The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-17
UNITED STATES STRAW FncArr NV Isonuprs, |
n OFf tHAHLkSltN FEB. 10, Ibb5 J y
Rear Admiral 8. +. DuposT commanding south Atlantic
B'ockading Squadron.

y VI.
ADnRAL-I have the honor TO forward to you oerth-
oae, signed by all the commanding officers of the vessels
that lying of Charleston bar morning Of the
attack Of the rams upon this squadron excepting only
three one Of whom on duty at distance and the other
two tho commanders OF the two vessels sent
10 Port Royal TO repair damages, and which the
only two that injured notwithstanding report Of
the enemy IN the Charleston papers the resu OF the
engagement that two vessels sunk four set fire,
and the remainder driven away Your knowledge
OF these gentlemen and your entire confidence their
truth and uprightness OF character viii give To their
statement the force that Is necessary ree saaco
rily and cnectuay that which has been given to the
world by the authorities Charleston and their sympa
thzers. II Is with unaffected pain that called upon
TO forward document rejecting severely, but justly,
upon runctonaes holding the high position OF copsuls,
aud one Of them this statement has been made BY his
authority the commander Of vessel Of Of her Brit
tanic Majesty Nor can account Tor II any other way
than its being premeditated act their part, with
foregone conclusions to draw report that would pro.
ndice in the eyes of the world, that these
events by them with the distorted optics OF
preudiced and partisan witnesses The facts clear
both n TO the disposition Of the occkadg squadron dur,
ing the day succeeding the engagement aud g. the
amount Of damage done vessels in il that does not
admit Of doubt that these gentlemen have given the seal
oil their high Office TO the version OF the affair which
could not have BEEN by any possibility, either by in
ference or personal Observation forced upon their con-
have the honor 90 be, very respectfully, your obedi
ent servant, I. TURNER Captain.
USIrKD STATES STEAMER n W IRoSsIDEs,
orr CHARLESTON. Fob. 10, 1868
We, the undersigned, officers cpmau ting the various
vessels OF the bockading squadron Charleston have
modorc In raham herewith appended also tho
of the called engagements viz Two vessels sunk;
-FOUR set on hre, and the remainder driven away, anu
also the statement that tho British Consul and
the commander of the british war steamer Petrol
had previously gone I'VE miles beyond the
Of them with their glasses We deem 1t duty TO
that the called results false IN every pat,cn
lar No VESSELS sunk none set ON fire seri
ousy. Two vessels atone injured Of consequence.
The Mercedta had her boiler exploded by shell rom
the only gun her. surprised By attack at
state also had her chest injured at the mo-
ment Of attempting to run down one 81 the rams. The
keystone State at assisted by the Memphis,
which vessel exchanged shots with the she
was withdrawing towards the bar after having fired at
the Keystone state did also the Quaker City So hnsty
the retreat OF the that although they may have
perceived that the Keystone state had received Sc
rious damage, no sttempt WAS even made 70 approach
her. The stcttln and Ottawa, at the extreme end
Of the line, did get undcr way from their
position till alter the 6rng had ceased and the Settn
merely saw the black smoke as the rams disappeared
the bar. The Flag alongside the Ncrceda
after IL she had yielded 10 the RAM supposiDg
herself sinking The rams withdrew hastily towards
the harbor, and on their way were fired at by the
oustnic am Augusta until both had got beyond reach
OF their guns They anchored under the protection OF
their forts aud remained there No vessel clad or
other passed ont the bar after the return q the
rams In short, the tnad!la was not aware OF the at
tack until the Housaiouc commenced firing, when sho
moved ont towards that vessel iron her anchorage The
| Hoisalonic beyond the usual line Of the
blockade. The Quaker City in the forenoon picked up
I her anchor, which she had slipped to repair
nuncatcd \ th the senior Officer on board the
fousa that after the firing had ended
and the blockade continued before No vessel IN
out OF the port that day attempt made 10
run the blockade The Keystone state necessarily was
ordered u Port Roya Tor repairs The UDada returned
~ her usual aLcb after communicating with the
senior officer, where she remained darn. the day.
Throughout the day two small tugboas remained appA
rontIy in attendance the under OF FORTS
Mouttie aud Beaureeard The prize steamer irincers
Royal, which had been alongside the Fousatonc, was
despatched 10 Port Royal hour and half after the
had retired the OF the batteries and the
firing had ceased at about half past a. NJ These
the facts and do hesitate 70 state vessel
turn Of the rama, at between and eight
| We believe the statement that any vessel came any
where the usual anchorage Of any Of the blockafes
To the bar alter the withdrawal Of the same To be
deliberately ana know neiy aise II the statement from
the papers, before has the sanction u the
Pee and the foreign consuls only deploe that
foreign officers lend their oical positions 10 the
spreading before the world for unworthy object,
| truths patent every officer Of the squadron
WIN. ROGERS TAYLOR,
captain, commanding L. Z. steamer hoasaionc.
j. II STRONG.
Commander, commanding I. :. steamer Flag.
JAS. MADISON FRAufY,
Commander commanding L. :. steamer Quaker city.
r.. G.. pARR0rf,
Commander, commanding u :. steamer Augusta.
PC WATMOt6H,
Commanding &. s. steamer Memphis.
-. VAN AL-1I>F,
Command ny u. =. steamer Stcttn.