, practically unser-
Vcsub,e. ID Irr" The thirty minutes sh. re-
nI"inrd under this concentrated fire. 100 shots
struck her, 80 o! whic. were water line shots
or >ucn rs woda cause her to leak in a sea
Wy; III fac. she WAS perfectly r.dd.eg!. Her
H.- WAS snot into ,dtterS. and the whole oi
ac' slIrs battered. bruised and pierced. Per
c..viHs The seer injuries she had receiyy ID
~ .!:nrai syn .ljed her to retire out Of ac-
''' ',.' 800 "'! 49, 'iiSe- i"'' '" S S'''e
> - ~ .'>'-s.'
"1'>,:ii h.d moved ur - the support OF the
k.o>u> and engaged Fort Sumter. The
,ron>l..> aid other vessels al longer range
w.Ec ,i.vi my heir attention between Moul
trin and Sumter. Into and on the latter fcrt
'''' Wy '''''' - - "'-i''
'''''
Inc "n-!-5' iASA' w"> Kept up from one un-
u! i'Hf , -'ntN WH-h IN obedience II the al
NARA 50 al =" meet retired slowly receiving
ma f''1' mig me rtoei III" unti! they anchor
=" m'' "L f'h-r ".'h'h u" mar.
a. We .HuNe" - .Si!en 'hP 'ihAnr'-
an "a ":lT' VAS 'l'''''"iH performed II
~, ''.''' Ak mt 'N'i'ii.'t an" II pos
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