The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-11-14
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE
GN EAT ELEEE.
IChicago Journal Special
Washington. Nov. 13.

1 ~'o' 49,
Capt. Steadman arrived this noon with
official dispatches of the expedition. He
is also bearer of two rebel flags and one
Palmetto, and the U. s. flag first hoisted
over Fort Walker.
On the reception of the dispatches the
following order was issued
"The Department announces to the
Navy and the country its high gratifca-
| ton at the brilliant success of the com
bined naval and army forces, commanded
respectively by Capt. Dupont and Gen'l
Sherman, In the attack on Forts Walker
and Beauregard, commanding the en-
trance to Port Royal To commemorate
this signal victory it is ordered that ma
tlonal salute be fired at meridian on the
day of the reception of this ORDER
The following is portion of Captain
Dupont's private letter to Seo'y Fox:
"U. S. Steamer Wabash. Port ROYAL,
Nov. 9.-My Dear Mr. Fox: During the
most disheartening eveLts OF the passage
my faith never gave way, but some mo-
ments seemed appalling. On the other
hand permit no citation Mt our success,
yet | cannot refrain from telling you that
1T has been .-ore complete and brilliant
success than even could have been be-
lleved. | am too much fatigued to send
a detailed account of the battle, but my
report is full up to the evening of it. /
think it will interest you, but have now
10 content myself with an account which
| think will be likely to please YOU as
well as more detailed narrative.
''We kept under way and made three
turns, though we passed five times be-
tween the forts. We had fanking d.
vision Of five ships to watch Tatnall, who
had eigh, small swift steamers ready to
pounce upon ours should they be disabled.
| could get none of my frigates up. /
thought the Sabine would have gotten
clear up, but Lawrence sent no word,
and the Savannah was blown of. | don
regret ii now, however. except on their
accounts. believe my plan was clever.
| stood against the tide and had the man
agement OF the rebels better in conse-
quence. Their confidence was extreme
that they could drive US away. They
fought bravely their rifed guns never
missed. They aimed at our bridge where
they knew they could make hole, if it
were lucky shot, through the center
and let the water in the AFTER magazine.
but ! saved 100 lives by keeping under
way. Bearing in close. found their
lights graduated at 600 yards When
they once broke, the stampede was In
tense aud their guns were spiked. II
learn that when our flag was seen fying
ashore our troops were powerless to
cheer, but wept. Gen. Sherman was
deeply affected, and the soldiers were
loud and untiring in their expressions of
admiration and gratitude. There is
nothing like Fort Walker on the poto-
mac. We did not allow our victory to
check our ardor, but dispatched some YES
sells Immediately under Capt ellis over
to the other side. To-day we had an ex-
petition to Beaufort to save the light
vessels, but they were fred instantly af-
ter the surrender. The negroes are wild
with joy and enthusiasm. They say they
have been shot shot down like dogs be-
cause they would not 60 with their mas
teS. A boat stationed at Skull Creek
cuts of oil communication with Charles.
ton and Savannah"