The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-17

From Charleston.
Particulars of the Engagement
Los. OF the Koekuk Tho Iavincibiiiiy
OF our Iron.Clads! - Admiral DuPens
Believes In his Ultimate Success!

FORTRESS MONROE, April l2.-Tho Mary
Sanford arrived ut Morehead Friday, from OF
Charleston, with information of the entire at.
tack, which commenced at 3 o'clock, and
lasted three hours.
The Keokuk passed halls mile above Fort
Sumter. where she met with distractions, Mt
which time terrific firing was kept up on
both sides. when she received shot that
passed through her, between wind and water,
IRON which she sunk in eleven hours.
The Nahaut was within 200 yards Of Fort
Sumter in the action, and received q shell at
the juncture of the turret with the deck,
which prevented the turret from revolving,
and rendering her useless for the time.
The Ironsides received $50 shots, sustain
ing no damage further than starting q few
bolts. The rest of the feet is uninjured and
hauled off.
As the Sanford left, some iron-clads were
going TO blow up the Keokuk.
NEW York, April l2.-Midnight.-Thc
following dispatch has been received from n
gentleman on board the steamer Mary San
ford:
MoREuEAp CRY, N. c.. April 10, via For
trcss Monroe. We passed through the fleet
or Charleston, on Thursday 9th, 1T 10 A. NJ.
weather clear and pleasant. The monitors
were ranged along the beach, of Cummings
Point, oil in good order. We were boarded
by one of the pilots, who stated that the Iron
sides and seven of the monitors attacked Fort
Sumter on Tuesday. 7th, and passed some
distance above the Fort, receiving some 200
shots. A pointed shot of English manufac.
ture penetrated the Keokuk, and she sunk
in twelve hours after, near the beach. The
other iron.clads passed through the shower
of shot and shell uninjured, or with trifing
damage. The casualties reported were very
few. Capt Rhind of the Keokuk was slight
ly injured by bolt. Tho quarter-master
and six men on board the Nantucket were
killed. Arrangements arc being made to
blow up the Keokuk.
As regards future movements, reports are
conflicting. II was positively stated by one
of the pilots who boarded us, that the moni.
tors would withdraw over the bar and further
action for the present would be suspended.
This was subsequently corroborated by re-
porter for Now York paper.
An officer from the James Edgar, who pre-
viously boarded us, stated that the engage.
ment would be renewed about one p. NJ, md
added that the Admiral expressed his belief
of success. The channel above the Fort was
No torpedoes are reported to
have been exploded.
Wcleft the fleet at noon, and when about
miles North heard heavy firing.
The weather was exceedingly pleasant and
the sea smooth.
TThe above was private message addressed
to Col. Sanford, military censor.
WASHINGTON, Apr. 10Th.
The Steamer Plambeau arrived here this
afternoon, with Lieut.. Commander Rind as
bearer Of dispatches from Admiral Dupont
to the Government.
The reports from the several commanders
had not been received up to the time OF the
departure of tho Flambeau, "wednesday
night.)
FROM other than official sources it is ascer-
tanned that the vessels composing tho heet
advanced up to Charleston on the 9TH, in the
following order: Weehawkcn, Capt. John
Rodgers. Passaic. Capt. Dsyton, Montank.
Capt. worden. Pctapsco, Capt Ammen,
the flagship, Commander Turner,
with Admiral Dupont and stall on board.
Next followed the Catskill, Capt. George
Rodgers, Nantucket, Capt. Fairfax. Nahant,
Capt. Downes, and Keokuk, Capt. Rhind. In
this order they proceeded up the main chan.
mel arriving within 100 yards OF the main
forts. The Ironsides became unmanageable.
owing to the tide and narrowncss Of the chan
mel. and she was therefore obliged to drop
anchor to prevent drifting ashore. Owing
to these circumstances she signalled her con-
sort to disregard her motions. The remain
der of the squadron continued on its course.
and soon came within easy range Of the rebel
FIRE from oil points. The distractions of the
channel from Fort Sumter to Moultrie inter
ferred with the progress OF our ships. In
of :his, and the position OF the
as above stated, the plan of opera
tons or battle was deranged, and the space
for maneuyering being only from 500 to 1000
wards, the vessels were obliged to prepare to
At once engage the forts and adjacent batter
les.
The signal had been made for action at half
past o'clock in the afternoon, by tho Iron.
sides, but the rebels had previously opened
Ere on tho leading vessels. The contest is
us in the highest degree exciting,
n fearful scene of fire belching
from all points, on land and water n contin'
nous roar of cannon. In the course OF 30 or
40 minutes the Keokuk was in q sinking con-
iition, and was obliged to withdraw from the
FIRE and seek an anchorage below the hinge
Of the enemy's guns. A few minutes alter
wards all the vessels withdrew, from signal
Of the flagship, it being deemed impractical
bic to continue any further hostilities. the
Keokuk was within 500 or GOO yards OF Sum.
ter. and was completely riddled; struck from
Ill batteries within range, at least 90 times
in thirty minutes. The shot was from riaed
cannon of the heaviest calibre. Capt. Rbind,
her commander, received confusion on the
leg from flying fragment Of the vessel
which only slightly famed him. Twelve of
the men were wounded. together with acting
ensign Macintosh, who had charge of one
,f the guns. The injuries are supposed to
DO fatal.
Next morning finding IL impossible to
ave the vessel, Capt. Rhind called q tug,
which took all his men on board. A few
minutes thereafter the Keokuk sunk. Per-
IONS belonging to the ship lost all their pri-
rate effects.
On Wednesday the squadron remained at
anchor in the main ship channel. 1t is said
that the number of men in our fleet was only
100, with 80 guns, while the enemy had.
i is supposed. at least 800 guns, the best in
the world.
The injuries to the vessels, excluding the
are represented to be OF such char
acter as will require but q short time Tor re-
pairs. The casualties among our men were
remarkably few, including one killed and