Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-11-14
HEAD QUARTERs EXPEDITION CoRPs, 1

HEAD QUARTERS EXPEDITION Corps,
PoRT ROYAL, S. @. Nov. 8, '6l.
AdJutant Gen. US. A., Washington, d. O..
S1R-I have the honor to report that the
force under my command embarked at An
napolis, Md, on the 2lst of October, and
arrived at Hampton Roads, Va, on the 22d.
In consequence of the delay in the arrival
OF some of our transports, and the unfa-
yorable state of tue weather, the feet was
unable to set out for the Southern coast un-
til the 29th, when under convoy of ma
val squadron, in command of Commodore
Dupont. and after the most mature consid-
Grafton of the objects of the expedition by
that flag officer and myself, it was agreed
to first reduce any works that might be
found at Port Royal, S. c., and thus open
the finest harbor on tue coast that exists
south of Hatteras.
1t was calculated to reach Port Royal in
five days ut most, but in consequence of
adverse wind and a Perilous storm on the
dar night ofthe LIST of November, the feet
did not arrive Mt Port Royal until the 4th,
and then but in part, for it bad almostbeen
dispersed by the gale, and the vessels have
been struggling up to this date. Tie
transport steamers Union, BelVidere, 0sce-
ola and Peerless have not arrived. Two
of them are known to be lost, aud it is
probable all are. 1t is gratifying, hOwev-
or, to say that none OF the troops in the
transports connected with tile land forces
were lost, though the Winfield Scott had
to sacrifice her whole cargo, and the Roa-
noke portion Of her cargo, TO save the
| lives of the regiments on board. The for
mer willbe unable to again put to sea.
The vessels connected with the naval
portion of the feet have also suffered
much, and some have been lost. After a
careful Reconnaissance of Port Royal Bay,
| it was ascertained that the rebels had three
field works of remarkable strength, strong
| IL garrisoned, and covered by fleet of
three gun boats, under Capt: Tatnall, late
of the U. S. Navy, besides strong land
forces, which the rebels were concentrating
from Charleston and Savannah The reb-
cl troops were afterwards ascertained to
have been Commanded by Gen. Drayton
One of tue forts, and probably the strong
est, was situated on Hilton's Head, and the
other two on Phillips Island. 1t was
deemed proper to first reduce the Que on
Hilton's 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 the cooperation of
the land forces in this attack. had to be.set
aside in consequence of the loss during the
voyage of a greater portion of QUE means
of acknowledgment, together with the fact
that the only point where the troops should
have landed, was from Eve to six miles,
measuring around the intervening shoal,
from the anchOring place of our trans
ports, altogether too great distance for
successful debarkation with our limited
means. 1t wns therefore agreed that the
11,n
alone Ia consequence of tue shattered
condition of the feet, aud the delay in the
arrival of vessels that were Indispensable
for the attack, it had to be postponed until
the 7th inst.
was mere spectator Of tho combat,
snd il is not my province to enter anyEe-
port ofthis action but deem 1t my tm-
perative duty to say that the firing and
manoeuyering OF our war feet against that
of the rebels and their formidable shore
batteries was a masterpiece of activity and
professional skin that must have ELECTED
the applause of the rebels themselves as
tecticial operation.
think tina. too much praise cannot be
awarded to the science and.skill exhibit
ed by the flag officer of the naval squad.
ron and the officers connected with his
ships.
deem the performance mastery one
and ought TO have been seen to be fully
appreciated.
After the works were reduced took
possession 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 were
found some halfa mile distant.
The Island for many miles was found
strewed with arms aud Announcements 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 is of the
heaviest calibre and the Rost approved
models, and large quantity Of ammuni-
tion aud camp equipage.
II Is my duty 70 report the valuable SER
vices of Mr.. Pontello, assistant In the
coast survey, assisting me With his aect-
IraLe and eLtensiKe knoRledaa of this conn