Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-15
TINE CAPrrRE oE nEArEnnr


FtAG-sHr WABASH, Huron HEAD,
FoRT ROYAL HARHOR, Nov, o, 1861.
SiR;-Since writing my official desnntcL. I
have sent the gnnboat to take possession of
beaufort to protect tile inhabitants. bnt re-.
gret TO say they have fled, and the town is
abandoned TO the negroes who are reported to
me AS being in lawless condition.
The light vessels which / hoped TO save
were destroyed in the destruction of the forts
by the rebels The Post-onces were visited,
and n number ol documents letters, &c. Oh
tanned.
have covered Scull creek at the mouth of
broad rNeri aud have cut off the communica
non between Charleston and Savannah
Respectfully, your Ohedient servant,
$. i. DuroNT. Flag Officer.
Commanding S. A. Blockading Squadron.
lion. GIDEON WEtLEs, Secretary OF the Navy
at Washington.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH FROM GEN. sHER-
MAN.
HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION Comp.
PORT ROYAL, S. G, Nov. 1861.
10 The -adiatant General o, s. army, Irashilq-
ton:
Sin; have the honor to report that the force
under my command embarked at Annapolis, Md
on the list OF October, and arrived al Hninpton
delay in the arrival of some OF our tiausports
nnd tue uDfayorRble state Of the weather, the
fleet was unable to set out for the Southern
coast until the 29tb, when under the CONVOY of n
naval squadron under Commodore Pupont. and
after the most mature consideration Of the OBJ
Jects Of the expedition, by that flag ofictr and
myself, it was agreed to first reduce any works
that might he found nc Port Royal. South Caro-.
lima, and thus open the finest hnrbor on the cOast
that exists south Of IIatteras
II was calculated to reaoh Port Roval in five
days at most, hut in consequence of adverse
winds, and perilous storm on the day and night
of the LIST Of November the fleet arrived at Port
Royal bar not until the lth, and then but in part
Tor it had been almost entirely dispersed by the
gale, aud the vessels have been struggling in nm
to this date. The transport steamers Union,
Helvedere, OsceOa, and Peerless have not ar
rived Two Of them are known TO be lost, and il
IS pronaole all are. 1t is gratifying, however,
70 say that none ofthe troop transports, connect.
ed with the land forces, were lost, thouqh the
Wlnheld Scott had to sacrifice her whole cargo.
anu tie hoanoke portion of her cargo IA save
the lives Of the regiments on hoard. The FORMER
wlll he unable to again put to sea. Toe vessels
connected with the naval portion of the feet
nave also suffered much, aud some have been
lost. "e'"
After careful Reconnaissance Of Par, pono,
bay, il was ascertained that the rebels had thyee
held.works, of remarkable strength, stronolv
garrlsoned, and covered by n feet Of three pnn
boats under Captain Tatnal, late of the u \
navy, besides strong land forces, which were
concentrating from Charleston and Savannah,
The troops Of the rebels were afterward nscer-
iaincd to have been commanded by Gen. Dray-
ton. One of the forts, and probable the strong.
est, was situated on Hilton Head, and the other
Two OF Philips Island. 1t was deemed proper 10
irst reduce the forts on Hilton Head, though, to
10 this greater or less fire would have 10 be
net from the batteries on Bay Point at the same
ime.
Our original intention OF cooperation of the
and forces in the attack had to he set aside. in
consequence Of the loss, during the voyage, Of |
greater portion of our dsembarkment, together
Tith the fact that the only point where the troops
hould have landed was from five to six miles
measuring around the intervening shoaO from
he anchoiing place of our transports, altogether
90 great distance for successful debarkation I
With our limited means. 1t was therefore agreed |
hat the place should be reduced By the naval
orce alone In consequence of the shattered
ondition OF the fleet, aud the delay in the arrival
t vessels that We're indispensable for the attack,
had to be posponed until the 7th instant.
/ was mere spectator of the combat, and it
> not my province to render any report Of the