Sinking the Stone Fleet in Charleston Harbor

JANUARY 11, 1862.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

31

(Previous Page) leaving on the field a number of their killed and wounded. Our troops pursued them a short distance, and returned.

The scene in the woods presented all the horrors of a sanguinary battle-field, and the dead and dying lying strewn in various directions. Forty dead bodies of the rebels were picked up, and fifteen wounded prisoners were taken and placed in Hunter's and other houses in Dranesville.

General Ord captured eight wounded prisoners and two caissons with ammunition. In their haste the enemy left behind arms of all descriptions, clothing, etc.

Their loss is estimated at 150 killed and wounded. Among their killed was Colonel Tom Taylor, of Frankfort, Kentucky, and commander of the First Kentucky Regiment of rebels. The forces of the enemy consisted of three infantry regiments, First and Eleventh Kentucky, and Tenth Alabama, with a cavalry regiment and a battery, all under command of Colonel John H. Forney, of the Tenth Alabama, Acting Brigadier-General. The dead rebels were left on the field.

The loss on our side was six killed and eight wounded, most of whom belonged to the Bucktails. Colonel Kane received a slight wound.

OUR MAP OF THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER.

As the time is approaching when movements of our forces on THE MISSISSIPPI may be fairly expected, we publish on page 23 an elaborate MAP of the course of that River from CAIRO TO NEW ORLEANS, showing every ISLAND, TOWN, VILLAGE, etc., on either bank. The following List of Places, with their distances from NEW ORLEANS AND CAIRO, will be useful:

Distance in Miles from New Orleans.   Cairo.

Cairo .......................................................992 -

Norfolk, Missouri .................................986 6

Baldwinsville, Missouri    974   18

Columbus, Kentucky    970   22

Hickman, Kentucky    950   42

New Madrid, Missouri    906   86

Obionville, Kentucky    899   93

Riddle's Point, Missouri   896   96

Walker's Bend    878   114

Little Prairie, Missouri    871   121

Needham's Cut-off    847   145

Fork Deer River    841   151
Ashport, Tennessee .........................839 153

Osceola, Arkansas    827   165

1st Chickasaw Bluff   821   171

Fulton, Tennessee    817   175

Hatchie River    807   185

Randolph, Tennessee    807   185

Pecan Point   797   195

3d Chickasaw Bluff    787   205

Greenock, Arkansas    760   232

MEMPHIS, Tennessee    740   252

Fort Pickering    738   254

Grayson, Arkansas    732   260

Blue's Point, Arkansas    712   280

Commerce, Mississippi    710   282

Austin, Mississippi    704   288

St. Francis River    684   308

Helena, Arkansas    674   318

Yazoo Pass    666   326

Friar's Point    660   332

Horse-Shoe Bend   660   332

Old Town, Arkansas    657   335

Concordia, Mississippi    617   375

Montgomery Landing    607   385

Victoria, Mississippi    607   385

White River    603   389

Arkansas River    587   405

Napoleon, Arkansas    587   405

Bolivia, Mississippi    574   418

Gaines Landing    539   453

Columbia, Arkansas    521   471

Point Chicot, Arkansas    517   475

Greenville, Mississippi    513   479

Worthington Landing   491   501

Grand Lake Landing   485   507

Princeton, Mississippi    481   511

Bunches Bend    471   521

Providence, Louisiana    452   540

Tallalula, Mississippi   452   540

Tompkins, Louisiana    437   555

Brunswick, Mississippi    423   569

Milliken's Bend    411   581

Yazoo River    395   597

Walnut Hills    394   593

VICKSBURG   392   600

Warrenton, Mississippi    382   610

New Carthage, Louisiana   367   625

Point Pleasant, Louisiana    357   635

Big Black River    352   640

Grand Gulf, Mississippi    350   642

Bruinsburg, Mississippi    340   652

St. Joseph, Louisiana    334   658

Rodney, Mississippi    330   662

NATCHEZ, Mississippi    289   703

Vidalia, Louisiana    289   703

Ellis Cliff, Mississippi    271   721

Union Point, Louisiana    259   733

Homochitto River ............................246 746

Red River   225   767

Red River Landing    219   773

Racourci Bend    205   787

Tunica Bend    199   793

Bayou Sara River    177   815

St. Francisville    175   817

Point Coupee    175   817

Waterloo   170   822

Port Hudson    164   828

Baton Rouge, Louisiana    139   853

Manchac    124   868

Plaquemine    116   876

Iberville   106   886

Donaldsonville    82   910

Jefferson College    66   926

Bonnet Carre ....................................42   950

Red Church, Louisiana    26   966

Carrollton, Louisiana    7   985

NEW ORLEANS    —   992

Fort St. Leon    —   1009

Fort St. Phillip   —   1064

Fort Jackson    —   1064

Mouths of Mississippi River...   —   1094

WE publish on page 17 a view of the SINKING OF THE FLEET OF OLD WHALERS, laden with stone, in the channel leading into Charleston harbor; and on page 18 a small CHART OF THE HARBOR, showing the ship channels now closed by our vessels. The correspondent of the Herald thus describes the scene:

At half past four this afternoon (December 19), the tide being nearly full, we recrossed the bar and ran a hawser to the bark Theodosia, of New London, which was to be the first victim, and towed her across the bar to the upper boat, on the left-hand side of the channel. When we had her in a good position, Captain Stevens, through a speaking-trumpet, ordered the captain to "cast off the hawser."

"Ay, ay, Sir." came back the reply ; and the hawser was let go and roused in again on our deck in the twinkling of an eye. The trembling old bark, being under some headway, moved slowly on to the exact spot we wished her, and then struck the bottom; and her anchor dropped for the last time in the water, the chain rattling out as cheerfully as any chain might which had made its last run, and the old bark settled down into its own grave. The

plug bad been knocked out as the anchor dropped, and the water rushed madly and wildly in. In a moment the whale-boats were lowered and alongside, and the dunnage of the officers and crew rapidly passed over the bulwarks and into them.

We did not wait for them, but hurried out, to tow in another before dark. The first ship touched bottom and the plug was drawn as the sun went down. Each had finished its course at the same moment ; one to rise on the morrow as bright and glorious as ever, the other to waste away and go to pieces under the combined action of the elements which it had braved so long and so well. Alas! that a vessel, worn-out in the service of its owner, should be sold and come to such an ignoble end.

The Rebecca Simms was towed in and anchored at the other side of the channel, and the water soon filled her hold, and she sank slowly and in a dignified manner, rocking uneasily, to be sure, as the water poured in, but going down with every rope and spar in place, as a brave man falls in battle, with his harness on.

We had now got the position of the bar clearly marked out, and the Florida's boats were relieved from their unpleasant position as buoys, and they returned to their ship. Our work was reported to Captain Davis, and he requested the Pocahontas and the Ottawa to tow in and sink all the ships they could after the moon had risen high enough to afford us light to see.

At eight o'clock we were again at work. We towed in and sunk four more before the low water made it impossible for the loaded ships to be placed in position, and then we ran out again and anchored outside the bar.

The Pocahontas towed in two during the evening. While we were at work the harbor was dotted with whale-boats, running from their respective ships to the Cahawba, carrying away their (the officers' and crews') baggage and the valuable sails and furniture of the ships. Some of the men-of-war boats were engaged in visiting the sunken ships and securing flour, potatoes, onions, and other acceptable provisions, rope, furniture, etc.

On the following day he writes again:

I have frequently read of masts going by the board on ships at sea in a gale of wind, but never saw the deed performed till today. It is certainly worth witnessing, where you have not the accompaniments of a howling gale, a wild mountain sea, and a groaning ship, leaking at every joint beneath you. Under those circumstances the cutting away masts may afford a sense of relief, but none of gratification or pleasure. But with a fleet of ships sunk across and blockading an important channel, leading to what was once a thrifty city, but what is now the seat of rebellion, and an object of just revenge, the dismasting of the hulks, within sight of the rebel flags and rebel guns, is really an unalloyed pleasure. One feels that at least one cursed rat-hole has been closed, and one avenue of supplies cut off by the hulks, and any thing that adds to the efficiency of the work affords additional pleasure. Most of the ships in sinking had listed to one side, and the masts, of course, stood at an angle over their sides.

The braces and shrouds on the weather side were cut by the sharp axe of the whaleman, and the tall masts, swaying for an instant, fell together with a loud crash, the sticks snapping like brittle pipe-stems close to the deck, and striking the water like an avalanche, beating it into a foam and throwing the spray high into the air. For an hour or two this crashing, smashing sound was heard on every side, and one after another ship became a mere hulk upon the waters. All were dismasted save the Robin Hood, which was spared for another purpose.

The scene presented in the harbor when the work was done was novel and interesting. Here were fifteen dismasted hulks, in every possible position, lying across the channel—some on their port, others on their starboard sides. Some were under water forward, others aft. The sea swept over some of them ; others stood on upright keels, and spouted water from their sides, as the heavy swells raised them and dropped them heavily down upon the sand again; and proudly, among them all, was the East Indiaman, brave Robin Hood, with her graceful, tapering masts towering aloft, and apparently still afloat.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

HOLIDAY PRESENTS.
100,000 WATCHES, CHAINS, &c., &c.

Worth $500,000.

To be sold for One Dollar each, without regard to value, and not to be paid for till you know what you are to get.

Splendid List!!
Of Articles to be Sold for One Dollar each.

100 Gold Hunting Cased Watches   $100,00 each 100 " Watches    60,00 each 200 Ladies' Gold Watches    35,00 each 500 Ladies' and Gents' Silver Watches ... 15,00 each 5000 Vest and Neck Chains   5,00 to 10,00 each 3000 Gold Band Bracelets    5,00 to 10,00 each 3000 " " "   3,00 to 5,00 each 3000 Cameo Brooches    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Mosaic and Jet Brooches    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Lava and Florentine Brooches    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Coral, Opal, and Em. Brooches    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Cameo Ear Drops    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Mosaic and Jet Ear Drops    4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Lava and Florentine Ear Drops   4,00 to 6,00 each 3000 Coral, Opal, and Em. Ear Drops   4,00 to 8,00 each 5100 Gents' Breast Pins    2,50 to 8,00 each 3000 Watch Keys    2,00 to 6,00 each 5000 Fob and Ribbon Slides    2,00 to 6,00 each 5000 Sets of Bosom Studs    2,50 to 6,00 each 5000 Sleeve Buttons    2,50 to 6,00 each 7000 Plain Rings    2,50 to 5,00 each 7000 Stone Set Rings    2,50 to 6,00 each 7000 Lockets   2,50 to 10,00 each 10000 Sets Ladies' Jewelry    5,00 to 10,00 each 10000 Gold Pens, 14 Carats and War'd 4,00 to 5,00 each (with Silver Mounted Holders.)

All of the above list of Goods will be sold for one dollar each. Certificates of all the various articles, stating what each one can have, will be placed in envelopes and staled. These envelopes will be sent by mail, or delivered as called for, without regard to choice. On receipt of the Certificate, you will see what you can have, and then it is at your option to send one dollar and take the article or not.

In all transactions by mail, we shall charge for forwarding the Certificates, paying postage, and doing the business, 25 cents each, which must be enclosed when the certificate is sent for. Five Certificates will be sent for $1, eleven for $2, thirty for $5, sixty-five for $10, and one hundred for $15.

AGENTS.—Those acting as Agents will be allowed ten cents on every certificate ordered by them, provided their remittance amounts to one dollar. Agents will collect 25 cents for every Certificate, and remit 15 cents to its, either in cash or postage stamps. Great caution should be used by our correspondents in regard to giving their correct address, Town, County, and State. Address

W. FORSYTH & CO.,

208 Broadway, corner of Fulton Street, New York.

N.B. We wish it distinctly understood that all articles of jewelry not giving perfect satisfaction can be returned and the money will be refunded.

The Wide World !

A racy and spirited complete Story Paper! Printed every week in Boston. Sold by News Dealers everywhere. 4 cents.

Something New for Ladies.
DOWNER'S PATENT HEMMER AND SHIELD

saves one-half the labor of hand-sewing, as it protects the finger from the needle, and makes a neat hem while the operator is sewing. Sample sent on receipt of the price, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. A liberal discount to the trade.

Enterprizing Agents can realize

$150 per Month. Descriptive Circulars furnished on application.

A. H. DOWNER, No. 442 Broadway, New York.

Grand Display

of

Cloaks!   Cloaks!
For the Holidays,
at

BRODIE'S

OLD STAND, 300 Canal Street,

and

His Palace of Fashion,
Under the 5th Avenue Hotel,

Cor. of 23d Street,

New York.

Head-Quarters for Jewelry. A full assortment of all kinds appropriate for the Jewelry Envelope and Gift Jewelry Business. Persons can order the amount they would like to have sent, and pay the Express, and have the privilege of returning any thing they may wish to. W. A. HAYWARD, Manufacturing Jeweler, 208 Broadway, New York.

Manual of Heavy Artillery,

Containing Drill and Management of Barbette, Casemate, and Heavy Siege Guns. One volume 12mo, flexible cloth, 75 cents. Sent free by mail on receipt of price.

D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher, 192 Broadway.

From the "Home Journal."

"Of all the child-furniture we have ever seen, no article combines so much of those two important things—health and happiness—as the Adjustable Patent Steel Spring Saddle-Horse, invented by Jesse A. Crandall. It is not dangerous, like a common rocking-horse, to children's feet, can not be upset, does not wear carpets, but stands firm on its base, and its action is so like the gallop of a live horse that the child never wearies of it. This latest of child-novelties is exceedingly elegant and artistic in design, and so adjustable, substantial, and durable that it will last a lifetime. It is indispensable in every family where there are children. It should be in every primary school and gymnasium in the country, as it can be made large and strong enough to sustain grown persons. As a pedestal for photographic pictures, nothing is more beautiful.

"Every Orphan Asylum and Institution where children are congregated should be furnished with a number of these beautiful articles. They are fitted with side-saddles when required."

N. B. — Call, or inclose stamp for illustrated circular    with prices.   478 Broadway, New York.

To Army and Navy Officers.

TIFFANY & CO., Nos. 550 and 552 Broadway, have in store, and are receiving by every steamer, SWORDS, "warranted to cut wrought iron," from Salingen ; Passants, Cap Ornaments, and other Embroideries, from Paris; Gold Epaulettes and Navy Laces, &c., from London. Orders by mail promptly filled, and goods forwarded to all parts of the loyal States.

PHONOGRAPHY.

Professor Chien will send by express, on receipt of one dollar, his new method, by which any person can learn to report a speech or sermon after one hours' study. It is so simple that a child 10 years of age can learn it in a few minutes.

   Address   PROFESSOR CHIEN, Hartford, Conn.

A sure cure for Rheumatism, Neuralgia, and Salt Rheum. Wholesale Agents F. C. WELLS & CO., 115 Franklin St., New York. Sold by Apothecaries everywhere.

500 Agents Wanted!

Something New ! Patent Work Holder, made of The New Gold, and 5 other curious inventions. Address (send stamp)

SHAW & CLARK, Biddeford, Maine.

The New Issue of Postage Stamps, of all denominations, for sale. Apply to HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

COOLEY'S Cabinet Printing Office for small Printers and Amateurs, the best thing out. Send for Circulars. J. G. COOLEY & CO., 1 Spruce Street, N. Y.

The best Books for Holiday Presents!!

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SUPERB IMPERIAL 4TO BIBLES FOR WEDDING PRESENTS, at prices from $15 TO $50.

EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE,

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Every Man his own Printer. Portable Printing-Offices for the Army and Navy, Druggists, and Business Men generally. Send for a circular.

ADAMS PRESS COMPANY,

31 Park Row (under Lovejoy's Hotel), New York. Peirce's Army Game Casket. The prettiest invention yet out. Contains a good size Chess, Checker, and Backgammon Board, and Men and Dice for all the Games; a set of Dominos and a Pack of Playing-Cards, all neatly put up in a small box you can carry in your pocket. Put up in three different styles, and retailed for 38c., 62 1/2 c., and 75c. each. A very large discount made to sutlers and dealers. Inclose stamp for circular. Agents wanted.

JOHN H. TINGLEY, Publisher,

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