Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-20

W tons
WAsHISeroS, Nov l3-Capt Stedman arrived
here at noon to day bringing official dispatches of
the naval expedition. He is also the bearer Of
two rebel flags one Palmetto flag and the Ameri-
can flag first hoisted In South Carolina over Fort
Walker II
Capt Stedman reports that the captured forts
magnificent, with covered ways and bomb
proof, and that all our troops had TO DO was 10
occupy them. They can be held against any OPP
posing force
Among the most efficient vessels were found to
be the new gun boats and of which the Navy De
partment had twenty three constructed expressly
for such purposes, and their success both in the
gale and under the FIRE was perfect
Commander Drayton, of the Pocahontas, is
brother of Gen. Drayton, who commanded the
rebel forts
Captain Stedman, who brings the dispatches,
is the son of former Mayor of Charleston.
On the reception of the dispatches the follow
ing order was issued:
GENERAL ORDER.
The Department announces to the Navy and
the country its high qualification at the brilliant
success of the combined navy and army forces
respectively. commanded by flag officer s. F. Du-
pont and Brig. Gen. t. w. Sherman, in the cap
ture of forts Walker and BeauFegard, comIcand-
ing the entrance to Port Royal Harbor, South
Carolina.
To commemorate this signal victory il is ORDER
ed that National salute be fred from each navy
yard at meridian on the day after the reception of
this order.
The following are the official dispatches to the
Navy Department:
FLAG SHIP WABASH, OFF HiLToS HEAD(
PoRT ROYAL, Nov. 6.
Sir: The Government having determined to
seize and occupy one or more important points up
on our Southern coast where our squadrcns might
find shelter and possess a depot and afford pro
lection to LOYAL citizens, committed to INV dis
cretion the selection from among those places
which it is thought available and desirable for
this purpose. After mature deliberation /, aided
by the professional knowledge and great inteIIi-
gence of the Assistant Secretary, Mr.. Fox and
upon taking into consideration the magnitude to
which the Joint naval and military expedition had
been extended, to which you have called my at
tention, came to the conclusion that the org-
nal intentions of the Department if carried out
would fall short of the expectations of the county
andof the capabilities of the expedition, while
Port Royal, thought, would meet both in a
high degree.
therefore submitted to Brigadier General
Sherman, commanding the military part of the
expedition, this modification of our earliest ma
tured plans, and had the satisfaction to receive
his full concurrence.
On Tuesday, Oct 30, the fleet under my CON-
InanO leIt hampton IlOduS, anu WIN tue army
transports numbered fifty vessels. On the day
previous, l had dispatched the coal vessels.
twenty five in number, under convoy of the Van
dalia, to rendezvous off Savannah, not wishing
to give the true point of the fleet.
The weather had been unsettled in Hampton
Roads, though it promised well when we sailed,
but off Hatteras it blew hard. Some ships got
into the breakers, and two struck, but without
injury
creased into gale, and we had to encounter one
of great violence. The feet was utterly dispers-
ed. On Thursday morning, one sail only was
visible from the deck of the Wabash.
On the following day the weather moderated,
and the steamers and ships began to reappear.
The orders were opened except those in case of
separation. These last were furnished TO all the
men of-war by myself and to the transports by
Brig. Gen. Sherman.
As the vessels rejoined reports came in of dis
asters.
In reference to the men-of war, the Isaac
Smith, a most efficient and well armed vessel for
the class, purchased but not intended TO encoun-
ter such and wind, had to throw her formi-
dable battery overheard to keep from laundering,
but thus relieved she was enabled to 20 to the
sistance of the steamer Governor, then in very
dangerous condition, on board of which was
fine battalion of marines under Major Reynolds.
III.
the Sabine, under difficult circumstances, after
which the Governor went down.
] believe that seven of the marines were
drowned by their own imprudence.
Lieut.. Commanding Nicholson's conduct in the
Isaac Smith has met my warm commendation.
The Peerless transport, in sinking condition,
was met by the Mohican commander (Gordon),
and all the people on board, twenty-six in mum
ber, were saved under very peculiar circumstan-
ol, I n
favorably noticed by the commander.
On passing Charleston | sent in the Seneca.
Lieut.. Commnding Ammen to direct Capt Lard
ner 10 join me with the steamer SusQuehanna off
Port Royal without delay.
On Monday at O'Clock in the morning,
anchored off the bar with some twenty five yes
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 seaward and no features OH the shore
line of sufficient prominence to make any bear
ings reliable; bit to the skill of Commander Dove,
the Fleet Captain, and Mr.. Bonlette, the able AS
sistant of the Coast Survey in charge of the
steamer, a channel was Immediately found BY
o'clock | received assurances from Captain
Dove that could send forward the lighter trans
ports, those under eighteen feet, with all the gun
boats, which was Immediately done, and before
dark they were securely anchored in the roadstead
Of Port Royal, South Carolina
The gun-boats almost Immediately opened
their batteries upon two or three rebel steamers
under Com. Tatnall, instantly chasing him under
the shelter of the batteries.
On the morning of Tuesday, the Wabash
crossed the bar, followed closely by the fiigate
Susquehanna, the Atlantic, Vanderbilt, and 9TH
er transports of deep draught. running through
that portion OF the fleet. The safe passage of
this great ship over the bar was hailed with graft
fying cheers from the crowded vessels.
We anchored, aud immediately commenced
preparing the ship for action. In our anxiety to
get the outline of the forts before dark, stood
in too near those shoals, and the ship grounded.
By the time she was got off, it was too late In
my Judgment to proceed, and made signals for
enemy.
To-day the wind blows gale from the south
ward and westward, and the attack is unavod
ably postponed.
/ have the honor to be. sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
ST. DUPoST,
Flag officer commanding the South Atlantic
Squadron.
A list of casualties was received. Total
killed eight wounded severely six, slightly wound
ed seventeen. Total killed and wounded, thirty
one.
A letter to Secretary Welles from Com. Du-
pont says since writing his official dispatch he
had sent gun bosts to Beaufort to take possession
ofthe town and protect the inhabitants, but found
the place abandoned to the negroes, who are re-
tod in la