The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-22
The Capture of Beaufort.
GEN. sHERMAN'S OFFICIAL REPORT
HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION CORPs,
FORT ROYAL. SC. Nov. &. 1914

| uLN' onCnMANS OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION CoRPs,
| FORT ROYAL, c.. Nov. 8. 1861.
To the Adj-General u S. A. Washington, DC.
SIR II have the honor to report that
the force under my command embarked at
Annapolis on the 2lst of October, and ar
rived at Hampton roads Virginia, on the
I'D. In consequence of the delay in the
arrival OF some Of our Transports, and the
unfav0rable state of the weather, the fleet
was unable to set out far the Southern coast
till the 29th, when, under the convoy of the
naval squadron under command of Commo.
dore Dupont, and after the most mature
consideration of the effects of the expedition
by that Flag officer and myself it was agreed
to first reduce any works that might be
at Port Royal, S. c., aud thus open the
finest barbor on the coast that exists south
of Hatteras.
1t was calculated to reach Port ROYAL in
five days at the most, but in consequence of
| adverse winds, and periOus storm on the
day and night of the lst of November, the
fleet arrived at Port Royal bar not till the
4th, and then bat in part, for it had been
almost entirely dispersed by the gales, and
the vessels have been struggling in up to
this date. The transport steamers Union,
Belvidere, Osceola and Peerless have not
yet arrived. Two Of them are known to be
lost. 1t is probable all are. 1t is crafty
ing, however, to say that none of the troops
transports connected with the laad forces
were lost, though the Winfield Scott had to
sacrifice her whole cargo, and the Roanoke
portion OF her cargo, to save the lives of
the regiments On board. The former will
be unable again to put to sea. The vessels
connected with the naval portion of the fleet
have also suffered much, and some have
been lost.
After careful r cOnnossance Of Port
Royal Bay, it ives ascertained that the reb-
els had three field works of remarkable
strength, strongly garrisoDed, and covered
by feet of three gun boats, under COM
mand OF Capt. Tatnall, late of the United
States Navy. Besides these there were
strong land forces which the rebels were
concentrating from Charleston and Savannah.
The troops of the rebels were afterwards
aScertained to have been commanded by
Gen. Drayton.
One of the forts, land probably the strong
est, was situated on Hilton Head, and the
other two on Phillips Island. 1t was DEEM
ed proper to first rednce the fort on Hilton
Head, though to do this greater or less
fire might have tc be met from the Bate
res on Bay Point. At the same time our
original plan of the cooperation Of the land
| forces in the attack had to be set aside, 10
consequence of the loss, during the voyage,
of greater portion of our means of disem-
barking, together with the fact that the
only point where the troops should have
landed was from five to six miles, measur-
ing around the intervening shoal, from the
anchOring place of our transpOrts-altO-
| gether too great a distance for successful
debarkatiOn with our limited means. 1t
was therefore ugreed that the place should
be reduced by the naval force only.
IL consequence Of the shattered condition
of the fleet and the delay in the arrival of
vessels that were indispensable tor attack,
it had to be postponed until the 9th instant
| was mere spectator of the combat,
and it is not my province to render any res
port of this action; but | deem it an i'm
portant duty 10 say that the firing and
I man9uvring of the war feet against that of
the rebels and their formidable land bate.
ries, masterpiece of activity and profession
al skill, that must have elected the applause
of the rebels themselves as a tactical Ope-
ration. think that too much praise eau
not be awarded to the science and skill ex-
hibited by the flag officer of the naval
squadron, and the officers connected with
his ships. deem the performance a mas
terly one and it ought to have been seen to
be fully appreciated.
Alter the works were reduced, took posi-
| session of them with the land forces. The
beautifully cor structed works on Hilton
Head were severely crippled and many of
| the guns dismoupted. Much slaughter had
evidently been made there, many bodies hav-
ing been found in the fort, and some twenty
or thirty more found some half mile dis
tant. The island for many miles Was found
strewn with the arms and accOutrements
and baggage of the rebels, which they
threw away on their hasty retreat.
We have also come into possession of
about forty pieces OF ordinance, most of
which are OF the heaviest callbre and the
most approved models, and ako large
quantity of ammunition and camp equipage.
1t is my duty to report the valuable SER
vices of Mr.. BOutele, assistant in the Coast
Survey, for assisting me with his accurate
and extensive knowledge OF the country
His services are Invaluable To The Army as
we'll IS the avy, and | earnestly recon-
nseud that important notice be taken of this
2ery aOe and scientific officer, by the War
Department. am, very respectfully,
Your obedient serv't,
L. w. SHERMAN. Brig. fien. Cong.
GEN. SHERMAN'S PROCLAMATION.
After landing and taking possession of
the forts, Gen. Sherman issued proclama.