February 10, 1863, The New York Herald
We give today the official reports of Admiral DuPont, Captain Stellwagen and other officers relating the details of the attack on our blockading fleet at Charleston. They indorse the statements made in these columns yesterday. The loss on the Mercedita was four killed and three wounded. On the Keystone State twenty killed and twenty wounded. The surprise of the rebel rams was undertaken during a heavy fog, which prevented our vessels from defending themselves in time to prevent some serious damage. The blockade, however, appears to be as perfect as ever.
Our news from Hilton Head brings us the facts of the late attack of the Montauk on Fort McAllister. It is said that the Montauk fired in all seventy-six shots, and was struck forty-five times, forty striking the turret, making no further impression than an indentation in the iron from three eighths to five-eighths of an inch deep, and shaped like a saucer. The enemy’s shells were filled with sand to render them more effective, and when they struck burst like a percussion cap, scattering the iron and sand around. It is said that one shell entered the smoke stack of the Montauk, shattering it to pieces. No further injury to the fort was done than the dismounting of one or two guns.
There is nothing from the Army of the Potomac, except the vague statement that a reconnoissance was completed on Sunday on the right wing of the army, which accomplished all the purposes for which it was intended in the most successful manner.
There is no intelligence from Vicksburg or the West. We have four days later from New Orleans, by the steamer Marion, which arrived at this port yesterday afternoon. It will be seen that some active, and it may be important, movements are being made on the west of the Mississippi, and it may be that there will be some fighting soon in that direction. One of our correspondents sends us some further particulars concerning the organization of the new negro regiments in New Orleans. The news is altogether of great interest.
By the arrival of the Europa at Halifax we have European dates to the 25th ult. The Paris Pays says that it has reason to state that the government of the Emperor has addressed a communication to Washington proposing means of arrangement between the two belligerents which would fully protect the dignity of the Americans. Le Nord also says France has proposed the convocation of an American Congress with a view to peace. The Paris correspondent of the London Times says that official instructions have been sent by the French government to Washington suggesting that commissioners be delegated by the federal government and by the Southern States to meet on neutral ground and confer together, without hostilities being suspended, so that they might advise mutual concessions and effect a reconciliation, so desirable for the interests of the world.
The English journals generally are discussing the war question very earnestly. The Times says that Mr. Milner Gibson’s idea that slavery is the sole cause of the trouble is incorrect, and asserts that it is the American constitution which has broken down.
With regard to the plans of Napoleon in Mexico, it is reported that the Emperor recently said to a member of the Chambers, “The public do not yet understand the thought which dictated the Mexican expedition to me. It will be judged later by results, and every one will see it is one of the most important and glorious acts of my reign.”