The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-03
correspondence of the Ev ming Post.
Particulars of the Fight between the
WeehaWken and Atlanta.
HILTON HEAD. S. c.. June

ICOrreSpOndence OF the EV nlng POST.
Particulars of the Fight between the
WeehaWken and Atlanta.
HILTON HEAD, S. c., June 19.
The celebrated ram Atlanta, formerly
known as the Fingal, and which, for
nearly year, has been standing bug
bear to the Union forces hereabouts, was
captured with all her crew and contents
on the morning of the 18th instant, by
Captain Rodgers, of the Weehawken.
For some months past the Atlanta has
been haunting the waters of st. August
inc creek and Wilmington river, ap-
parently watching for chance to slip
out and pitch into some of our blockad-
ing vessels in that quarter. St Angus
tine creek is one OF the effluents or out
lets of Savannah river, branching off to
the southeast few miles below the city
of Savannah Wilmington river is
continuation of St. Augustine creek, and
at the lower point of Wilmington Island
opens out into Warsaw Sound.
CAPT. RODGERS WATCHING.
Information was obtained several days
before to the effect that the Atlanta was
preparing for some such enterprise, and
that the night of the 10th was fixed upon
for doing the work; whereupon the Wee
hawken was quietly put upon guarding
the outlet of Wilmington river, and was
reinforced by the Nahant, the latter be-
ing so stationed as to cooperate with the
former in case such cooperation should
be found necessary. As the time APP
preached the Weehawken was on the
alert for her antagonist, and closely
watching her movements, meanwhile
keeping as much out of sight as possible,
and counterfeiting " a most fast asleep"
PLEASURE PARTY FROM SAVANNAH
On the 10Th, toward evening, Captain
Rodgers, having his Speculative and
active instruments all sharpened to the
utmost, observed good deal of unusual
stir going on aboard the monster, and
Judged at once that some notable exploit
was close at hand, sure enough. Ac
cordingly the gallant Captain had the
forces of his iron watchdog screwed into
exact shape, and everything trained in
perfect readiness for instant action. Of
course all hands on board were ripe and
eager for the decisive moment, having
their energies wound up to the highest
tension, and their hearts painting with
brave expectancy.
Early the next morning the uncouth
black craft, all calm with resolution and
hope, was seen moving down the river,
followed at safe distance by two steam
boats, full of ladies and civilians, evi-
IDENTIFY coming down to witness her per-
formance and enjoy her triumph Moth
ers, wives, sisters and lovers, to say moth
ing..of the troops of male kindred and
friends, crowding forth to eye and smile
and shout, and wave their heroes on TO
victory and renown. But, alas! trihe
of disappointment was in store for them.
If they breakfasted on hope, fruition was
not to be, nor to sauce their dinner; and
] should not wonder if they went home
sadder and wiser men than they came
out; remembering, perhaps, that
The best-laid schemes o. mice and men
Gang aft a-glee
And leve us nought but grief and pain,
For promis d joy"
As soon as the Atlanta came near
enough, she began to crack away at the
Weehawken, as if she knew no such
word as. .fear. Capt. Rogers prudently
withheld his fire, and kept perfectly still
till the monster presented him fair side,
at about two hundred yards distance
He then spoke her welcome most EN-,
phatically in the shape of a 15-incher
which took her nearly amidships, crash.
ing through her 4-inch iron plating, and
shattering the woodwork to splinters be
meath, not lodging, however, within hel
body, but recoiling and falling down out
side. The second shot struck her some
where higher, where her side inclines
and glanced upward, smashing her pilot
house and disabling both the pilots
Thus becoming unmanageable, she socr
ran aground, and had no alternative but
to raise the white flag. The work was
all done in ten minutes; the Atlanta fir
ing eight shots, not one of which hit its
mark, and the Weehawken six, four O
which went right to the spot, and tool
most feeling effect Of course there wa!
no more to be said. Tha Atlanta, will
all her guns, ammunition and stores be
came an easy prize, while of her crew
numbering one hundred and sixty, on'
was killed, fourteen wounded, and all th
rest taken prisoners, not a man eScap
ing.
| THE REBEL PLANS.
The crew are now safely lodged Of
board the Vermont; and the monster
late so big with anticipation and S
clothed with threatenings, is lying quie
in the harbor here, where she will proba
bly, soon be made ready to do servic
under the glorious old flag which fe'
days ago she was so confident of beatin
down. Her plan appears to have bee
to pass down through Wilmington rive
and Warsaw sound, thence round to tn
mouth of the Ogeechee, to destroy @
drive away the ships blockading there
abouts, and then to capture the Att
New York regiment, which has for som
time been at work building fortificatior
, at that place | understand that an of
Ger who was captured with her freel
gives out that the people of Savanna
as if fully assured of success, had mad
preparations to receive and entertain
nice parcel of prisoners, and that a
C things were arranged and all hearts
t trim for high time of triumphal rejoi
/ tba y,;rbt &c tbo ,,,o,,orobta 10