Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-11-29
Correspondente.
Letter from the Eighth Rcgimcsi
Huron liEsp ISLAND, S. c., }
Nov. Eth, 1861.

Nov l2th, 1851.
Ma. EpIroR You will observe by the
date OF this letter that we have migrated to
the South-to the land Of Dixie for in
stance. On the 18th of October we left our
quarters at Annapolis, Nd, and embarked
on board the packet steI,;ship AIRED, where
we renamed till the 2ls,. VIXEN all had
embarked and everything was ready the
whole fleet moved off together. The day was
fine, and among the Mnine heys we did not
lack for amusement. Each Company had
quarters Of their own, but on deck We had
the privilege Of mia cling together and max
inr such observations as suited the occasion.
Each ship kept about the same position With
each Other for a short time, when the Van
.!crbilt and one or two others rather '' took
the lead, :" Which samcy hat aanoysi our am
bi;ion, but the next day we all cama to an
chor again at Fortress Monroe. From this
rlace We had fine view of the Fortress Sew
all's Poin. and the Rip Rays- feeling anx-
,ous 10 know our destination, We had become
dsconted in our i" close order, and sicFed
Tor relief. Much to our satisfaction the 2Jth
found us again on our way, but to what place
We had yet to learn. Day after day passed
ty, and We were rife with spccuiahoh as 20
our destination, till the 18th inst, when we
arrived of Port Royal entrance. We felt
PLEASED to sec hnd oucc more after fc~
days Of anxiety and suffering fFon the waat
of proper food and-tobacco. But all trial-
and suffering WAS forgotten when we saw
our gunhpats making towards the entrssee
1t was near sunset and We did not expect the
enemy would sppear, but just then rebel
steamer made her appearance from behind
the Island, and following her were TIVE nore-
Whey ran down with great speed and as much
boldness as you please Alter shots were
exchanged at u long range, without effect,
they retired for the night. BY this time cx-
riteineat had deI<ired us Of all incl nation
t. eat or sleep. We had seen enough te g'se
ais some idea Of what must follow.
The next morning orr boats moved up
- to ly, and one or t~o OF them hrcd a shot
ai.eA.'y and then, evidently trying the strength
ar endhe batteries on shore. The rebels tried
Or Ii 10 deceive our boats in this resi- Get, by
H"'' Il, ms o. tlrir I.sIe steamers. 1t WIS not
alte. several attempts had been nude to
uy cur boats in t. their batteries, that
from the shore was fired, or even bat
was to be seem This skirmshing lasted
an hour or two, when they retired Tor
1day. On - 9th We had fresh blow
Ts,f there was nothing done. The next morn
hls oawas all that we could ask-calm aud
inSiu. s's, About . l-2 O'Clock the frisate Wa
tor . led the attack, followed By Fix or eight
-. Up the entrance she moved slow
b sia S,l' fully two miles from
,ss g. sttisra eta: the shore attracted
Il - Ao,notbcr shot, and even a
se.r Nss u % she c5nic,rended to an
,isafs snt morc and the smake rolled
.slao, sses,ssy rio.s till tue whole snip except
E: :: 4: :: C.: :: :: i: !: :
rSHSyE J bursting, afpdIth''H' Va "
,e % y;c% For nearly halt an hour
- =. -. our forth at this fearful
.Hlnrllle4ts, by this time with their
Iad commenced theft work OF
~ s7Ts, ealls rhe Wabash now movol of,
.l s'ew minutes, she appeared amont
LIT. Let me s hay the most innocent. But again she
ehsfaes;m aud asAiu she orcnyl fire upon
u ,hem. For four hours the firing was inces-
fa a.sant; how they wi,hst99d such storm OF
sslshelIs for 50 long time, is more than | can
Gmasine. But during it all the firing from
j h. shores seemed not to diminish till near
I-vssg1sx The firing ceased, boat was sent
ID, :, and in few minutes the stars and
Sssrp,. was seen floating on Soufhe' so'4-
MIR upon cheer arose from the sh'Is, Tor
a lrlous victory was ours. The next day
and was surprised to learn
r. ..s the rebels had all left the Island. we
re rans..kcd this whole concern and find
spme splendid plantations. Many OF the
!. 'ayes are left, and their plea is they would
-
any there were killed and wounded
unable to say but you will get the
PARTICULARS, doubtless. from pens more able
than mine. long before this reaches you :
Therefore | will tell nothing but what KNOW
Respectfully Yours,
GouLpsBoRo'.