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

entire feet were present or IN the otdng, save the
Belvidere, Capt. Philips, the Zenas Gotta, the Err
lesson, Capt. Cowles, the Peerless, the Governor
lost, end the Commodore Perry supposed to be
lost, showing a disaster by the late tremendous
storm much less than might have been reasonably
expected. With the single exception of the Erics-
SOD, which has Hsmtous battery Of field artillery,
none Of the missing vessels have on board any sol
dieIs, but are laden with stores. Our army is all
here, and ready 10 commence operations early TO-
morrow morning.
As soon as our gunboats arrived, they commenced
taking eoundings to verify the charts and inforus-
ton we already Rad. The frigate Susquehanna ar
rived to-day to join our feet She is l4-gun ship.
The Bienville steamed away to-day 70 tow up the
Sabine, and they viii doubtless arrive in the course
of the nights so that we shall have three fullszed
frieates beside all our smaller armed vessels.
In fact we bad small taste of battle tonight.
To be particular will state that at precisely two
minutes past p. m. Of Monday, the 4th day Of No
vember, 1861, was fired the first shot Of the grand
and and water engagement Of Port Royal, S. {.
The entertainment is 20 last three days or there
ibouts and the programme was opened at the hour
and minute aforementioned by ssuCy little rebel
Qunboat which stosmd round from behind con-
cealing point, and banged away with her port bow
gun at one Of our inofFensive gnnboats then peace
ably engaged in taking soundings. The gunboat Of
ours at once brstled mp and returned the FIRE, and
for an hour the firing was brisk, we having FIVE
armed vessels engaged. In fact they bad been sent
in 10 draw the FIRE, and thus establish the osi ion
Of the suspected batteries on Hilton Head and Cha
pin and Philips Islands. There is now a dispute
among Us as 70 whether the firing on the part of the
rebels was from batteries st all, many contending
that it was merely from flock OF rebel steamers.
As we have no meaus OF communication with our
gunboats now ten miles Off tonight, cannot de-
eide the disputed point; but tomorrow viii show all.
A sunrise gunboat tomorrow will creep along the
shore yet untred, orr left, for the purpose Of
drawing the fire of any batteries there located and
determining their position
On that gunboat will be your correspondent, II be
can succeed in wakingup at o'clock in the morning
p. S.-Ehe pilot of our little fleet Of gunbosis to-
day, who was in the heat OF the firing, says that all
the firing from the other side was done by i've small
rebel steamers and that not q battery was opened,
and that our vessels lie In splendid condition for
ton tomorrow.
We also hear Of the oss of another Of our feet; the
Peerless She was a little boat used TO carry beef
cattle Her crew were all taken of by the Mohican.
Tomorrow the ball begins in earnest.
FROM HILTON HEAD.
hnroN HyAD, 5. G., Saturday, Nov. p 1861.
This place is on the south is and. The north
Island il known as Bay Point. The New.York 10Th
Regiment has possession OF Bay Point The res. Of
the troops, with all the Generals, are on Hilton
Head.
This poiu, mounted 20 guns, FIVE Of which were
dismoanted by our fire. The two forts OIL Bay Point
mounted 81 guns.
There were 800 rebel troops on Hilton Head, and
!, 500 on Bay Point.
We have captured - cannon, about 500 muskets,
any quantity OF ammunition, ard large quantities Of
stores, teuts, blankets, and knspsscks.
The rebels a. Bay Point dropped everything and
ruu, taking nothing with them.
lhe Rad by which those on Hilton Head escaped
Is sirewu with rides, muskets, knapsacks, &c.
We have taken e. least :, 500 blankets, snd tents
enough for 1900 men.
The captured guns sre all 32-pOunders. -Four were
ri8ed, and cas-. this year at Richmond. The Others
were brought from Norfolk, including an English
gun, captured in TIE last war. The maskes NUM-
ton captured VAS Euglsbi the fort ammunition came
from Richmond.
Oar loss i. 6se killed ard 6NseD wounded Oas