Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-15
Tbe Naval Attack on Port Royal.

The Charleston Mercury Of the 9th says:
A mass of conflicting rumOrs reached US yester-
terday from Port Royal. Early in the day, it was
generally believed that the abandonment Of Fort
Walker wss owing to the powder having been ex-
hsusted Our latest dispatches bring US the very
different, add much less Notifying statement,
that he port was held by its defenders, until
twenfy-seyen out of its twenty-nlns gaas were DIS
mounted and useless.
From passenger direct from the scene of action
we learn that each of the enemy's transports was
conveyed into the harbor by two war steamers, ore
on either side In this order they passed our bat
teries the TWO war steamers delivering brOadside
each. as they steamed rapidly By.
When q number of their vessels had thus reached
the interior Of the harbOr, iucessant and stimuli
taneous fire Of shot and shell was opened upsn
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 our batteries. we hear no news.
thus far, of the enemy attempting landing. We
understand that our forces have placed formidable
Instructions in the river st point ABOUT four miles
below Beaufort
Gen Lee is said to be constructing Notifications
ct Beaufort while Gen Ripley is erecting works at
Boyd's Landing for the defence of the railroad
Reports were current yesterday that the Wabash
had been burned to the waters edge and that one Of
the eneuy's transports was sunk in Broad River;
but could find substslsial basis to- these ru-
moFs.
Of the effect Of the news in the city, the Mercury
says:
The tidirgs Of the disaster 10 our arms at Port
Royal cast gloom over our city yesterday. Au-
thentic information with regard % particulars was
not to be had, but such mesgTe scraps Of intsli-
gence as we're O6Jainabe st headquarters embel-
ished with endless variety Of rumors and fe-
tions-Were eagerly caught up and circulated from
mouth to mouth. There no dis position to IN
derrate the important advantage which the Ian
KEGS have gained at their favOrite game Of "lOng-
taw," but the hope was universally expressed that
an opportunity might saOn be given Us to avenge
ourselves with the bayonet
The military movements in the city, and. indeed,
throughout the State, are just now exceedingly
active, and foe companies of cavalry, infantry and
artillery, al we'll equipped and in good condition
may be seen continually hurrying i,her and tbitHer
70 their several posts of duty. We do not deem it
proper at this time, TO make public any details as
TO the disposition Of cur forces
We have received q dispatch from Columbia,
stating that the Zluaves, OF the Hampton Logon
under Capt. McCord, have, in consequence Of the
invasion postponed their departure for the seat of
war in Virginia, and having Obtained the requisite
permission IRON the Governor, may be expected 70
arrive here by the afternoon tran route for the
coast.
The Charleston Courier says, ediiOrially:
TIE enemy has at length made the first attempt
st the invasion of our State. trlliny success h
been gained The diff ,ulties Of Offending Port y
al caused it for time 10 be questioned whether
IL should be fortified. Such defences we're placed
a merely predatory incursiOn-not enough 70 repel
an organized force, collected for the purpose of in
vssion Before the overwhelming force against
which they had TO contend, the batteries after max
ing gallant defence, were abandoned. The troops
have been withdrawn from them, and now with
the rei7fOrcements fast Fastening 10 their aid await
the landing Of the invader. Our tine has come
Our destiny is in our own hands. The God Of Bat
ties is the God of Justice, and under His eye we
are to fight. And shall We ask for what DO we
fight? The answer is prompt: for al that makes
life dear-for more than life itself Our rights and
our liberties are the stakes for which we are 70
play and which We are to wIn-Or die.
To do our duty fully, let US realzs the danger.
To know it. IS not to fesr it. The m9re imminentit
may b., the greater the effort to meet It. Let all be
prepared-let every msn set his house IN order.
Let all feel that the first aud the last less0l for
in these times is to be ready st the instlut to obey
what they who are in command shall order. We
have to direct and lead 1s, brave Generals who are
accomplished soldiers and true patriots. Let not
every one do what he thnks best. wishes, it may
be- without any thought whatever, and to do what
ever these, our Generals, will command.
Let US cast behind US fau;-fnding; let Us come
up to the work which IS appointed for "a, snd
which must be done. Let every one who can besr
arms be q volunteer ard ready Ready 70 90 what
ever is required Of bin. Let trust our Generals;
let our Generals trust With hearts united, as
with shields locked at the summons let u5 90 forth
with the FIRM mistaken purpose Of those who, con-
scieus of the right which they are about with their
lives 10 maintain can, from the battle field with
hose and trust look upwards to their God ard ask
that strength be given TO their arms and success %
their cause.
The meagre accounts we have received Of the
engagement between our forts and the enemy's
feet, and conflicting nature CT these unsatisfactory
reports, forbid our INDUCING in any comments on
that unequal conflict We ere, gratided, however.
to learn from gentlemen direct from the scene Of
action, that our volunteers fought with coolness
and intrepidity. If there be any glory in the ST
lencing Of thirteen guns BY more than three hun