At 4 A. M. she was perceived by the Union iron-clads,—lying at anchor near the north of the Wilmington river—and they at once prepared for action. The Weehawken was nearest to the enemy, and getting under way stood up the sound, the Nahant following in her wake. The Atlanta lay across the channel and quietly awaited the attack from the National vessels; but at five o’clock she took the initiative and fired a single shot at the Nahant, which, however, failed to have any effect. The Weehawken steamed toward the Atlanta; and when within three hundred yards opened upon her with a fifteen-inch gun. She then approached still nearer, and when within two hundred yards she suddenly poured in upon the rebel vessel the full contents of her two guns. The effect was disastrous to the Atlanta, who immediately hauled down her colors, and ran up the white flag in token of surrender. Another discharge from the Union iron-clad was poured in upon her before the signal was understood, after which all firing ceased, and the Weehawken, having done all the fighting, took possession of her prize after a contest that lasted barely fifteen minutes. In this engagement one hundred and forty-five prisoners were captured. SIEGE OF CHARLESTON. COMMENCED JULY 3, 1863. It was felt by the U. S. Government that the attack on Fort Sumter, of April 7th, was a somewhat humiliating failure; but, notwithstanding this, the original intention of redeeming Charleston was not abandoned. It was understood, from the tone of Admiral Porter’s letters, that he was opposed to a renewal of the attack on Charleston; and he was, accordingly, relieved of command, and Rear-Admiral Foote was appointed in his place. Before the period fixed for taking command of his squadron had expired, Admiral Foote died in New York, and a second appointment was made in the person of Admiral Dahlgreen, who entered upon his duties on July 6th. About this time General Gilmore was constituted commander-in-chief of the military department of the south, and arrangements were entered into for combined operations by land and sea. THE ATTACK ON MORRIS ISLAND. On July 10th, an attack was made upon Morris island by the land forces under General Gilmore, and the iron-clads Catskill, Montauk, Nahant, and Weehawken, under command of Admiral Dahlgren. On Morris island, on the opposite side of Light-house Inlet, the rebels had erected, after the naval attack upon Fort Sumter, several batteries, in all mounting nine heavy columbiads, and three 10-inch mortars, all bearing upon Folly island, and the mouth of Light-house inlet, and the approach to the island by way of Folly river.