New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-14
). ,. DUIONI Flag Oicsf,
Commanding South Atlantic Blnckadins Squadron

have the honor TO be, Sir respectfully,
~. DUPONT. Flag Oi.csr.
| Commanding South Atlantic blockudns Squadron.
! BRTGADIER-GENERAL sHERMAS's REPORT.
! HEApQUAErgR, % TAR NAVAL EXPEDITION
PoET ROYAL, :. C., Nov. 8, 1861.
To Ne A9suta4tGe General T. 5. d,ry Wds1igg.cn u. c.:
SIR: have tie honor TO report that the force un'
der nv command embarked al Annapolis, Md, ON
tts 2st OF October, and arrived at Hampton Road,,
on the I'd. In consequence OF the delay III
! The arrival Of some of our transports and the
unfavoraJle state of the weather the fleet was una
lie TO set cut for the southern coast until the th.
when, under convoy Of naval squadron IN command
! Of Commodore Dupont aud sfer the most mature
con. Iteration Of the objects Of the expedition by that
lag-Otoer and mysell, II @as agreed - fret reduce
sty works that might be found AZ POu Royal ). G..
ana thus open the hnest haTbOF on thu coast that eX
iss nth OF Haiteras.
l. was calculated to reach Port Royal in five days
Al most, bat in consequence OF adverse wiods and "A
perilous storm on the day and night o. the let OF.
November the fleet did not arrive Al Port Royal bar
until the ith, and then ouy in part for IL bad been
almost entirely dispersed by the gale and the yes-
sells have been struggling in up to this date.
The transport steamers Union, Belyidere, Osceola,
and Peerless have not arrived.
Two Of them are known 10 be lost, aud it is prob
able al are.
Il is gratifying, however TO say that none OF the
troop Transports connected with the land forces
were lOsf though the Winfield Scott had 70 sserifce
her whole cargo sni the Roanoke portion Of her
CARO- II order to saye tie lives Of the men In the
different regiments. The former will be unable
again TO put 10 sea.
Ihe vessels connected with the naval portion Of tie
fleet have also suffered mu,h, and some have been
lust.
After q careful reconnaissance of Port Royal Bay
il was aseertained thai the Ietels had three field
works Of remarkable strength, strongly garrlsoned
and covered by heet Of three gunOoss, under Capt
Tatnall late Of the L. :. Navy, leside strong land
.,r trl.i he Halai
CbHl, stOn and Savannah.
Tie troops Of the Rebels were afterward Hscer-
tsined 10 have been comm anded By Gen. DaytOn.
One OF the forts, ana probably the stronges', was
situated IN Hilton Head, and the other two on PHI.
lps Island. l. was deemed proper 10 first reduce
the fort on Hilton Head, though 10 DO this greater
or lee tire might have TO be met from tue batteries
on Bay Point at the same time.
Our original Ian of cooperation Of the land forces
10 tie attack had to be Get aside in consequence vi
the loss during the voyage, Of greater portion OF
our means of dsembaIkmeni, together with The fact
that tie only point where the troops should have
landed, from 1--WE TO six miles, measuring around
the intervening shOa from the anchorlDg place OF
our Transports, altogether too great distance for
~ 'cessiye debarkauon with our limited means.
IL was therefore agreed that tie place should De
reduced BY the naval force alone. In come uene Of
the shattered condition Of tue fleet, and the delay
10 tue arrival Of the vessels that were indispensable
for the attack il had 70 be poe poned until The 1th
iast.
WAC q mere spectator OF the combat and il Is not
my province - render any report OF this acon bui
deem il an imperative duty 10 say that the hTing
and maGeuyeliux Of feet against that OF the reb-
els aud heir formidable land batteries was master
iece Of activity and professional kill sat must have
elected the applause Of the rebels themselves as
tactical operation.
think that too much praise cannot be awarded to
the service md skill exhibited by TIE tag officer Of
tie naval squadron, aud the officers connected WIN
his shIps. i deem The performance a mastery one,
aid 4 ought 20 have been 10 be fully appreciated
Aiter the works were reduced, took possession
4 them with the lsud forces. The beautifully con
str1cted work on Hilton Head was severely crippled
and many Of The guns disnounted.
Much slaughter had evidently been made there,
many bodies having Teen buried IN The foii aud
some % or - were found some hall mile cl-tant.
The island for many miles was found streEei
With tbe arms and scc0uterraents and baggage Of the
Rebels, which they threw away IN their tasiy r.
treat. We have also come into possession Of about
forty pieces If ordnance mO.t Of which are Of the
beavie.t cali6er and the meet approved models and
q arLe quantity Of ammunition and camp equll age.
Il Isuy duty 10 report the valuable eryies Of hr.
B0utelle Assstaut ia The Coast survey, H.s,tir
via his accurate and e1leusiye knowledge OF Lhls
country,
hi. .ervioes sre invaluable 10 tie army as vel g.
70 tie navy, and sarIe,y recomn. n toat import
nj notice BE taken Of this very able and scientific
officer by tue War Department
N, ys-y TespscifJly. Jour 95etistt serysn.,
L. W sHfkN ~. brig Gen. conn l1firs
AZ. .ISIt GSExr,l L. I. 4. NS.i. .tgI, y. C.