The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-19

| In this strait, it was determined to abandon tn,
fort. A long waste, about mile in extent ane
commanded by the enemy's guns, interviewed be
tween the garrison and the woods. Across TIL.
| they were ordered to run for their lives each mar
! for himself; the object being to scatter them a:
much as possible, SO as not to afford target for
the rifed guns of the feet. The preparations fol
running this perious gauntlet were soon made
Knapsacks were abandoned, but the men retained
their muskets. Each of the wounded was placed
in blanket and carried off by four men. The
safety of the living preciaded the idea of ov-
ing the dead. And thus the gallant little band
quilted the scene of their glory, and scampered
off, each one as best he could towards the woods
The retreat was covered by a snail detachment
who remained in the fort for an hour after their
comrades had left. Among those who remained
were Capt. Harms, with six men, Lieut.. Melchers
with four men and Lieut. Bischof, with four men
These worked three guns until about two o'clock
when they also quilted the post.
The abandonment of Fort Beauregard was
equally necessity. The garrison were exhausted
and N momentary danger of being cut of. When
Col. Dunovant ordered retreat, tears Of NORTH
cation and Indignation filled the eyes of Captain
Elliot at the sad necessity The retreat was ad-
mirably conducted, and rendered entirely success
full by the prudent energy of Capt. Hanckel, one
of Gen. Ripieys Aids, who had got together some
twelve Fats at Station Greek, by which the troops
passed safely over to St. Helena Island. From
there, they passed to Beaufort Island, and reach
ed the train at Pocotaligo without the loss or
injury Of man. In this fort none were killed,
and but five were wounded and two of these were
wounded by negligence in loading a cannon, by
which hot shot was driven on the powder, without
the wet wad preceding it.
The rest of the story is briefly told. Late
Thursday night the garrison at Fort Walker had
collected at the landing in the hope of being able
to reach Bluffton by water. Luckily, several
small Confederate steamers were within hail. But
here ludicrous mistake occurred The retreat
ing troops imagined the little steamers to be Yam
kee gun-boats; while the crews of the steamers
were convinced that the troops were body of dis
embarked Yankees. Acting upon this double de-
fusion, deal Of mutual accommodating made,
and 1t was only after a vast variety of stragetic
approaches, that they reached the conclusion that
it was "al right" a quick trip TO Button follow
ed. Thence the troops marched to Vaudeville;
seventeen miles distant. The road along which
they dragged their exhausted frames was filled
with heterogeneous throng Of fugitives OF all
conditions, carriages, carts and conveyances Of
every description that could by any possibility,
be pressed into service. The spectacle was sad
one.
Thus ended the defence of Port Royal. The
modification of the disaster is lessened by the
Consciousness that our troops deserved success
What injury did to the enemy, we do not
know. Our firing was, of course, less ef1cien t
than theirs Our troops volunteers-theirs |
we're picked artlleryists. Yet, it is remarkable !
how few killed or wounded, amongst our |
roops This battle, in this respect, was very |
much like the battle of Fort Sumter. How so |
many cannon could have been dsmantled and rem
Tered useless, and yet Sc few of those who worked
he IpIn raH
lid their duty faithfully and bravely, and fought
until to fight longer would have been sheer folly.
though encountering immense odds, no signs Of
owardice marked their conduct. Officers and
oldiers exemplfed the ancient character of the
state, and deserve our profound gratitude and
dmlration.
The FEDERAL Loss.-A negro man on Hilton
lead, the properly of Gen. Drayton, seeing a
lumber of officers approaching small house on
he island, unobserved concealed himself under
cath. The officers entered, took seats, and
iscussed at length the events of the battle which
ccurred the day previous. In the course of the
the negro says they reckoncd up their
Tiled in the action and fixed it at forty, nearly
hree tines the Confederate loss
THE INVASION OF THE STATE-There are no
dings of special interest from the invaders at
'ort Royal. They seem to be STRENGTHENING
iSIH"SA'CS 'oi O 'C'nlaHcuG Occupation OF Tue
stands skirting the harbor of Port Royal, but
ave yet made no advance in force towards
ne main. Our force vigorously at work estab-
shlng line OF defences across the low country :
) as to conhne the operations of the enemy to as
arrow compass practicable. The headquar-
srs Of Generals Lee and Ripley are at Coosa- !
hatchie. These accomplished officers are now
usily engaged in locating and building batteries
arlous points SO as to protect the railroad COM
lunicaton between Charleston and Savannah
roops are also rapidly concentrating to support
he new batteries, anG military line along the : =.
'ast is already one Of exceeding strength. !
The farmers and planters, SO far hard from,
ere zeaousy preparing to remove non combatants
nd valuables, and to destroy what could not be
moved
The latest reports from Beaufort town rep T
scented it as generally deserted, and in virtual ;
;cupation Of some of the pratical ships, while
her ships were at rest lower down. It was not
elieved that any attempts at landing had been a
ado beyond small forayng, scouting and thiev- y
g parties.
H5- The capture of Port Royal created great i
lcltement and considerable apprehension in Sa- :
lnnah. Families commenced packing up, and '
rye numbers Of families and children we're sent 4
ON the city to the up-country. A number of
nall merchants having taken measures to fee the .
ty, with their effects, they were notified by the
ty suthorites that they would not be permitted