Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-11-21
The Great Naval Expedition
Conn. Daponfs Ofuiag Report.-Fron,
Fortress Monroe Beoufort 10 Be the
Base Of Permanent ofions.-R
Autisy at NORFOLK Ordnance d Stores
for Port Royal.

Base Of Permanent Operations. Rebel
Autisy at .Ioyolk.- Ordnanee d Stores
! for Port Royal.
WAsHsGroS. Nov 13.-Capt. Stead
man arrived here at noon to-day. bringing
official dispatches Of The naval expedition.
He is also the bearer of two rebel flags.
one palmetto flag. and the American flag
first hoisted in South Carolina over Fort
Walker. -
Capt. Steadman reports that the captur-
ed forts are magnificent, with covered ways
and bomb proof. and that all our troops
had to do was to occupy them. They can
be held against any opposing force.
Among the most efficient vessels were
found to be the new gun boats. and OF
which the Navy Department had % con-
structed expressly for such purposes, and
their successes. both in the gale and under
fire, was perfect. -
Commander Drayton Of the Pocahontas,
is the brother of Gen.. Drayton, who com
manded the rebel forts.
Capt. Steadman. who brings the dis
patches. is the son Of = former Mayor of
Charleston.
On the reception Of the official dispatch
es. the following general order was issued:
GENERAL ORDER.
The Department announces to the Navy
AMI the country its high qualification at the
brilliant success Of the combined navy and
army forces. respectively commanded by
flag officer S. +. Dupont and Brigadier
General /. w. Sherman. in the capture OF
Forts Walker and Beauregard. command
ing the entrance to Port Royal Harbor.
South Carolina.
To commemorate this signal victory. it
is ordered that national salute be fired
from each navy yard at meridian. on the
day after the reception of this order.
The following is the official dispatch:
FLAG SHIP WABASH. OFF Hutton HEAD,
e PoRr ROYAL, Nov. G.
To the Navy Department:
Sir: The Government having determin-
ed to seize and occupy one or more import
ant points upon our Southern coast. where
our sqnadroa might find shelter and pos
sess depot and afford protection to loyal
citizens. committed to my discretion the
selection from among those places the one
available for such purpose. After ma
ture deliberstion l. aided by the profess
ional knowledge and great intelligence of
the Assistant Secretary. Mr.. Fox. and up
on taking into consideration the magni-
tude to which the Joint naval and military
expedition had been extended, to which
you have called my attention. came to the
conclusion that the original intentions of
the Department. II carried out. would fall
short OF the expectations of the country
aud Of the capabilities of the expedition.
while Port Royal. l thought. would meet
both in high degree. Therefore submit
ted 10 B,igadier General Sherman. com
manding the military part Of the expedi-
tion. this modification Of our earliest ma
tured plans and had the satisfaction to re-
ceive his fnll concurrence.
On Tuesday, the Goth of October. the
fleet, under my command. left Hampton
Roads, and. with the army transports.
numbered fifty vessels. On the day previ
GUS l had dispatched the coal vessels. 26
In number. under convoy of the Vandalia.
to rendezvous off Savannah. not wishing
to give the true point Of the fleet. The
weather had been unsettled in Hampton
Roads. though it promised we'll when We
sailed. but off Hattcras it blew hard
Some ships got into the breakers and two
struck. but without injury. So
On Friday. November 1st, the rough
weather increased into gale. and VIC mad
to encounter one of great violence. The
ileet was ...,erly dispersed. On Thursday
morning one sail only was in sight from
the deck of the Wabash On the follow
ing day the weather moderated, and the
steamers and ships began to rcappear. The
orders were opened. except those in ease
Of separation. These last were furnished
to all the men of-war by myself and to the
transports by Brigadier General Sherman.
As the vessels rejoined. reports came in oi
disasters. In reference to the men of war.
the Isaac Smith. most efficient and well
armed vessel for the class purchased, but
not intended to encounter such sea and
wind. had tt lrow her formidable bate
ry overheard co keep from laundering. but
thus relieved, she was enabled to go to the
assistance of the steamer Governor. then
in very dangerous condition, and aboard
which was one fine battalion of marines,
under Major Reynolds They were finally
rescued by Captain Ringgold Of the Sabine
under difficult circumstances, after which
the Governor went down. l believe that
seven of tn, marines were drowned by
their own imprudence. -
Lieutenant Commanding Nicholson s
conduct in the Isaac Smith has met my
warm commendation. The Peerless. q
transport. in sinking condition. was met
by the Mohican. Commander Gordon. and
all the people on board. 26 in number:
were saved under very peculiar circumstan-
ces. in which service 1t. H. w. Miller,
was very favorably noticed by his com
mander t- liff
On passing Charleston l sent in the Sen
eca, Lieutenant Commanding Ammen. to
direct Capt. Lartlner to Join me with the
steamer Susquehanns off Port Royal, with,
out delay. ss'-s s. sn'
On Monday, at 8 o'clock In the morn
ing. anchored of the bar. with some
twenty-five vessels in company. with many
more hesving in sight. -
Tho Department is aware that all the
aids to navigation had been removed. and
the bar lies ten miles to seaward. and no
features on the shore line of sufficient