Daily national Republican., 1863-02-09
OFFICIAL REPORTS FROM ADMIRAL
DUPONT. a.. "a
RAISING THE BLOCKADE
OF CHARLESTON a
REBEL LIE.
vONE or OUR VESSELS CAPTURED.
A REBEL RAM DRIVEN BACK BY
A FEDERAL GUNBOAT.
THE LOSS OF THE FEDERAL STEAMER ISAAC
SMITH IN THE sToNo RIVER.
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL PRIZE
PRINCESS ROYAL.
Rebel Attach on the BIooLadinE fleet or
Charleston.
OFFICIAL REPORT.
FLAG SHIP WABASH,


February ., 1868.
SIR; have the honor to report, that about
O'Clock Of the morning of the 3lst ult., during
the obscurity Of q thick haze two iron-clad
gunboats came out of Charleston, by the main
ship channel, unperceived by tho squadron, and
commenced raid upon the blockadlng feet.
Most Of the latter were Of tho light class of
purchased vessels, two Of the heaviest men Of
war, the Powhatan and Canandaigua, being at
this port coallng and repairing.
The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked
Her officers and crow had bson particularly
watchful during the night, looking out for sus-
pected vessels, and at O'Clock had shipped
cable and Oyerhauled troop steamer running
for the channel by mistake. She had returned
to her anchorage, and Capt. Stellwagen had
gone 10 his room for short time, leaving Lieu.
tenant Commander Abbot on deck, when one
OF the iron-clads suddenly appeared, her ap-
proach having been concealed by the hare and
mist of the atmosphere.
The vessel was Immediately hailed and an
order given to fro; but the iron-clad being
close aboard, and lying low In the water, no
guns could DO brought TO bear. A heavy riae
shell was fred from the enemy which, entering
the starboard side of the Mercedita, passed
through her condenser, the steam drum OF her
port boiler, and exploded against the port side,
blowing hole In Its exit some four or five feet
square, killing the gunner and, by the escape
rendering her motive power apparently useless.
Unable to use his guns, and being at the mercy
Of the enemy, which was lying alongside on
his starboard quarter, all further resistance was
deemed hopeless by Capt. Stollwagen, and he
surrendered. The crew and officers were pa
rolled, though nothing was said Of the ship, the
executive officer, Lieut.. Com'd'r 7. Abbott,
having gone on board the enemy's gunboat and
made the arrangement.
The irOn-clad leaving the Mercedlta " her
fate, TO sink or not, next engaged the Keystone
State, Com'd'r Leroy, who was also attacked
by the other. Their fire was gallantly returned;
but shell exploding In the forchOld of this
vessel, she was set on fire. Com'd'r Leroy
kept of until 1t was got urdcr, when he steered
again for one Of the iron-clads, ordered full
steam, and determined to try to run her down.
The guns had been trained and depressed for a
| plugging fire at the moment of collision, and
the ship had acquired a speed of twelve knots,
when shell or shot from the enemy passed
through both steam chests, wholly disabling
her boilers and rendering her powerlcss.
Ten rife shell struck the Keystone State
two burst on the quarter deck, but most of
them struck the hull, being neal and below the
water line.
In the meantime, the Augusta, Com Parrot;
the Quaker City, Com Frailey, and the Mem
phis, Acting Lieut.. Watmough, kept up fire
upon the enemy, diverting their attention from
| inter
taken In tow by the Memphis and drawn away
from the fire. Tho Augusta and Quaker City
were both struck in their hulls, the Memphis
only in her rigging. The Housatonic, Captain
| Taylor, gave chase, and a shot from her struck
the pilot-houso Of one oftho iron -clads, doing, 4
\ Is thought, some damage and carrying away ono
Of her 1ags. The rebel vessels then passed tu
the southwark, receiving the fire OF our ships
and took refuge In the swash-channel, behind
the shoals. The only casualties were on the
Mercedita and the Keystone State. On the
| Keystone State, they were very large-aboui
ono-fourth Of her crew were killed and wounded
aud among tho former, the medical officer OF
the ship, Assistant Surgeon Jacob II. Gotwold,
who was scaldGd to death while rendering
surgical aid TO ono Of tho wounded men Nine
Of those who died, perlshed from the escape OF
steam when the boilers and steam-chlmney
were peuetrated and among tho wounded, the
| greater number received their Injuries from the
same cause.
As the MCrcedita was the only vessel which
surrendered, have directed a court Of inquiry
to examine into the circumstances of the case
as well as iuto the terms under which the sur
render was made. This investigation has been
asked for by Capt. Stellwagen. / received this
Intelligence on Saturday, at p. M, by tho
Augusta, which ship Immediately returned tO
Charleston. The Mercedita soon after arrived
and the Keystone State In tow Of the Memphis
! Nuou 'no ia'tSI NoneCl was dL Once sent DaCk tC
her station. The James Adger, Comdr. Pat
terson, was also towed back as she was coming
into Port Royal, and ordered to Charleston
and the Powhatan, through tho commondablt
zeal OF Capt Gordon, was got ready by Mint
O'Clock p. IN. had the channel and bar buoyt
lightened, when she passed out safely.
forward herewith copies of the reports o.
Capt. Stellwagen, Lieut.. Comdr. Abbott, ant
Cmdr. lie Roy also the reports of the casual
ties on board the Aercedita and the Keyston,
state: On the Mercedlta there were four killed
and three wounded. On the keystone State q
killed and 20 wounded.
Very respectfully, your oh" sery't,
s. T. DUPONT,
Roar Admiral hc.