Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-02-09
LATEST NEWS
By TELEGRAPH.
SUNDAY NlGsT REPOR


PHILADELPHIA, req. o.
The Manuscript has despatch from
Washington which says there is no en-
envy in force at Fredericksburg. Most Of
them have been sent to the Blackwater
or Nieksburg, and the only force left be-
hind being about $4,000 men, an ample
number to prevent the passage Of our
forces across the Rappahsnnock at the
present season.
From deserters and other sources it has
been asccrtaiucd that the rebel commu-
nicstions are perfect: that in ~ Eours
the entire army Of the enemy can be sup
ported from any point in the Sonth to
Fredericksburg, 30 they can well afford
to spare the great body of their army
from our front.
The President has determined upon
calling Mcclellan to the command OF the
a my again. Upon the announcement
being made in a Cabinet council there
was great furry. Secretary base at
once threatened to resign, az did also the
rest Of the radical members for this and
other reasons. The President deferred
to make any change for Il present, with
in two weeks. However, there is scarce
ly doubt that command Of tie army
will be rendered to Gen. Mcclellan. The
appointm ent OF Gen. Hooker to the com
mand is merely temporarily; it was
made against the judgment of the Presi-
dent. lie, and even the Secretary OF
v ar, say his soldierly qualities are MOI
doubted.
Nothing Of Importance is expected
from Nicksbnrg for at least 30 days. 1t
will take that time to complete tho can
al and to bring our forces to etfectually TO
bear against the rebel stronghold. II
may be that circumstances my precipi-
tate battle, but the impression is that
It vii require q month at least to capture
| the place.
The IRON steamer Princess ROYAL, in
charge Of the acting master, arrived off
the navy yard to-day. She brings highly
important intelligence, both as relates TO
her capture and the rebel attack on our
bockading fleet at Charleston. showing
conclusiveiy that there is no foundation
tor The assertion of the rebels that the
blockade Of Charleston WAS eser raised
by the departure Of the blockading fleet,
only two vessels of the eight having been
disabled, or Obliged to leave. 1t appears
from the statement of an intelligent eve
witness. that the cause ofthe attack Of the
rebel rams on our squadron was owing
to the caution OF the Princess Royal, the
captain and pilot OF that vessel having
escaped ashore during tho darkness ofthe
night, and communicated the intclli-
gence to the rebels.
The Princess Royal endeavored TO run
the blockade by way of Beach until the
29th, but was discovered by the pilot
boat Blunt. On signal being given the
Unadilla fastened toward and captured
her without other assistance 1t was then
discovered that the captain and pilot had
succeeded in getting ashore by small
boat, carrying important dispatches to
the rebel government.
At dayls ht thunder of three guns
was heard, accompanied by sharp fl ,shes
Of fire. 1t was suppo-ed that our fleet
was engaged in making an attack on the
Alabama or Florida, who were endeavor.
ing to force an entrance.
At daybreak two iron-clads were seen
coming down rom the direction OF Stone
Inlet towards our fleet They attacked
the Mcrcidata first. One ram struck her
on the water ridge, keeling her over, and
at the same time firing shot which en-.
tered one OF her boilers, causing leak
and the death OF three persons, including
agupner. The ram then hailed the Mer
cldata. and Capt. Stet,wagcn lowered one
of his small boats. The ram answered
our hail by the Confederate ram Palme..
10 State-"Do You surrender 2" This
was repeated tn ee times, Capt. Stett-
wagon replying at each inquiry. 81 am
in n sinking condition" The rebels an
swered, God damn you to hell; if Won
don, SURF, nder We will blow you ont OF
the water; send your boat aboard" The
boat which Capt. Slc,twagen lowered
then conveyed his executive officer TO the
rebel ram and the officer asked TO be ad.
United on board. This WAS refused The
Lieut.. 'heh re eatcd capt Stettwagcn
statement, that We were IN sinking con.
d,tion. The rebels replied. "You can,
sink lover than the rails: we can't take
you on board The officer then gave
his parole, as demanded, and returned to
his ship.
The rebels were thus successfully de-
cclved as to the condition of the Merci-
data, thinking she was in a sinking con.
di,i,ion. She lay in shoal water, and
hence the reply that she could not sink
below her rails.
The ram started towards the Kew
stone State, and sent a shot through her
steam drum, causing the death OF ~ per
sons, u 10y the shot, anc niue by sc.ld
ing ty steam. Fifteen were wounded.
and are nj Port RoyaI soma "a a o.