The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-03
SAVANNAH RIvxR, Nc


Outlines Of the Savannah coa-Poson Of the Vessels Of the
FleA-Desertion Of the Rebel Fbrs-Appedrance Of the
Rebe, Fieet-The Heavy Guns Of the Eremy-Ercelent
Fratice Of the Cunboa Seneca-The Landing Of the Union
Fbrces-Appcarance Of the Liohttouse-EGects Fund
he Island, de-, dc.
herewith enclose you correct outline Of the coast at
She Of Savannah river and the position occupied
by OF our vessels and the mosquito feet In lat
encounter
Az the forts at Bay Point and Hilton Head were
occupied, to form basis for future operations
number Of vessels despatched TO blockade several
important points along the coast. Some sent or
Charleston, others on Savannah. of Fcrnandna Florida
and at other points Tho United States frgatc Savannah
(saing vesse) already or Tybee and the purchased
steamer Augusta sent to that point also the
steamer Florida the day after her arrival from Phiadel
pha where she had been compelled TO resort for repairs
u her machinery by the gale encountered
BY the feet OF Cape Hatteras.
u became evident that Savannah would be prin
cpa point of attack probably distant PERIOD for in
few days boats sent from all these vessels which
had approached the entrance 10 Tybee closely AZ was
deemed prudent 70 take the soundngs Of the to
the channel.
On the night Of Saturday 23d inst the steamers Flag,
Pccahontas and Seneca down from Port Royal harbor
and anchored of Tybsc, near the other vessels.
Early Sunday morning, after breakfast, tho steamers
slowly sailed up the entrance the others remaining out.
side Of the range Of the guns while the Seneca followed
by the pocahontas Captain Rodgers OF the Flag being
In command and on board the senecs) slowly steamed
mp towards the fort With the view Of drawing the Ore Of
the guns, to find out their range and cabre At arst
they kept we'll OF and tho opposite shore but ali
remained quiet tho island With our glasses we could
distinctly the fort but there flag waving over
It, nor were any guns TO be seen, any signs Of life
whatever
Finding no news from tho rebels the Seneca proceeded
little and let 60 her elcveninch gun The shot
fell short elected reply from the fort Again and
again she fred sometimes shot and sometimes shells
Of which burst directly over the fort After
nnuvring in this manner for couple Of hours, she
steamed up past the fort the opposite shore, firing
easiopaly and turning round higher up down close
70 the fort and under the range OF any guns which might
be there. The that her firing had called forth
demonstration from the rebel fort found to be
bccanse it had been deserted No the island
The steamers Pocahontas Flag and Augusta followed
the Seneca with the view OF going shore TO make oh
seryatons, while the Florida proceeded Port Royal to
communicate to the Gag officer the intelligence that Tybee
Bland was occupied by naval force that had
gained foothold the sacred naughty Georgia
Early next morning the Florida appeared again of TySee
and towed In the Savannah which anchored close By the
lighthouse, which, we'll as over the fort the
Union Stars and Stripes sriamphanty waving, in
sight OF the city Of Savasush
Early on The morning Of Tuesday, 28th inst several
volumes OF dark smoke up the Savannah river
which was supposed 70 come from the bilumnous coal