Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-11-15
Skirmishes, &C.. &c.
FrOm tIle FIeet,


From the Fleet
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12.--The Enquirer
has the following from Fort Monroe, derived
from rebel source: In anticipation Of the
arrival of the great expedition, the rebels
have been engaged in erecting batteries
upon point Of Hilton's Head and on the
opposite neck of land. The principal forti-
fcation on Hiltou's Head was denominated
Fort Walker, situated on low land and par
italy concealed by trees and underbrush.--
Adjoining it were other batteries of smaller
size, but so connected as t. prove a formid-
able bar 70 the entrance of vessels. Fort
Beaufort was Of considerable importance,
having been mounted with heavy guns
Tho garrisous are supposed to have been
South Carolina regiments, assisted by ad-
ditioual regiments from Richmond. Other
batteries at Bay Point, opposite Hton's
Head, were equally formidable inside Of
Fort Royal Entrance, and behind the bat
teries lay the feet of Commodore Tatuall,
which consisted only of small vessels carry
ing few heavy guns, but principally eight
Founders. Tugs constituted great portion
of the feet. Many of these remained out
side the mouth of the entrance till the ar
rival of our fleet, when they formed in min
iature line of battle in the position already
stated behind guns Of their own forts and
across the entrance.
On the morning of Thursday last the
United States feet, numbering AZ vessels,
headed BY the flagship, approached the
mouth of Port ROYAL Entrance. This was
at half past 9o'clock. Several ofthe trans
ports remained off the coast. Upon arriv-
ing at a suitable position, the guns of the
fleet opened q continuous fire upon Forts
Walker and Beauregard, as well rs upon
those Of Bay Point Under cover of this
fire an effort vas made to run tho gauntlet
of the batteries, which they did. A num-
Der of the vessels passed through the fire
from the shore batteries with very trihing
injuries. AT least Is of them succeeded in
passing up beyond reach of the land bat
teries. AS the Union feet sailed up, the
-aMusquito Fleet" of Tatnall opened FIRE,
but seeing the impossibiity of making any
resistance soon dispersed. Some were
forced to run on shore; others werc driven
up tue inets out of sight. Com. Tatnall
went on shore with bis men to assist in
working the batteries and use them against
our vessels which were eudeavoring 10 fol-
low the advance of the others.
The passage of the feet through tho
channel was not accomplished until the fir
ing had continued from o'clock in the
morning tilt nearly in the evening.
One of the Union gun boats is believed
TO have been burned and three steamers dis
abled.
1t is acknowledged by the enemy that
they had twenty men killed in Fort Walker,
but it is impossible to state what their loss
was at tho other batteries; doubtless very
great, as our fire is said to have been very
effective and the guns well aimed and of
heavy calibre.
No sooner did our vessels go past the
batteries at Port Royal Entrance and slide
into what is termed Broad River, than they
made for the mouths of the inlets leading
to Beaufort, Savannah and Charleston
These they immediately blockaded, though
not in time to prevent the escape Of small
rebel vessels. agha sar
Not one of the Federal vessels were sunk
and the only one believed to have been de-
stroyed by fire was the gun boat referred to
above. The crow are said to have passed
through murderous FIRE to another vessel,
which they reached with very little If any
loss. o
5s The Union vessels acted under special instruc-
tions in blOckading the Inlets which led to the
most important points which afforded loop holes
Of escape TO the enemy. While portion of the
feet entered upon the duty four ships made at
once for Beaufort, aud at 8 o'clock on Thursday
the vessels were in sight of the town.
A despatch, dated Beaufort Nov. 7th, to the
Charleston Mercury, says that at that time the
Union forces were preparing to land, evidently
with the design Of throwing up entrenchments
and attacking the town. f..s
We have no means OF knowing the exact loss
of the Union forces but the rebels confess their
own firing was very bad and that their artillery
men We're badly in want of practice. They de-
clare, moreover that the guns in the Fort were
not properly mounted when Commodore Tatnall
went to assist the men In the forts, he found that
many Of their cannon were dismOunted by their
own rebound. 10 this fault the rebel Journals
attribute their defeat and loudly call upon the
Confederate Government 10 find out whore the
blame rests.
A telegraph despatch which left Richmond on
Saturday last, stated there was nothing particu-
, larly important from the Southern coast II is
. evident fronlthls that the rebel government has
prohibited any further information from coming
north Of Richmond. This implies they have
suffered heavy defeat aniH
The Charleston Mercury Of the 9Th inst, after
summing up the results says: "The Yankees
!, seem to have driven Com. Tatnalls Mosquito
feet up the creeks leading TO Savannah, and
cut of all water communication with Charles
Z ton by sealing up Skull Creek Although the
Yankees have effected as yet no landing, il is
certain they have made some progress and itbe-
hoves rs 70 Immediately send such reinforce
ments as may prevent their gaining even the
smallest foothOld on our soil. II the invaders
can take Charleston with 25000 men, let them,
as We would be unworthy TO possess IL and t.
win Be fl memorial laid in ashes, ofSouthern
iinbecihtyp
The following is special dispatch to the
Charleston Mereurys a
DISBURSEMENTS Nov TO D. m. The prac.
tiee Of our aFtfllersts a Hilt0n's Head has been
very bad, hence tue passage Of seven Of the epe-
Is'Te inen-of-war Their transports are still
outside. Our loss thus far has been very sIiobi
and che troops are in good heart The nrine ofI
the fapkee war vessels was very accurate. =
Hilton's Head and Bay Point as AZ 6Est rQpprt.