The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-23

was planted in South Carolina, OH d
South Carolina fort, for the first time
since it was hauled down at the disgrace
full capture of Fort Sumter.
The thousands of men on the trans
ports witnessed the event with frantic
delight, and hailed the flag with cheers
that seemed to have no limit, either in
number or in enthusiasm, and in less
then five minutes half dozen brass
bands on the various decks were filing
the rebel air with the joyous, triumphant
and unaccustomed strains, of "The
Star Spangled Banner" and " Yankee
Doodle"
The action lasted exactly ifc hours,
from the minute of firing The first shot to
the instant of running up the flag.
Preparations were now instantly made
to land our troops, that the place might
be immediately and efficiently garrisoned,
and secured against recapturc. The
fth Connecticut Regiment were embark
cd IN n large boats, which little feet
was near the shore as practicable by the
steamer Winfield Scott, when they were
pulled near to the beach by the oursmen,
and the men, numbering 1.O4s, spranc
into the water, up to their hips, and
with loud cheers wadcd ashore and took
possession of the place. They were fol-
lowed by the rest Of the First Brigade,
under the command Of Gen. Wright
Pickets were thrown out that same night
Tor miles in every feasible direction,
double guards were set, and every pre-
caution taken against Il surprise.
There was but little need, however,
of SO much caution, for the enemy had
deserted in such panic that the idea of
return could never have occurred to
them. Their tents were left standing,
and they had left III their hurried depar-
ture everything not actually upon their
persons. The tents were filed with
clothing, arms, food, bedding, and every
thing usually pertaining TO a camp. In
some OF the tents were tables with every
thing lald for dinner, and covered with
bountiful supply Of cold meats, bread,
biscuit, etc., and in sundry bottles and
dcmijohns were certain liquid comforts
that caused special rejoicings to the
hearts of the captors.
One of our soldiers discovered ST 900
in gold and silver; and others were so
lucky or unlucky, it is not yet decided
which, as to discover considerable sums
Of South Carolina paper money.
The search for trophies was universal,
and there were few who visited the shore
On that memorable day ofthe battle, who
have not secured memcntoes of the act
on, more or less valuable.
The road the rebels took was strewn
for miles with muskets, knapsacks, car
fridge boxes, and other valuablcs that
they had thrown away in their flight
They had retreatcd across the island to
ScabrooE, distance of halt Il dozen
miles, where they took boat for Savan-
nah. Even the wharf at Seabrook, was
strewn with valuables, carried even so
far and abandoned at the last moment.
The troops vito were in charge of this
fort, and who certainly fought most
calamity, we're the 18th Regiment Of
South Carolina Volunteers, under Col.
Jones, and the 9th South Carolina Vol
untecrs, commanded by Col. Haywood,
and battalion of German Artillery I'M
der Col. Wagner. They had in the
fort about ! 300 men in all-enouyh to
serve al the guns in tho most efficient
manner. They had also a field battery
with 800 troops stationed at point II
short distance above Hilton Head, where
they anticipated our transports would
undertake to send troops to attempt u
flank movement for the assistance of the
navy. On the opposite side of the river
they had 400 men 1t cannot be denied
that the resistance was as gallant as the
final panic was complete; but the hardest
fighting on the Rebel side was all done
by the Germon Artillery, they being the
last to leave the fort, which they did
not do until long after the greater part
of the valiant Palmetto " Chivalry" had
taken to the woods to save their precious
uecks.
They had spiked but one gun, most
valuable rifcd cannon, which they tenn
porarily disabled with a steel spike
which can without difficulty be extracted,
The other gums were, most of them;
columbiads of the very largest size, l3o-
Founders, and of the most admirable
finish, being the finest and latest pro-
auctions of tue Tredegar Works, Rich
mond, and fully equal to any guns
owned by the North. There were %
of these guns in the fort.
The fortifcation is Of most admirable
construction, evidently planned and
built under the superintendent of a
thoroughly able engineer, and is one of
the strongest works of the kind III the
whole country. Under the efficient COM
nand of Gen. Sherman, the force here is
ample for present emergencies.
The whole Of the military force was
put ashore as rapidly as possible, and
met with no hindrancc whatever.
The fate of the Hilton Head Fort
decided, as we anticipated, the fate of
the force on the opposite side of the
river. The two batteries were there
abandoned without further struggle, and
at daylight in the morning the Stars and
Stripes foated over both the two points
and ST Philips Island.
The works there were two wcll-con-
structed earth works, the one on Bay
Point mounting 81 heavy columbiads,
and the other mounting four colambiads
When our men took possession on Bay