Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-08-27
THE ATTACK UPON CHARLESTON.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL DAHLGEEN.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL DAHLGREN.
spatch from Admiral DAHLsRES giving interesting
particulars of the important part taken by the Navy
| reducing che deences Of Charleston:
FLAG STEAMER DINsMoRE,
Off Morris Island, august 49, 1868.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary OF the Navy;
SIR Yesterday was begun another series OF operations
against the enemys works.
Early in the morning Gen. Gilmore opened all the bat
teres upon Fort SUMTER firing over Fort Wagner and the
intermediate space.
About the sans time moved up the entire available
naval force, leading with my flag in the Weehawken fol
lowed by the Catsk Nahant, and Montauk the Passac
and Patapsco for Sumter The Ironsdes in po
son opposite to Wagner and the gunb ats named in the
margin at long range-CaDandagua, Capt j. II. Green ;
Mahaska, Comdr j. b. Creighton Cimmarone Comdr A.
X. Hughes; Ottawa, Lieut. Comdr W. ID, Whitney
Wissahickon, Lieut. COm'dr L. Davis; Dai Ching, Lieut.
Comdr j. @. Chaplin; Lodona, Lieut.. Com'dr L. Bod-
head
As the tide rose the Weehawkan was closed to about
four hundred and fifty yards Of Wagner The other three
Monitors followed and the Ionsdes near as her great
draft OF water permitted.
After steady and we'll directed fire Wagner was ST.
slackened in consequence Meanwhile the FIRE of our
shore batteries working eectuay upon the gorge of
Sumter, which appeared to have been strengthened in
every possible manner.
At this time the flag was shifted to the Passaic which
with the PatapscO (both having rifle guns steamed up the
channel until within two thousand yards of Fort Sumter
where fire was opened on the gorge angle and southeast
front of the work The Patapsco fred very we'll and is
believed to have struck the front nine consec
tive times To all this Sumter scarcely replied; Wagner
was senced, and Battery Gregg alone maintained delb
crate fire at the Passaic and Patapsco.
1t was The had been hard at work from
daybreak and needed rest, withdrew the vessels to
give them dinner During the afternoon shore bate
ries continued the fire Sumter with little or no reply
from the enemy, and contened myself with sending up
the Passac and PatapscO prevent Wagner from repair
ing damages The fort replied brky, but in brief time
left of firing.
am not able to state with exactness the reeu Of the
days work, but well Satisfied with what distant view
Of Sumter allowed me- Our entire power not yet de-
yeloped will be daily while the enemy is damaged
without being able to repair
The officers and of the vessels engaged have done
their duty WELL and will continue to do All went well
with u.s. save one sad action Capt Rodgers my chief Of
staff was killed, we'll Paymaster Woodbury., who
was standing near him. Capt Rodgers had more than
once asked this occasion if hs should 20 with
usual, resume the command Of his vessel the Catsk
and he repeated the query twice in the mornngthe last
time the deck Of the Weehawken just while preparing
to into action. In each instance replied Do as
you choose" He finally said, Well, will go in the
Catskil, and the next time with you"
The Weehawken lying about one thousand yards
from Wagner, and the Caskll, with my gallant friend
just inside of me- The fire Of the fort coming steadily
observing the tides to have risen ttle dire cted the
Weehawken to be carried in closer and the anchor
hardly weighed when noticed that the Catski was also
underway, which remarked to Capt. Calhoun. 1t oc.
Cured to that Capt Rodgers detected the movement
Of the Weehawken and determined to be closer to the
enemy if possible. My attention called off Immediate
y position for the Wenhawken and soon after it was
reported that the Catskl going out of action with
signal flying that her captain disabled He had been
killed instantly
is natural that should feel deeply the loss thus
tanned for the close and confidential relation which the
duties of feet captain necessarily occasions impressed
deeply with the worth Of Capt Rodgers. Brave, inell
gent and highly capable devoted to bis duty and the flag
under which he passed his life the country cannot afford
to lose such Ofa kind and nature he was
always prompt to give relief when he could. have d.
reced that all respect be paid to his remains and the
country will not sure omit to honor the memory of
one who has not spared his life in her hour of trial
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obedent
servant, JOHN A. DAHLGREN
Rear Admiral, com'g s. A. Block Suuadroo,