The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-30 00:00:00

on the flagstaff of Fort Walker, and this morning
at sunriso on that of Fort Beauregard. The defeat
of the enemy terminated in their utter rout and
coufabion. Their quarters and encampments were
abandoned without an attempt to carry away either
public or private property. The ground over which
they fled was strewn with the arms of private sol-
diers, and the officers retired in too much haste to
submit to the encumbrance of their swords. Land-
ing 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 General Sherman,
to whom I had the honour to transfer their com-
mand. We have captured 43 pieces of cannon,
most of the heaviest calibre, and of the improved
description. The bearer of these despatches will
have the honour to carry with him the captured
flags, and two small brass field pieces, lately belong-
ing to the State of South Carolina, which are sent
home as 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.—l have the honour to be, very respect-
fully, 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."
" Hilton, Port Royal Bay, Nov. 8.

" It is the grateful duty of the Commander-in-
Chief to make a public acknowledgment of his ontire
commendation of the coolness, discretion, and skill
and gallantry displayed by the officers and men un-
der 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 sym-
pathises with the officers and men of his squadron
in the satisfaction they must feel at seeing the en-
sign 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 the
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron."
"To TIIE HON. GtDEON WELLS.

"Flagship Wabash, off Hilton Head,
Port Royal, Nov. 9.

" 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
that they had fled, and the town is abandoned to
the negroes, who are reported to me as in a law-
less condition. The light vessels which I had
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 o! docu-
ments, letters, &e., obtained. I have covered Scull
Creek and the mouth of Broad River, and have
cut off this communication between Charleston
and Savannah.—Respectfully, your obedient ser-
vant, " S. F. DUPONT,
"Flag Officer commanding United
States' Atlantic Squadron."
A private letter says :
" On the Wabash, one of our men was killed and
seven wounded. On the Mohican, one man was
killed and eight wounded—four mortally. There
are 34 shot holes in the hull of the Wabash, one
through the chamber of the magazine. Eight men
were killed on the navy vessels. About 20 rebels
are known to have been killed ; among them Cap-
tain Beacon and Dr. Buict, surgeon of the post."
Commander Dupont, in a private letter to a
friend, says : _ _

. _
" Wabash, Port Royal, Nov. 9,
"My Dear Mr. Fox,—During the disheartening
events of our passage, my faith never gave way ;
but some moments it seemed appalling. On the
other hand I permit no elation at our success ;

yet I cannot refrain from saying that it has been
more complete and brilliant than I ever could have

believed.

" I have been too much fatigued to send a detailed
official account of the battle. My report is full
up to the eve of it, and I think will interest you ;
but I had to content myself with a succinct ac-
count, which I think will be liked as well as a more
detailed narration. This I will, however, forward
in time for the Secretary's report.

"I kept under weigh and made three turns,
though I passed five times between the forts. I
had a flanking division of five ships to watch, and
old Tatnall too, who had eight small and swift
steamers ready to pounce upon any of outs should
they be disabled.
" I could get none of my big frigates up. I
thought the Sabine would have got clear up to the
St. Lawrence. I sent no word, however, and the
Savannah was blown off. Ido not regret it now,
except on their account.
" I believe my plan was clever. I stood against
the side, and had the management the better, in
consequence.
" Their confidence was extreme that they could
drive us away. They fought bravely, and their
rifled guns never missed.

" A; 80-pounder rifled ball went through our
mainmast in the very centre, making an awful
hole. They aimed at our bridge, where they knew
they could make a hole if lucky. A shot in the
centre let the water into the magazine, but I saved a
hundred lives by keeping under way and bearing
in close.

" We found their sights graduated at 600 yards.
When they once broke, the stampedo was intense,
and not a gun was spiked. In truth, I never con-
ceived of such a fire as that of this ship, on her se-
cond turn, and I am told that its effect upon the
spectators outside of her was intense.
"I learn that when they saw a flag flying on
shore, the troops were powerless to cheer, but wept.

General Sherman was deeply affected, and the sol-
diers are loud and unstinting of their admiration
and gratitude. The works are most scientifically
constructed, and there is nothing like Fort Walker
on the Potomac.

" I did not allow the victory to check our ardour,
but despatched some vessels under Captain Gilles
over to the side to-day. I sent an expedition to
Beaufort to save the light vessels, but they were
fired instantly after the surrender.
" Beaufort is deserted. The negroes are wild
with delight and revenge. They have been shot
down, they say, like dogs, because they would not
go off with their masters. I have already a boat at
Sewell-creek, and the communication between
Savannah and Charleston is cut off." _

It was reported to the New York Associated Press
that the storm encountered by the naval expedition
was extremely severe,and caused much alarm as well
as considerable loss. The steamer Winfield Scott
reached the rendezvous on the evening of the 3d,
with loss of masts and bow stove in. She threw
overboard her three rifled cannon and all her

freight, the muskets and equipments of all her 500
men, everything but rations, to keep from sinking ;
and but for the labour of the soldiers in baling her
fires would have been put out, and nothing then
would have saved her. The steamer Bienville went
to her relief, when her chief engineer, his assistant,
and 13 of her crew, jumped on board the Bienville,
leaving the Scott to her fate. Their action nearly
created a panic among the soldiers, who gave up
all for lost ; but the captain of the Winfield
Scott put the chief engineer in irons, and
brought him and the recreant portion of the
crew back, when things went on better. The
gale was terrible, the vessel a mere shell, the men
terrified by the cracking of her timbers as the masts
went overboard, and despair seized them when it
was discovered that she leaked badly, to which suc-
ceeded a panic when the crew attempted to escape.
The Winfield Scott was taken in tow by the Vander-
bilt, which had cat clear of the Great Republic in
the gale. The steamer Governor went down with
20 men, the Pembina taking off all who co ald escape.
tbheTee The
ne landed,
13th,s
t teaam ship Coatzacoalcos arrived at New
York on the 15th with advices from Port Royal to
discharged. which
ana tthe
date
stores,theo Federalw er
were
betroopsog rapidly
dl ally
There was a rumour that the Federal
pickets near the Savannah Ferry had been attacked
by
thethe
day
Coatzacoalcos
and
left F
1p
o posses-
sion on .
sion of Beaufort was to be taken on the 14th, and the
Charleston papers intimate that General Sherman
would have some difficulty in acing so, They state