Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-01-05
THE FIGHT IN STGSO RIVER.
Particulars Of the Attack upon the Sun.
boat Marbiehead.

Particulars OF the Attack upon the Gun
boat Marbiehead.
The following extracts of private letter
from one of the engineers on the United States
gunboat Marblehead, dated in Stono river,
Dec. 25th, give graphic account of the attack
Of the rebels upon that vessel:
1--WE had expected for some days to 60 to
Port Royal, and the rebels, probably herring
of il, determined to give rs a parting blessing.
l had the morning watch day, from 4 to S
o'clock a. M, and was sitting in the engine.
room; as usual, when one OF the m aster's
mates opened the engine room door and wished
me Merry Christmas II was not long
be fore ] was startled by the shrek of rihs
shell close over my head, instantly followed
by The loud summons of the officer of the deck
sAil hands to quarters. we are attacked
"lnstantlv all was confusion. l spread the
fires and started the blower to get up steam
quickly. We had hauled the fires On the star
board and best boiler some DAYS previous, On
account Of a bad leak, and so had only half our
power.
"The cable was slipped, and one bell struck
TO start the engine, which was done; but as we
were deprived of one boiler, aud the fires vera
small on the other, the pressure fell SO rapidly
that the gauge showed only five pounds. All
this time the shells were whZZing past US in
all directions, as fast as we could count, and
occa siOnalty one would STRIKE throwing the
spiinters in all directions.
1.-THE Pawnee was at anchor three miles ba-
low in the Inlet, and the rebel batteries were
masked. At last the powerful blast of the
blower began to tell upon our fires. and Joy
fully we watched the guage as it gradually
showed more steam. But for long time our
case seemed hopeless, and we expected to get
aground every minute. As we were able to
| increase the speed, we could maneuver with
more facility, and orr shots soon began to fall
thick and fast among the woods on the shore
near the village, and exploding, created great
havoc. The captain showed the most persist.
ent bravery. As soon as he found he could
work the vessel he refused to go down the
river, but said he would save the handful OF
our troops stationed in the village.
s'The eleven-inch gun was worked with most
admirable precision and dispatch, and its ire
We continued to keep in motion, so as to de-
stroy the enemy's aim, and as we now had
plenty OF steam, Were able to move with great
facility. The rebels q lso fired very rapidly and
with deadly effect. At last our rapid bread
side fire OF six guns began to tell, and the
gall ant 'chivalry' Were in full retreat leaving
their guns in the weeds. AT this moment the
Pawnee came up, closely followed by the NOR
tar schooner q. =. Williams, which, though a
sailing vessel, had come down from Folly river,
some SIX miles, to our assistance, and showed
the most praise worthy promptnesS, although
too late to participate in the engagement The
Pawnee never fired a gun or received shot.
The enemy fed precipitately, leaving two large
rifle guns and carriages, and many knapsacks
and muskets, and one dead body.
ave landed, but could not carry off the guns
on account OF the marsh, and so spiked them
and threw them into the river. If we had not
stood our ground so we'll the 'rebs' would ba We
captured Legree vile and all our troops there,
ana would then nave erected battery so as TO
command the whole of the river. The guns
used by the rebels were very heavy rified pieces,
and were worked with great rapidity. We
were struck twenty times, every shot passing
through the ship or masts, and the deck was
covered with splinters and blood
Another Account.
letter from another officer of the Marble
mead gives the following account OF the severe
fighting:
'iThe rebels had two batteries so placed as to
bring a cross-fre npon We paid no atten-
ton TO the most distant battery, but slipping
our cable made for the nearest, ard getting as
near as we cou ld-Within about six hundred
yards-we went at it in downright earnest.
The scene was wild and fearful beyond des Grip
ton The aim of the enemy was true, and their
shot and shell took effect upon our small vessel
almost every time. Within fifteen min utes three
OF our men were killed and six wounded; but
the men stood bravely to their guns and fought
like heroes, whilst Captain Meade cheered them
in voice of inspiration. We had but four
guns 10 bear upon their twelve. Although but
few OF the men had been in battle before, there
was no f!inchng nor faltering.''