The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-26

boats Miami and south6ed, which, under the drcc
Of Captain Fusser bad been connected together BY
chains spars boat cut apart and
took their positions respectively behind the Custom House
and picket river, and commenced TO enel
the rebels.
simultaneously all the forts and gunbosts opened on
the febes by them brsky responded 70 BY up
wards Of twenty guns but tho Intensity Of our Are was
such that the enemys batteries slenced for the
night During this engagement the gunboats did excel
lent execution and rapid nriug The Soutnheld threw
upwards OF two hundred shell, and the Miami above
thirty, and although the enemys range was generally
good, received 90 damage
Ing PASSES TUE DISTINCTIONS.
During the night the gunboat Whitehead came
down and reported that the rebel ram had sue.
ceeded in passing the distractions placed across
the river to prevent It's progress, and was lying close
TO the rebel battery above Fort Gray. Lieutenant Com
mander Flusser, or the Miami, and 10 charge Of the
squadron immediately ordered the south6ed to be 60
cured TO bis before But his orders had only been
partially executed before It announced that the
ram was coming down river, firing, but not returned
by our batteries al Gray and Worth. Captain Fusser
then the boats, partially united, to be ad
vanced al full speed against the rebel RAM but
few yards distant But owing TO time not being afforded
Captain Fusser for the execution OF his plans the boats
condition TO cope with the ram and Its vast
~ superior advantages Hence the conflict but BRIEF
and after the the SouthDed was so much dis
abled 10 sink almost Immediately. Tho Miami sub.
secueptly fred eight solid shot, which bad
The slightest eject but glanced off the Dpenerablc
sides ofthe ram.
CAPTAIN FIUssERs DEATH.
u is my painful tack to be compelled to record the
death OF the gallant and able Captain Fusser. His loss lie
universally depored and u will be difficult TO replace
him. Captain French, OF the Souhfed, Then assumed
command and the Miami alone, unable to offer resistance
steamed down the river.
list OF casualties. comprising all that are at present
known, append but il is feared in addition that seve
raj Of the Soutbneld-rames unknown-are drowned.
Had the plan Of Captain Fusser been contaminated II
ia believed that the would have bseR destroyed or
captured.
il was his intention TO two boats firmly TO-
gether by Of chains and spare and seek the en-
counter by advancing against the aiming 70 strike
her between both and force her against The shore
Al the came time torpedo 10 arranged as 70
into smoke stack but, owing TO circumstances
beyond hrs csnuoi The arrangements not executed
CASUALTIES.
Lieutenant Commander Charles W. Flusser, Of the
Miami, killed.. Els remains route for Norfolk.
Acting Ensign Thomas G. Bargs, slightly wounded in
foot.
Acting Third Assistant Engineer D. Harrington, both
arms and face wounded slightly.
Anderson seaman, severely though not danger
ously wounded and two Others all slightly,
and probably produced BY the ten.secoDd shell that
caused the death Of Captain Flusser.
NEwEERS, April 20, 1864.
DESCRIPTION TEE RrrEI RAN.
The terrible ram which has been, and expected TO be
AZ In
Is described as follows
In shape she resembles the destroyed ram Merrimac,
and like her, carries an Destruction At her
Prov which renders her 20 peculiarly dangerous p
Gcts with wooden vessels.
She IL built OF heavy iron plate, brought partly
from Wilmington and partly from Atlanta Georgia,
and 10 OF rather clumsy movement. She possesses
one aperture at her fore part for the use Of
heavy gun; but her main purpose is to destroy
by conclusion. she is accompanied by fcrmidi
BILE water battery, securely protected by cotton
bales, behind which artillery and small arms can be
securely used The OF this satellite is the Cotton
Plant The building Of this has long been watched
by Major General Peck who has had almost daily nfor
nation regarding her for many months passed By means
Of spies sent 10 Wilmington, and who travelled 10 where
she bulldog the train that conveyed 100000
pounds plate by Of deserers ana prisoners
amounting n the aggregate to upwards or five hundred
he had posve knowledge Of her progress In building
He hsA likewise offered 10 direct expedition aud
destroy her; but his offer was refused by superior
authority.
The wood work OF this same ram, whilst In progress
Of building, Cred and supposed TO have been de-
stroyed by General Foster in expedition undertaken
for that si exists and 10 our fearful cost
II understood that the rebels have likewise two others
one Knston and Goidsboro AT the latter point
they are known TO have organized q complete naval
brigade.
From this, in connection with the heavy force now
menscp g-suPposed TO number some sx.eeh or seven
teen thousand ana come thrtysix pieces OF arts
lery-n evident that the rebels design TO compel the
Union evacuation Of North Carolina.
NSwrxRS, April II, 1894.
General Vessels, commanding the town OF Plymouth,
and DIS Whole command Of upwards Of two thousand
officers and men, surrendered yesterday al O'Clock
NJ. The command consisted Of the following
Eighty orb New York infantry regiment.
One Hundred and nrst Pennsylvania n.sntry regiment
One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania infantry regiment