New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-14

connossancs Of the shores draw the fires OF any bat
teres concealed there and determine their exact
position and their strength. IL having been deter'
mined not TO land troops this afternoon, this thorough
reconnaissance would have been the next best thing
20 be done Bat it was found impossible 10 give
beat for this purpose, and 20 ignorance OF the
shores tbe batteries the difficulties 70 be encountered
In taking the position, snd tie many other points
most vital to our success, remained most profound
until the next dsy.
Il was only on Tuesday morning that ginooa'
could he spared fos this most important service. On
Tuesday morning Cant. Gilmore accompanied by
email paytv of sixteen, among whom were your cor
reson,deot ana other nowspaper gentlemen, left the
Atlantic in a small boat and going on board the
frigs,e Wabesh remained there until some important
business. had been transacted by the Generals, which
occnned their time till after sunIiae. The party then
embarked on the gunbost Mercury and put OIL The
intention was 70 run slowly along tie sand-oeacn
skrtsng Hilton Head and thence along the shore OF
Philips Island to draw if possible, the fire Of their
batteries and TO show to boats the position and
strength Of the batteries they would be obliged to en-
gage and silence.
We started briskly on our course, following tfe
channel indicated by the bgoys that bad been laid
down by oar gunboats the evening before. 1t 30
happened, however, that number Of cur armed ves-
,es had preceded us into the channels and along the
INSPECTED shores. We were unmoestod, and there
was no sign Of fighting for several hours The morn
ing was beautiful one, and our share Of the affair
thus far was merely pleasure sail in strange and
lovely bay, at 81 hour little earlier than s gener-
ally selected for snch pleasure EXCURSIONS.
At7I A. M, however, a gun fired by one Of our
runboats at Rebel steamer, and which was IN
stantly returned announced that the mornings en-
tertanrnent was not TO he totally Of 80 peaceful
character. And 80, in an hour less all our gun
boats were sharply engaged not only with the Rebel
steamers, bat with the batteries on the shore; for
unable longer 10 restrain themselves battery Of y
enps from Hilton Head opened upon u.s. another
battery of IS guns, and still another Of guns
opened on us from the Bay Point side Of the harbor
The engagement was brisk one, lasting about two
hours. None Of our vessels were injured; though,
ss one Of our officers reported, we succeeded in dis
mounting six Of their guns on Hilton Head. 1t IS
said that the 2l-gun battery on Hilton Head Is
called Fort Walker, though we have little evidence
10 substantate this report. When our little sirmish
had continued about two hours the signal was made
from the flagship TO retire ont of gunshot and, for
the present. to close the action. When the Rebel
steamers saw us drawing off, which movement was
made in order that the three Generals, Wright, Sher
man, aud Stevens, might consult, they evidently
thought we bad got enough of the fight, and they ae
cordngy followed us up in the boldest possible man
ner, and were only driven back when three or four
of our gunboas squared off, broadside to, and sent
them, in the shape of shot and she'll few reminders
that their presence was no longer desirable. The
uuickness with which they turned tail and ran up
into their little creeks and inlets, with which we are
al present unacqueinted was a matter Of general
mirth.
As our own steamers oil burn coal, which gives
ont comparatively little smoke, while the rebel
steamers burn fire-wood and pine knots, which give
out black smoke that is visible many miles, their
reteatng course could be traced far into the distance
The consultation having been held our boats
tired 10 the main feet and waited further events.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 1861.
This entire day was passed in utter inaction
greatly to the disgust Of the entire command. 1t is
said that the reason there was no action to-day Is
that the Wabash got ashore on Fishing Rip Shoals,
and when she got off, did not, in the then state Of
the tide dare to turn, as it would expose her to
rakng fire from the shore batteries, and so, the en-
lire affair is thrown from to-day, and tomorrow
must show.
At O'Clock tonight the crew and captain Of the
wrecked Peerless came on board. Their boat has
gone down. The captain says she might have out
lived the gale had not the Star Of the South into
her and disabled her, She had no men on board but
her own crew, being laden with beefcattle. All her
crew were saved, being taken off by the Mohican,
gunboat.