The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-12
PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT AT
PORT ROYAL. S. c.

CHARLEsToN Nov. s.-After four hours fighting, the
ammunition exhausted and guns disabled
The batteries were then abandoned
SAVANNAH Nov. 8-The steamer Sampson has ar
rived from Port Royal with the wounded from the en-
gagement yesterday Fort Walker and Bay Point.
She reports fifteen vessels inside and several
side. Five hundred men at Fort Walker, and
thirteen hundred outside on Hilton Head Island. The
steamship Minnesota the first to enter, and fol-
lowed rapidly by others.
An attack was made from three sides After the
second round from the feet, the principal gun on the
battery was dsmounted.
The engagement lasted FIVE hours. All the guns on
the fort dismouned except two, when the fort
being no longer tenable, they were distnouned. The
magazine was arranged so as to blow up when the
enemy enters.
The total loss of the Confederates was 100 Capt
Radclilfes Company has two missing, and there are
fifteen missing in one Company in DeSaussure's
Regiment.
Dir. Buist, of Charleston, killed while dressing
the wound of Lieut.. Smack, who wounded in the
leg. Capt. Reads Company of regulars from Georgia
has sixteen killed. wounded and missing. One of Gen.
Draytons Aids was shot from his horse. General
Drayton was slightly wounded.
From the Charleston Mercury of Saturday.
mass of conflicting reached us yesterday from
Port Royal Early in tn. day 1t was generally believed
that the abandonment of Fort Walker was owing to the
powder having been exhausted. Our latest dispatches
bring the very different and much less notifying
that the fort held by its defenders until
out of its twentynine guns dismounted and
useless.
From passenger direct from the scene of action we
learn that each the enemys transports conveyed
into the harbor by two steamers, either side
In this order they passed batteries the
delivering broadside each they steamed rapidly by
When number of their vessels had thus reached the
interior of the harbor nc"ssant and simultaneous fire.
of shot and she'll was opened upon Fort Walker from
three sides-the steamers inside those outside and
Just in front of Hilton Head taking part in the attack
Notwithstanding the abandonment of batteries VIC
hear news, thus far. of the enemy attempting land
ing We understand that forces have formidable OBJ
structons in the river at point about four miles below
Beaufort Gen Lee is sad to be constructing fortica-
tons Beaufort, while Ripley erecting works at Boyds
Landing for the defence of the railroad Reports were
current yesterday that the Wabash had been burned
the waters edge and that of the enemys transports
was sunk Broad River; but could find substan-
tia basis for these We give below the despatch
received yestcrdy and last night:
PoCoTALIGo, Nov 8, 3 p. m.-Our batteries at Bay
Point and Hilton Head having been abandoned by the
garrsons. The enemy have possession of Port Royal
harbor and Broad River. All the inhabitants have left
Beaufort taking with them such of their effects they
could carry off The town almost deserted 1t is
presumed that the enemy will effect landing to-day,
either at Beaufort point i'll the immediate neigh
borhOod.
Beaufort probably, will not be burned great deal
Of tho islands will fall into the hands of the
my. Butfton will be burned, if attacked
The points of danger now, The railroad, at POGO
taligo Charleston and Savannah.