The Portland daily press., 1863-02-10
BY TELEGRAPH
Rebel News from Charleston-A Sight of the
Alabama.


NEW YORK, Feb. 9.
The rebel prisoners on board the Circassian,
captured from the Huntress, report when they
left Charleston the rebel gunboats were pre-
pairing for dash at our vessels, and were
only waiting for our iron-clads to go down to
Port Royal TO join in the Ogechee fight. These
prisoners state that the rebel iron-clad Chicora
is fine new vessel of 1000 tons, about six
feet above water, and will make a good fight
with cur ironsides, being armed with the best
English rifled cannon.
The British neutral steamers Herald. Hero
and Ariel were at Charleston ON the 18th ult.
The Hero is 2200 tons, has 2400 bales of cot
ton aboard, and probably escaped on the night
OF the late reported fight. The Ariel had
over 1900 bales aboard, waiting a chance to
run the blockade.
The rebels in Charleston are well posted in
all our military and naval movements.
The Circassian is from New Orleans, via
Port Royal, and took the rebel prisoners on
board at the latter place. She has nothing
later from New Orleans, but reports when
coming out OF the South West Pass saw
light ahead, which was too fast for her, and
which proved to be the Alabama. Key West
fishermen report having been spoken by the
Alabama, which was watching for the Circas-
sian.
The Circassan has also aboard rebel desert
in Mobile harbor, all of whom report great
dissatisfaction there.
Important from the South.-Formidable Ex-
petition about to attack Charleston.
New YORK, Feb. o.
The Richmond Examiner of the 9Th, and the
Enquirer of the 9th have been received. They
contain the following:
Charleston, Feb. 3.-The British frigate
CaHtnus hrinus inf tbat IN fnr
midable naval and land expedition is about to
attack Charleston, the preparations being now
nearly complete. The Cadmus brings orders
for Robert Bunch, the British Consul, TO go on
board and get to Havana as soon as possible.
He will leave next Saturday.
The Yankee naval and land forces are gath
ering at Port Royal. 1t is supposed that the
troops are drawn chiefly from the North Caro-
lima coast.
The iron-clad Ironsides was still off the bar
this morning, with sixteen sother Yankee
steamers.
Vicksburg, Feb. 3.-The Yankee ram Queen
OF the West went down the river yesterday
afternoon, with the supposed intention OF de-
| stroying the shipping between this point and
| Port Hudson. She was fired into at Warren
ton, but with no effect.
Jackson, Miss, Feb. 4.-The Federal ram
| Queen of the West, which passed vicksburg
| ou anu idHhtu al
| Vidaa, opposite Natchez on the same even
| ing A guard Of men was sent ashore, who
| attempted to capture Col. Yebular York, but
! he escaped. The ram then steamed down the
| river, doing considerable damage.
| The Loss of the 9unboat Columbia-Part OF
Crew Rescued.
NEW YORK, Feb. 9.
A letter from New River, N. G., states that
| when the gnnboat Columbia was discovered
ashore, the gunboat Penobscot went to her as
/ sistance and saved thirty Of the crew; night
| and a gale coming on, the Penobscot was
l. obliged to 90 to sea, but returned next morn
L ing and rescued two officers and five more
| men from the Columbia.
II The Penobscot anchored as near as the high
sea would allow, but very little assistance could
be rendered. During the night the rebels
| planted batteries and played on the Columbia
all the morning, sending shot frequently
| through her. At noon the captain OF the Co
! lumbia was obliged to surrender.
| The next morning the Penobscot and Cam
bridge went in, both opening fire on the Co
lambda, which had the rebel rag flying, driving
the rebels from her into the surf, seventeen
being drowned trying to reach the shore. On
| 30th the Penobscot went to the Columbia,
and took Off her 30-pounder PARROT and car
| riage She is a complete wreck, the sea making
| a complete breach over her Forty-one Of her
crew, two masters mates, quartermaster and
paymasteI's clerk were saved and are aboard
the Penobscot. The rest are safe and on their
WAY To Richmond