Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-22

the hhot anu smell OF three tremendous broad
Z sides, making in all, seyenlyshve guns, cam'
crashing against our workp.
From this moment the hOmbardmenl was in
cessant and terrific ; one by one the propellers
bore down upon our forts, delivered their fire as
they passed, until nine had gained the interior
OF the harbor, beyond the range OF our guns.
The Minnesota, still followed by The others,
then turned round and steamed slowly out, Civ
ing broadside to Fort Beauregard as she
repassed. Then the battle was continued, the
enemys vessels sailing in an elliptical course,
pouring one broadsde into Bay Point, and then
sweeping around to deliver the other against
Hilton Head. This furious fire from 400 guns
many OF them the 11.inch Dahlgren pattern,
and aome even 10 inch bore for sabot of that
diameter was found in Fort Beauregard), was
maintained necessarily and the roar Of the
cannonade seemed continuous
Meanwhile our garrisons were making gal
liant defense. They kept up vigorous aud we'll
directed fire against their assailants and. not
wthstanding that their best gun was dismounted
at the beginning Of the action. they succeeded
in setting fire to several of the ships. Whenever
this happened, however, the enemy would haul
OF and soon extnguish the flames. Tho effect
Of our guns was, in many Instances, plainly
visible from the forts. Although the sides of the
Minnesota are Of massive strength, several of
her ports were knocked into one. Nor was she
the only vessel upon which this evidence of the
power Of our fire could be seen. Many of the
other steamers were likewise badly hulled
After some time spent in sailing round and
delivering their broadsides in rotation in the
manner we have described, the tnemy's steam
ers adopted another and more successful attack.
One of them took q position inside the harbor
80 as to enfade the batteries of Fort Walker,
while several opened simultaneous enflading
fire from the outside. Besides this terrific cross
hre, two Of the largest steamers maintained the
fire in font Of the fort Thus three furious
Converging streams of shot and shell were rain
ed amongst the brave little garrison for hours
The vessels came up within half mile of the
shore, but nearly all our guns had, by this time,
become dsmon0ied, and were no longer able to
reply with serious effect.
Soon after ii o'clock, the batteries of Bay
Point were silenced. The fire Of Fort Walker,
as far as the guns that remained were concerned
was not whit slackened until one O'Clock. by
that time the dreadful condition of the fort be
came too apparent to be dsregarded longer
The guns lay in every direction, dismanted and
useless; the defenses were terribly shattered
the dead and dying were to he seen on every
side, and still the iron hail poured ptilessy in.
FORT WALKER ABANDONED.
In this strait it was determined to abandon
the fort. long waste, about mile in extent,
and commanded by the enemys guns, iuterven-
ed between the garrison and the woods Across
this they were ordered to run for their lives,
ench man for himself, the object being to scatter
them rs much as possible, so as not to afford
target for the riled guns of the fleet. The pre-
parations for running this perilous guantet were
suon made Knapsacks were abandoned, but the
men retained their muskets. Each of The
wounded was placed in blanket and carried oil
by four men, The safety of the living preclud- |
Ell the idea Of removing the dead. And thus
the gallant little band quilted the scene of their
glory, aud scampered off, each one as best he |
could, toward the woods. The retreat was coy-
cred by small detachment who remained in the |
fort for m hour after their comrades left
Among those who remained were Capt Harms,
with SIX men ; Lieut.. Milchers, with four men
and Lieut.. Bischoif, with four men These
worked three guns until about 9 o'clock, when
they also quilted the post
The abandonment of Fort Beuuregard saw
equally necessity. The garrison were exhaust
ed and in momentary danger OF being cut oil
When Col. Dunavant ordered retreat, tears of
modification and Indignation filled the eyes of
Capt. Elliott at the sad necessity. The retreat
was admirably conducted, and rendered entirely
successful by the prudent energy OF Captain
llanekel, one of Gen. Ripley Aids, who had
got together some twelve flats at Station Greek,
by which the troops passed safely over to ST.
Helena Island From there they passed to
Beaufort Island, aud reached the train At POGO
taligo without the loss or Injury of man. In
this fort none we're killed, and but five were
wounded, aud two OF these were wounded by
negligence in loadng n cannon, by which hot
shot was driven on the powder without the wet
wad precedingit.
EVACUATION OF BIRD POINT
The rest Of the story il briefly told Late ON |
Thursday night the garrison Of Fort Walker had
collected ut the landing, in the hope of being
able 10 reach Button by water. Luckily, seve-
raj small Confederate steamers were within hui. |
But here ludicrous mistake occurred. The /
rettenting troops imagined the little steamers to
lie Yankee guhboats; while the crews of the
steamers were convinced that the troops were
body of disembarked Yankees. Acting upon
this double deusion, deal Of mutual reconnOi-
tering was made, aud it was only after vast
variety OF strategic approaches that they reach |
ed the conclusion that il was "all right" A |
quick trip to Bluilton followed, Thence the re-
gIment marched to Hardeeville II miles distant.
The road along which they dragged their
exhausted frames was filled with heterogeneous
thrOng Of fugitives of all conditions, carriages,
carts, and conyeyances of every description that
could, by any possibility, be pressed into service.
The spectacle was o sad one.
Thus ended the defense Of Port Royal The
modification of the disaster is lessened by the
consciousness that our troops deserved success.
What injury We did TO the enemy we do not
Know. Our ming w0s, oil course, less efficient
than theirs. Our troops were yolunteers-theirs
were picked arlllerists; yet, it is very remark
able how few were killed or wounded among our
troops This battle, in this respect, was very
much like the battle of Fort Sumter. How so
many cannon could have been dsmounted and
rendered useless, and yet so few OF those who
worked them injured, seems very marvellous
Our troops did their duty faithfully aud bravely,
and fought until to fight longer would have
been sheer folly. Though encountering i'm
mense odds, no signs of cowaidice marked their
conduct. Officers and soldiers exempli6el the
ancient character of the State, and deserve our
profound gratitude and admiration
-----sses=--
THE CoNTRABANDs AT BEAUFORT.
correspondent of the northern press, gives
| Ihn Iallnusinm in relnIinn In ILa aln nna uAnnI