The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-21
THE GREAT EXPEDITION.
General sher4nnn,. OmcinI Report.
HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION CORPS
PoRF RoYPL, S, c., Nov.8 1861.

force under nv command embarked at AnLap-
oils on the Dist of October, and arrived at HaDp-
ton Roads, Va, on the 22d. In consequence
Of the delay in the arrival of some OF our trans
ports, and the unfavorable state of the weather,
the fleet was unable to set out for the South
eru coast till the 26th, when, undef convoy OF
the naval squadron in command Of Commodore
Dupont and after the most mature considera-
ton of the effects Of the expedition By that nag
officer and myself it was agreed to first reduce
any works that might be found at Port Royal
S. c., and thus open the best harbor on the
coast that exists South ofhatteras.
It was calculated to reach Fort Royal IN hVe
DAYS at the most, but in consequence of adverse
winds and perilous storm on the day and night
of the LIST of November, the fleet arrived at Port
ROYAL bar not till the 4th, and then but in part,
for it had been almost entirely dispersed by the
gales, and the vessels have been Struggling IN
up to this date. The transport steamers Union,
Beyidere Osceola, and Peerless have not ar
rived Two of them are known to be lost. 1t
is probable all are. 1t is gratifying however
to say that none of the troops transports con-
nected with the land forces were lost, though
the Winfield Scott had to sacrifice her whole car
90, and the Roanoke a portion Of her cargo, to
save tie lives of the regiments on board. The
former will be unable again to put to sea- The
vessels conducted with the naval portion OF the
fleet have also suffered much, and some have
been lost,
After careful reconnaissance of Port Royal
Bay it was ascertained that the rebels had three
field works of remarkable strength, strongly
garrsoned and covered by fleet of three gun
boats, under Capt. Tatnal, late of the United
States Navy. Besides these there were strong
land forces which the rebels were concentra-
ting with Charleston and Savannah. The troops
of the rebels were afterwards ascertained to
have been commanded by Gen. Drayton.
One of the forts, and probably the strongest,
was situated on Hilton 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 mi ght have to be
met from the batteries on Bay Point. At the
same time our original plan Of the cooperation
of the land forces in the attack had to be set
aside, in consequence of the loss, during the
voyage, of greater portion of our means of dis
embarking, together with the fact that the only
point where Il g troops should have landed was
from five to SIX miles, measuring around the
intervening sboal, from the anchoring place OF
our nspoTts-altogether too great distance
for successful debarkation with our limited
means. 1t was therefore agreed that the place
shoule be reduced by the naval force only.
In consequence of the shattered condition OF
the fleet, and the delay in the arrival OF vessels
That were indispensable for attack it had to be
postponed until the 9th inst
/ was mere spectator of the combat, and 1t Is
not my province to render any report of this ac-
ton but deem it important duty to say
that the firing and maneuyering of the war fleet
against that Of the rebels and their formidable
land batteries, was a master piece of activity
and professional skill, that must have elected
the applause Of the rebels themselves as a tao
teal operation. | think that too much praise
cannot be awarded to the science and skill ex-
hibited by the flag officer of the naval squadron
and the officers connected with bis ships. L
deem the performance a mastery one ard 1t
ought to have been seem to be fully apprecla-
ted.
After the works were reduced, l took posses
sion of them with the land forces. The beauti
fully constructed works on Hilton Head were
severely crippled and many of the guns dis
mounted. Much slaughter had evidently been
made there, many bodies having been found IN
the fort, and some twenty or thirty more found
some half mile distant. The island for many
miles was found strewn with the arms and
coutrements and baggage of the rebels, which
they threw away on their hasty retreat.
We have also Come into possession Of about
forty pieces of ordnance, most of which are OF
the heaviest calibre and the most approved
models, and also a large quantity of ammuni-
ton aud camp equipage.
1t is my duty to report The valuable services
of Mr.. Boutelle Assistant in the Coast Survey,
for assisting me with his accurate and extern
sive knowledge of the country. His services
are invaluable to the Army as well us the Navy
and l earnestly recommend that important notice
be taken Of this very able and scientific officer
by tee War Department. | am, very respect
fully,
Your Obedient servent,
I. W. SHERMAN, Brig-Gen. CONG.
GEN. SHERMAN'S PROCLAMATION
After landing and taking possession of the
forts, Gen. Sherman issued proclamation to
the people of South Carolina, saying;
''In obedience to the orders to the President,
l have landed on your shores with small force
of National troops. We come among you with
out feeling any personal luminosity and with no
desire to harm your citizens, destroy property
or interfere with any Of your lawful rights. or
social or loyal Institutions, beyond what causes
herein alluded to may render unavoidable
Gen Sherman then reviews the action OF
South Carolina in the present rebellion, and
implores the people to pause and reflect upon
the consequences of their acts and says:
eve have come among you as loyal men,ful-
y impressed with our constitutional obligations
to the citizens Of your State. These obh8a-
sious shall be performed as far as in our power.
But be not deceived. The obligations Of sup |
pressing armed combinations against the con-
stitutional authorities is paramount to all others.
If, in performance of this duty, minor but i'm
portant obligations should be neglected, il |
must be attributed to the necessities of the case
because rights depending on the laws of the
military exigencies created by Instruction and
rebellion"
DUPONT'S REPORT OF THE VOYAGE.
Thefollowng is Commodore Dupont's report to
the Navy Department of the voyage the fleet
after leaving Hampton Roads, and until the arrl-
val az Port Royal;
FLAG SHIP WABASH, off Hilton Head, |
PORT ROYAL, 5. Co. November 10th. |
SIR; The Government having determined to
seize and occupy one or more important points |
upon our Southern coast, where our squadron |
might find shelter and possess depot: and afford |
protection to loyal citizens, committed to my dis
erection the selection from among those places
which 1t thought available and desirable for these
purposes. After mature elaboration, aided by the
professional knowledge and great intelligence of
the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Fox, and upon taking
into consideration the magnitude OF which the Joint
naval ana military expedition had been extended
to which you have called nv attention, | came to
the conclusion that the ORIGINAL intentions of the
Department, If carried out. would fall short OF the
expectations OF the country and of the capabilities
of the expedition, while Port ROYAL [ thought.
would meet them in a very high degree / there.
fore submitted to Brigadier General Sherman com.
manding the military part OF the expedition this
modification OF our earliest matured plans. and
had the satisfaction to receive his full concur
renee. L.
On Tuesday 18th October, the fleet under my
command left Hampton Roads and with the army
transports numbered 81 vessels On tho day pre-
vious | had dispatched the coal vessels, - in mum
Der. under convoy of the Naudala, to RENDEZVOUS
off Savannah, not wishing 10 give the true points
of the fleet The weather had been unsettled in
Hampton Roads, though it promised we'll When
we sailed out off Hattaras, it blew hard, some ships
got into the breakers, and two struck, but with
out injury.
On Fridov November lst, the weather ncreas-
ed into a gale, and we had to encounter one OF
great violence whereby the feet was utterly DIS
persed, and on Saturday morning one sail only
was in sight from the deck Of the Wabash, |,
On the following day, however, the weather.
moderated and the steamers and ships began TO
re appear.
The sailing orders were then opened, except
those in case OF separation, These last were furn
ished to all the men of-war by myself and 10 the
transports by Brig-Gen, Sherman. As the vessels
reoined reports came in of disasters in reference