The New York herald., 1861-12-31
Official Report Of the Expedition Up the
North EdiStO River.
Capt. Davis Report Relative to the
Blocking Up Of Charleston Harbor.
Engagement Between Union Gunboats and
Tatnall's Rebel FlOtilla,
Ae., &C.. &c.
REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION UP THE Eds
TO RIVER.

sR-in obedience to your order Of the 14th instant
left this babor tho night OF the 16h accompanied by
tho gunboat Seneca, Lieutenant Commanding Daniel Am
men, and the Coast Survey steamer Vixen, Captain c. O.
Bouee but ut the bar found that the heavy
which was blowing had raised such to
render il out OF the question to attempt enter
ing tho river which l was directed 10 examine.
therefore returned to my anchorage, which
left second time, however, on the following morning
and reached the North Edist0 1t two O'Clock. Shortly az
ter crossed the bar with the Seneca plotted In by Capt
Boutee, in the Vixen, which vessel he, however left
whom inside for the pawnee his vessel remain
ing astern Of ms Al the time we could plainly 500 fort
hcatons ahead on Edsto Island, distant mile aud y
half.
AsM was reported TO me they were filled with men.
commenced firing slowly from my bow guns, as did
ths Seneca, but receiving no answer soon ceased,
and running by the batteries anchored In the North
Edsto river. On landing found the FORT which
trey deserted 10 consist Of two redonbts for i've guns
each connected by long curtain and protected in the
by double ience Of thick pauks with earth be-
tween and loop hoed
The guns as tho negroes informed me- had all been re-
moved towards Charleston some weeks back.
While was making this examination, Lieutenant
Commanding Anmcn had proceeded up the
river for about hve miles, the effect Of
which was Immediately apparent the firing OF cotton
houses ana ouiDnidins- As, during the night, some
negroes board and informed that the small
town OF Rockville, which was in full sight, there q
large oncampmept Of soldiers at least 5OO and Captain
Bouelle Offering 10 90 up the creek on which il was
determined 10 make them visit In the Vxen and at day
light OF the 18th went board that vessel for the
pose Of taking with the boats aud marines OF the
Pawnec and Seneca, under charge OF Acting Master
Smell.
Owing to our running ashore we did not reach tho
town until near eight O'Clock, little above which
soop laden with cotton and proyis isons, which took
possession Of and towed alongside. There st being
signs Of life on shore, landed with fifty men to
reconnoitre, and soon satisfied that the
troops had left, tho first Thing seen was
tho negroes piagng o building, in which there
large quantity OF commissarat stores, consisting Of
rice, sugar, bacon, &C. This stopped ut once and
had what remained removed to the Vixen. Being then
informed that the camp, which WINS a mile from the
water, Was entirely deserted, went there but
far could learn the troops had left at day
and II was then only little after eight
The negroes whom found AZ busy as bees, had
moved the most valuable part Of what had been left
which nearly eyeryihing excepting their arms.
The encampHient a large one, had been occupied for
many noahs aud it's tate tenants had evidently been
te possession OF every comfort removed 10 the boats
forty Sbey and four ordinary tents, besides quantity
of articles Of particular value which lying
about; aud found at neghboring house. which seemed
to have been used headquarters, Confederate flag
Having pretty well cleared tho ground OF what
worth removing and beng desirous Of examining above
left 1t two O'Clock and proceeded up tho river with the
Vixen, not liking to trust the Pawnee in 80 narrow
channel, where tho Seneca which had start
cd at nine O'Clock 10 explore fast on mnd bank We
remained by her until nine O'Clock, but found it mioss
be 70 pa her od owing to tha night tide not being 50
sent the boats and burned sloop which had been
ashore some distance beyond who attempting to
escape from the Seneca, and which could not TO got
adoat.
The Vixen Afterwards returned, for the night, to hs
neghborhood Of tho Pawnee but went back at light
Of the following morning with party OF mcn and boats
from this vessel to tighten the Scneca, which vessel
got Off at high tide. While the Vixen coming
up the river she came On small sloop
laden with cotton, from which two white men were
taken, whom have board prisoners As in the
meantime nearly i50 negroes, all in great state Of
alarm had collected on board the different vessels de-
iermined 10 land Them the point, aud called in the
United States steamer Penguin, which cruising OF
the fort, and 20 leave Lieut.. Commanding Budd, in
pd rVe
hear from me.
Capt Bouelle was kind enough go ont in the Vixen
and pilot the Pengan into her anchorage of the fort
where she now ID.
On the morning Of the 18th ran down to the South
Edlsto and leaving the Pawnee and Seneca at the bar
went in with the Vixen. found the fortacatiohs which
are Ediso Island, entirely deserted, and partially
destroyed They consisted Of two redoub,s. which
mounted far ~ could Judge -four guns each but the
guns had been removed.
The Dao being in sight Otter Sound in tbs Ashc
poo, made signal, aud Lieut. Commanding fruXtoI pulled
with boats. He reported that everything
quiet the neishborhood OF his anchorage and ttt the
fort Otter Island rapidly being placed ia state Of
defence Up 10 the preseEt time, although they bad been
in sigh, Of the South Ediso forts where Nars> ing
they had not yet landed there.
Having hnlah d my examination of the south Idsto
returned 10 the Pawnse, and stood north with tho nte
toH Of lying e Stone for tho night but the weather
looked threatening. aud the Vixen was almost out Of
coal went tho South Edisto again for tho night ia
order 10 have opportunity Of supply her with
Lieutenant Commanding Badd reported every thing
when eit bat on tho following morning negroes came
and stated that the troops who had left the encamp
ment at Rockville, being largely reinforced, showed
disposition 10 renccupy that place.
Az the weather WAS too threatening to permit Of my
making careful examination Of the Stono as intended
determined to return at 10 this place and
port you the state o Affairs at The North Misto This
have done reaching my anchorage here at three O'Clock
to-day.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
p. nRAyrON Commanding.
Flag officer $. r DrroN, commanding south uisutic