The New York herald., 1861-12-07
HnroN HEAp. s. @. Dec. !

HItroN HEAP, s. c., Dec 1, 1881
Matters al Port Royal-Inocpty Of the Army--Cowrtea1
10 British 06seers-Ttask irng Day--An Expedition to
Bea@t-s2s 900 ,uoyth Of Rebel Property Conascated-
Seisne Of spanish Ferry Boa.-OJstyucttoa Of Sava,.
nah River, DC.
It ia now nearly month since this place was cap
ured from the rebels by navy and occupied by our
troops. Thus far the army have done comparatively
nothing, considering thor position and the me-
cessiy of marching on to Charleston and Savannah 1t
u true that some few reconnossances have been made
I'd Notifications put in Of construction but all
these were merely defensive measures. No attempt
has been made to take the initiative towards going into
the Interior Of secession territory The troops here to
man. are anxious to meet the enemy and why they have
been permitted to remain idle ono entire month is
problem they cannot solve. The blow against South
Carolina il struck a, all must be done quickly, as the
rebels Of that State are exertng every render
our advance as difficult and costly as possible
Captain Hancock, Of the British ffigats fmmortalte
still remains here, enjoying the hospitality Of army
and naval officers few days ago he visited the camp
Of Brigador General yoe. where he Hospitality en-
tertanel The day Generals Wright and yicae were
| returned the compliment.
The 2Sth ultimo-Thanksgiving day-was celebrated
with considerable sclat For several days previous for
aging parties sent into the interior OF the island to
secure poultry, and quite large supply was had The
Thanksgiving dinners served up in true Yankee
style. In Of the regiments especially those from
New England, the dinners conducted with consi
derablo ceremony. Toasts wero proposed and drunk
speeches were made, and general good time prevailed
Hilton Head now presents the appearance Of large
| village. The new storohouses completed, large
| stables have been erected, and everything is being
| done to render the troops comfortable The
camps, which are regularly laid out in streets and
avenues, present very picturesque appearance In
tho tents with orange bows palmetto leaves ana other
indigenous shrubbery The health of the troops gen
orally good Tho prevailing sickness is of the various
fever types, but OF such natures readily yield to
treatment
The steamship Winfield Scott. Captain Edey, with
detachment OF eighty men, under the command of Col
serrsl, Capt r. Neal, Surgeon J. p Dalrymple, and
1ieuts. Withers and Hass, went on expedition TO
Beaufor, on the 29th ult to secure iron for making
spikes to finish The wharf in of construction at
Hilton Head. They left here at o'clock A. NJ on the
above date, in charge Of the ploof the steamship Pha
wy for Ss o Ss rSsg aes to clear the
ued up a river for eighteen miles, to q place called
Laurel Bay. when rebel steamer was sighted
about one milo distant. Captain Edey, Of the Scott,
and Colonel Sorrel OF the Engineers, consulted
together and came TO the conclusion that either they
had preceded them, otherwise tho rebel steamer
would not have been seen where she then The rebel
steamer wheE the Scott approached steamed away at
rapid rate.
Tho Scott was put about and returned to Hilton Head
and the tacts alluded TO stated Commodore Dupont
The Commodore stated In emphatic terms that he had
despatched three boats TO Beaufort early that morning
and that the Scott had went up Broad river instead or
Beaufort river The Commodore was correct The next
morning the 30th ult the Scott despatched To Beau
fort under convoy OF the gunboat Pembna Lieutenant
Commanding Bankhead The vessels arrived there at
eight O'Clock A. NJ the same day picksts were posted
In proper paccs and the balance of the troops were
put to work securing old iron for army purposes The
troops remained at Beaufort on the 3Osh ul. and
the LIST Of December whom they started homeward hay
secured 30 600 feet Of lumber twenty Of rou four
steam FIRE engnes--one Of them double decker built
by Agnew, OF Philadelphia the three others were OF less
modern pattern Other articles such desks, wagons
6c procured The value Of the goods thus seized
amounted to about 900. The village st depopuiaed
by its white inhabitants The negroes have thoroughly
ransacked nearly house In the pace and
nearly million dolars worth Of personal and real pro
perty
The Spanish steam ferry boat Ntr Str Regla, which
put into this port about week ago, her way from New
York to Havana, short of fuel has been placed under
guard by order Of General sherman account Of rebel
mail bag for Havana having been found on board
This ferry boat was built in Now York Tor q company in
Havana She left New York the 9th Of October last
Tor Havana but owing TO stress Of weather she put into
Georgetown she was seized by the rebels aud tho
crew taken to Charleston s. c.. where they were sub
sequently liberated through the Offices Of the spanish
Consul at that port the crew being spanish subjects
The ferry boat next put into Port Royal where the above
disclosure was made by Of the crew Of the vessel
Inc case viii be examined into and the result will be dis
closed in q few days.
The rebels have obsructed the channel in the Sayan
nah river Fort Pulaski by sinking two huks filled
with stone They evidently expect to hear from us soon
Ae it is our gunboas VI the mouth Of the Savannah river
keep TIP desuory fire night and day on Fort Pulaski
The enemy return II with sgor but their guns are nie
rior in range TO ours.