Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-23
tFrom the Philadelphia Inquirer, 18th inst1

Interesting Incidents Of the Attack on Po'
Royal, Ec.--Briiiiant and Daring Actio
Of our Men-Damdge Done oar Vessels.
Huron HEAD ISLAND, 8. c., Nov. 8.
The Gag Of the Union floats 10 triump
over the coil Of the Palmetto State an
Port Royal, the finest barbor South Of tb
Chesapeake, is in full possession Of the Unite'
States forces. The credit Of the achievement
wholly belongs to the Nuvy, and the victor,
for the result was not accomplished withou
. we'll contested lights the most brillian
and important which has occurrsd since th
war commenced. r1L Is
Learning that the gun boat Bienville is t,
leave this afternoon with dispatches, l shal
attempt to give you q buried account o
what has happened since the arrival Of tb,
feet off the coast Of South Caroline.
Most Of the squadron csme to anchor hert
on Monday last, but the expedition bad beer
disiutegrated by thel storm, and many Of tbs
vessels which we're most necessary to oul
success we're missing; among these were The
Ocean Express, upon which some short
sighted official had placed all the ordinance
of the expedition, instead of dividing /,
among the other transports. The ferry boats
also, upon which rested all our hopes for o
speedy Decentralization, and the Osceola
Union, Belvidere, (transports,) with cargoes
Of conmissary stores, and deck loads O.
beeves and horses, and the Ericsson, vita
Hamiltou's light battery, did not arrive.-
Added to the uncertainty and anxiety re.
spectiug the safety of these vessels was the
full knowledge of the loss OF the Governor
and Peerless; and our mishpps and despoud'
ency on these accounts were mnde heavier to
bear because no attempt was made to land /;
and while we we're missing the fine weather,
the Rebels we're improving our delay by
strengthening their means Of defence in sight
of us.
Three gun.boats belonging to the Confede'
rates, under the command of Captain Tstnall,
formerly of the United States Navy, opened
fire at long range upon our wa- vessels, which
approached Port Royal Inlet for the purpose
of reconnoiteriDg, on Monday evening, and
about Fifty shots we're exchanged; but no
harm resulted to either side, for the Rebels
steamed away with their bigh'pressure craft
before our vessels could get near enough to
iojure them. Our gun boats then returned,
aud took position around q portion of the
transports which had anchored within the
bar about fve miles from shore, in order to
protect them from any insolence on the part
of those ashore but the night passed without
molestatiou.
On Tuesday, everybody thought an attempt
would be made to land troops upon either
one or other of the headlande at the entrance
of Port Royal harbor. These headlsnds are
nearly three miles apart, and are respectively
known as Hilton's Head and Bay Point--the
former being the northeast extremity of
illton's Head Island, and the other the
southeast point of st. Phillips Island
Before attempting to disembark, however,
General Sherman, with the prudence and
caution Of military leader, determined upon
making q reconnaissance, to find out whether
the proposed point of landing had been forti'
fled by the enemy or not. He started on
this mission at daybreak, accompanied by
Captain Gilmour, Chief of the Engineers, and
other members of the staff; but before the
little steam tug Mercury, upon which the
reconnoitering party had taken position, had
gone half mile 10 the direction Of the shore.
three Rebel guu' boats, under Tatnall, came
outside of the bay, and hurled defiance, with
10 inch shell, to the Ottswa, Unsdills, Paw
nee. Seminole Curlew and Isaac p. Smith.
Neither OF Tatnalls vessels was able to
send q she'll within mile of any of our boats
where he made this demonstration, and as
our guDs were powerless to hurt him at that
distance, a movement was made towards him.
He retreated, however, for the purpose Of
getting our boats to follow him and thus
expose themselves to the FIRE Of two powerful
shore batteries, which were erected, one on
each side of the entrance to the bay, aud the
guns of which we're plainly to be seen. The
Mercury, with General Sherman, steamed
after the gun boats, which had by this time
entered upon a sharp action with both bat
teries, while Tatnal remained under cover
behind the point. The engagement lasted
about half an hour aud fully demonstrated the
immense strength Of the Rebel Notifications
Their gupnery was excellent, but fortunately
no greater damage resulted to our side than
u trifing injury to the rigging OF the Ottawa,
Several of the shells thrown by the Pawnee
exploded within the battery at Bay Point,
among the tents Of an encampment in the
rear, doubtless destroying many lives. The
object Of the reconnaissance having been
attained the gun boats were ordered to rejoin
the feet, and General Sherman. accompanied
by Generals Wright and Stephens. afterwards
met in consultation with Commodore Dupont,
on board the Wabash.
Their deliberations terminated with a
decision That the battery at Hilton Head
must first be serced before an attempt could
be made to land the troops for, with the
limited means OF debsrkation to which the
expedition had been reduced by the storm
there was no other point at which this could
be accomplished.
The navy, under these circumstances, could
alone be looked to for relief, and the military
had TO retire impotently before the obstacles
which presented themselves; but blue jackets
have a reputation for being equal to emer
geneies. and in this instance they nobly
sustained it.
1t was intended that the attack should
commence on that afternoon, and active
preparations we're made for it. The Wsbast
aud smaller frigates we're cleared for action
boats taken in, topmasts housed, and rigging
secured FROM falling should a shot chance t.
cut it; while the little gun boats, whose motto
is ''always ready" fitted about impatient 70
their cumbrous comrades to finish their bel
iigerent toilettes.
At three o'clock. therefore, the vessel
commenced moving toward the shore, TO Vbcl
the Rebel navy lay 10 close proximity, def
aEtly Haunting their iusoleot Gags. | ha'
forgotten to state that. earlier 10 the day, th
Wabash aud larger transports crossed tn
bar and came TO anchor neas the remaiude
OF the feet. The vessels cautiously wen
along, a man stationed 10 the chains heavin
the lead aud calling out the depth Of watel
Notwithstanding this precaution, the ase
ship. some distance 10 the van, grounded o
,l 81 q h. 81 -; -