Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-22
Rebel Account of the Battle of Port
Royal
From the Charleston Mercury.


The battle of Port Royal will he remembered
as one Of the hest fought, and best conducted
battles, which have signnlized the war in which
we are engaged. If den liipley had been ap-
pointed a General in command two months soon
err everything would have been in II better state
of preparation. But these two previous months
were wasted in doing nothing for our defense -
Within the time left to him, Gen. Ripley did all
that unliring energy and skill could accomplish,
to put our coast in u state Of preparation. The
two islands OF Hilton Head and Bay Point, with
their extreme limits, constitute the two points
which guard the entrance TO Port Royal Sound
about three miles in width. On these two points
two forts were erected-FUrt Walker on Hilton
Head, and Fort Beauregard Un Bay Point. The
time we possessed enabled us to make them only
earthworks, without any protection from shells
or bombs.
The Island OF Hilton Head was commanded
by Gen Drayton. The officers Immediately SUI
perintending the artillery and conducting the fire
Of Fort Walker, were Col. Wagner, Major Ar
thur Hugar, and Cupt Yntes of the regular
service, especially detailed by Gen Ripley 10 aid
in directing the artillery. Col. Duhovnnt COM
manded at Fort Beauregard, but lie generously
allowed Capt Elliott, Of the Beaufort Artillery,
to direct and conduct the batteries of the fort.
The day was heautifnl-ralm and clear, with
scarcely a cloud in the heayens-just such day
could, to carry on their operations In such
sketch Of the battle as, amid the excitement aud
the thousands of bnseless rumOra, we are enabled
to present to our read rs n brief review of the
earlier events of thia memorable week will not
be uninteresting.
PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS OF THE ENEMY.
The great feet of the enemy passed our bar
on Sunday, the Sd inst, aud ON the following
day was anchored OIL Port Royal entrance
About O'Clock on Monday afternoon, C0mmo =
dore Tatna with his Hmusket6 fleet" ran out
from the harbor and made the first hostile de.
monstrntion. The immense armada Of the
invaders, numbering, at that time, thirty-sx
vessels, was drawn up in line of hattie; and al
our little fOiilla steamed up TO within u mile oil
them and opened its fire, the scene was I'm in.
spiriiiug one, but almost ludicrous in III,
disparity of the size OF the opposing fleets. The
enemy replied to our fire almost Immediately -
After 0n exchange of some twenty shots, Com
modore Tatnall retired. and was not pursued.
About o'clock Oh Tuesday morning, severa
of the largest Yankee war steamers having cont
within range, the batteries of Forts Walker ant
Besuregard were opened md the steamers threy
a number of shells in over our works, infictinl
no damage on Fort Walker, and but slight,
wounding two Of the garrison of Fort Beaure
gard. This engagement lasted, with short in
tervals, for nearly two hours, when the enem
drew off, The steamers made n similar bu
shorter reconnaissance on Wednesday evening
but without any important results. On the mex
day the weather was rough, aud the fleet lay q
anchor five or six miles from shore. During III
day several struggling Transports came VI
swelling the number of vessels to Al. All Tues
day night, and all day Wednesday and Wednes
day night, our men stood at their guns, momer
tarily expecting an attack, and obtaining onl
such scanty rest and refreshment as chanC
afforded.
THE DAY OF THE BATTLE.
Thursday daWned gloriously upon our weariet
but uudaunied gnnners, and all felt that the da
of trial had at last arrived. Scarcely Ind breal
fast been despatched, when the hostile fleet We
observed in commotion The great war stean
ers formed rapidly in single file, and With
supporting distance Of eaeh other, the friea
Wabash, the flagship of Com. Dupont, in ii
van. As the long line of formidable lookn
vessels, thirteen in number, most of them poy
erfnl propellers, with few sailing men-of-wa
in tow. swept rapidly and majestcally in, wit
ports open and bristling with guns of the heay
eat caliber, the sight was grand and imposing
This was at 81 o'clock. Until the Minneso
came within the range Of and directly opposi
our batteries on Hilton Head, oil was STILL
Suddenly tie fifteen heavy guns of Fort Wake
which had been aimed directly ut the hui
frieate, beched forth their simultaneous fir
and the action was begun.
Almost Immediately afterward, the batteri
Of Fort Beauregard, on the other side of I
entrance also opened their fire. The enemy
first did not reply. But, as the second steam
came opposite TO Fort Walker, the hulls Of 1
first three were suddenly wrapped in smoke, al