The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-10

cable and oyerhanled troop steamer running Tor mo
channel Al O'Clock laid down. Lieutenant Com
mandor Abbott deck, giving an order 10 Acting
Master 0wyer about recovering the anchor when they
smoke and the faint appearance Of vessel close
at hand.
Iheard them exclaim sshe has black snoKe;' awatch,
the guDs;' "Sprng the rattlan Call all hands 10
quarters
Mr. Dwyer came to the cabin door, telling "a steam
boat close aboardp
was then in the act Of getting my pea jacket, and
shipped il followed him oct. jumped TO the poop
ladder the smoke and low boat, apparently tug
although thought it might be little propeller for ihc
squadron.
sang out "Trais your guns right him; be ready TO
IRE as order"
hailed the steamer, "Ahoy, stand clear Of Us and
heave TO- What steamer Is thatf" then ordered my
men to fire ON him. and told him, "You VIII 30 into Us.
What steamer 10 thatin
His TO the first and second hail was "Eaiioom
The other replies we're ndistnct either by intention
from having spoken inside Of hG mail aror, until in the
act OF striking with his Prov when he said "1bis Ia
the Confederate States steam RAM
repeated the order, Fire fire. nre" but no gun
could be trained him as he approached us on the quar-
ter and struck just abaft after with thirty
two FOUNDER, and fred heavy rifle through Va dia-
gonay, penetrating the starboard side through Nor
MANLY condenser the steam drum OF port boiler ana
exploding against the port side Of the ship blowing hole
IN its exit four five feet square.
The vessel instantly filed and enyooped with
steam Reports brought 10 me That we we're shot
through both boilers tina, the fires put by the
steam and smoke that gunner and we're killed.
that number Of men badly scaded that the water
the reroom floor, and that the vessel sink
ing FAST
The ram had cut through At and below the water
line side and the shell had burs, the other side
almost at the waters edge.
After the ram struck she swung around under our
starboard counter her prov touching US, and hailed,
"Surrender. or IN sink you. DO you surrender
After receiving the reports, answered, ~ can make
resistance. Ny boiler is destroyed
The rebel then cried out, "Do you surrenier:'
said "Yes,' having found my moving power de
stroyed, and that could bring nothing TO bear but
musSets against his shot proof coating.
lie hailed several times boat threatened
to lire again After delay boat lowered, and
Lieutenant Commander Abbott asked if he should 60 in
her, and asked for orders what TO say.
tod him to what they demanded and TO tell him
the condition in. lie proceeded aboard and,
cordng their demand, gave his parole on behalf o. him
self and all the officers and His report panes
this
The ram. having been detained a half hour more,
now ran out LOT the steamer keystone stare Nhch gex
sci aud three others had tried to alarm by lights
We a shell explode as it struck the without
njuring her saw the Keystone State struck several
times, and the steam and smoke blowing from her.
The firing then recedcd the norhward and eastward
and pretty brisk the head OF the line set every
body work taking care Of our wounded pumping the
ship, stopping leaks, examining the engines &c.
About six A. NJ. got things in order 10 start little steam
aud hove up anchor The Scttn and Flag seong
dton told they nigh, be wanted TO the southwark
to pick up men the lighting now being over.
In concisio have 70 say that in the squadron, where
all vessels conspicuous for vigilance, this ship
has never been wanting Everything done The
circumstances permitted, and in proper manner Very
respectfully, your obo,icnt servant
II. $. sTfl5.wAGEN.
Lieutenant Com mi nder Abbott's Report.
SgIn obedience your order proc eedc 10 the rebel
ram and received by Lleutsnsnts Parker Ply
rock aud conducted by tho former inside d the house,
where received by her captain. His name did not
learn. told him had come in the Of Captain
stewagen to give M the United states steamer Merce-
dta, beng sinking aud perfectly defenceless
dton
They about the condition OF boats and the
number of the crew. ! t0d them our boats were not
large enough proper condition 70 carry mum.
Der 81 crew.
After privately consulting with the Commodore, the
captain returned TO saying That they had concluded
% parole officers and crew. provided would pledge
my word Of honor that neither any Of the
officers the McrcedIta would again take mp
against tue Confederate states during the war
unless legally and regularly exchanged prisoners Of
Believing to b. the proper course 10 pursue ., that
time consented wac then informed that could return