The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-16
FROM CHARLESTON.
FORTRESS MONROE, April

The Marion Sanford arrived al
Moorehead on Friday, from off Charles
ton, with the Information of the entire
attack, which commenced at 8 o'clock,
and lasted three hours.
The Keokuk passed half a mile above
Sumter, where she met with obstruc-
tons, at which time terrific firing was
kept up on both sides, when she re-
ceived shot that passed through her
between wind and water, from which
she sunk in eleven hours. a
The Nahant was within 200 yards
of Fort Sumter, in the action, and re-
ceived shot at the, junction of the
turret with the deck, which prevented
the turret from revolving, rendering her
useless for the time. ~
The 1ronsides received $50 shots,
sustaining no damage further than
starting a few bolts. The rest of the
fleet is. uninjured, and hauled off, the
object Of the reconnaissance being ae
complished, which was to ascertain the
locality 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.
WASHINGTON, April 12.
The steamer FIambeau arrived here
this afternoon, with dispatches from
Admiral Dupont to the Government.
The reports from the several COM
manders had not been received, up to
the time of the departure of the Flam-
beau, on Wednesday night.
From other than official sources it is
ascertained that the vessels composing
our fleet advanced upon Charleston on
the 18th, in the following order:
Weehawken-Capt Rodgers.
Passaic-Capt. Drayton. E
Montauk-Capt. Worden.
Patapsco-Capt. Ammen.
Ironsides- Flag ship, Commander
Turner, with Admiral Dupont and staff
aboard.
Catskill-Capt. Geo. Rodgers.
Naugatuck-Capt. Fairfax.
Nahant-Capt. Downs.
Keokuk-Capt. Rhind.
In this order they proceeded up the
main channel, arriving within 100
yards of the main forts. The Ironsides
became unmanagable, owing to the tide
and narrowness of the channel, and
was therefore obliged to drop her an
Choir to prevent drifting ashore. Ow.
ing to these circumstances, she signaled
her consorts to disregard her motions
The remainder of the squadron con
tinued on its course, and soon came
within easy range of the rebel fire from
all points. The distractions of the
channel, from Fort Sumter to Moultrie
: interfered with the progress of oul
ships. In consequence of this and the
position of the Ironsides, as above
stated, the plan of operations was de
ranged, and, the space for maneuveriDg
being only from 500 to 900 yards, the
vessels were obliged to prepare at once
to engage the forts and the adjacent
batteries. The signal had been made
for action at half-past O'clock in the
afternoon, by the Ironsides, but the
enemy bad previously opened fire on
the leading vessels.
The contest is represented as in the
highest degree exciting, presenting a
fearful scene of fire, belching from all
points on the land and water-a con.
tinuons war of cannon. In the course
of thirty or forty minutes the Keokuk
was in sinking condition, and was
obliged to withdraw from fire and seek
an anchorage below the range of the
enemY's guns. A few minutes after
wards, all the vessels withdrew, at a
signal from the flagship, it being
deemed impracticable to continue any
further hostillities.
The Keokuk was within 500 TO coo
yards of Sumter, and was completely
riddled, being struck from all the bat
teries within range, at least ninety time,
in thirty minutes.