The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-12-31
Correspondence Of the N. Y. Times.
NEWS FROM PORT ROYAL.
HILros HEAD, Dec. 18th, 1851.

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NEWS FROM PORT ROYAL. p"
Huron HEAD, Dec. 18th, 1851.
OFFENSIVE MovKMEsrs. .....
Taking Hilton Head for the base Of opera
tions, the army and navy are co jointly max
ing series Of strategic moves which mus
sooner or later, bring South Carolina an
Georgia 10 their fesIty. So soon as the foot
hold here was made secure, Tybee Island wa
seized and held, and now other operations ar
iu progress for flank advance upon Savan
nah. Charleston, too, is receiving a share O
attention. Within three days force has beer
landed at Otter Island, and battery there
commanding the entrance TO the Ashepo'
River. one Of the inland routes between thes,
cities, which the rebels themselves erected
and deserted, is now under our control. Por
Royal Island, where the town of Beaufort il
situated, is also permanently occupied by ou
troops. Virtually, this place has been ours
from the day Of battle; but, being OF no grea
importance in a military sense, il was suffered
to remain the pillagine ground Of refugee he
groes. Its occupation now, however, is IN fur
thersnce Of the design to advance gradually
upon the offending cities, al we'll as 10 check
mate the rebels in the plan which they are
now said to be executing, Of obstructing this
network Of inland navigation with sunken
vessels and lve-oak logs.
To prevent the destruction Of cotton may
also have had something to do with the oc.
cupatiou OF Port Royal leland; for the enc.
my, embo!dened because they we're not pur-
sued, have recently made incursions even as
far as Beaufort; and for a week before our
troops went there, we had nightly manifesto.
tions of their presence, in sky lighted by the
fires Of burning cotton houses. But now these
ravages are ended.
THE OCCUPATION OF BEAUFORT.
The brigade Of Gen. Stsvers forms the ar
my Of occupation. Its breaking camp and
going 10 Beaufort has been with US the event
Of the week. 1t required five large steamers
to transport the troops, their equipage,
stores, horses, ard other property, and the
greater part Of last Friday and Saturday was
in trunsitu. The distance from
Hilton Head to the town, by the winding,
low lanked river, is l3t miles, and there is
ample water for vessels of Is and lS feet
draft. Numerous plat tations are scattcrtd
along the route on both sides Of the river,
some Of them very picturesquely located, and
almost hidden by wealth OF foliage. As
our boat steamed slowly along, the negroes,
who were very numerous, ran down TO the
water, waving and shouting The houses Of
Beaufort are spacious, and look as If they
would be agreeable habilations in the dog
lays, with their double tierces Of verandahs
aud large court yards, redolent even at this
season Of japonicas, orange blossoms, camelias,
tube roses, jouquils, and variety Of other
flowers, of al which l have beautiful bo
luets that give me especial del ght. L had
10 look into the residences OF the
deserted village. and | visited those of Col.
Means, MIR. Sans, Rev. Mr.. Barnwell, Col.
Elliott, aud Barnwell Rhett. Everywhere L
aw shocking evidence Of the unrcstrained Ii.
ense Of war. Elegant furniture shattered,
mirrors broken, pianos and escretorcs over
urned, family portraits defaced, and Libraries
containing valuable books, the cherished col
cclion of years, despoiled, in sheerest wan
onness, Of their treasures. To the negroes,
mainly is the blame Of those ravages to bn
ttac1ed, but, after all this destruction Of
ousehold goods may be considered n just ret
ihu,on, and well deserved pera!ty for
in Of the magnitude Of which these South
,arolinians have been guilty.
Our soldiers did not land at Beaufort until
o'clock on Friday evening. Scouts were
t once thrown out, AID pushing into the
goods short distance beyond the town, they
ucounterad half dozen rebel horsemen. An
xchange of shots occurred, resulting in the
1jury Of private of the Fiftieth Pennsylva-
ia, who was slightly wounded in the neck,
BY pistol ball. A negro after
'ards reported that one Of the enemy was
rounded BY our fire, and that his comrades
npported him on his horse while they re
reated toward Port Royal Ferry.
Next day was devoted TO pitching tents,
,nding stores, and other necessary work, in
be performance OF which the soldiers found
, the negroes willing and efficient helpers
he camps occupy most desirable sites, nes.
led 10 the shade Of the magnificent grove. Of
We oak which skirt the back street of the
own.
RECoNSoIsAScE.