The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-11-22

ana C0l. Elliott at Fort beauregarO.
The rebels retired across Skull Greek to
q village twenty FIVE miles in the interior
where it is supposed they intend making a
stand.
There was panic at Savannah, and it
was believed its capture would be easy.
1t is understood Sherman vii! improve
the deferces of his position before making
any forward movement.
In the Forts was found large supplies OF
ammunition and stores of the best descrip-
tion.
Commander Duport will Immediately sur
vey the harbor and place buoys and erect
lights. The position will he made per-
maneDt base of operations.
The feet stood within 800 and 1000 feet
of the forts, using five second fuzes, and
poured shells into them at the rate of 1000
per hour.
Not single shell sent by the rebels burst
on the ships.
The Wabash was struck several times as
was most of the feet, but every ship was
in fighting condition when the rebels took
to their heels.
The Surgeon of Fort Walker was killed.
At Charleston next day thirteen minute
guns were fred, Indicating the burial of a
Brigadier General.
The troops had not occupied Beaufort
when the steamer left, being better engaged
in strengthening their position.
CAPT. sTEADMAN's REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. l3,-Captain Stead
man arrived here at noon to day, bringing
official dispatches from the Naval Expedi-
tion.
He is also be arer of two rebel flags
one Palmetto flag, and the American flag
first hoisted in South Carolina over Fort
Walker.
Captain Steadman reports that the cap
tured forts are magnificent, with covered
ways ard bomproofs, and that all our troops
hsd to do was to occupy them. They can
be held against any opposing force.
Among the most efficient vessels were
found to be the new gun boats, and of which
the Navy Department had % constructed
expressly for such purposes and their
success, both in the gale and under the fire,
was perfect.
Commander Drayton of the Pocahontas,
is brother of General Drayton, who CONS
manded the rebel forts.
Captain Steadman, who brings the dis.
pate ies, is the son of q former Mayor O!
Charleston.
On the reception of the official dispatches,
the following order was issned:
GENERAL ORDER.
The Department announces to the Nayv
and to the country its high qualification at
the brilliant success of the combined navy
and army forces, especially commanded
by Flag Officer Dupont, and Brigadier Gen.
w. H. Sherman, in the capture of forts
Walker and Beauregard, commanding the
entrance to Port Royal harbor, South
Carolina,
To commemorate this signal victory, it
is ordered, that national salute be fired
from each navy yard at meridian the day
after the rece Jtion of this order.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COM. DUPONT
The following are the official dispatches
to the Navy Department:
FLAG SHIP WABASH, of Hilton Head
Port Royal. Nov. 6.
The Government having determined to
seize and occupy one or more important
points on our southern coast, where our
squadron might find shelter, and possess a
depot and afford protection to loyal cit
zens, committed to NY direction the selec
tion from among those places which is
thought available for these purposes
After mature deliberation, aided by the
professional knowledge and great inteli.
gence OF the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, Mr.. Fox, and upon taking into con-
sideratiOn the magnitude to which the joint
naval and military expedition had been ex-
tended, to which you have called my atten-
tion, came to the conclusion that the ori-
ginal intention OF the Department, if carried
out would tail short OF the expectations of
the country, and of the capabilities OF the
expedition, while Port Royal, 1 thought
would meet both in high degree.
I therefore submitted to Brigadier Gen.
Shnrman commanding the military part of
the expedition, this modification OF our
earliest matured plans and had the satsfac-
tion to receive his full concurrence.
On Tuesday the 29th of October, the
fleet, under my command, left Hampton
Roads, and with the army transports numb
cred fifty vessels. On the day previous l
had despatched the coal vessels, Is in num-
Der, under convoy of the Vandalia, to rem
devious off Savannah, not wishing to give
The true point of the fleet.
The weather had been unsettled in Hamp>
ton Roads, though it promised we'll when
we sailed, but off Hatteras it blew hard
and some ships got into the breakers, and
two struck, hut without injury.
On Friday, Nov. lst, the rough weather
increased into gale, and we had to encoun-
ter one Of great violence. The Pest was ut
terly dispersed, and on Saturday morning
one sail only was in sight from the deck of
the Wabash.
On the following day the weather moder-
ated, and the steamers and ships began to
reappear.
The orders were opened, except those in
case of separation. These last were furnish
ed to all the mensoi-wsr by myself and to
the transports by Brig. Gen Sherman.
As the vessels rejoined, reports came in OIL
disasters in reference to the men. of war. The