The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-11-21

The Isaac Smith, a most efficient and
we'll armed vessel for the class pur.
chased, but not intended to encounter
such sea and wind, had to throw her
formidable battery overheard to keep
her from laundering; but, thus relieved,
she was enabled to go to the assistance
of the steamer Governor, then in a very
dangerous condition, and on board of
which was our fue battalion of 800 y.
s. Marines, under Major Reynolds.
They were finally rescued by Capt.
Ringgold, in the Sabine, under difficult
circumstances, after which the Cover
nor went down.
believe that seven of the marines
were drowned by their own impru-
dence. Lieut.. Commanding Nichol-
sons conduct in the Isaac Smith, has
met my warm commentator. The
Peerless transport in a sinking condi-
ton was met by the Michigan, Com
mander Gordon, and all the people on
board, 26 in number, were savedander
very peculiar circumstances, in which
service Lieut.. II. w. Miller was very
favorably noticed by his Commander.
On passing Charleston, sent in the
Seneca, Lieutenant Ammen command
ing, to direct Captain Lardner to Join
me with the steamer Susquehannah off
Port Royal without delay.
On Monday, at o'clock in the
morning, l observed off the bar, some
25 vessels in company, with many more
heaving in sight. The 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 being of sufficient promi-
nence to make any bearings reliable,
to the skill of Commodore Dove, the
fleet Captain, and Mr.. Boulette, the
able Assistant of the Coast Survey in
charge of the steamer Vixen, a channel
was Immediately found.
By three o'clock | received assuran-
ces from Capt. Dove that could send
forward the lighter transports, those
under 1S feet, with all the gun boats,
which was Immediately done and be-
fore the day they were accurately an
chOred in the roadstead of Port Royal,
S. G.
The gunboats almost Immediately
opened their batteries upon two or
three rebel steamers under Commodore
Tatnall, instantly chasing him under
the shelter of the batteries.
On the morning of Tuesday the Wa
bash crossed the bar, followed closely
by the frigate Susquehanua, the Allan
tic, Vanderbilt, and other transports of
deep draught, running through that
portion of the fleet already in. The
safe passage of this great ship over the
bar, was hailed with gratihed cheers
from the crowded vessel. We an.
chored, and Immediately commenced
preparing the ship for action.
In our anxiety to get the outline of
the forts before dark, we stood in too
near the shoals, and the sloop ground
ed. BY the time she was got off, it
was too late in my judgment to proceed,
and made signals for the squadron to
anchor out of gunshot of the enemy.
To-day the wind blows gale from the
southwark and westward, and the al
tack is unavoidably postponed.
/ have the honor to be, sir, respectful
lly your obedient servant.
8. F.DUFoNT,
Flag officer COM d g s. Atlantic Blcck'g Squadron
WHAT DUPONT SAYS OF THE FIGHT.
In private letter to Assistant Sec
retary Fox, dated subsequent to the
battle, Commodore Dupont says:
have been too fatigued to send q
detailed account of the battle, but my
report is full up to evening of it.
think it will interest you, but have tc
content myself with succinct account
which l think will be liked as well a.
a more detailed narrative.
r "We kept under way and made three
: turns, though we passed FIVE times be
tween the forts. We had a f1ankins
division of five ships to watch Tatnall
\ who had eight small, swift steamer
/. ready to pounce upon ours should the,
!. be disabled.
o ] could get none of my big frigate
I up. thought the Sabine would hav
Il gotten clean up, but Lieut.. Lawrenc
:. sent me no word, and the Savanna
:. was blown off. / don't regret now
:. however, except on their account.
t, 1 believe my plan clever. ! stoo
=. against the side and had the manage
r. ment of the rebels better in cons,
e quence. Their confidence was extrem
is that they could drive us away. The
d fought bravely. Their rified guns ne,
E. er missed. They aimed at our bridg'
where they knew they could make
It hole, if it were lucky shot, throug
m the centre, and let the water into tn
: after magazine. But / saved hur
" dred lives by keeping under way an
$ bearing in close. t
IF found their sights graduated at 81
\. hundred yards. When they ono
ts broke, the stampede was immense, an
n their guns were spiked.
il Our troops, when they saw our fla
If flying ashore were powerless to chet
% but wept. Gen. Sherman was deep
k. affected, and the soldiers were loud an
unstinting in expression Of admiratio
h. and gratitude. We did not allow OF
"a victory to check our ardor, but di
Q patched some vessels Immediately nj