North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-15
War News
FROM CHARL' 'STON
SUgGIIcF ACCOUNT 81 THI FIGHT
LAST TUESDAY.
THE KEOKUK SUNK HALF A
MILEABOVE FORT SUMTER.
TEMPORARY DlSABLEMFNT OF THE NAHANT.
Our Whole Loss Two Killed and
Seven Wounded.
General Hunter Gone Up the
Bay
WASHINGTON, D. c., April

WASHINGTON, u. u, Aprli IL.
The steamer Flambeau arrived here this
afternoon with Lieut. Commander Rhind, as
bearer of dispatches from Admiral Dupont to
the government. The reports from the seve-
raj commanders had not been received up to
the time of the departure ofthe Flambeau,
viz: Wednesday night. From other than Of
composing the fleet advanced upon Charles
ton on the 7th in the following order: Wee
hawken, Captain Rodgers; Passaic, Captain
Drsyton; Montauk, Captain Worden; Pat
spsco, Capt. Ammen; Ironsides (the flag
ship) Commander Turner, with Admiral
Dupont and his staff on board next follow
ed the Cattskill, Capt. George Rogers; Nan
tucket, Capt. Fairfax; Nahant, Capt. Downs,
and Keokuk, Capt. Raind.
Ia this order they proceeded up the main
channel, arriving within 100 yards of the
agesble, owing to the tide and tn, narrowness
of the channel and she was therefore obliged
to drop anchor to prevent drifting ashore.
Owing to these circumstances she signalied
her conSort to disregard her motions. The
remainder Of the squadron Continued on Its
course, and soon came within easy range Of
the rebe! fire from all points. The obstruc-
tions Of the channel from Forts Suuter 70
Moultrie interlered with the progress Of our
ships. In consequence Of this, and the posi-
tioE Of the Ironsldes, as above stated, the
plan Of operations or battle Vas dera0eed, and
the space for InaneuverlIg being only from
500 to 200 yards, the vessels were obliged
10 prepare, and at once engage the forts and
the adjacent batteries. The signal had been
made for action at 81 O'Clock in the afternoon
by the ironelnes, but the rebels had previous
ly opened fire Oh the leading vessels. The
contest is represented as in the highest de-
gree exciting; presenting fearful scene OF
fire belching from all points on the land and
water-a continuous roar Of cannon. In the
course of thirty or forty minutes the Keokuk
was in sinking condition, and was obliged
to Withdraw from the fire and seek an ancho-
rage below the range OF the enemy's guns
A few minutes Afterward one Of the vessels
withdrew from signal Of the flagship, it
being deemed impracticable to Continue any
further hostilities. The keokuk was
within 500 or COO yards of Sumter and was
completely ridd!ed; struck from all this bat
terles within range, at least ninety times in
thirty minutes. The shot was from r,fed
cannon Of the heaviest csiiber. Capt, Rhlnd,
her commander, received confusion on the
leg tom flying fragment of his vessel, which
only slightly lamed hun. Twelve OF the rnen
were wounded, together with acting Ensign
Macintosh, who had charge of one Of the
guns. The injuries are supposed to be fatal
The next morning, finding 1t impossible to
save the vessel, Captain Rhind called tug,
which took all his men on board A few
minutes thereafter the keokuk sunk ihe
persons belonging to the ship lost all their
private effects.
On Wednesday the squadron remained at
anchor iu the main ship channel.
1t is said the number of men in our fee;
was only about 100, with thirty guns, while
the enomy had, it is supposed, at least 800
guns, the best in the world.
The injuries to the vessels, excluding the
keokuk, are represented to be of such ch ar
Gctsr as will require but short time fer re-
pairs. The casualties among our men were
remarkably few, including one killed and
wounded on tho Nahant.
The advantage of our feet being in posses
sion of the main ship channel narrows the cir
cult Of the blockade two-thirds of the former
distance. None of the batteries fired upon
our vessels until the latter reached the yicin-
ity Of the main forts.
EROM NORTH CAROLINA,