HIGHLY IMPORTANT: A True Statement of the Charleston Affair; The Blockade Not Raised, Even Temporarily (2/9/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 2/9/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

PHILADELPHIA, Sunday, Feb. 8.

The iron steamer Princess Royal, in charge of Acting Master EDWARD VAN SICE, arrived off the Navy-yard to-day. She brings highly important intelligence, both as relates to her capture and the rebel attack on our blockading squadron at Charleston, showing conclusively that there is no foundation for the assumption of the rebels that the blockade of Charleston was ever raised by the departure of the United States fleet, only two vessels out of the eight or ten having been disabled or obliged to leave.

It appears from the Statement of an intelligent eye witness that the cause of the attack of the rebel rams on our squadron, was owing to the capture of the Princess Royal, the Captain and pilot of that vessel having escaped ashore during the darkness of the night and communicated intelligence to the enemy.

The Princess Royal endeavored to run the blockade by way of Beach Inlet on the 29th, but was discovered by the pilot boat Blunt. On signal being given, the Unadilla proceeded toward her and captured the prize without other assistance. It was then discovered that the Captain and pilot had succeeded in getting ashore by a small boat, carrying important dispatches to the rebel Government. The Unadilla carried her to the side of the Housatonic and laid there till day-light, when a thunder of guns was heard, accompanied by sharp flashes of fire. It was supposed that our fleet was engaged, or that the Alabama or Florida was endeavoring to force an entrance.

At daybreak two rebel iron-clads were seen coming down from the direction of Siono Inlet toward our fleet. They attacked the Mercedita first. One ram struck her on the water ridge, keeling her over, and, at the same time,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4129427/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Highly Important: A True Statement of the Charleston Affair– 2
The Iron-Clad Montauk: Her First Attack on Fort McAllister – 2
Interesting from Vicksburg: The Position of the National Forces Under Gen. Grant – 3-4
From the Army of the Potomac: Our Army Correspondence – 4
The War in Tennessee: Capture of Rebels Flying from Fort Donelson – 4
News from Washington: Progress of the Finance Measures – 4-5
Editorial: The Late Naval Affair near Charleston – 5-6
Officers to be Had for an African Army – 6
Charges for Storing Prize Property – 6