The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-23
miscellaneous.
TIE BATTLE or BEAUFORT.

Esssy' From an extended account of the
sailing and success of the great Naval
Expedition, by The n Y. Tribunc's special
correspondent we condense the following
graphic description of the battle at Beaufort:
Thursday the battle day dawncd bright
and clear, the morning being as warm
and balmy as 1 day Of our Northern June:
small singing birds from the shore paid us
occasional visits, and hundreds of lovely
butterflies tluttered through the rigging,
one OF which, captured in the thickcst
of the fight, is my individual memento
Of the fray. The water was broken INTO
gentle ripples by the pleasant breeze,
which proved of just sufficient power in
the succeeding eycnful hours to lift the
battle-smoIe from the water, and give
10 the splendid audience of many thou
sands the finest possible view Of the
deadly spectacle.
The transports were securely anchored
at safe distance, just out Of cannon
range, anu were crowded in every avail
able part of deck and rigging with an
eager and excited throng.
There had been runor that Il daring
attempt was to be made by some of the
rebel gunboats during the heat Of the
action, and while all our armed vessels
were engaged at distance of several
miles from our transports, to dash down
into the flock Of unarIlcd ships, and burn,
sink, and destroy. 70 prevent the
accomplishment of this notable scheme,
the sloop-of-war Dale, which had that
morning arrived, was towed out to a
position to intercept any such hostile
craft.
Flag Officer Dupont had ordered that
the ships should form in two lincs-thc
Starboard or main column, nearest the
shore, being led by the Wabash, under
Flag Officer Dupont himself, and the
Port or fanking column, being headed
by the Bienvile, Captain Steedman.
The batteries were situated q
strong, admirably built fertilization
called Fort Walker, mounting % guns
one on the side Of the Broad River there
about y miles wdc), and two other bat
| teres, behind less elaborate cartlworks
on the opposite side of the river. O
the latter, one mounted Is guns, anl
was named Fort Bcauregard, and the
other guns.
The plan of our attack was equally
simple, admirable, and effective, being
neither more nor less than for the ships
to steam in a circle, or eIlipsc, running
close to one shore as they came dorm
the river, drifting or stcaming as slowly
as possible past the batteries there, and
paying their fiery respects, then making
the turn to 60 back, and as they Wen
up the river, favoring the other batteries
with similar compliment-the game tt
be continued al Hbltum, or until the
Rebel flag came down.
The ships were all prepared for actor
the day before, and at 9 O'Clock OF
Thursday morning, began to move from
their respective points Of anchorage, anc
take their appointed places in the line
of battle.
The action commenced at precisely lC
A. NJ, the Fl st shot being fired from the
IliIlDn I1GaC IOftlhcullOu at tHe Ha p
and three guns were fired before WE
replied. The shots then elected reply
Com. Dupont being too punctilious ,
gentleman to permit so marked com
plimcut to be long unrecognlzcd anc
unanswered. The two entire broadside'
Of the Wabash, composed of two batter
les of IS guns each, and the pivot gun
at once poured il their fearful storm o
shells upon the batteries on both siIes
Of the river at once. The men, who haC
stripped to their work, instantly reloaded
the guns, and as the frigae moved witt
just sufficient speed to give her stceragc
way, and keep her under control, she
had the battery in range for twenty min
utc', for all of which tim, the men wet
loading and firing at the rate Of once ;
minute for each gun-thns giving tn,
immense number Of 440 shells that were
famncd in upon that devoted garrison