April 11, 1863, The New York Herald
The long expected attack upon Charleston commenced on Tuesday last. In the early part of the day only four of our iron-clads were engaged – probably three fitted with submarine devils and one other. According to the rebels the firing from both parties was very heavy and during the action the Ironsides grounded, but got off and dropped out of range.
About two o’clock in the afternoon seven Monitor batteries, the Keokuk and Ironsides again renewed the contest at about one mile and three quarters distant, as in all probability no obstructions were found, and for three hours the firing was rapid and heavy. Fort Sumter seems to have been the object and aim of the operations at that time. At four o’clock the Ironsides and Keokuk withdrew, leaving the other vessels to continue the work for an hour longer. It is possible that the signals from the flagship were not readily seen on account of the dense smoke from the guns, and it was not until sometime afterwards they noticed she had left. This may account for their remaining an hour later. It is apparent that the rebels have but little confidence in their iron- clads, as they did not attempt to engage until our vessels withdrew. The casualties in Fort Sumter were one killed and five badly wounded, showing that some good gunnery was exhibited either at their barbette or through the embrasures. No reports had been received from the other rebel batteries at the time of sending the despatch to Richmond, and it is fair to presume that our wooden vessels, with their long range rifles, had been engaging some of the rebel earth works.
On Wednesday there seemed to have been no signs of a renewal of the attack; but of course the rebels had no means of knowing the intentions of Admiral Dupont, and therefore they are not justified in feeling very joyous over the fact that no signs were visible of a movement. Twenty-two Union vessels were reported off the bar. These comprise the wooden gunboats, the ordnance vessels and storeships. The Keokuk was evidently injured – she is reported sunk off Morris Island – as only eight iron-clads are reported inside the bar on Wednesday. It is possible that she may have been penetrated by a shot, and was beached, in hopes to repair the damage by plugging up the hole, and then get her off. She must have been out of the range of the rebel guns, or they would have made an effort to keep up such a hot fire upon her as to prevent us from extricating her from her position.
It is possible, therefore, that our fleet went up to draw the fire of the forts, to feel for the rebel obstructions and prepare for a dash by the forts; and that as soon as they are in readiness another move in greater force would be made on Thursday or yesterday, for certainly the wooden vessels, with the number of heavy guns they carry, can do something to draw some of the fire from the forts, which would otherwise be directed at the iron-clads.
We learn from the Richmond papers on Thursday, concerning the state of affairs at Vicksburg, that the Union forces are being withdrawn from the peninsula; that four transports have gone up the river filled with our troops, and that the levee has been cut through by our forces and the water turned into our old camping ground. A despatch from Jackson, Miss., says that Admiral Farragut is still above Port Hudson with three vessels, and that Vicksburg will be attacked positively this week. The government stores of the rebels at Bayou Sara were destroyed on Tuesday by the flagship Hartford. The same authority says that the fleet– parts of Banks’ expedition we presume – has opened fire upon the batteries, but that they were out of range. The Petersburg Express of the 8th indicates that some terrible preparations are being made by the rebels to destroy Farragut’s ships, the Hartford and Albatross.
The news from North Carolina represents General Foster in a very critical condition near Washington, where he was pretty closely hemmed in by the enemy. Reinforcements were sent to him on vessels from Newbern, but had not been able to reach him. Forces by land were also pushing along to his assistance, but at last advices had not arrived at Washington. Despatches from Richmond yesterday say that two of our batteries were captured on Sunday, seven miles below the town; that two of our gunboats were badly damaged, and the Louisiana was sunk while attempting to run by the rebel batteries. General Foster refuses to surrender, and it was thought General Hill would shell the town. It is believed, however, that Foster can hold out against all disadvantages, for several days yet.
The last sensation story comes from a sensation journal in Philadelphia. It relates to a marenest discovered by an astute United States detective in a barn near Reading, Berks county, Penn., who, according to his testimony, […..]” for information concerning some grand plot to abduct – or […..],” as his notes had it – the President, to resist the conscription act, and bring the war to a speedy termination. The detective hid away under the straw in a certain barn, and heard a conversation tending to the above purpose. Oaths were administered, he says, but he could not see the Bible upon which they were sworn. On cross-examination, he admitted that an obligation to support the constitution of the United States was taken by the […..].” Three of the parties were arrested upon this information, and carried to Philadelphia, where, after an examination by the United States Commissioner, they were admitted to bail. Stories were prevalent that an organized mob was proceeding from Reading to rescue the prisoners, who are set down to be Knights of the Golden Circle; but we have not heard of a disturbance so far. The truth of the story probably is that some foolish copperheads held a meeting in a barn, and that an officious detective was very anxious to exhibit his zeal and capacity for […..]” on the occasion. It appears that the conspirators made several dangerous prods with a hayfork among the straw where the detective was concealed; but they did not hit the right place, or else this interesting and alarming story would never have seen the light.
We learn from Nashville that the rebel guerillas are destroying the railroad trains in Kentucky and Tennessee to a fearful extent, running them off the track and murdering the train guards. The forces of General Granger were attacked by Van Dorn at Franklin on the 9th, and after a severe fight the rebels were driven back.