North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-02-11

THE ATTACK ON FORT DoNELsoN.
Rebel Loss over 100 Killed, 500 Caps
tured-.Our Loss 1 3 Killed. 30
Wounded.

The following report has been received at
the headquarters of the army here:
MURFREEsBoRo', Tenn, Feb. 6.
| Major Gen. Il. w. HalLeck, Gener aL-in-chiet,
Washington:
| The rebels Wheeler, Forrest, Wharton,
and Woodward attacked Fort Donelson yes
terday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon with
1000 men and eight pieces of artillery. We
had 800 men in the fort under Col. A. O..
Harding. The rebels charged the fortifca-
tons several times, but were repulsed by
our artillery and infantry with great loss, the
enemy as usual before and after the fight de-
mandng surrender, and offering to spare
life if accepted, etc. COL Harding replied
that " He was ready for all the consequent
ces." The enemy's loss in killed was over
| 100, and in prisoners 300. The forces under
Col. Lowe, from Fort Henry, are pursuing
the rebels, and others have been sent to in
tercept their retreat. Our loss is u killed
and so wounded.
W. S. RosEcRANs,
Major-General.
NASHVILLE, Feb.
General Davis division, with cavalry and
artillery, has been sent to intercept the reb
els who made the attack on Fort Donelson
under the command of the rebel General
Morgan.
One hundred and thirty five rebels were
buried by our men at Fort Doneson.
The Rebel General Forrest was wounded.
NASHVILLE, Feb. 7.
Our victory over the rebels at Fort Donel-
son was complete and decisive. Col. Lowe,
Fifth Iowa, was in command of the forces at
the fort. When our informent left, 145 reb-
els had been buried, 100 prisoners taken, and
more being brought in. The rebels retired
toward Charlotte.
From the Charleston BIockading Fleet.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. s.
The iron steamer Princess Royal, in charge
Of Acting Master Edward Van Sce, arrived
off the navy yard to-day. She brings high
ly important intelligence both as relates
to her capture, and the rebel attack On our
blockading squadron at Charleston, showing
conclusively that there is no foundation for
the assumption of the rebels tha: the block
ade of Charleston was ever raised by the de-
part ture of the United States feet, only two
vessels out Of the eight or ten having been dis
abed or obliged to leave.
WHAT BROUGHT ON THE ENGAGEMENT.
1t appears from the statement of an intelli-
gent eye witness that the cause of this attack
of the rebel rams Oh our squadron was owing
to the capture of the Princess Royal, the cap
tain and pilot of that vessel having escaped
ashore during the darkness of the night and
communicated intelligence to the enemy.
CAPTURE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL.
The Princess Royal endeavored to run the
blockade, by way Of Beach Inlet, On the Goth.
but was discovered by the pilot boat Blunt
On a signal being given the UnadilIa proceed
ed toward her and captured the prize without
other asss tance. 1t was then discovered that
the captain and pilot had succeeded in getting
ashore by small boat, carrying important
dispatc hes to the rebel government.
The Undllla carried her to the side Of the
Housatonic and laid there till daylight, when
a thunder of guns was heard, accompanied by
sharp flashes Of fire. 1t was supposed that
our feet was engaged in making, or the Ala
bama or Florida were endeavoring to force an
entrance. At daybreak two Gabel iron -clads
were seen coming down from the direction of
Stono Inlet toward our feet.
ATTACK OR THE REBEL RAMS.
They attacked the Mercedta first. One
ram struck her on the water ridge, keeling her
over, and at same time firing a shot, entered
one of her boilers, causing the death of three
persons, including gunner, by shot, and
steam. The ram then hailed the Mercedita,
and Captain Stellwagcn lowered one of his
small boats, after leaving one of the plugs out,
allowing the water to enter it. The ram an
swered our hail by replying, " Confederate
ram Palmetto State. Do you surrender 2"
This was repeated three times, Capt. Stellwa-
gen replying at each inquiry, II am in sink
ing condition" The rebels answered i" God
d-nyou to h-ll, if you don't surrender we
will blow you out of water Send your boat
aboard"
THE MERCEDITA REFUSES TO SURRENDER.
The boat which Captain Stellwagen lower.
ed then conveyed his lieutenant executive
officer to the side of the rebel ram, and the
officer asked to be admitted on board This
was refused.
The Lieutenant then repeated Capt. Stell-
wagons statement that We were in sink
ing condition"
The rebel officer replied "you can't sink
lower than the rails. We cannot take YOU
aboard"
The officer then gave his parole as demand
ed and returned to his ship. The rebels
were thus successfully deceived as to the
condition of the Mercedita, linking she was
in sinking condition. She laid in shoal
wafer and hence Their renly that U sbo oo,,,d