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THE MONITOR “ MONTAUK ” BEACHED FOR REPAIRS.

DU PONT’S ATTACK AT CHARLESTON .

BY C. R. P. RODGERS, REAR-ADMIRAL, U. S. N. ,—DURING TIIE ATTACK (TIIEF-OF-BTAFF.

AS Boston was regarded as the cradle of American liberty, where the-L infancy of the Union was nurtured, so Charleston , in later days, cameto be considered the nursery of disunion. Therefore, during our civil war, nocity in the South was so obnoxious to Union men as Charleston . Richmondwas the objective point of our armies, as its capture was expected to end thewar, but it excited little sentiment and little antipathy. It was to SouthCarolina, and especially to Charleston , that the strong feeling of dislike wasdirected, and the desire was general to punish that city by all the rigors of war.

Charleston too, in spite of an energetic blockade, conducted with greathardihood and patience, was one of the two chief points through whichmunitions of war and other supplies from Europe found entrance to theConfederate States. Naturally, then, the Government of the Union lookedlongingly for its capture, to give fresh hope and much-needed encouragementto the North, and to strike a heavy blow at the rebellion.

The most dramatic conflict between the Monitor and the Merrimac , with itsincidents and consequences, gave to the Navy Department the hope that itsturret vessels might do what unarmored ships could not attempt. Mr. Pox,the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a skillful and well-tried naval officer, aman of much ability and energy, pushed the new monitors forward with hiswhole power, having formed the highest opinion of their irresistible force andinvulnerability. The first monitor had done so much, had saved such greatinterests in a moment of supreme peril, that Mr. Fox’s strong imagination ledhim to hopes that were not destined to bo fully realized. To carry them intoexecution he now addressed himself with his usual vigor; the preparation of

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