the United States army. He had doubtless | Georgians and South Carolinians started, he It had sixteen guns of large calibre, garrisoned by five hundred men, who were soon convinced that the "damned Yankees," as the negroes reported them to call us, were more than their match. They ran in confusion, but one bold fellow returned to the largest gun in the fort and discharged it at us. The enormous rifle ball flew with a tremendous scream over the deck of the Bienville and struck the afterport of the Augusta, without, however, killing any one. That shot was its last, for as it left the piece the gun burst, killing the man who fired it, and scattering missiles all around. It was a magnificent cannon, and could not have weighed less than one thousand six hundred pounds. In the forts and in plantation residences around, were found a mass of documents, letters of all descriptions, and officials papers. A telegram was found, sent by Jeff. Davis to General Drayton, stating that from reliable information he had received, a fleet was about leaving New York, destined for Port Royal. This was dated about the first of the month. The officers of Fort Walker had established their head-quarters at a rich old plantation mansion, not far from the fort, on an estate belonging to a family by the name of Pope. Here was a splendid library, a mass of papers and documents, and a file of the Charleston Mercury, for the last thirty or forty years. One was seen dated as far back as 1812. The order of battle for the day was found, giving directions for the mode of repelling a Federal attack. It appeared that they had been in constant expectation of our attack ever since the Bienville first appeared off the harbor, on Monday, and had been busily preparing for us. A large quantity of love letters were discovered, from the Flora McFierys and Amazons of Georgia and South Carolina, to various officers and men stationed at the fort. One was from a Georgia lady to her husband, telling him to remember that they had been married but six months, that he promised her not to go as a soldier, and that somehow or other he must get away as soon as possible. There was something ambiguously added about longing for his embraces, and if he has continued running at the rate with which the VOL. III.-Doc. 26 It was evident that the garrisoned rebels had large reinforcements close at hand, awaiting an opportunity to come to their aid should their services be required. Those reinforcements were kept in the background, to keep our forces ignorant of their strength, and draw us, as was believed, to destruction. The result showed that they calculated without their host. Our cannons produced a most devastating effect upon their crowded columns, who were hid among the trees, killing them right and left, and putting them to rapid flight. All about the woods for two miles the bodies of the killed soldiers were to be found, and manifold indications of a hasty retreat. These reinforcements were stated at ten thousand men. I should have stated, in a former part of this letter, the attempt of the rebels to destroy their forts and the capturing party by blowing up their magazines. At Fort Walker a fuze was lighted and attached to the magazine, but it was discovered in time and extinguished. At Fort Beauregard a pistol was arranged to be fired by the opening of a door, and when the Federal party landed it exploded the magazine-killing, however, only two men, and blowing up the rickety old house in which it had been deposited. Their intention was thwarted as much by their own haste to get away as by the carefulness of our men, as the thing was very bunglingly arranged. As soon as the negro slaves observed us coming on shore they flocked along the banks in great numbers, some bearing parcels and bundles as if expecting us to take them at once to a home of freedom. Every variety of negro and slave was represented. I say negro and slave, for it is a melancholy fact that some slaves are apparently as white as their masters, and as intelligent. Darkies of genuine Congo physiques, and darkies of the genuine Uncle Tom pattern, darkies young and jubilant, darkies middle-aged, and eager, and gray-haired, solemnlooking fellows. Some appeared mystified, and some intelligent. The quadroon and the octoroon, possessing an undistinguishable tint of negro blood ningled, one drop with seven of Southern nativity and ancient family, formed, to speak mildly, an interesting scene. As fast as the contraband article came within reach, it was placed in the guard-house, an old frame building behind Fort Walker. Here quite a collection was made. They were huddling together, half in fear and half in hope, when a naval officer of the Bienville looked in upon them asking, Well, well, what are you all about?" 66 "Dat's jest what we'd like to find out, mas'r," was the response. The officer assured them that they would be kindly taken care of and perhaps found something to do, and need not be alarmed. "Thank God for dat, mas'r," was the reply. On drawing them into conversation, they said that they caught a great deal of fish in Port | fleet, consisting of about fifty steamers and Royal harbor, fishing at night, after the planta- transports, all in sight, and retaining their ortion work was over. Two slaves were found der, according to brigades, presented a most reconnoitring about on their own account, and magnificent sight. The low shore of Virginia on being brought into camp, explained that they is dimly visible at the right, and fast receding belonged to Mrs. Pinckney, of Charleston, and from sight. came down to "see what de white people were all about." They said that the white people all ran away when the ships came up, crying, "Great God! Great God! Great God! the Yankees are coming; fire the boats." Other slaves reported that "when the white folks see the little boats coming up, dey laffed at dern, but when dey see de big checker-sided vessels comin', they laffed on de oder side der moufs." The number of slaves will probably increase each day, and the importance of their aid must be great. At three o'clock P. M., two of the propellers we brought with us relieved two of the blockading squadron on this part of the Virginia coast, and the two vessels relieved are follow| ing with us. Soon after landing, a detachment of men proceeded up to Beaufort, and found it tenantless except by one dilapidated person, who presented some traces of cultivation, and of having been an original South Carolina gentleman, but he appeared to be either paralyzed by drunkenness or fear, and it probably was not the latter. He met the Federal troops on the outskirts of the city, and with hat in hand, and gently swaying from side to side, hiccupped out a few undistinguishable words as they passed in. The remnant of secesh chivalry excited only the risibles of our men as they raised, with many cheers, the Stars and Stripes over Beaufort. As I close my long and hasty letter, troops are being landed from the transports to occupy and repair the forts and positions gained by their bravery and valor. They are encamping in a sweet-potato field, the edibles of which they will soon, doubtless, exhibit a fondness for. General Sherman's head-quarters are at the mansion-house lately occupied by the officers of Fort Walker as theirs. Over its roof the Stars and Stripes of the Union now wave, and our victorious troops gaze on it with full, gushing hearts, and songs of exultant triumph. JOURNAL OF THE VANDERBILT. ON BOARD STEAMER VANDERBILT, } At half-past four this morning the signal gun for getting under way was fired from the U. S. steam-frigate Wabash, Commodore Dupont commanding. At five there was a general weighing of anchors, and the Wabash steamed out at half-past five. As the sun rose the whole fleet was under way, the weather being delightfully clear, a light breeze from the west, and no clouds. Some delay occurred in getting the fleet in proper order, but at ten the Commodore's ship was off Cape Henry Lighthouse, the fleet following in regular order. At two o'clock P. M. Cape Henry Lighthouse was out of sight, the fleet bearing due south. Whether beautifully clear; wind from the west; no clouds, and the sea but slightly ruffled. The At sunset we were off the North Carolina coast but out of sight of land. At eight o'clock P. M. the whereabouts of the fleet could be traced by the lamps in the rigging, the horizon all around being dotted with lights, bearing steadily south, and weather unchanged. Wednesday, October 30.-A beautiful clear morning; wind from the southwest; but few clouds. The headway was but a few miles an hour all night, and the vessels have changed position considerably. The Wabash, instead of being in the lead, is in the centre, the Vanderbilt being ahead, and several vessels six to ten miles ahead. About forty vessels in sight. Noon. The vessels of the fleet have resumed their position of yesterday, the Wabash in the lead, off Chicamacomico Inlet. Three o'clock P. м.-Off Cape Hatteras, but cape not in sight. Course southwest. Weather clear, wind moderate, and sea not very rough. Six P. M.—Wind increasing and sea rough. Thursday, October 31.-A high wind from the southwest prevailed all night. Headway slow; making but two and a quarter miles an hour. The wind has now fallen considerably, and has changed to the west. Noon. In the Gulf stream. Weather warm; sea smooth; progress slow-only forty-four miles south of Hatteras. Six o'clock P. M.-The afternoon has been lost in lying by, waiting for the fleet to come up. The Baltic and nine other vessels have been missed, and the Atlantic sent back for them. Friday, November 1.-The Atlantic has come back with the missing vessels. The Baltic had been aground near Hatteras. Fleet all in sight; wind high from the southeast, and considerable sea running; weather cloudy. Six o'clock P. M.-Wind increased to a gale; sea very rough, and vessels all laboring heavily. Signalled from the Wabash to keep further off the coast. No observations for latitude today. Ten o'clock P. M.--Wind so high that we had to cut the hawser towing the Great Republic. Saturday, Nov. 2.-The gale eased up during the day, but is worse than ever during the night. It has scattered the fleet in all directions, and not a vessel is in sight except the Great Republic. We are now steering west across the Gulf stream, having run out east during the night. Sea rough, and soldiers suffering severely from sea-sickness. Three P. M.-Still heading west; dead wind ahead. By observation at noon we are about sixty miles from the North Carolina coast, and making for land. As we have been running west all day, we must have been out to sea pretty far. Seven of the fleet are now in sight, and others expected to appear at intervals. Sea continues rough. The Winfield Scott has just been taken in tow by the Vanderbilt, and will leave with us in the morning. The Governor, a light-boat, seventeen years old, from Long Island Sound, with fifty marines on board, was seen during Friday night with her Union down and firing guns of distress. The Winfield Scott was bearing down to her when one of the gunboats made for her, but the captain of the Scott is unable to say whether she was relieved or not. She probably foundered. Her loss, with the wreck of the Scott, is the only injury we have heard of by the storm. All the small vessels which have come up describe the gale as terrific, creating scenes of confusion and alarm on every boat contain Six P. M.-The storm having scattered the fleet, the sealed sailing orders were opened today, and it was found we were ordered to land at Port Royal, near Savannah. We have been running southwest since three o'clock. The wind has fallen, and the sea is much smoother. Sunday, Nov. 3.-The storm is over, and the weather to-day is again warm, and the sea smooth. We ran slowly all night southwest-ing troops. ward, and since daylight have been running rapidly. Steamer Illinois, with one of her smoke-stacks carried away, is to the larboard; the Atlantic and Daniel Webster to the starboard. Nine o'clock A. M.-Seven vessels in sight ahead. Eleven o'clock A. M.-Have reached rendezvous, and are now lying by South Carolina coast, dimly seen to the starboard. Eleven of the fleet in sight. Weather delightful. Waiting for the fleet to come up. No sign yet of the Wabash. Six o'clock P. M.-Fourteen of the fleet around us. Still lying to. No tidings of the Wabash. The Winfield Scott has just come up, nearly wrecked in the gale of Friday night; she had to cut her masts away, and her bow is badly stove in; she was compelled to throw over her | three rifled-cannon, all her freight, the muskets and equipments of her five hundred men; every thing but rations for her troops, to keep her from going to pieces. At midnight of that night she had five feet of water in her hold, and but for the labors of the soldiers in baling out, her fires must have been extinguished, and nothing then could have saved her. During the night the gunboat Bienville came to her relief; and as soon as she came alongside the chief-engineer of the Scott and his assistants, and thirteen of the crew, jumped on board, abandoning the Scott to her fate. This came near leading to a panic among the soldiers, who gave up all for lost when they saw the crew fly; but the captain of the Scott went on board the Bienville, and, with the assistance of her officers, put the chief-engineer in irons and brought him and the runaway crew back. Things then went on better, the soldiers behaving remarkably well. Colonel Clark, of the Thirtieth Pennsylvania regiment, five hundred of whose men were on board, describes the night as a most fearful one. The gale was terribly severe; the boat was a mere shell; the terror of the men as the timbers cracked and the masts went overboard; the despair when it was announced she was leaking badly, and the panic when the crew attempted to escape-all combined to make it a night of anxiety and horror. Monday, Nov. 4.-We are again under way, bearing nearly due west. Twenty vessels in | sight, but the Wabash has not yet been seen. We are now but a short distance from Port Royal. Weather fine, and wind off-shore. Eleven o'clock.-Off Port Royal entrance. Thirty-eight of the fleet arrived and in sight, and the Wabash and the gunboats among them. The Governor went down with twenty men on board, the Pembina taking off all who were able to escape. No word yet of the Union, R. B. Forbes, and Ericsson. The gunboats are now feeling their way up the river, sounding and marking the channel. The only sign of the enemy so far is a little tug, which came down far enough to catch sight of the fleet, and then put back. Four o'clock P. M.-It has been a most beautiful day, scarcely a breath of air stirring, and the water as smooth as a mirror. The gunboats are now moving up toward the river, followed by the smaller vessels of the fleet. Half-past four P. M.-Three small vessels have just put off from shore to meet our gunboats. The Penguin, Curlew, and Unadilla are in the lead, and the Pawnee in the rear. The three rebel boats open on ours, firing three rounds, all of which fall short. The Penguin answers, then the Curlew and the Unadilla, and then the Pawnee, each feeling the way, and firing closer to the enemy at every shot. After exchanging shots for half an hour or so, none of which seemed to hit on either side, the rebel boats drew off and showed a clean pair of heels, making up Port Royal River, where two other vessels were lying, which did not come within shooting distance. It was now sundown, and by the time our gunboats, the Curlew in advance, had chased them out of sight and got abreast of the little town at the mouth of the river it was dark, and the firing ceased. There was no firing from the land batteries, and no guns on shore were visible. Seen from a distance, the interchange of shots presented a beautiful sight. The calm, clear atmosphere rendered it easy to see a great distance; and as the rebel gunboats, after receiving a few shots uncomfortably near, took to their heels, there was a general cheer through the crowds in the fleet anxiously looking on. Nine o'clock P. M.-There is a general preparation going on for landing the troops in boats to-morrow for a land assault. Tuesday, Nov. 5.-The cannonading was resumed this morning and continued till eleven o'clock, and apparently without effect. None of the rebel shots have struck our boats, and we could see none of ours strike them. The three rebel boats came down again this morning, and opened fire spitefully but at long range-every shot falling short. Our boats, which anchored last night on the spot they had driven the rebel boats from, worked up abreast of Port Royal, answering the enemy's shots without much effect; and when opposite the town a battery of two guns on the shore opened on them, followed by two guns on the shore on the opposite side of the river's mouth. The guns opposite Port Royal were too weak to do any harm, every shot falling far short; and several shots from the foremost of our gunboats seemed to weaken their fire considerably. The guns in Port Royal had nearer work of it; but all the shots went over the fleet, doing no harm. The rebel boats kept a safe distance from the forward gunboats of our fleet, and finally sneaked off up the inlet behind the town, the firing ceasing all around about eleven o'clock, our boats maintaining their anchorage abreast of the town. The Wabash and the other vessels-of-war have just moved up to the scene of conflict, cheered by the men in every vessel as they pass, their crews cheering lustily in return. She anchored at least three miles from shore, the water being evidently too shallow to allow her to go further. The vessels with troops are getting their boats out ready to land. Six P. M.-The fleet has been inactive all day since the war vessels moved up. The Ericsson is aground on the bar outside, and has Hamilton's battery aboard, and the need of this battery has prevented a landing to-day. Wednesday, Nov. 6.-The fleet has been inactive all day, but there has been a great deal of preparation going on. On shore, on both sides of the river, the enemy is very busy. Their half-dozen river steamers, all armed, have been running all day, bringing in troops and guns, and getting ready for an obstinate defence. Our fleet is anchored in the bay, just beyond the mouth of Port Royal River. There are two islands at the mouth of the river-one on the north and one on the south, opposite each other, and there are strong batteries on both. That on the south has apparently over twenty guns, and that on the north over fifteen guns. Which one the fleet will attack perplexes the enemy; but he has apparently concluded that the heaviest attack will be on the south side. The inlet behind the north island leads north to Beaufort, and that behind the south 'island leads south to Savannah. Thursday, Nov. 7.-Early this morning, the fleet moved up and attacked both forts, directing its heaviest fire upon that on the south island. The batteries replied vigorously, but were badly handled, and their shot nearly all fell short. The fleet, on the contrary, poured in upon the south battery a perfect shower of iron hail. The gunboats rendered excellent service, every shot almost telling, while the Wabash, Susquehanna, Pawnee, and Vandalia poured in most effective broadsides. About 1 o'clock P. M. a white flag was visible on shore. The firing then ceased, and the commodore's gig went ashore from the Wabash with a white flag, and found the fort abandoned. The American flag was immediately hoisted, and as it once more floated in triumph over the soil of South Carolina, it was greeted with deafening cheers by the anxiously awaiting masses on board the fleet, and all the bands, as of one accord, struck up our national airs. Our loss was only one killed and nineteen wounded. The Seminole had four or five shots planted in her hull. The Wabash is disabled in her machinery, by balls which penetrated her hull. The dead and wounded of the enemy cannot now be ascertained. Eight dead bodies were found on landing, and two sick in the hospital. The wounded (and probably many of the dead) were carried off. Twenty guns and two howitzers were captured, and large quantities of ammunition. The garrison was eight hundred yesterday, and reinforced by five hundred last night. A perfect panic seems to have seized them when the shot came in hotly on them. Where they are, cannot yet be ascertained. Our gunboats have gone up the southern inlet to cut off their retreat. The northern island was abandoned by the enemy at the same time. It has a battery of some fifteen or twenty guns, which we shall take possession of in the morning. This victory was won altogether by the fleet. NEW YORK "TIMES" NARRATIVE. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S. C.. I shall endeavor to give a faithful narrative of the conflict, its attendant circumstances, and such other matters as may seem to be of interest. The day itself was more beautiful, if any thing, than the finest with which we had been favored since our arrival at Port Royal. The wind, blowing gently from the northeast, scarcely caused a ripple upon the water, and the sky was only flecked here and there with a feathery cloud. Early in the morning the rebel gunboats took up the position which they had occupied on other days at the entrance of the bay, while as many as seven rather large river steamers, coming from behind the headlands, passed backward and forward in the offing, occasionally approaching the fortifications on either side, and communicating by means of a row-boat with those on shore. Some of these vessels had brought reinforcements from Charleston, but the larger number were crowded with excursionists, from all the country round, who had come to witness the utter humiliation of the “Yankees" and the destruction of their fleet. One of the steamers is believed to have had the Consuls of England and France on board, for she displayed the flags of those nations, as well as the rebel ensign, and taking a position beyond the reach of danger, remained until the victory was won. At 9 o'clock, the fleet was signalled from the Wabash to raise anchor, and in rather more than half an hour afterward, all the vessels were in motion. They moved slowly toward the land, cautiously feeling the way with the sounding line, arranged in two columns, of which the first was led by the flag-ship, and the second by the Bienville. The first column comprised the Wabash, Susquehanna, Mohican, Seminole, Pawnee, Unadilla, Ottawa, Pembina, and Vandalia, in tow of the Isaac Smith. The gunboats Penguin, Augusta, Curlew, Seneca, and R. B. Forbes, followed in the track of the Bienville. Sufficient space was given each vessel, in order that the fire from one column might not interfere with the operation of the other. It was well understood that the Cominodore intended to fight at close quarters, and the fact intensified the interest everybody felt in the approaching conflict. As the fleet moved majestically on toward the foe, the few minutes consumed in getting within range of the batteries seemed dreadfully long to the spectators, who watched in deep suspense for the commencement of the fight. At length, precisely at five minutes before 10 o'clock, the Bay Point battery opened its fire upon the Wabash, and that at Hilton Head followed almost within a second. The ships were then nearly midway between the hostile guns, and scarcely within range. For a minute they made no reply; but presently the Wabash began. Then grandly she poured from both her massive sides a terrible rain of metal, which fell with frightful rapidity upon either shore. The other vessels were not slow in following her example, and the battle was fairly begun. It was, I believe, part of the plan of battle to engage the batteries alternately, and the vessels preserving their relative positions, were to move in circles before the foe. This mode of procedure was decided upon, because the current sets swiftly in the straits between the fortifications, which are about two miles and three-quarters apart, and it was impossible, even had it been desirable, for the vessels to remain stationary long enough to silence one battery before attacking the other. Something occurred, however, to change these arrangements a little. It is true the larger vessels followed the Wabash, from first to last, in the prescribed way, and the Bienville, leading the second division, gallantly maintained the position which had been assigned to her throughout the entire action; but the gunboats, finding that they could bring a destructive enfilading fire to bear upon Hilton Head, by stationing themselves in a cove, about a mile's distance to the left of the fortification, took that position, and performed most efficient service. The Commodore, perceiving the good result of the manoeuvre, permitted them to remain. The Wabash was brought as near Hilton Head battery as the depth of water permitted; while soundings were given and signals made during the whole time the ship was in action, as regularly as upon ordinary occasions. Within a distance of nine hundred yards from the rebel guns, the Wabash threw in her fiery messengers, while the other frigates, no further away, participated in the deadly strife; and the gunboats, from their sheltered nook, raked the ramparts frightfully. Thus the fire of about fifty guns was concentrated every moment upon the enemy, who worked heroically, never wavering in his reply, except when the Wabash was using her batteries directly in front of him. Then it was too hot for flesh and blood to endure. Shells fell almost as rapidly as hail-drops within, and for a mile and-a-half beyond the battery. As they struck and ploughed into the earth, a dense pillar of sand would shoot upward, totally obscuring the fortification, and driving the blinded gunners from their pieces. From my point of observation, on board the In describing their circuit and delivering Atlantic, which had been taken as close to the their fire, the vessels consumed rather more combatants as was consistent with safety, in than an hour for each round. Little more order that Gen. Sherman might witness the than half of this time, however, was spent proceedings, it was apparent that few of the in getting into position; for gliding slowly shells, which at first were the only projectiles around, perhaps entering the bay beyond used, burst within the fortifications. The guns the fort half a mile, just far enough to perhad too great an elevation, and their iron mes-mit the safe turning of his immense ship, the sengers went crashing among the tree-tops a commodore brought her back, and repeated mile or two beyond the batteries. The same from his starboard battery, until the guns bewas the case with the rebels, whose shot passed came too hot to handle, that devastating fire. between the masts and above our vessels. The What is true respecting the firing of the Wabash frigates and gunboats each having delivered is also true respecting the Susquehanna, Bientheir fire, which mainly in this round was direct-ville, Pawnee, Mohican, and the rest. Each ed against Bay Point, passed within the bay, indifferent alike to the bursting shells, humming projectiles, and hot round-shot which the rebels furiously discharged, breaking the water into foaming columns every where around them. vessel discharged her broadside at the shortest possible range, loading and firing again and again, with all the coolness and precision exercised in target practice, before she passed the battery. |