Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-11-19
REBEL STEAMERS PUT TO FLIGHT.

As our vessels were moving about in q cir
| cult, 30 as alternately to come within shot
range Of the opposite forts on either side, three
rebel steamers appeared in sight up the stream.
These steamers, as atterward proved, were part
of squadron numbering eight vessels, under
command Of Commodore Tatnall, formerly Of
the United States Navy, A few we'll directed
shots from some OF our ships convinced them
that ID was better to head their prows In an op-
posite direction, which they proceeded, in inglo
rious haste, to do. It was not long before the
dim outline Of their retreating forms faded from
our view.
l may as we'll state in this connection, as per-
tinent TO the subject, that a letter was subse.
quently discovered at Hilton Head, from Com
modore Tatnall to the garrison officers declsr-
ing In very decisive and vAlorous terms that he
would defend them to the last or perish IN the
attempt.
CIRCUIT OF THE cANNoNADINa FLEET.
The plan of the naval attack was arranged
With great ekil. Three circuits Of the channel
were taken. At each circuit brosdside was
opened upon the fort opposite. In this way the
whole force of the feet was brought to bear
upon the enemy with Irresistible effect. Each
firing met with prompt response. After the
first circuit the small gunboats took their posi-
tions at discretion, choosing any point OF at
tack which might appear to them more eject
i've. A number of them congregeted in O
cove, some distance up the inlet, and command
ing range of the rear of the forts. As the
rear Of the forts was comparatively unpro'
tected, an attack in this direction would have
most destructive effect upon the two garri'
sons. t. ,., s...7,. u
The second circuit was only performed by the
| Wabash, Susquehanna aud Benville. The Bien
Vile, occupying the head of the starboard col
umn, was necessarily nearer each OF the forts
than either of the other ships.
DISASTROUS REJECTS OF THE FIRING UPON THI
BIENvILLE. -.h
At one time, when the Blenville was within
short range of Fort Walker, the whole fte o.
the fort was concentrated upon her, and she waI
struck in several places. One shot passed
through the ship just forward Of the foremas
between the upper decks, and through the va
terline. Another struck one OF the forward
boat gavits; the third hit the funnel, and tht
fourth cut o shr6ud off. The most destructiv,
shot was one that, after striking the water
glanced and hit the forward division under ths
bulwarks, and, passing through q beam a foo
| and half thick, killed two men and woundet
two others. The men were employed at one Of
the guns. - 1a
THE FIRST LANDING AND THE soRNEs FOLLOW
| ff , INC 1T. 1& .ss
| Az twenty minutes of three o'clock boat
the whale boas of the Wabash---Was manned
and, with white flag flying over the bow ant
Com. John Rodgers in the stern, started for th,
shore. can assure you that every stroke o
the oars was watched by thousands of anxiou
people. She strikes the beach, Captain Rodg
ers, borne on the backs of true and trusty tars
with the Stars and Stripes floating over his hea,
and large ensign, goes on shore, and at tire
O'Clock precisely the Stars aud Stripes wave Il
triumph over South Carolina soil and q desertet
rebel battery. A glorious and brilliant nava
victory has been won. All honor to the gallan
seamen of the United States Navy! As sooI
as the good old flag was seen from on shipboa.t
(and can state we had the honor to see !
fret from this ship, our boys gave nine rousinl
cheers, and they were taken up from ship 4
ship, and the bands saluted the flag with th.
i'Star Spangied Banner" "Hail Columbia,
etc. Never was such scene beheld, and
confess that my pen is not adequate TO th'
pleasure, as well as the task, OF describing II
INSIDE TORT WALKER.
From one Of the wounded rebels taken pria
!. oner at Fort Walker i gather some interestinI
details Of the conduct Of the men during tn
engagement. II was confidently asserted tina