Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-20


down, they say, like dogs, because they would,
not 90 off with their masters.
I have already boat at Seweil creek and
the communication between Savannah aud
Charleston is cut Oft. 3. r. DUPONT.
HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION CORPS,
Port ROYAL, S. c. Nou. 8.
ADJ. GENERAL U. S. ARMY, Washington,
d. G: have the honor to report that the
force under my command embarked at An
napolis, Md, on the 2lst October, and arrived
at Hampton Roads, Va, on the 22nd. In con-
sequence of the delay in the arrival of some
of our transports, and the unfavorable state of
the weather the fleet was unable to set out for
the Southern coast until the 29th, when under
the convoy of naval squadron under COM
nodore Dupont, and after the most mature
considerations of the objects of the expedition
by the flag officer and myself, 1t was agreed to
first reduce any works that might be found at
Port Royal, S. c., and thus open the finest
harbor on the coast that exists south Of Hat
teras 1t was calculated to reach Port Royal
in five days AT most, but in consequence OF
adverse winds and perilous storm on the day
and night of the 1st of November, the fleet ar
rived at Port Royal bar not until the 4th, and
then but in part, Tor if bad been almost entire
Iy dispersed by the gale, and the vessels have
been Struggling. Up to this date the trans,
port steamers Union, Belvidere, Osceola and
Peerless have not arrived; tsyo OF them are
known to be lost, and it is propable all are.
1t is gratifying, however, to say titat none OF
of the troop transports connected with the
land forces were lost, though the Winfield
Scott had to sacrifice her whole cargo and the
Roanoke a portion of her cargo TO save the
lives of the regiment on board. The former
will be unable to again put to sea. The Tes~
sells connected with the naval portion of the
fleet have also suffered much, and some have
been lost.
Bay it was ascertained that the rebel had three
field works of remarkable strength, strongly
garrisoned and covered by feet of three gun
boats under Capt. Tattnall, late of the u. S.
Navy, besides strong land force which the
rebels were concentrating from Charleston and
Savannah. The troops of the rebels were af
terwards aSce rtained to have been commanded
by Gen. Drayton. One of the forts, and prob
ably the strongest, was situated on Hilton's
Head, and the other two on Philips Island.
1t was deemed proper to first reduce the fort
on Hilton Head though to do this greater
or less fire might have to be met from the
batteries on Bay Point at the same time. Our
original plan of cooperation had to be set aside
in consequence of the loss during the voyage
of large part of our means of dsembarkment,
together with the fact that the only point
where the the troops should have landed was
from five to six miles, measuring around the
intervening shoal from the anchoring place of
our transports, altogether too great distance
for successful debarkation with our limited
means. 1t was therefore agreed that the
place should be reduced by naval force alone.
In consequence of the shattered condition OF
the fleet and the delay in the arrival OF the
vessels that were indispensable for the attack
it had to be postponed until the seventh inst.
l was mere spectator OF the combat and it
is not my province to render any report OF
this action but deem it an imperative duty
tn hat tb.Ah hrjnr M of
feet against that of the rebels and their for
midable land batteries was master piece of
activity and professional skill, that must have
eliclted the applause of the rebels themselves
as tactical operation. l think that too
much praise cannot be awarded to the science
and skill exhibited by the flag officer of the
naval squadron aud the officers connected
with his ships. l deem the performance a
mastery one, and ought to have been seen to
be fully appreciated.
Alter the works were reduced took pos
session of them with the land forces. The
beautifully constructed work on Hilton Head
was severely crippled and many of the guns
dismounted. Much slaughter had evidently
been made there. Many bodies having been
buried in the fort, and some twenty or thirty
we're found some half mile distant. The ISL
and for many miles was found strued with u
informs, accoutrements and baggage of the
rebels which they threw away in their hasty
retreat. We have also come into possession
of about forty pieces OF ordnance most of
which of the heaviest calibre and most ap-
proved models, and large quantity of am
munitlon and camp equipage. 1t is my duty
to report the valuable services OF Mr.. Pout-
ellie, assistant in the coast survey, assisting
me with his accurate and extensive knowledge
of this country. His services are invaluable
to the army as we'll as to the navy, and l earn
estly recommended that important notice be
tai kpn nffh ahj nd iapt ftc off hy
the Var Department. i. w. SHERMAN,
Brig. Gen. Commanding.
After landing and taking possession of the
forts General Sherman issued the following
Proclamation 10 the people Of South Carolina.
In obedience to the orders OF the President of
these United States of America, have land
ed on your shores with a small force of nation
al troops. The dictates of duty which, un-
der these circumstances, ] owe to great SOW
ereign State, and to proud and hospitabe
people, among whom l have passed some of
the pleasantest days.ot my life, prompt me to
proclamation that we have come amongst you
with no feelings of personal animosity, no de-
sire to harm your citizens, destroy your pros
perity, interfere with any of your lawful
rights, your social institutions, beyond
what the causes herein briefly alluded to may
render unavoidable.
Citizens of South Carolina, the civilized
world stands appalled, at the course you are
pursuing, appalled, at the crime you are COM
mitting against your own mother, the best
and most enlightened and heretofore the most
prosperous of nations. You are in state of
active rebellion against the laws of your
country, you have lawlessly seized upon the
forts, arsenals, and other property belonging
to our common country, and within your bor-
ders and with this property you are in arms
and waging a ruthless war against your con-
stitutional government and these threaten