Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-24
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
THE ATTACK UPON CHARL EST0N
OFFNIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL DaHLCREy.
The Part Taken by our Gallant
Navy.
Particulars Of the Death Of the
Brave Rodgers.

Particulars Of the Death Of the
Brave Rodgers.
Tine Navy Department has received the fol-
lowing dispatches from Admiral Dahlgren,
giving some interesting particulars of the i'm
postaut part taken by our Navy in reducing
the defences of Charleston:
FLAG STEAMER DINsMoRE,
OF Norris Island, Aug. 1e. 1868.
Hca. Gideon Welles, Secretary Of Nary,
Washington, o. c.:
STR: Yesterday was begun another series Of
operations against the cnemy's works.
Early In the morning, Gen. Gilmore opened
all the batteries upon Fort Sumter firing over
Fort Wagner and the intermediate space
About the same time I moved up the entire
available naval force, leading with my flag in
tn, Weehawken, followed by the Kaatskill, Ma
liant and Montauk; the Passaic and Patapsco
in reserve for Sumter. The Ironsides in posi-
ton opposite to Wagner, and the gunboats
named in the margin at long range Canaan.
daigua. CAPT J. F. Green Mahaska, Com'd'r
J. b. Creighton; CINNAMON, Com'd'r A. h
Hughes; Ottawa, Lieut. Com'r w. d. Whitney;
Wissahiekon, Lieut. Com'r ]. L. Davis; Dai
Ching. Lieut.. Com'r j. c. Chahlin Lodona
Lieut. Com'r E. Brodhead.
As the tide rose, the Weehawken was closed
TO about four hundred and fifty yards of Wag.
Ser. The other three Monitors followed, and
the Ironsides as near as her great draft of water
permitted
AFTER steady and well directed fire Wagner
own vessels was slackened in consequence
Meanwhile the fire of our shore batteries was
WORKING eaectuauy upon the gorge of Sumter,
which appeared to have been engthened in
every possible manner.
At this time the the flag was shifted to the
Passaic, whica. with the Patapsco, fboth hay
hg rife gunsJ steamed up the channel until
where FIRE was opened on the gorge angle and
southeast front of the work.
The Patapsco fired very well, and is believed
10 have struck the southeast front nine ccnse-
Cutivs tunes. To all this Sumter scarcely re-
Piled Wagner was silenced, and Battery Gregg
alone main tanned Il deliberate fire at the Pas.
safe and Patapsco.
II was now noon. The men had been hard at
%crk from daybreak and needed rest, so I
withdrew the vessels TO give them dinner
During the afternoon our shore batteries con-
tnued the fire at Sumter with little or no reply
from the enemy, and contented myself with
sending up the Psssaic and Patapsco to pre-.
vent Wagner from repairing damages. The
fort replied briskly, but in brief time left of
firing.
1 am not able to state with exactness the
result OF the days work, but am we'll satisfied
with what a distant view Of Sumter allowed
Ue.
Our entire power is not yet developed, as it
Will be daily, while the enemy is damaged
without being able to repair.
The officers and men of the vessels Engaged
have done their duty we'll, and will continue
TO do SO.
All went well with rs, save one sad excep.
ton. Capt. Rodgers, my chief OF staff, was
killed, as we'll as Paymaster Woodbury., who
was standing near him.
Captain Rodgers had more than once asked
on this occasion if he should 20 With me as
usual, or resume the command of his vessel,
the kaatskiil; and he repeated the gu Try twice
IN the norning-the last time on the deck OF
the Weehawken, just while preparing to move
into action. In each instance / replied, ssDo as
you choose" He finally said, "Well, will go
in the Ksa,skill, and the next time with you"
The Weehawken was lying about one thous-
and yards from Wagner, and the Kaatskill,
with my gallant friend just inside Of me. The
fire OF the fort coming in steadily; observing
the tides 10 have risen a little, directed the
Weedawksn 10 be carried In closer, snd the
anchor was hardly weighed when noticed
that the kastskili was also underway. which
1 remarked TO Capt. Calhoun. 1t occurred to
me that Captain Rodgers detected the move
lusnt OF the Weehawken, and was deter
m!sed to he closer TO the enemy, if possible.
Hy a'teGtion was called OF Immediately to
kSsisiOn for the Weehawken, and soon after IL
was rel ofted that the Kaatsdll was 20 X ont
"a action, with signal flying that her captain
was disabled. He had been killed instantly.
IL lie natural tina, should feel deeply the
less Thus sustained. for the close and conhden-
tal relation which the dutiee OF Fleet Captain
necessarily occasions, impressed me deeply
with the worth OF Captain Rodgers-brave,
Intelligent. and highly cspable-deyoted to his
duty aud 10 the nag under which he passed
his iife,-the country cannot afford to lose
.spea men. or "a kind and generous nature, he
was always prompt to give relief when he
coa!d.
I have directed that all respect DO paid to
his remaaux, and The country viii not, I am
sore, onH 10 honor the memory OF ono who
has not spared his life In her hour Of trial.
4 have the honor TO be, very respectfully,
ycpr oeedteat servant,
JoHE A. DASLeREN, Rear Admiral
Com'ds SO. At. Block. Squadn.
.e
Vwe receive from Ciucinaati another as
sasaaee thM Gen. Rosecrsns' army Is execu.