Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-11-21
NUMBER At.

these purposes After mature delib-
Grafton, aided by the professional
: knowledge and great wisdom of the
Assistant Secretary, Mr.. Fox, and upon
taking into consideration the magn-
tude to which the joint naval and
military expedition had been extend
ed, to which you have called my at
tcntion, came to the conclusion that
the original intention of the Depart
ment, it carried out, would fall short
, of the expectations of the country and
of the capabilities of the expedition,
while Port Royal, | thought, would
meet them in high degree. there
fore submitted to Brig. Gen. Sherman,
commanding the military part of the
expedition, this modification of our
earliest matured plans, and had the
satisfaction to receive his full concur
renee. -...... ......
On Tuesday, Goth Oct, the feet un.
der my command left Hampton Roads,
and with the army transports num-
bered so vessels. On the day previ-
ous had dispatched the coal vessels,
25 in number, under convoy of the
Vandalia, to rendezvous off Savannah,
not wishing to give the true point of
the feet The weather had been un-
settled in Hampton Roads, though it
promised well when we started, but
off Hatteras it blew hard.
Some of the ships got into the
breakers, and two struck, but without
injury. On Friday, Nov. lst, the
rough weather increased into a gale,
and we had to encounter one of great
violence. The fleet was utterly dis
persed, and on Saturday morning, one
sail only was in sight from the deck,
which was the Wabash. On the fol-
lowing day the weather moderated,
and the steamers and ships began to
rcappear. The orders were obeyed,
except in case of separation. These
last were furnished to all the men Of
war by myself, and to the transports
by Brigadier General Sherman.
AS the vessels rejoincd, reports
came in of disasters in reference to
the men of war. The Charles Smith,
q most efficient and well armed YES
sci for the class purchased, but not
intended to encounter such sea and
wind, had to throw overheard her for
midable battery to keep from founder
ing, but thus relieved she was enabled
to go TO the assistance of the steamer
Governor, then in a very dangerous
condition, aud on board of which was
our fine battalion of Marines, under
Maj. Reynolds they were finally
rescued by Capt. Ringgold in the Sa-
bina, under difficult circumstances,
after which the Governor went down
| believe that seven of the Marines
were drowned by their own impru-
dcnce. The conduct of Lieut.. Mich
olson, commanding the Isaac Smith,
has met my warmest appreciation.
The Peerless, transport, in a sinking
condition, was met by the Mohican,
Commander Gordon, and all the peo-
pie Oh board, % in number, were saved
under very peculiar circumstances, in
which service Lieut. Ii. w. Miller was
very favorably noticed by his COM
mander. On passing Charleston l
sent in the Seneca, Lieut.. Command
ing Amman, to direct Capt. Lander 20
join me with the steamer Susquehan-
ma, off Port Royal, without delay. Ga
Monday, at s o'clock in the morning,
: observed off the bar some % ves-
sells in company, with many more
heaving in sight. The Department is
aware that all the aids to navigation
had been removed, and the bar lies ten
miles to scaward. There are no fea-
lures Oh the shore line of sufficient
prominence to make any bearings re-
liable, but to the skill of Commander
Dore, the fleet Captain, and Mr. Con-
lctte, the able assistant OF the coast
survey, in charge of the steamer Vixen,
channel was Immediately found.
By o'clock received assurances from
Captain Dore that could send sfor-
ward tue lighter transports, those un-
der 10 feet, with all the gun boats,
f which Was Immediately done, and be-
fore dark they were securely anchored
in the roadstead of Port Royal, 5. q.
The gun boats almost Immediately
opened their batteries upon two or
three rebel steamers under Commodore
, Tatnall, instantly chasing him under
the shelter of the batteries.
/ On the morning of Wednesday the
: Wabash crossed the bar, followed
t quickly by the frigate Susquehanna,
the Atlantic, Vanderbilt, and other
, transports of deep draft, running
f through to that portion of the feet al
3 ready in. The safe passage of the
: great ship over the bar was hailed
: with gratifying cheers from the crowd
ed vessel. We anchored and imme-
diately commenced preparing the ships
for action. In our anxiety to get the
outline Of the forts before dark, VIC
: stood in too near these shoals, and the
f ship grounded. BY the time she was
got of it was too late, in my judgment,
: to proceed, and l made signals for the
+ feet to anchor out of gun shot of the
enemy. To-day the wind blows gale
9 from the southwark and westward
and the attack is unavodably post,
poned.
: l have the honor to be, Sir, respect
y fully your obedient servant
:. S. +. DUPONT,
$ Flag Officer Commanding
9 South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
! Commodore Dupont's official dis
| patch to Secretary Welles contains
! nothing of additional interest, being
!. merely short narrative of events,
Accompanying the dispatches were
several trophies-captured flags. and
: two brass cannon, lately belonging to
the State OF South Carolina, list oil
casualties, &c.
A letter to Secretary Wclles from
: Commodore Dupont says, since wri,
n ting his official dispatches he had sort
! gun-boats t. Beaufort 10 take possess
t sion of the town, and protect the in
d habitants, but found the place aban.