Year: 1863

The IrOn.Clads but Little Damaged.


The excellent correspondent of the Bos-
ton Journal writes as follows of the con-
dition of the Monitors, after the attack on
Sumter


As stated at the close of my account of
the engagement, it was supposed by every
one that the attack would be renewed on
Wednesday afternoon. At nine o'clock
Tuesday evening the captains and COM
manders of the fleet were called on board
the flagship. Each gave his account of
the fight, and each returned to his ship
with the expectation of renewal of the
battle. The Chief Engineer, Mr.. Sinners,
under whose direction the Monitors were
built, visited each, examined them careful
ly, and reported that by noon of Wednes-
day they would be in good condition for
renewal of the engagement; that no
serious injury, except to the Keokuk, had
been received; that in his opinion they
could stand as much hammering as they
had already received.


Admiral Dupont had not visited the
several ships, but he dissented from this
opinion. He thought them more damaged
than the inspector had reported, and feared
that if he renewed the attack the fleet
would be entirely disabled.


"A member Of the press on Wednesday
morning visited the flag ship, and found,
to his astonishment, that the Admiral had
decided not to renew the attack. He said
that he took the responsibility upon him
self Of abandoning the expedition.


Proceeding to the other vessels of the
fleet, he found the commanders making
the necessary preparations for another
fight. The temporary disability of the
guns had been repaired, the turret on the
Passaic, which had refused to gevolve, was
all right, the men were in good cheer.
Among the officers there was difference
of opinion - some were confident that
they could knock Sumter to pieces, while
others feared that a second hammering
would use up the fleet.


The information given by the cores
pondent was the first intimation to the
fleet that the attack was not to be resum-
ed. The crews expressed great dissatis-
faction. They were ready for another af-
ternoon's work. On board the Ironside
there was much murmuring, not only in
the forecastle but in the wardroom. The
Ironsides had taken no part, or at least so
little that the officers felt that in the eyes
of the world they would be subject to rid
icule if it was given up so.


ADMIRAL DUPONT AND THE MONITORS.


What influenced Admiral Dupont to
change his mind-whether it was the sink
ing of the Keokuk, whether he feared that
the fleet would be shattered in second
attack by the shot or blown up by undis.
covered torpedoes or run down by rebel
rams, or whether influenced by the opin-
ions of some of the commanders, who from
the beginning have not looked upon the
Monitors with favor-is not known. It is
no secret that the Admiral has not had
great confidence in the Monitors. He has
never been sanguine OF success. In con-
versation with him, few weeks ago, he
spoke freely of the tremendous batteries
he would have to oppose of the torpedoes
steam boilers filed with thousands of
pounds of powder-of Internal machines.
He said that all his knowledge of naval
warfare was obtained on shipboard, and
that he was called upon to make an attack
against the most powerful batteries ever
constructed, with feet so peculiar in its