Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-16

The rebels, as was expected. immediatel,
concentrated their ERE on the Keokul, which
assumed TO lead In the attack. From Sumter
Mouitrie, batteries, Beauregard on Cumming "a
Point, and from o fort erected on the mi dbl,
ground, tho FIRE OF four or FIVE hundred gun
we're concentrated in terrible hail upon th,
devoted vessel. Such FIRE had never perhaps
In the hlatory Of the world been equaled
ItwaB met by the officers OF the Keokuk with
heroic tortitude, while the balls wero striking
her at the rate OF Quo every second. Her gupi
were worked with vigor and precision, aud theii
weight and force were already making their
mark upon the walls Of Sumter. Itsoon, how
ever, became apparent that che fad more Of the
impsegnability Of Eticsaon's Monitors; that In
fact as an iFon-clad she was failure. The
port.holes or shutters. Of her turrets became
jammod, and her guns practically unserviceable.
During the thirty minntes sho remained under
this concentrated fire, one hundred shot struck
her, ninety of which were water limo shots, or
such as would cause her 10 leak In aea way;
In fact she was perfectly riddled. "A
Her flag was shot into tatteFs, and the whole
OF her sides battered, bruised and pierced.
Peroeiving the severe injuries che had re.
ceived, the Admiral agnalled her to retire out
OF action and anchor beyond range. This was
safely accomplished.
In the mean time the Monitors Nahant and
Catskill had moved up TO the support OF the
Keokuk and engaged Fort Sumter. The Iron-
sides and other vessels, at longer range, we're
dividing their attention between Moultrie and
Sumter. Into and on the lattor fort heavy
fire was poured, aud II is believed not without
effect. The engagement was kept up from one
until four, when in obedience to the Admiral's
sigual, the feet retired alowly, receiving and
returning the rebel FIRE, until they anchored out
OF range within the bar.
The Weehawken was assigned the important
duty, which was faithfully performed In the
midst OF the fight, to examine, and II possible,
TO lire the obstructions which the rebels bad
extended across the haIbor, from Fort Sumter
to Moultrie. Protected by the scoWs, the Dew
II In front OF her, she pushed straight up toward
the obstruclions. They were found to consist
Of network Of chains and cables stretched
aeroe5 the hsrbor, over which 10 was impossible
for the WeehaWken 10 run without fouling her
propeller, aud wnich she found It impossible to
force. To this network the rebels are sup
posed to have suspended torpedoes and other
submarine explosives.
Having completed examinations and tested
the impossibility Of working up the harbor
until means are devised for the removal OF these
distractions, the WeehaWken returned and re-
ported to Admiral Dupont, who ordered dis
continuance OF the coihict.
II is believed that the damage done to Fort
Sumter by our fire was serious. SO for as il
showed externally it consisted Ia two embrasuree
being knocked into one, and numerous indenta-
tions in the wall, which Il is believed q few
hours pounding would convert into a serious
breach.
What damage or loss of life was sustained in
tha Int ~ fnr IL - 4
but it 10 believed to have been considerable.
Fort Moultrie was also well hammered, and
at least one gun was dismounted
Beyond the sinking OF the Keokuk the dam
age to the iron-ciads was very slight, not more
than would require twenty -four hours TO repair.
: They all came out Of tho contest in fighting
trim, and able to have continued the conflict
had it been desirable. Tue Ironsides wa, hit
frequently, but besides having one port shutter
injured, was unharmed.
Our informant heard OF no serious casual
ties Oh board any OF the vessels except the Keo--
kuk This vessel sunk next morning about one
thousand yards from Morris leland,
She had thirteen wounded, two OF whom, In
cluding acting Ensign Mcintosh, will probably
die. The "Deyil" was not lost, as stated by
the rebel dispatches. When tho Weehawken re-
turned from the reconnaissance of the obstruc-
tlons, the scOW she had In TOW broke loose, and
grounded oil Morris Island.
The rebels, thinking it a dangerous affair,
peppered away at IL, thinking it was tue "Dey-
H." or something worse, but our informant as
sures us the "Devil" is safe, and will yet be
made use Of against the devilish rebels.
The affair might be summed up thus: Wei
have entered Charleston harbor, made q sue
ceSsful reconnaissance, engaged the rebel forts
Tor three hours, damaged sumter Pretty seri-
,usly, lost one vessel, and had crownIug PROOF |
Of the invulnerability OF the Monitor feet.
1.-The foregoing 10 made up from an Interest,"
ng account furnished the Baltimore American
~ an eye witness who was in the fight