The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-11-28

VI WV it''h piOSiuuCu lllt lutd VI
ing the dead. And thus the gallant little
band Quilted the scene of their glory, AMI
scampered off, each one as best he could,
towards The woods. The retreat was GOV.
cred by small detachment who remained
in tEe fort for an hour after their comrades
had left. Among those who remained
were Capt. Harms, with six men: Lieut.
Milchers. with four men; and Lieut.. Bis
choff, with four men. These worked three
guns until about two O'Clock, when they
also quilted the post.
The abandonment Of Fort Beauregard
was equally a necessity. The garrison
were exhausted, and in momentary danger
of being cut of. When Col. Dunavant
ordered a retreat, tears Of modification and
Indignation filled the eyes Of Capt. Elliott
at the sad necessity. The retreat was adj
mirably conducted. and rendered entirely
successful by the prudent energy OF Capt.
Henckel. one of Gen. Ripley's Aids. who
had got together some twelve flats at
Station Greek. by which the troops passed
safely over to st. llel.na Island. From
there they passed to Beaufort Island, and
reached the train of Pocotagio without
the loss or injury of a man. In this fort
none were killed. and but FIVE were woun-
ded by negligence in loading cannon. by
which hot shot was driven on the powder
without the wet wad preceding it.
EVACUATION OF BAY POINT
The rest of The story is briefly told.
Late Thursday night the garrison Of Fort
Walker had collected at the landing. in the
hope of being able to reach Blutfton by
water Luckily. several small Confederate
steamers were within hail. But here a
ludcrous mistake occurred The retreat
ing troops imagined the little steamers 10 be
Yankee gunboats; while the crews Of the
steamers were convinced the troops were
body Of disembai ked Yankees. Acting
upon this double deluson, deal Of mutual
accommodating was made, and it was only
after vast variety of strategic approaches
that they reached the conclusion that il
was "al right" A quick trip TO Bluflton
followed. Themes the troops marched 10
Hardee,ille, II miles distant. The road
along which they dragged their exhausted
fra Ell.I xx{fh hot
throng OF fugtives of all conditions. carts,
carriages. and conveyances OF every des-
cripuon that could, by any possibility. be
pressed iuto service. The spectacle WAS a
sad one
Thus ended the defence Of Port Royal.
The modification of the disaster is lessened
by the consciousness that our troops
deserved success.
What injury we did to the enemy, we
do not know. Our firing was of course,
less efficient than theirs. Onr troops we're
volunteers-theirS were picked artilerists;
yet it is very remarkable how few were
killed or wounded amongst our troops.
This battle. in this respect. was very much
/ like the battle of Fort Sumter. How SD
many cannon could have e,n dismoun:ed
and rendered useless, and yet so few OF
those who worked them injured. seems
very marvellous. Our troops did their
duty faithfully and bravely. and fought
un,il to fight longer would have been sheer
folly. Though epcountering immense
odds. no signs Of ccwardce marked their
conduct. Officers and soldiers exenplified
the ancient character Of the State, and
deserve our profound gratitude and admi
ration.