Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-07-25
From the New Orleans Delta.
The Fight at Shin Island

Our indefatigable commandant, Gen. Twiggs, tired
of hearing reports of the presence of Lincoln vessels in
the Mississippi Sound sent Capt Higgins, late of the
U. S. Navy, and now aid to Gen. Twiggs to scare
them off, The expedition left Friday last on The
steamer Oregon, Capt. Myers. They stopped at Bay
ST. Louis. where they took quantity of sand bags
to protect the boilers &c. This work occupied them
until Saturday at O'clock when they proceeded to the
enemy's haunt, off Ship Island The steamer Swain,
under command of Lieut.. Marley with force of sixty
men, and properly armed, sent to scour the inside
route, while the Oregon took the outside Finding no
game, the Oregon proceeded out to through Ship
Island Pass. Saw two small crafts and gave chase
After running about eight miles overhauled them and
found them to be friends The Oregon then went back
to Ship Island and captain Higgins having determined
to take possession of and ortiy the island sgnaled the
Swain to come alongside. The guns, ammunition men,
provisions, ETC., the two boats, landed and the
entire force officers and men, under commend of Lieut.
Marley Immediately went to work erecting batteries,
mounting guns, etc.
Capt Higgins then left the Swain with the marines
and came to New Orleans on the Oregon, to hurry on
provisions, ammunition, &c. The Oregon arrived in
New Orleans Sunday morning, and found the Grey
Cloud loading with materials for Ship Island. Orders
were Immediately given by Gen. Twiggs to hold the
Oregon n readiness to move at moments notice with
the same kind of cargo The Grey Cloud left for Ship
Island on Monday morning at IL o'clock, loaded down
to the guards and at IL O'Clock Monday night the Ore
gon took her departure with Major Smith on board for
! the same place.
The Oregon passed the Grey Cloud and arrived with
10 eight miles OF Ship Island at about six O'Clock on
Tuesday morning, when they found war steamer, with
tender, lying of about mile and halt fom the is
land. Our battery Immediately opened fire on the
steamer, which returned. After firing few shots
there short cessation, during which captain My
ers, by command of Major Smith, proceeded to the
Grey Cloud which was heavily freighted and of neces
sity running slowly and took from ber quantity of
ammunition The Oregon then proceedtd to The Is aud,
lowered yawl, placing the ammunition into 1t,
Major Smith, captain Myers and TOUR ro"ed to tie
island. I The frDg commenced agnu almost nmrd a'e-
w. and continued ul o'clock, wGen the edmer drew
off, apparently j jured
oome thmty stlI and 30 pound shot were fred by the
steamer aud eighteen by cur batteries. Tue men work.
ed like beavers and fought with wild delight -Four
of the enemys balls fell successfully QUE battery,
and within space Of thirty feet square. ihe bans
we're picked up by boys, placed our 2ponnders,
our brave gunners. The shells from the my fell thick
about our troops but the would throw themselves
1t upon their onachs aud when the nferna machtne5
bad burst harmlessiy upon the sand the men would
aughingy respond their heavy guns. 1t is thought
that shell from the Island fell upon the deck of
steamer and disabled her. At any rate, she made
tracks, with her heels towards the Island, and took
fuge under Chandelier Island, where she still lying
at last accounts.
The fight over Major Smith landed the cargoes of the
Oregon and Grey Cloud on the Island. The Oregon
left there at o'clock last evening, and reached New
Orleans at o'clock this morning.