The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-15

bank OF lar river, seven miles below the town,
which position gives us an open field and q
fair tight with the Yankee shipping. Two
gunboats followed by several large transports
loaded with troops from Newbern to reinforce
Washington, attempted to run our blockade
at Hills Point on Friday, when they were
fired upon by our batteries, and so badly lam.
aged as to be forced to put back. They could
not pass our guns, and at last accounts the
enemy were landing troops below our works al
Hills point.
In attempting to go by, the steamer Louisi
ana was sunk by our guns.
There are about two thousand negroes in
Washington whom the enemy tried to get out
but failed. The enemy have refused to sur
render or allow women and children to leave
that place, so Gen, Hill, it is presumed, will
shell the town. als
Cincinnati, April IL.
A special to the Gazette from Nashville
Qate Southern papers, state that a terrible
battle is still progressing at Charleston. The
iron-clads were repulsed and the land forces
are fighting within sight of the city.
There is nothing new from Vicksburg. The
health of the army is improving rapidly. The
weather is very fine.
Gen. Grant has moved his Headquarters to
Milliken's Bend. Adjt. General Thomas ar
rived at Helena on the 9th en- route for Grants
Headquarters.
It is said a flag Of truce went to Vioksburs
on the 4th, accompanied by Grant in person.
His mission is secret.
Rebel adyices from Fort Pemberton the 9Th
state that the enemy commenced embarking
last night and are rapidly retreating. We
shelled their camps and transportation, disa-
bling a boat. o.
Washington, April IL.
The steamer Fzam6eau arrived this P. NJ,
with dispatches from Admiral Dupont to tho
Government. The reports from the general
commanders had not been received up to the
time of the departure. of the FHan6cau, on
Wednesday night. From other than official
sources ii is ascertained that the vessels COM
posing the fleet advanced upon Charleston on
the 7th up the main channel, arriving within
100 yards of the main fort.
The Ironsides became u~nmanageable owing
to the tide and narrowness of the channel,
and was therefore obliged to drop anchor to
drifting ashore. Owing to these cir
she signalled consorts to disregard
her motions. The remainder of the squadron
on its course, and soon came within
easy range of the rebel fire from all points,
The Instructions of the channel from Fort
to Moultrie interfered with the pro-
gress of our ships. In consequences of this,
and the position of the Honsides as above sta
ted, the plan of operations was deranged, and
the space for ~maneuyring being only from 500;
to / 200 yards, the vessels were obliged to pre-.
pare and engage the forts and the adjacent
batteries.
The signal had been made for action st half
past three O'Clock in the afternoon by the
Ironsides, but the rebels had previously OPEN
ed fire on the leading vessel. 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, and a contin-
uous roar of cannon. In the course Of 80 or
40 minutes the Keokak was in a sinking con-
ditien, and was obliged to withdraw from TIE
FIRE, and seek an anchorage below the range of
theenemy.s gnns-AEM minntcs afterwards
all the vessels withdrew from a signal, it being
deemed impracticable to continue any further
The Keokuk was within 500 or
600 yards of Sumter, and was completely I'd
died, being struck from all the batteries with
in range at least 80 times in 80 minutes.
The next morning finding it impossible to
save the vessel, Capt. Rhind called a tug
which took all his men on board, and a few
thereafter the Keokuk sunk. The
persons belonging to the ship lost all their
private effects.
Oh S0-CoudJ OiO o4udOEOu TGIuulu0d dL
anchor in the main ship channel. 1t is said
New York, April Is.
The Trib2nc's special account of the
Charleston fight says the squadron arrived off
Charleston on the morning of the 9th, and
spent a day in examining the bars and chan
nels, the wind being too high to cross that
evening. The Admiral disclosed his plan of
attack, which was to sail directly up and at
tack the west face of Fort Sumter at 600 or
800 yards. About 8 O'Clock on Monday NOR
ming a signal for movement was given, and
the vessels started slowly. Iusconsequence of
the fog, however, they were obliged to post
pone the intended attack till next day. Du-
ring the afternoon Gen Fury's brigade work
ed its way up to Folly Island and established
a communication with the fleet, but no por-
ton of the land forces got into an attack at
all. On the 7th at 4 Is P. NJ. the fleet got
under way and passed Morris Island batteries
without being fired upon, pushing right on
toward Sumter. The new honsides worked
badly, and in consequence of the current was
obliged to anchor two or three times. Fort
Muultree opened frss upon the Weeh 1uken,
which was within 500 yards of Cummings
Point battery. Sumter and Battery b imme-
dintely opened and firing became general and
terrific. The Monitors still pushed on, reply
ing Vigorously, ana passed. the northeast face
of Sumter when they discovered three lines of
distractions, holding torpeaoee, &e,ronel of
which exploded, but did no great damage.
Finding it impossible to get across the OBJ
they turned about and steamed
down the harbor.
The Patapsco's 200 FOUNDER had been dis
abled, and the turrct Of the Passaic SO bent
that it was of no use. The boats were under
fire three quarters Of an hour. All the Moni-
were ordered back, and at five o'clockth
ceased.
Admiral Dupont intended to have renewed
the attack next day, but on ascertaining that
the Keokuk and Passaic were entirely disa-
bled, and three others partially SO, he conclu-
1ed to desist, in Which he was sustained by
al the commanders.
The Monitors were hit from SO to 60 times
zach, except the KcokuE which received about
40 shots and ToSs popafrofo1 Of xvofor r,orI