New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-14
DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING.
The Obstruction of the Channel.
THE FLEET TO BE WITHDRAWN
THE DAMAGE DONE FORT SUMTER
OUR LOSSES AND CASUALTIES
From Our Special Correspondent.


o. BOARD FLAGsHIP NEW IRoSsIDKa
or FoRT SUMTER. April 0. 1863. !
The great events the loyal people have looked for
these many weeks and months with so much i'm
patient anxiety and confident expectation have taken
place. The attack upon Charleston has been made.
Our powers of oense collected during the last three
months in the waters and upon the sea.issnds Of
South Carolina, have been fairly tried and found
wanting Instead Of the pleasant duty Of ehrOnicng
triumph Of the Union arms, which had fervidly
wished rather than hoped, the thankless part Of q
harbinger Of i'll tidings deyolves upon me. The
thought that have to tell tale Of failure, and by
it bury dearly cherished, although perhaps unwat-
ranted national hopes-to dispel popular illu.iops-
to forecast the delay Of ardenty desired retrbution
upon the guilty Of Southern ci,ies-to open the
prospect Of further prolongaton Of the war, is
narrowing to me. Yet its oppessivouenis lessenee
by the reflection that the goomness Of the results Of
the graDd-nsy, the grandsst episode Of the war en-
acted around during the last three days, is re-
lieved by CLEANS Of devoted duifuness cool bravery
and professional skill the part Of the performers
bright enough 10 become shining marks in history,
and light Of encouragement 10 the nation in this
new tsiii Of It's fotitude.
The events related in the following possess, from
the peculiar mode and means ofthe attack al inherent
grandeur Of tragic interest that embellishments Of
style could not possibly enhance. | confne myself,
therefore, to a simple narrative in the form Of dia-
~, embodyng plain facts, noted down on the day OF
their occurrence, together with such other obseTys.
lions as deemed necessary TO insure an intelligent
understanding of the true causes Of the last grevous
Il. Il 4. n
UsiTrp srarzs suKvxYfsa STEAMER Biss,(
NORTH EDisTO HAEBoK, April =, 1853 .
Preliminary movements and Reconnaissance, en-
barkations and landings, have boon making for some
time, both by the navy and army but il was only
on Wednesday las. that there was general readi.
nesa for the commencement Of the main operations.
High wind and heavy sea caused another delay OF
twenty -four hours, bus the day before yesterday
morning the four iron-clsds still remaining in Port
Royal hsrbor started last for this general rendez
vous; the Admiraps blue flag was transferred from
the Wabash to the james Adger which left soon
after the Monitors; and large number Of the army
,sansports also followed in their wake.
availed myself OF a kind invitation Of Gen.
Ferry, commanding one of the divisions OF the expe-
dition, and made my way across tue bay to ST.
Helena landing and aboard his flagship, tie steamer
New-England, as soon as l cav the wheels of the
James Adger in motion.
The New-Englsnd formed the center of group of
steamers and propellerS, oil heavily laden with
human freight. The troops had been marched
aboard the night BEFORE aud in the expectation oil
an immediate departure; but the means Of landing,
scows and surf-boas could not be secured until this
morning, and tie division got under way only u
short time before SHUTDOWN.
Tho destination of Gen. Fery's command was
Stono Inlet. II was to make a landing Oh Coles
Island, already occupied for some days by regi-
ment The feet had hardly crossed the bar when d
severe gale suddenly sprung up and continued to
blow all night. When the sun rose on Friday morri-
Ing tho sorry discovery was made that the transports
had been scattered and lost in the storm most OF the
surf-boats they had been towing.
In the course of the forenoon, however, tho yes
sells all hove again in sight, but low tide preventing
their passage over the bar, they were ordered to lie
off the entrance until high water. The New-En'
gland having too deep draft for safe CROSSING sue
proceeded to this port in order 10 transfer part OF her
load TO another steamer.
North Edsto harbor presented when we entered II
an aspect at once pleasant and imposing It's
placid waters with wel-deiined, graceful contours
Of shore lines inst contracted and variegaed enough
to give tone TO the picture, formed dylic eusem-
bic strangely contrasting with the numerous, novel;
and formidable engines Of naval war riding at an
Choir within its shetering limits. All the iron-clacs
executing the New Irensdes with the James Adger,
Seneca, Sebago, and Bib, had arrived Around
them hoated great flock of sailing craft-mortars,
ordnance, buoy and supply schOOners. The Adams
Express steamer Mary Sanford, the Locust Point
and other prOpellers, together with several ever
putting, ever-rushng tug-boats, impaired additional
liyeliness 10 the scene. .i'
Before leaving Port Royal, / had obtained Admiral