New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-09

sept one after the other Of her l3inch and l5'nch
shells into the doomed steamer. Tie fourth shell,
a I5-inch, burst in her and set her on fire. The
flames spread rapidly and speedily heated her guns
20 as TO cause their charge explode. Soon another
shell went crashing through her side penetrating to
her powder magazine and producing fearful eXplo'
sion, that finished the work Of destruction.
Such is tho substance of Capt. Wordens official
report to Admiral Dupont, brought here last night
by the gunboat Wissahickcn. Her officers repre-
sent the burning and blowing up Of the Nashville to
have been q sight grand beyond description. Let
the praise 90 justly due for this brilliant success,
DO equlably me.ed out TO Admiral Dupont, who
never for moment since last Summer, forgot the i'm.
portance of preventing the escape of the sunken
steamer to Capt. Worden for the promptness with
which he improved, and to the officers and men OF
tho Seneca, Wissahickon, and the other blockading
vessels, for the iaitbfulness with which they pro-
pared the opportunity for the destruction Of the
Rebel craft, that but for these irusy public servants
might have become no 'ees severe scourge 10 our
commerce than the Alabama. Let il be hoped, also,
that this credtable achievement will carry c0nvic-
ton Of the folly Of hasty judgment, to those tina,
have censured Admiral Dupont for not attempting
the practical impossb!iiy of keeping the Monitors on
blocksding duty of Charleston, and shame them into
an acknowledgment Of the grovioas wrong they
have perpetrated How would the ravages inflicted
upon our commercial marine, II the Nashville had
got to sea, have compared with the damage done by
the unseaworthy Charleston rams to our Navyi
The Rebel shot did neither the Montsuk nor the
wooden vessels engaged any material damage No
casualties are reported on side. The Nashville
had evidently been abandoned by her crew.
Without having any knowledge Of what events
were about occurring in the Ogeechee River, the
Admiral had day before yesterday ordered the Moni.
tors Paapsco and Nabant to the Ossabsw for the
purpose Of trying their batteries and general fighting
qualities ip an experimental decentralization against
the Rebel dcienses in that vicinity. One left yea
terday aud the other this morning in tow Of gun
boats. The steamer Ericsson is expected TO follow
them, towing mortar-boas. II is more than proba-
BE, in view Of the triumph Of the Monauk over
the Nashville, another attack upon Fort McAl.ster
will be made as soon as the Nahant aud Patspsco
will have reached their destination. There is also
report in circulation that attempt will be made TO
yet with the Monitors at the iron.clad ram Fingal
through the obstruction in Wilmington River.
These naval offensive demonstrations are but the
aud sea, which, according to all appearances, will
Immediately follow these openiag o. the cam
Iaisn.
From Our Special Correspondent.
HiLros HAD, March 3, 1863.
With the exception Of changing the location Of
two or three regiments nothing whatever has raps'
PRED in the army portion Of the Department Of the
South, which II would DO proper 10 divuge, since
the last mail
Another correspondent will detail to you the incl
dents connected with the destruction of. the Nash
VILE tho glory Of which is 10 be given TO the navy
alone. Admiral Dupont and Capt. Worden have
reason 10 feel rejoiced at what they have sceom-
plishcd.
Lat evening we learned, through The Clarlostor
! Mrcury that the Queen OF the Wet and the lndi.
anoa lad been captured by the Rebels on the
Western rivers. This morning NE sgnai corps an
nounced the destruction OF thu Nashville, OF inEn-
iey more value 10 the Rebels than bali the rams Oh
| the Western waters were 10 US.
But if there il nothing Of interest to chronicle in
regard 20 the movements Of the army, II must not
therefore be inferred that II IL not TO play an import
ant part in the approaching contest.
u Charleston Savannah cannot be taken, or rather
cannot be held without strong land force. The
Monitors may batter down the forts aud hurl their
hot balls and bursting shells in and over the city,
but the rils and the nuke. In the hands Of those
well drilled troops must retain what tho r0nclads
have pioughed the way to- The most desperate
struggle after all may take place Immediately after
the navy has accomplished brilliant victory. The
people OF the North must not expect too much from
ihis Department. II ii nGd received one hall the en-
courag cement, one-fourth the OF the Depart
ncnts ~ the North, South Carolina ana Georgia
could have been IN our possession, the leading rail-
way line destroyed, and the whole negro population
in arms against their masters or ia state oil nsur-
rection.
Tbs rebellion never will be crushed without the
aid OF the negro, and tho negro never will be Of any
service 70 without arms and distinct understand
| ing thai he is to be treated at least ~ humanely
within our lines as within those Of the enemy.
Upon visiting, however, the encampnieit of the
Let South Carolina Volunteers, yesterday, was told
that the negroes complain less OF insults from their
white comrades in aims than when they first mt on
the uniform Of The national soldier. The old preju-
dice against them is gradually dying away.
They have finally compelled the white soldiers to
respect them Thus far they have failed In nothing
they have undertaken. Already white regiments IN
this deparm beginning 10 fear that Cols. Hlg-
ginson and Montgomery may yet, upon come grand
review carry of the banner for having the most
serviceable and best drilled troops.
can select many regiments III tie army OF tno
Potomac, If cannot ia this department, who will
not appear as we'll upon dress parade, after two
years service, the LIST South Caroliua Volunteers
In this statement challenge contradiction. No one
can visit their camp and zee them 20 through the
drill without having all skeptical doubts with regard
! 10 whether tie negro can become soldier or mol
driven FROM his mind. They already soldiers:
The uniform, tho bright musket and the fife and
DRUM have transformed the servle, criDging slaves
to proud and sodierly men.
| Could the lst South Carolina Regiment be pro-
| tected from the brckbats and missiles OF the Wood
party In New-York, and march up Broadway, no
further argument would be required by sensible