February 2, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
Not since the memorable Saturday and Sunday which succeeded the fall of Fort Sumter, has our community been as elated as during the two days just gone by. Our ability to cope with and sink the hostile vessels which have so long sealed our harbor, is at length indisputably proved. the gallant naval officers, who for months have been longing to meet their country’s foe upon the water, have vindicated the reputation of our young navy in a style that will fairly take rank with the exploits of the Merrimac and the achievements of SEMMES. The blow that has been struck, in realizing the long cherished hope of our noble women, to give to Charleston the means of offence as well as of defence, will, we know, richly repay them for all their labors and all their sacrifices.
The project of attacking the blockading fleet is one that has been entertained for some weeks. On Friday night, everything being in readiness, Commodore DUNCAN N. INGRAHAM gave the order to start. Accordingly, at half past 9, p.m., the Palmetto State, Capt. RUTLEDGE, the Chicora, Capt. TUCKER, with the steamers Clinch, Etiwan and Chesterfield as tenders, left the wharves and steamed slowly down the harbor. The whole expedition was under the command of Commodore INGRAHAM, who was aboard the Palmetto State. It was a fine night. The moon was shining brightly, though the horizon was misty, and a light breeze scarcely ruffled the surface of the water. As it was not intended to reach the bar until the moon had set, the trip down occupied several hours. At half past 3, a.m., the iron-clads had reached Beach Channel, when the crews were beat to quarters and prepared for action. At four o’clock the lookout of the Palmetto State (which led the way) descried the outline of a Yankee vessel directly ahead. The long coveted moment was now at hand. When within about fifty yards of the blockade, the engines of the Palmetto State were stopped, and the iron monster darted forward with irresistible momentum towards the doomed ship. At this juncture a voice from the enemy’s decks was heard crying: ‘Back her, or you’ll run into us!’ – The next moment the crash came, the bow of the iron-clad striking the Yankee steamer on the port quarter and crashing fearfully through her timbers. Scarcely had the ram wedged itself into the enemy’s quarter, when the bow gun of the Palmetto State (a 7 inch rifle) was fired and the shell tore its way through the enemy’s hull, bursting the boiler and shattering the engine in its passage. The two vessels hung together for a few seconds only. As the iron-clad was backing, preparatory to another onset, the commander of the enemy vessel called out that he would surrender. Capt. RUTLEDGE replied, ordering him to send a boat aboard, which he was some time in doing. On a threat being made to re-open fire upon him, the boat was finally sent, and Lieut. SHRYOCK was ordered to one of the quarter ports to receive its occupants. The officer in the boat announced himself as Commander ABBOTT, of the United States sloop-of-war Mercedita, Captain STELLWAGEN, and said that he came to complete the surrender. He was conducted before Commodore INGRAHAM and Capt RUTLEDGE, and, upon his pledge, he and the entire crew of the Mercedita were paroled. He was then ordered back to his vessel, but asked for assistance in behalf of his crew, as their ship was fast sinking. He reported that, when he left her, there were two inches of water on the berth deck, and all their boats were useless, as, in the confusion, they had been lowered without putting in the plugs, which are usually removed to let the rain water escape. Commodore INGRAHAM replied that he regretted that want of room and the lack of boats precluded the possibility of receiving them. The boatcrew, as well as the Yankee officer, had evidently made a hasty toilet, being without shoes or stockings, and otherwise dressed in a rather scant fashion. The Mercedita was a new sloop-of-war, of the second class, built only fifteen months ago, and mounting eleven guns. ABBOTT said that the explosion of the boiler had scalded many of the crew, and represented the condition of the Mercedita to be, in other respects, most pitiable.
In the meantime, the Chicora, finding the Palmetto State grappling with the Mercedita, passed both, and at about 5:10 a.m., made out a three masted propeller, with which she immediately closed, firing two shots as she approached. The enemy, as soon as these shots had been delivered, began ringing his fire bell, while the Chicora stood off to the northward, encountering a side wheel steamer, which came down across her bow. The first shot from the Chicora burst the starboard boiler of this vessel, which was supposed to be the Keystone State. The smoke and steam from the explosion could be plainly seen issuing from the decks, and in a few moments she hauled down her flag, still ringing her fire bell. Orders were given to clear away a boat to board her, but before the order could be put into execution she had fled. At this time a steamer, supposed to be the Quaker City, came down towards the stern of the Chicora, and received several shots from the stern port.
By this time the enemy had learned a wholesome respect for our iron-clads, and these latter had little else to do than chase their large game hither and thither. At dawn the whole blockading fleet had taken to its heels and our little steamers cruised out after them, in triumph. But the enemy kept carefully out of range. The last shot was fired about half past seven, a.m. In the afternoon, finding that there was no further immediate opportunity for action, our steamers returned to the city, and were received by a vast crowd, including large numbers of ladies. The cheering of the crowd, and the waving of handkerchiefs, gave assurance to our naval heros that their gallant dash was appreciated.
The following is the official despatch received from Commodore INGRAHAM on Saturday morning:
ON BOARD GUNBOAT PALMETTO STATE.
I went out last night. This vessel sunk the Mercedita, when she sent a boat on board and surrendered. The officers and crew were paroled. Captain TUCKER thinks he sank one vessel and set another on fire, when she struck her flag. The blockading fleet has gone to the southward and eastward, out of sight.
(Signed) D.N. INGRAHAM,
Flag Officer Commanding.
Our gunboats exceeded all expectations in their efficiency and strength. The enemy shots glanced harmless from their mailed sides. Not a man on our side was injured, though the enemy’s loss must have been quite severe.
The crews of both vessels acted with admirable courage and coolness, and they were no little chagrined to find that the Yankees refused to engage them on Saturday. The number of blockers outside during the engagement was thirteen, with two first class Federal frigates – the Susquehanna and the Canandaigua.
The success of the expedition, according to the view of our authorities, raises the blockade. A joint proclamation to that effect from Gen. BEAUREGARD and Com. D.N. INGRAHAM will be found elsewhere in our columns.
On Saturday afternoon, at Gen. BEAUREGARD’S invitation, the Foreign Consuls made an excursion to the bar to see for themselves the true condition of affairs. The blockaders, four in number, were then just visible in the offing. Yesterday the blockading squadron was largely reinforced, but the vessels all kept their steam up, as if ready for a run.