Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-18
THE ENGAGEMENT AT CHARLESTON.
Particulars of the Fight.

The Captain and Pilot ofthe Prize Steamer
Princess Royal escaped ashore at night, and
communicated the inte lligence of the capture
of the Princess Royal and also carrying impor.
tant dispatches of the rebel Government The
Unadilla carried the Princess Royal to the
side of the Housatonic she lay there until
daylight. The thunder of the guns was then
heard. 1t was thought our feet was engaged
in making captures, and that the Alabama and
Florida were endeavoriDg to effect an advance.
Two rebel iron-clads were seen at day break
slowly coming from the direction of Stono IN
let toward our feet. They first attacked the
Mercedita. One ram struck her on the water
edge, Keeling her over, at the same time firing
a shot, which entered one of her boilers and
caused the death of three persons, including
the gunner. Then the ram hailed the Meroe-
dita. Captain Stellwagen lowered one of his
small boats, leaving one of the plugs out, SO
to allow the water to enter. The ram an
swered our hail by replying ssConfederate ram
Palmetto State. Do You surrender? ?'' This
was repeated thrice. Captain Stellwagen each
time answered, ssI am in sinking condition. %
The rebels replied. ssGod d-n you to hell. If
you don't surrender I'll blow you out of the
water" ssSend your boat aboard.'' The boat
which Capt. Stellwagen lowered then convey
ed his lieutenant and executive officer to the
side of the rebel ram. and asked to be admit
ted aboard. This, however, was refused The
lltutcHdUt tieii Iepedteu ioI''ilWdRSn'S state
ment. that sfWe are in sinking condition. -
The rebel officer replied, esYou can't sink
lower than the rails. We cannot take you a.
board.'' The officer then gave his parole as
demanded, and returned to his ship. The
rebels were entirely duped as to the condi-
tion of the Mercedta. and. thinking her i'm
sink ing cond dition, did not capture her. She
lay in shoal water. Hence the reply that she
conld not sink lower than her rails.
The ram then steamed towards the Kew
stone State, sending shot through her steam
drum and causing the death of twenty one
individuals, who were scalded by the steam
and twelve shot. Fifteen were wounded
They are now at Port Royal. dangerously ILL.,
In the meantime the United States gunboat
most frightful and terrific all engaged were
in one whirl of excitement from first to last.
Loyalty on one side and treason on the other
met each other in bloody and decisive combat
The reyerberatiDg thupders of the carnage the
devastation which each missive of destruction
effected. was only equalled By the sublimity of
the courage with which our men fought. 1t
was the usual scene of blood and agony and en-
durance and death--it was the usual scene of
patriots dying to maintain those rights for
which they only cared to live. The ram was
finally defeated and driven away, and about
half past six O'Clock in the morning both rams
left the scene and proceeded up to Charleston
in disabled condition.
During this attack on our feet the Princess
Royal, which laid near the Housatonic, and was
chief the object of the prize on both sides,
succeeded in getting off mainly through the
energies of Third Assistant Engineer. Thrus-
ton, who piled into her fires all the in1amma-
BILE material at hand. Her escape is chiefly
owing to his endeavors las we'll as her safe
arrival at this port. notwithstanding a severe
gals which prevailed during her passage from
Port Royal. Although she was built to use
the soft Scotch coal instead of the Anthracite
with which our navy is supplied, she made
ten knots an hour her "trip with ease in
the heaviest storm. Her usual rate is fifteen
knots.
The fight occurred before daylight, the
Princess Royal lying directly abreast of Fort
Sumpter. The pilot boat E. G.. Blunt gave
the alarm. It was half past three in the morn /
ing when she captured. The Princess
Royal is magnificent steamer and a valuable
prize. She is built from an improved English /
model. Her capture was one of the most brill /
liant feats of the war. IS