The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-22
The Capture Of Beaufort.
THE BOMBA RDMENT- DESCRIPTION OF THE
F7GHr-LNTERESTTNG INCIDENTS.

We collate from the full details just re-
ceived the most interesting incidents of the
bombardment of the forts at Beaufort:
THE COMMANDMENT.
On Wednesday, after a consultation OF
the Generals on board the Wabash, it was
determined to yield the guidance of the af-
fair to the navy. General Sherman told
Commodore Dupont-and Generals Wright,
Stevens and Viele concurred in the state.
uent-that the soldiers could not land un.
less the sailors first silepced the rebel bat
teries. Blue jackets have the reputation
for being equal to emergencies, and in this
instance there was no shrinking from the
respons Utility. 1t was intended that the
attack should have commenced Immediately
and in anticipation active preparations
were made. General Sherman resumed his
former quarters on the Atlantic, and the
Wabash and other frigates were cleared for
action.
The lateness of the hour to which those
preparations were necessarily carried, re-
served the opening of the work until morn
ing.
On Thursday morning at nine O'Clock
the flag ship Wabash signalled to form in
the order of battle. The flag ship led the
main column, having her position on the
Susquehanna's starboard quarter and main-
tanning it during the entire action. They
were drawn up in the following order:
Main Colslmn-Wabasb, Susquehanna,
Mohican, Seminole, Pawnee, Unadilla,
Pembipa.
Starboard Column -Bienville, Seneca,
Curlew, Penguin, Ottawa, Vandalia.
The ships made the entrance of the Port
Royal channel. At the point between the
forts it is twenty-five hundred yards wide.
As the feet moved up, the rebel batteries
on both sides of the river opened fire on
the head of the column, with heavy guns Of
long range.
1t was the plan of battle to engage the
batteries alternately, and the vessels, pre-
serving their relative positions, were to move
in circles before the foe. This mode of pro-
ceedure was decided upon because the cur
rent sets swiftly in the straits between the
Notifications, which are about two miles and
three-quarters apart, and it is impossible,
even had it been desirable, for the vessels to
remain stationary long enough to silence one
battery before attacking the other.
The Wabash was brought as near Hilton
Head battery as the depth of water per-
mitted, while soundings were given and sig
nails made during the whole time the ship
was in action, as regularly as upon ordinary
occasions. Within distance of nine hun
dred 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
frightfulIy. Thus the fire of about fifty
guns was concentra ed every moment on
the enemy, who worked heroically, never
wavering in bis reply, except when the Wa.
bash was using her batteries directly in
front of him. Then it was too hot for
flesh and blood to endure. Shells fell al
most as rapidly as hail drops within, and
for mile and half beyond the battery
As they struck and plowed into the earth
dense pillar of sand would shoot upward
totally obscuring the tortiicatioD, and driv.
ing the blinded gunners from their pieces.
heard frequently, during the hottest o
the fight, most unqualified expressions Of
approval for the manner IN which the rebels
, served their guns. That their marksman.
! ship was good, the torn bulls and cut rig.
/ cling of our vessels, rather than the number
of killed on board, furnish full evidence.
| After the second round had been brill
iantly fought on both Sides the Wabast
gave signal to the vessels which had beer
most actively engaged to cease firing and
give refreshments to their men. Then il
was that their gunboats did their most eff
Gent cannonading. Their shell and round
shot flew straight across the psrapet of the
forti6cation, driving the men from theil
guns and making dreadful havoc.
The little steam-tug Mercury, Master
Commanding Martin, CALAMITY steamed
into shallow bay to the left of the fort, moi
more than half a mile distant, and present
| ing her diminutive figure to the rebel guns
opened upon them with her 80 FOUNDER Par
rot, which was fired rapidly and with COCO
effect. From her proximity to the fort
Capt. Martin was probably the first to GET
that the rebels were preparing to evacuate
the place. In rear of the Notifications, ex
tending about three>fourths OF mile, is &
broad meadow, bounded by dense woods
Across this open space the enemy was car.
were hurriediy removing the equipage o
the camp.
The Mercury, steamipg Closer to tn,
shore, found that the battery had been de
serted, and Immediately took the news te
the A ,g-ship, which, by this time, with hel
sister vessels, was coming up like destroy
ing angel to renew the conflict. The Com.
modore almost simultaneously received con
frmution of the tidings from other sources
and even while listening to the words of the
messenger, the rebels struck their flag. The
signal to cease firing was at once holsted
and it being precisely 21s O'Clock, the BON
barament had been nearly five hours in
progress.
The flagship lowered boat and sent i,
ashore, carrying flag of truce in the bow
and our own proud banner at the stem. Its
mission was to inquire if the enemy had
surrendered. Commander John Rodgers
Z. passenger ou the aoasb, " ho had come
down to JON LIS vessel, the Flag, now
bIockading off Charleston, aud had been
acting during the fight as aid to Commo-