Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-16
LArnsr EROn{ rHn United STATES.
Especial Corrs; bondeno. of tbs Richmond wAIsl
A FREpERicKsBURG. April IA, 1868

:
Especial Cores bondencs Of tbs Richmond whlgl
4 FREDERicKsBURG, April IA, 1868.
The Washington Chronicle of the 18th. has been re-
ceved. 1t contalps the Baltimore Americans account
OF the light at Harcstoa obtained from the steamer
Fambeau, which, arrived at Old Point Saturday after
noon with the (icers of the iron-clad Keokuk, disa
bed in the engagement and sunk the next day. 1t
The Robd withheld their fire unit. the feet got well
up in the hafbor The Ironsides stopped of Fort Mou
trie then dropped her anchor it being dangerous
take her up iarSher not drawing than 10 feet Of
water At this moment there seemed to be tenn
porary msunde Tsandng and from fort erected tie
middle ground the fire Of four aud five hundred guns
was directed ID terrible hail the vessel Such
fire has never perhaps, been equaed in the history of
the world 1t Wes met by the Keokuk with heroic for
titude. While balls striking her, for every
second her guns worked with vgor aud precision,
and their weIgh and force already making their
mark OH Sumter. It soon became apparent that the
Keokuk not mpregnable Erricsson's Monitors
that, as an iron-clad, she failure The Rebel
balls seemed 10 penetrate her easily wooden ves
sci The PORTFOLIOS shutters Of her turrets became
jammed, and her guns perfectly dhmanageable Du-
ring the 80 minutes under this fire. 100 shots struck her.
80 Of which we're waer-line shots, or tuch would
cause her 10 sink in a seaway She perfectly rid
died. The flag slot INFO tatters and the whole Of
her sides badly brui cd or pierced PerceviDg the
we're injury she had received the Admiral signalled her
to retire out of action and anchor beyond range which
safely accomplished
The Monitors, Nahant and Ca'ski, had moved up TO
tie support of the Keokuk and engaged Fort Sumter
The Irousies and other vessels at longer distances
were dividing their attention between Sumter aud Hou
| trie. Ito and tie former a heavy fire was
! thus poured, and it is believed not without
effect The engagement lasted from till
! Jour O'clock when the feet retired slowly, re-
ceyng and returning the rebel fire until they anchored
| out OF range within the bar
The Weeha vixen was assigned the duty of examining
aud firing if possible, the distractions extended across
the harbor from Forts Moutrie aud Sumter. Protected
by the and the "Deyi' in 'front.' she pushed up to
the distractions, which found to consist Of net
work of chains and cables stretche the harbo
over which it impossible for the Weehawken to
without foung her propeller, and which she found
| it impossible TO force.
To this network the Rebels are supposed to have
pended torpedoes and other submarine explosives
Having tested the impossbity of working up the har-
Dor until means are devised for removing the obstruc-
tons, the Weehlwken returned and reported to the
Admiral who ordered the conflict discontinued.
1t is believed Fort Sumter seriously damaged so
| far it showed externally. Two embrasures were
knocked into one and numerous indentatons in the
wall, which is believed few hours more pounding
would convert into a serious breach.
Tho loss of life in the font is believed to be consider
| able.
Fort Moultlie was well hammered also and had one
gun dsmoanted.
Beyond the sinking of the .Keokuk the damage to
the iron-cads very slight no: than would re-
qure "a hours 10 repair. The Ironsides hit fire.
quently but beyond port shutter damaged, I'M
injured. There serious Casualties board any
Of the vessels except the Keokuk, which sunk next
morning, about 1000 yards from Morris Island beach
| She had Is wounded, two Of whom will die.
The "Dev" was not lost as stated by the Rebe des-
patches When the Weehawken returned from the OBJ
structons the ScOw she had in tow broke loose and
grounded off Morris Island. The Rebels, thinking it
dangerous affair, peppored away at it, thinking it
the Dell" which is safe, and will yet be used against
the Rebels.
The affair might be summed up thus: We have en-
tered Charleston har5Or, made successful reconnoi
sancc engaged the rebel forts for three hours damaged
Sumter pretty seriously lost one vessel and have had
GROWING proof of the invunerabiity of the Nonior
| feet.
Another account says: "a pointed shot Of English
| manufacture penetrated the ron.cad Whitney battery
KGokuk, which sunk twelve hours afterwards the
beach"
A quartormaster and six men on the Nantucket were
| killed.
Arrangements being made to blow up the Keokuk.
Reports are conflicting to future movements. 1t
positively stated by one Of the pilots that the Mon
tors would withdraw over the bar and further action fer
the present be suspended.
Capt Atwell of tee steamer Geo Peabody, who was
at Hilton Head on the 9th saw the Monitor Nahant
She had five holes in her chimney and 800 shots wefe
fired her from the Rebel batteries in Charleston har
Dor, but she was not severely injured. Some rvets
had been started from her turre which precluded her
guns from working TO advantage.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The entire Tallabatchie feet arrived at Helena Ark
on the 7th The divisions under Qainby and Hovey
have been ordered to Vicksburg A Yankee fleet was
making preparations 10 run the blockade.
A special TO the Cincinnati Commercial from Muir.
freosboro l2th says evan Dora attacked Gen. Gran
ger at Franklin. with $1,000 men, the battle lasting
nearly all day. Van Dorm repulsed with loss Of
800, while cur loss is loo"
Gen. Staulys cavalry led by himself charged and cap
tured battery aud 200 men, but, being unsupported
was compelled to relinqush the battery and all but 90
prisoners. The enemy was pursued until dark"
A special to the New York Herald, 18th, mentions
rumor that Mcclellan had rendered lis resignation and
says the War Department had decided 10 muster out
the two years regiments to date from the time of their
muster into the service Of the United States.
American silver is at discount of 10 per cent. in St.
Johns, n. B.
In the British House of Lords on the 2Srd of March,
Lord John Russell made speech American affairs
in which he maintained that it was the policy of the
Government at present to stand still, and not pro-
coed to an act definite, posive-an act so un-
friendly to the United States as that of the recog
milton Of the South. Q!ear hear) In conclusion, he
said depend upon it, NY LORDS if that is to
cease il is far better it should cease with the conyic
ion, both on the part Of the North and the South,
that they never live again, happily, as one com
munity and one republic, and that the termiua-
ton Of bostites can never be brought about by the
advice the mediation the interference of any Euro
pean power. (Cheers) | repeat have spoken only
of the duty of the Government the present time and
trust now there will be further debate on this sub
ject. loud cheers.) Y.
The demsnd upon space compels US to defer
much of the interesting summary sent by cores
pondent.- IVhig.l
DIED,