The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-13
Beaufort and Por, ROYAL.

Assuming that Sherman expedition is to
strike its first blow at Port Royal, on the
South Carolina coast, it will be interesting
10 know something ola region that will thus
become suddenly famous in the eyes Of the
world. Port Royal entrance is the finest
harbor Of South Carolina, and one of the no.
blest inland waters of the whole South. 1t is
Is miles from Charleston, and fifteen miles
Of water and safety of anchorage it is even
unsurpassed south of Hampton Roads The'
navies Of the world might be here accommo-
dated with perfect ease. Port Royal was,
indeed, the original point Of settlement of
South Carolina, in 1910; and it became sub
ordinate to Charleston and Savannah only
because of its position at The southern ex-
tremity ofthe State, too far from the centre
Of trade for South Carolina, and too near the
only good harbor of Georgia. Sixteen miles
rom the sea is the towns of Beaufort, the
water approach of which does not admit YES.
sells over eleven feet draught Beaufort is
built on the west bank of the Port ROYAL
river, a narrow branch of the ocean, fifty
miles northeast of Savannah and fiftv.five
southwest of Charleston The town is old,
with less than a thousand inhabitants, and
of far less Importance in trade now than its
namesake Of North Carolina There is no
strong position near the town capable of reb-
ell occupation or defence. A few miles back
of Beaufort is the railroad connecting Charles
ton and Savannah, itself approachable by
Port Royal Inlet and ST. Helana Sound. The
whole of this region should be studied on
the map, as it has quite an amphibious char
actcr. The mouths OF the rivers and the in
lets of the ocean incloses a namber Of is
lands of considerable size, among which may
be mentioned Hilton Head, ST. He!ana and
Port Royal.
The possession of the fine harbor of Beau
fort or Port Royal thus gives command Of
one of the most important, and for the de.
signs of the army of the Union has in. view
in making Judgment on the Southern
coast most advantageous basis Of operations
in entire rebeldom. Beaufort District has
an area of l ,240 square miles. The surface
is low and level, and the soil sandy and al.
luval, producing cotton, rice, ETC., in great
abundance. Our troops will thus find them
selves lodged in the richest district (South
Carolina term for county, in the State
yielding some fifty million pounds of rce
annually, and thirteen thousand bales OF the
finest quality of cotton, the famous bong
staple sea island, the very kind Europe most
wants Here are over six million dolh, S
worth OF crops, subject at once 10 con-
fiscation if their proprietors persist in their
dis,oyalty. It's also one of the most thickly
settled districts of the State, the population
in 1850 being SO, 1905. Ofthese no less than
32,27o arc negro slayes-a property repre-
senting twenty million dollars 1t is on
this spot that the shaded maps of negro dis.
tribution show the nighli est shade. We
shall thus literally carry tie qoar into At
RIGA! The place is admirably suited for a
vast camp of instruction, and with proper
defcnces it will not be found difficult to hold
this whole district against any force the reb-
els can bring against US. What splendid
nucleus of loyalty in the very heart Of the
birthplace Of secession - Chicago Tribune.