cial report to head-quarters, as early as practi- | Bay, it was ascertained that the rebels had three cable, of the assistance thus rendered. 10. As soon as the landing shall have been effected, the surf and other landing boats will revert to the chief quartermaster for immediate supples. field-works of remarkable strength, strongly garrisoned, and covered by a fleet of three gunboats, under Capt. Tatnall, late of the U. S. Navy, besides strong land forces, which the rebels were concentrating from Charleston and Savannah. The troops of the rebels were after 11. The sick and non-effective men will remain on board the several transports until pro-ward ascertained to have been commanded by vision can be made for them on shore. The non-effectives will be especially charged with the care of the sick, under directions to be left by the respective medical officers. 12. Medical officers, excepting one from each brigade, to be designated by the respective brigade commanders, will land with the troops. The three medical officers left afloat will, under the direction of the medical director, divide the duty by visiting all the sick on board, including those of the Third Rhode Island regiment, and the battalion of Volunteer Engineers. By order of Brig.-Gen. T. W. SHERMAN. LOUIS H. PELOUZE, Capt. Fifteenth Inf., Asst. Adjt.-Gen. To the Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I have the honor to report that the force under my command embarked at Annapolis, Md., on the 21st of October, and arrived at Hampton Roads, on the 22d. In consequence of the delay in the arrival of some of our transports and the unfavorable state of the weather, the fleet was unable to set out for the southern coast until the 29th, when, under convoy of a naval squadron in command of Commodore Dupont, and after the most mature consideration of the objects of the expedition by that flagofficer and myself, it was agreed to first reduce any works that might be found at Port Poyal, S. C., and thus open the finest harbor on the coast that exists south of Hatteras. It was calculated to reach Port Royal in five days at most, but in consequence of adverse winds and a perilous storm on the day and night of the 1st of November, the fleet did not arrive at Port Royal bar until the 4th, and then only in part, for it had been almost entirely dispersed by the gale, and the vessels have been straggling in up to this date. The transport steamers Union, Belvedere, Osceola, and Peerless have not arrived, Two of them are known to be lost, and it is probable all are. It is gratifying, however, to say that none of the troop transports connected with the land forces were lost, though the Winfield Scott had to sacrifice her whole cargo, and the Roanoke a portion of her cargo, in order to save the lives of the men in the different regiments. The former will be unable again to put to sea. The vessels connected with the naval portion of the fleet have also suffered much, and some have been lost. After a careful reconnoissance of Port Royal General Drayton. One of the forts, and probably the strongest, was situated on Hilton Head, and the other two on Philip's Island. It was deemed proper to first reduce the fort on Hilton Head, though to do this a greater or less fire might have to be met from the batteries on Bay Point at the same time. Our original plan of cooperation of the land forces in the attack had to be set aside, in consequence of the loss during the voyage, of a greater portion of our means of disembarkment, together with the fact that the only point where the troops should have landed, was from five to six miles, measuring around the intervening shoal, from the anchoring place of our transports-altogether too great a distance for successive debarkation with our limited means. It was therefore agreed that the place should be reduced by the naval force alone. In consequence of the shattered condition of the fleet, and the delay in the arrival of the vessels that were indispensable for the attack, it had to be postponed until the 7th instant. I was a mere spectator of the combat, and it is not my province to render any report of this action; but I deem it an imperative duty to say that the firing and manoeuvring of our fleet against that of the rebels and their formidable land batteries was a master-piece of activity and professional skill that must have elicited the applause of the rebels themselves as a tactical operation. I think that too much praise cannot be awarded to the service and skill exhibited by the flagofficer of the naval squadron, and the officers connected with his ships. I deem the perform ance a masterly one, and it ought to have been seen to be fully appreciated. After the works were reduced, I took possession of them with the land forces. The beautifully constructed work on Hilton Head was severely crippled and many of the guns dismounted. Much slaughter had evidently been made there, many bodies having been buried in the fort, and some twenty or thirty were found some half mile distant. The island for many miles was found strewed with the arms, accoutrements, and baggage of the rebels, which they threw away in their hasty retreat. We have also come into possession of about forty pieces of ordnance, most of which are of the heaviest calibre and the most approved models, and a large quantity of ammunition and camp equipage. It is my duty to report the valuable services of Mr. Boutelle, assistant in the Coast Survey, assisting me with his accurate and extensive knowledge of this country. His services are invaluable to the army as well as to the navy, and I earnestly recommend that important notice be taken of this very able and scientific officer by the War | joined, reports came in of disasters. I expected Department. to hear of many, but when the severity of the gale and the character of the vessels are considered, we have only cause for great thank I am, very respectfully, your obedient serv't, COMMODORE DUPONT'S REPORTS. FLAG-SHIP WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD, Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, SIR: The Government having determined to seize and occupy one or more important points upon our Southern coast, where our squadrons might find shelter, possess a depot, and afford protection to loyal citizens, committed to my discretion the selection from among those places which it thought available and desirable for these purposes. In reference to the men-of-war: the Isaac Smith, a most efficient and well-armed vessel for the class purchased, but not intended to encounter such sea and wind, had to throw her formidable battery overboard to keep from floundering; but, thus relieved, LieutenantCommanding Nicholson was enabled to go to the assistance of the chartered steamer Governor, then in a very dangerous condition, and on board of which was our fine battalion of marines under Major Reynolds. They were finally rescued by Captain Ringgold in the Sabine, under difficult circumstances, soon after which the Governor went down. I believe that seven of the marines were drowned by their own imprudence. Lieutenant-Commanding Nicholson's conduct in the Isaac Smith has met my warm commendations. The Peerless transport, in a sinking condition, was met by the Mohican, Commander Gordon, and all the people on board, twenty-six in number, were saved under very peculiar circumstances, in which service Lieutenant H. W. Miller was very favorably noticed by his commander. After mature deliberation, aided by the professional knowledge and great intelligence of the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Fox, and upon taking into consideration the magnitude to which the joint naval and military expedition had been extended, to which you have called my attention, I came to the conclusion that the original intentions of the Department, if carried out, would fall short of the expectations of the country and of the capabilities of the expedition, while Port Royal, I thought, would meet both | Lieutenant-Commanding Ammen, to direct Capin a high degree. I therefore submitted to Brigadier-General Sherman, commanding the military part of the expedition, this modification of our earliest matured plans, and had the satisfaction to receive his full concurrence, though he and the commanders of the brigades very justly laid great stress on the necessity, if possible, of getting this frigate into the harbor of Port Royal. On Tuesday, the 29th of October, the fleet under my command left Hampton Roads, and, with the army transports, numbered fifty vessels. On the day previous I had despatched the coal vessels, twenty-five in number, under convoy of the Vandalia, Commander Haggerty, to rendezvous off Savannah, not wishing to give the true point of the fleet. The weather had been unsettled in Hampton Roads, though it promised well when we sailed. But off Hatteras it blew hard; some ships got into the breakers, and two struck, but without injury, on Friday, the 1st of November. The rough weather soon increased into a gale, and we had to encounter one of great violence from the southeast, a portion of which approached to a hurricane. The fleet was utterly dispersed, and on Saturday morning one sail only was in sight from the deck of the Wabash. On the following day the weather moderated, and the steamers and ships began to reappear. The orders were opened, except those in case of separation. These last were forwarded to all the men-ofwar by myself, and to the transports by Brigadier-General Sherman; and as the vessels reVOL. III.-Doc. 8 On passing Charleston I sent in the Seneca, tain Lardner to join me with the steamer Susquehanna off Port Royal without delay. On Monday, at eight o'clock in the morning, I anchored off the bar, with some twenty-five vessels in company, with many more heaving in sight. The Department is aware that all the aids to navigation had been removed, and the bar lies ten miles seaward, with no features on the shore line with sufficient prominence to make any bearing reliable. But, owing to the skill of Commander Davis, the fleet captain, and Mr. Boutelle, the able assistant of the Coast Survey, in charge of the steamer Vixen, the channel was immediately found, sounded out, and buoyed. By three o'clock I received assurances from Captain Davis that I could send forward the lighter transports, those under eighteen feet, with all the gunboats, which was immediately done, and before dark they were securely anchored in the roadstead of Port Royal, S. C. The gunboats almost immediately opened their batteries upon two or three rebel steamers under Commodore Tatnall, instantly chasing him under the shelter of the batteries. In the morning Commander John Rodgers, of the U. S. steamer Flag, temporarily on board this ship, and acting on my staff, accompanied BrigadierGeneral Wright in the gunboat Octavia, Lientenant-Commanding Stevens, and supported by the Seneca, Lieutenant-Commanding Nicholson, made a reconnoissance in force, and drew the fire of the batteries on Hilton Head and Bay Point sufficiently to show that the fortifications The plan of the attack was simple and effective, being for the ships to steam in a circle, or ellipse, running close to one shore as they came down the river, drifting or steaming as slowly as possible past the batteries there, and paying their fiery respects, then making the turn to go back, and as they went up the river, favoring the other batteries with a similar compliment.-N. The draft of this plan was made by G. C. Plicque, the other 4 guns. of the engineers attached to the Port Royal expedition. The batteries were situated-one, a strong, admirably-built fortification, called Fort Walker, mounting 23 guns, on the one side of the Broad River, (here about 2 miles wide,) and two other batteries, behind less elaborate earthworks, on the opposite side of the river. Of the latter, one mounted 15 guns, and was named Fort Beauregard, and Y. Tribune. were works of strength, and scientifically con- | structed. On the evening of Monday, Captain Davis and Mr. Boutelle reported water enough for the Wabash to venture in. The responsibility of hazarding so noble a frigate was not a light one, over a prolonged bar of over two miles. There was but a foot or two of water to spare, and the fall and rise of the tide are such that if she had grounded she would have sustained most serious injury from straining, if not totally lost. Too much, however, was at stake to hesitate, and the result was entirely successful. On the morning of Tuesday, the Wabash crossed the bar, followed closely by the frigate Susquehanna, the Atlantic, Vanderbilt, and other transports of deep draft, running through that portion of the fleet already in. The safe passage of this great ship over the bar was hailed with gratifying cheers from the crowded vessels. We anchored, and immediately commenced preparing the ship for action. But the delay of planting the buoys, particularly on the Fishing Rip, a dangerous shoal we had to avoid, rendered the hour late before it was possible to leave with the attacking squadron. In our anxiety to get the outline of the forts before dark, we stood in too near these shoals, and the ship grounded. By the time she was gotten off, it was too late, in my judgment, to proceed, and I made signals for the squadron to anchor out of gun-shot from the enemy. Today the wind blows a gale from the southward and westward, and the attack is unavoidably postponed. I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-officer Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. FLAG-SHIP WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD, } The Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington: PORT ROYAL HARBOR, NOV. 8, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that yesterday I attacked the batteries of the enemy on Bay Point and Hilton Head and Forts Walker and Beauregard, and succeeded in silencing them after an engagement of four hours' duration, and driving away the squadron of rebel steamers, under Commander Tatnall. The reconnoissance of yesterday made all satisfied with the superiority of Fort Walker, and to that I directed my especial efforts, engaging it at a distance of eight hundred, and afterward of six hundred yards. But the plan of attack | brought the squadron sufficiently near Fort Beauregard to receive its fire, and the ships were frequently fighting the batteries on both sides at the same time. doned without an attempt to carry away either public or private property. The ground over which they fled was strewn with the arms of private soldiers, and the officers retired in too much haste to submit to the incumbrance of their swords. Landing my marines, and a company of seamen, I took possession of the deserted ground, and held the forts on Hilton Head till the arrival of Gen. Sherman, to whom I had the honor to transfer their command. We have captured forty-three pieces of cannon, most of them of the heaviest calibre and of the most improved design. The bearer of these despatches will have the honor to carry with him the captured flags and two small brass fieldpieces, lately belonging to the State of South Carolina, which are sent home as suitable trophies of the success of the day. I enclose herewith a copy of the general order which is to be read in the fleet to-morrow morning at muster. A detailed account of this battle will be submitted hereafter. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-officer Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. P. S.-The bearer of despatches will also carry with him the first American ensign raised upon the soil of South Carolina, since the rebellion broke out. S. F. D. FLAGSHIP WABASH, HILTON HEAD, } PORT ROYAL BAY, Nov. 8, 1861. GENERAL ORDER, No. 2.-It is the grateful duty of the Commander-in-Chief to make a public acknowledgment of his entire commendation of the coolness, discipline, skill, and gallantry displayed by the officers and men under his command in the capture of the batteries at Hilton's Head and Bay Point, after an action of four hours' duration. The Flag-officer fully sympathizes with the officers and men of his squadron in the satisfaction they must feel at seeing the ensign of the United States flying once more in the State of South Carolina, which has been the chief promoter of the wicked and unprovoked rebellion they have been called upon to suppress. S. F. DUPONT, Flag-officer Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. FLAG-SHIP WABASH OF NULTON TRAP; } Hon. Gideon Welles: Nov. 8, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the following casualties in the action of yesterday in the capture of the batteries at Hilton Head and Bay Point: Wabash-Killed one; Thomas Jackson, cockswain, captain of a gun. Slightly wounded, two-Alfred Hernsby, seaman, and William Wall, seaman. The action was begun on my part at twentysix minutes after nine, and at half-past two the American ensign was hoisted on the flag-staff of Fort Walker, and this morning at sunrise on that of Fort Beauregard. The defeat of the Susquehanna-Killed, two-John P. Clark, enemy terminated in utter rout and confusion. orderly sergeant, and Wm. Price, second coalTheir quarters and encampments were aban-heaver. Wounded seriously, one-Samuel F. Smart, first class boy. Wounded slightly, two— | squadron, ever fitted out under that flag, which Patrick Dwyer and Samuel Holbrook, second grade. Pawnee-Killed, two-John Kelly, Orderly Sergeant, and Wm. H. Fitzhugh, first class boy. Wounded slightly, three-Alfred Washburne, Master's Mate; Jacob House, ordinary seaman, and Patrick Quinn, ordinary seaman. Mohican-Killed, one-John A. Whittemore, Third Assistant Engineer. Wounded seriously, three-W. Thompson, Isaac Seyburn, Acting Master, and Sherman Bascom, ordinary seaman. Wounded slightly, four-Mayland Cuthbert, Third Assistant Engineer; John O. Pittman, Master's Mate; John W. Townsend, ordinary seaman, and Charles Browne, ordinary seaman. Bienville-Killed, two-Patrick McGuigan and Alexander Chambers. Wounded slightly, three-Peter Murphy, Alexander Ferey, and Wm. Gilchrist. Seminole-A few slightly wounded. The number not reported. TOTAL-Killed, wounded slightly, 17. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-officer Commanding United States Atlantic Blockading Squadron. 8; wounded severely, 6; FLAG-SHIP WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD, Hon. Gideon Welles: SIR: Since writing my official despatches, I have sent gunboats to take possession of Beaufort and to protect the inhabitants; but I regret to say they have fled and the town is abandoned to the negroes, who are reported to me as in a lawless condition. The light vessels which I hoped to have made use of, were destroyed on the desertion of the forts by the rebels. The post-offices were visited, and a number of documents, letters, &e., obtained. I have covered Scull Creek, the mouth of Broad River, and have cut off this communication between Charleston and Savannah. Respectfully, your obedient servant, LETTER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Nov. 16. SIR: It is with no ordinary emotion that I tender to you and your command, the heartfelt congratulations and thanks of the Government and the country, for the brilliant success achieved at Port Royal. In the war now waging against the GovernIment in this most causeless and unnatural rebellion that ever afflicted a country, high hopes have been indulged in the navy, and great confidence reposed in its efforts. The result of the skill and bravery of yourself and others, has equalled and surpassed our highest expectations. To you and your associates, under the providence of God, we are indebted for this great achievement by the largest you have so gallantly vindicated, and which you will bear onward to continued success. On the receipt of your despatches, announcing the victory at Port Royal, the Department issued the enclosed general order, which with this letter you will cause to be read to your command. I am, sir, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES. Flag-officer SAMUEL F. DUPONT, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Port Royal, S. C. REPORT OF MAJOR REYNOLDS. U. S. SHIP SABINE, AT SEA, November 8, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that the marine battalion under my command, left Hampton Roads on the transport steamboat Governor, on the morning of Tuesday, the 29th of October, with the other vessels of the fleet, and continued with them, near the flag-ship Wabash, until Friday, the 1st November. On Friday morning, about ten o'clock, the wind began to freshen, and by twelve or one blew so violently we were obliged to keep her head directly to the wind, and thereby leave the squadron, which apparently stood its course. Throughout the afternoon the gale continued to increase, though the Governor stood it well until about four o'clock. About this time we were struck by two or three very heavy seas, which broke the port hog-brace in two places, the brace tending in-board. This was immediately followed by the breaking of the hog-brace on the starboard side. By great exertions on the part of the officers and men of the battalion, these braces were so well stayed and supported, that no immediate danger was apprehended from them. Up to this time the engine worked well. Soon after the bracechains, which supported the smoke-stack, departed, and it went overboard. Some three feet of it, above the hurricane deck, remained, which enabled us to keep up the fires. Soon after the loss of the smoke-stack, the steam-pipe burst. After this occurrence we were unable to make more than fourteen pounds of steam, which was reduced, as soon as the engine commenced working, to from three to five pounds. The consequence was, we had to stop the engine frequently in order to increase the head of steam. At this period the steamer was making water freely, but was |