The Official Dispatches
Washington. Feb. 9. —A bearer of official dispatches from the fleet off Charleston has arrived here. The following is from rear admiral Dupont concerning the rebel attack on our squadron off that port:—
Admiral Dupont’s report.
Flag Ship Wabash, Port Royal, Feb. 2.
Sir : I have to report that about 4 o’clock on the morning of Jan. 31st, during the obscurity of a thick haze, two iron-clad gunboats came out of Charleston by the main ship channel unperceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. Most of the latter were of the light class of purchased vessels; two of the heaviest men-of-war, the Powhattan and the Canandaigua, being at this port coaling and repairing.
The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked. Her officers and crew had been particularly watchful during the night to look out for suspected vessels, and at 3 o’clock had shipped her cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mistake. She had returned to her anchorage, and Capt Stellwagen had gone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieut. Commander Abbott on deck, when one of the iron-clads suddenly appeared. Her approach was concealed by the haze and mist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immediately hailed, and an order given to fire, but the iron-clad being close aboard and lying low in the water, no guns could be brought to bear upon her.
A heavy rifled shell was fired from the enemy, which entered the starboard side of the Mercedita, passed through her condenser and the steam drum of her port boiler, and exploded against her side, blowing a hole in it some four or five feet square, killing the gunner, and by the escape of steam scalding a number of the men and rendering her motive power apparently useless. Unable to use his guns, and being at the mercy of the enemy, who was alongside on his starboard quarter, all further resistance was deemed hopeless by Capt. Stellwagen, and he surrendered. The crew and officers were paroled, though nothing was said of the ship, the executive officer, lieutenant commander Abbott, having gone on board the enemy’s gunboat and made the arrangement.
The iron-clad, leaving the Mercedita to her fate to sink or not, next engaged the Keystone State, commander Lewig, who was attacked by the other. Their fire was gallantly returned, but a shell exploding in the fore hold of this vessel, she was set on fire. Commander Leroy kept off until the fire was got under, when he steered again for the iron-clad, having ordered on a full head of steam, determined to run her down. The guns had been trained and depressed for a plunging fire at the moment of collision, and the ship had acquired a speed of twelve knots, when a shell or shot passed through both the steam chests, wholly disabling her boilers and rendering her powerless. Ten rifle shells struck the Keystone State, and two burst on the quarterdeck, but most of them struck the hull, being near and below the water line.
In the meantime, the Augusta, commander Parrott, the Quaker City, commander Frailey, and the Memphis, acting lieutenant Watnaugh, kept up a fire upon the enemy, diverting their attention from the Keystone State, which was soon after taken in tow by the Memphis and drawn away from the fire. The Augusta and Quaker City were both struck in their hulls. The Memphis was only struck in her rigging. The Housatonic gave chase, and a shot from her struck the pilot house, doing, it is thought, some damage, and carrying away one of her flags. The rebel vessels then passed to the northward, receiving the fire of our ships, and took refuge in the Swash channel, behind the shoals.
The only casualties were on the Mercedita and Keystone State. On the latter they are very large, about one-fourth of her crew were killed and wounded, and among the former is the medical officer of the ship. Assistant surgeon Jacob U. Gotweld was scalded to death while he was rendering surgical aid to one of the wounded men. Most of those who died perished from the escape of steam when the boilers and steam chimneys were penetrated, and among the wounded the greater number received their injuries from the same cause.
As the Mercedita was the only vessel which surrendered, I have directed a court of inquiry to examine into the circumstances of the case, as well as into the terms under which the surrender was made. This investigation has been asked for by Captain Stellwagen. I received this intelligence on Saturday at 3 p. m., by the Augusta, which ship immediately returned to Charleston. The Mercedita soon after arrived, and also the Keystone State in tow of the Memphis. The latter vessel was at once sent back to her station. The James Adger, commander Patterson, was also towed back. She was just coming into Port Royal, and was ordered back to Charleston. The Powhattan, through the commendable zeal of Capt. Gordon, was also got ready by 9 p. m., and had the channel and bar buoys lighted, when she passed out safely.
I forward herewith copies of the reports of Capt. Stillwagen, Lieut. Abbott, and Com. Leroy; also the reports of the casualties on board the Mercedita and the Keystone State. On the Mercedita there were four killed and three wounded, and on the Keystone State 20 killed and 20 wounded.
Very respectfully your ob’t servant,
S. F. Dupont, Rear Admiral.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester, MA