Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-20
of Port Royal and Beaufort.

u .
PORT ROYAL.
Port Royal is fifteen miles northeast from the
entrance of Savannah, and is, perhaps, the most
important point on the Atlantic coast Of all the
Southern States which border upon that sea, for
the purpose of hostile visit.
The entrance itself is inlet from the Allan
tic, in latitude thirty two degrees eight minutes
north, fifty miles southwest of Charleston, and
fifteen miles northeast of Tybee Inlet, the en-
trance of Savannah river. The opening from
the Atlantic is between EJding Island and Hilton
Head Island, and at that point is about three
miles wide. The pr0longaton inward Jf Port
Royal entrance is called Broad river and Port
Royal river. Running up this for about twenty
five miles, bending off eastward through the
Coosaw river, and coming out 10 the Atlantic
again through St. Helena Sound, you have an ir-
regular area of twenty five miles by fifteen. This
amphibious region is cut up by numerous rivers,
creeks and inlets into great many islands (sea
islands) of various sizes, the chief of which are
Port Royal, St. Helena, Paris, Ladies. Coosaw,
Morgan, Dathaw, Edding, Chaplin, Prentiss and
Hunting
Along the coast of South Carolina, as of North
Carolina and Georgia. stretches a low and mar.
row sand bar-a kind of defensive out work to
the land-seldom inhabited except by lost In
dians and runaway negroes, who subsist by hunt
ing and fishing. At distant intervals there are
shallow breaches throsgh which the quiet tide
steals in twice day, swelling the natural lagoons
and damming the outlet of the fresh water stream
till the current is destroyed and turned back and
their food dispersed far and wide over the de-
batable land of the Cypress Swamp. Then,
when the heavy rains in the interior have swollen
therivers their eddying currents deposit all along
the edges of the SANDY islands and capes tue rich
freights they have brought from the calcIreous
or granite mountains in which they rise. with the
organic waste of the great forests through which
they flow This is the soil of the rice and cotton
plantations, which are always found in such parts
the tidal swamps adjoining the mainland or the
sandy islands as are left nearly dry at the ebb Of
the water.
The region around Port Royal entrance and
island has strange, eventful and romantic his
tory. 1t was, in fact, the first settled spot on the
coast of North America. How interesting, in
view of our expedition, to read the story of
other expedition to the same locality Just three
hundred wears ago. The first colony was
sent out by zealous Protestant, and then
of the Ministers of the Crown, who,
who, at the time of the war between the French
Protestants and the Catholics, obtained permis
sion of Charles TX, to plant colony of Protes
tants in Florda-a name then applied to a great
part OF the Southern coast. Command of two
vessels was accordingly given TO Jean Ribault,
ga man expert in sea causes, and in the spring
of 1862 he landed on the Florida coast. Sailing
northward, he discovered several rivers, one OF
which, from "the fairness and largeness of its
harbor," he called the Port Royal river The
old chroncler Laudoniere, who accompanied the
expedition, describes the scene IN glowing colors.
Splendid forests, shores festooned with rich grape
clusters, birds of brilliant plumage, stays and
deer in the luxuriant savannahs
As the commander cast his eye across the wa
tiers of the beautiful river before him, says Laud
oniere, and measured the breadth of its mouth
and the depth of its soundngs, he persuaded
himself that all the argosies of Venice could
ride upon its BOSOM" Accordingly, upon the
island few miles up Port Royal river he erect
ed, it is said, on the very spot where the town of
Beaufort now stands, pillar with the arms of
France, and in few days after built fort,
which, in honor of his King, Charles TX, he
called Carlos Fort-Aur Car0lina-from which
circumstance the country took the name of Caro-
lima. Ribault reminded the colonists that they
weye now occupants of '' vast country, filled
with every goOdly promise, where every man was
to be honored. not for his birth or fortuue, but
on account of his own personal achievements. /"
Thus it was on that very spot that, for the first
time, three hundred years ago, on the North Amer
ican coast, the flag of civilized colony might be
seen by the approaching mariner. But this first
French colony did not flourish, and after sending
out another to the same locality, the French, in
1861, gave up all idea of making settlements.
English began to colonize around Port Royal.
Early in the seventeenth century Lord Cardross
led colonoy from Scotland and settled at Port
Royal; but this place, claiming, from an agree
ment with the Lords Proprietaries, coordinate
authority with the Governor and Grand Council
of Charleston, it was compelled, with circum
stances of outrage, to acknowledge submission.
In 1910 William Sayle was sent out as Gov
ernor, and i'm his letter Of instructions he was told
Tn all fha 10 af
allegiance to our sovereign lord the King. and
subscribe fidelity to the proprietors and the form
of government established by them"
With regard to the capabilities of Port ROYAL,
an English writer spoke of it as follows: 1.-The
whole royal navy might ride with safety in Port
Royal harbor. Its situation renders it an excel
lent station for squadron of ships in time of
war"
glance at the map will show that more
vulnerable spot for striking at the rebels could
not be selected. On either hand lie Georgia
and South Carolina, with their capitals, Charles
ton and Savannah, the hot-beds of secession.
The communication between the cities would be
the first to be seized, the distance between the
two cities being l04 miles, and force moving up
the waters from Beaufort would strike the road
at Pocolalego, fifty five miles from Charleston
and forty nine from Savannah, by which means
Charleston or Savannah could be taken in the
rear. The forts and harbors would thus be rem
dered useless as defences to their respective
cities.
Steering for Port Royal harbor, the course,
after taking bearings, is due west Tor ST. Mi
chaels Head. within fifteen leagues of which
will be found from twenty to twenty five fathoms
of water. Port Royal entrance is known by a
small grove of trees which stand on the west side
of it, and tower above all the other trees like a
high. crowned hat; hence the grove is called the
Hat of Port Royal. The entrance to Port Royal
is between two immense breakers-one on the
north called Coles Care; the other on the south
ward called Martins Industry. Between these
two breakers the channel is mile wide.
The town of Beaufort is built on the west bank
of the Port Royal river, a narrow branch of the
ocean, fifty miles northeast of Savannah and
ffty-fve southwest of Charleston. The town is
old, with less than thousand inhabitants. and OF
far less importance in trade now than its name
sake of North Carolina. Ii is, nevertheless,
within easy distance of both Charleston and Sa-
vannah, and but ten miles from the railroad which
connects those cities.
Beaufort is situated in the district of the same
name, one of the most populous and fertile in the
whole State. In 1850 this district produced more
rice and sweet potatoes than any other county in
the United States. district within the State
Its chief staples are cotton, rice, Indian corn and
sweet potatoes. The Savannah river runs along
its border, and is navigable for steamboats,.
The Late Elections-Great Change in
i'm Public Sentiment.
Pennsylvania gives 40 900 Democratic major.
ty. Last fall $4,000 for the Republican ticket
Democratic gain 100 900.
New Jersey elects Democratic majority in
each branch of the Legislature, and gives large
Democratic majority on the popular vote. Last
fall it gave majority of its electoral vote to
President Lincoln.