The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-13

| closed at 64c Csc. The demand for other commo-
dss was limited, without quotabie alterations in
prices. Freighis heavy aud engagements animpor
| tsnt
The gold anu stock markets feverish Saturday,
consequence of the exciting from Charleston.
Gold factuaed between 1904 and 1881 closing ct about
153 stocks Irregular Harlem advanced about az
| per cent while other stocks were without material
change Exchange inactive at ls4 1885, money was
| very easy indeed; call loans q per cent.
Important from Chnricston-News DE-
root.
| We are in possession of news direct from
Charleston to Thursday night last. the 9th inst
mainly confirming the intelligence previously
| received through rebel sources. The sinking
of the iron-clad Keokuk is confirmed; but we
are happy to learn that only one man lost his
life on board of her. The various articles
which fioated ashore from the sunken vessel,
some of them covered with clotted blood, gave
| rise to the notion among the rebels that the
slaughter on board the Ksokuk was terrible.
Fortunately the news now received completely
dissipates that idea. The emily other iron-clad
injured was the Nahant, which put back to Port
Royal for repairs. We learn, too, that at ten
O'Clock on the evening Of the 9th instant Gen.
Hunter went up the bay in his flagship. This
doubtless indicates that he was about to effect
a landing, and that the attack on the enemy's
works on Morris OF Sullivan's island would be
shortly commenced by the combined forces of
the Union.
All day on Saturday and yesterday the excite
ment In this city was very great on account Of the
battle which had thus begun at Charleston Ac-
cording to the rebel kilograms, as far a. the
fight had proceeded It appeared unfavorable
to the Union arms. The movement de-
scribed by them, however, was only recon-
noissance In force, 10 6nd the range of the
enemys works, 10 draw his fire, and to gain
such other information a. might be necessary
preliminary to general action. But q one Of
our vessels had been sunk and another disa-
bled, and as the attack had not been renewed
for two days, great anxiety was felt for reliable
intelligence The interest was enhanced from
the recollection that on the same day, two
years ago. we received the news Of the bonn
bsrdment BY the rebels Of Fort Sumter and its
surrender into their hands
We may now expect in few days the most
1
there be any doubt about the success of the
expedition against Charleston, When the Geo.
Peabody left. on the 9th inst, the best Of
spirits prevailed among our officers, and men.
If that stronghold does not fall, it is only be-
cause an insufficient force by land and water
has been sent against L, and that the enemy has
had so long time given him to prepare for its
defence. Our government has had two years
in which to make its preparations, and, consi-
aering the means at its disposal. the unlimited
number Of men, ships, heavy ordnance, small
arms a&HiNnitiSk, and all the appli-
ances Of war which money without stint
could create or purchase, it will be
disgracefl IN The extreme i the assault
should nov end in failure, like the 6pSrstiossss
against vicksburg, Port Hudson and Richmond
Tho War and Navy departments were well
aware of the formidable nature of the fortifca-
tons Of Charleston. They knew that IL required
Fort Moultrie an iron-clad battery on Cum
mings' Point, and numerous other batteries, for
two days. to compel the capitulaton of
Fort Sumter in 1861, manned by only
seventy starving men, isolated from all
succor; and even then it was only by
the burning Of the officers quarters with
shell, and thus rendering the place too hot for
the existence Of the men. that the s,nyendsr was
forced The FORT itself was but littlS injured
The woodwork has since been removed and
precautions taken against repetition Of the
conHagration. and the fort on the outside has
been greatly strengthened and protected. Il
seems, then, that II so many batteries and guns
could effect 50 little against handful of men
under such adverse circumstances, and with
guns Of small calibre. IL il hardly reason
able to suppose that the thirty guns carried
by eight iron-clads could very easily &C.
complsh the destruction Of the same fort i'm.
proved and well manned, and its communica-
tons open with the shore, while not only the
guns Of that fort, but perhaps two hundred
other guns, were bringing to bear their concen.
trated fire upon these little Monitors The re-
cent fight in the Ogeechee shows that these
vessels can stand great deal Of hammering.
The Nahant for instance, - we learn by
the George Peabody, had Ave hundred
shots fired at her from the rebel batteries.
! Recent experiments In England have demon
strated that there are no vessels aHost
with armor sufficiently heavy to resist the
fire Of the latest heavy guns. Whether
or not the rebels possess such ordnance there Is
no evidence to show. But considering that
EnS..sil vessels have been continually running
the blockade, and also that the Trcdegar Works
at Richmond are equal TO the manufacture of
| cannon Of the largest calbrc known. IL would
be only acting the part of prudence to assume
that guns Of this calibre are mounted at
Charleston. and TO take measures accordingly.