Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-11-14
Charles City, Iowa, November IA, 1861.
The Naval Expedition.

The Naval Expedition.
The naval feet encountered terri
bic storm off Hatteras, and two of the
transports, with about sixty men and
from one to two hundred horses. were
wrecked. The men were taken pris.
oners by the rebels, and sent to Rich
mond. Another vessel was driven
out Of sight Of the rest of the feet,
and has returned to Fortress Monroe
in disabled condition. The storm at
length subsidized, and the balance of
the feet proceeded on the voyage. At
last accounts they were bombarding
Port Royal, with what success we
have not learned. The news thus far
comes through rebel hands. The rcb-
els report that our troops landed at
Beaufort, where the attack commenced,
and that they (the rebels) were CIV
ing US warm reception. Another
account says Port Royal is in a criti-
cal condition and just ready to surren.
der. The rebel commander is Com.
Tatnall. Beauregard has left Rich
mond and gone to the assistance Of
the Carolinians with strong force.
One despatch says that one of our
gun boats was disabled by the rebel
guns and another aground and Com.
Tatnall about to take her. 1t was re-
ported at first the Great Republic was
lost, but it was incorrect.
Beaufort was for long time the ri
val Of Charleston, and was only su-
perceded by the latter because, before
railroads existed, the confluence of
the Ashley and Cooper rivers gave
Charleston an advantage in regard to
communication with the interior.
Beaufort is famous watering place
with little brandy for the Carolina
bloods, and favorite resort for the
elite of the chivalry.
The necessity for the seizure of this
port by the Federal forces has been
often discussed, and has been said to
be seizure which would be highly
advantageous to the Government. 1t
is situated in an arm Of the sea called
Port Royal River, about fifteen miles
from the Atlantic. The harbor is one
of the safest on the whole Southern
coast, and has eleven feet water full
upon the bar, at its entrance. Situa-
ted near the line of railroad running
between Charleston and Savannah, it
would afford an easy base for land
operations against either. Either
could be much more easily taken by
land operations than from the sea. Its
importance is then by no means to be
undervalued in any future series of
assaults upon these hot-beds Of trea.
son. It's distance from Charleston il
less than fifty miles, and little fur.
Their from Savannah. The British took |
it and held it for several months dur
ing the Revolutionary war. deeming
it point of the greatest Importance.
Its collector, under Mr.. Buchanan's ad-
ministration, refused to give in his
adhesion to the secession dynasty in
South Carolina, and was arrested for
high treason. He subsequently sue
cumbed to force.
St. Helena Island, contiguous to
Port Royal and Beaufort, is covered
with plantations of the famous sea-
island cotton, and has more slaves to
the square mile than any other equal
extent of territory in the world.
1t is useless to speculate upon Gen.
Sherman's movements. In due time
we shall have all the particulars. If
the wishes and hopes of the loyal cit
liens Of the Union could be consulted,
Charleston, the fountain head of this
internal rebellion, would be laid level
with the ground and sowcd fathom
deep with salt. 1t is fitting that South
Carolina should be made to feel the
horrors of the war which she has In
voked, and we trust Gen. Sherman
will now give her stomach full.