Litchfield enquirer., 1861-11-21

five ships to watch, and old Tstnall too, who had eight small and swift steamers ready to pouncS upon any of ours, should they be disabled. could get none of my big frigates up. thought the Sabine would have gotten clear up to the St Lawrence.
 sent no word, however, and the Savannah was blown off. do not regret it now, except | on their account. believe my plan was clever. l stood against the tide and had the manage ment the better in consequence. Their conh- dence was extreme that they could drive us away. l They fought bravely and their rife guns never missed An 80 pounder rifle ball went through our mainmast in the very center, making an | awful Lole
 l They aimed at our bridge, where they knew they could make hole if they wero lucky. A shot in the center let water into the after mag azine, but saved Q hundred lives by keeping under way. and bearing in close We found their sights graduated at six hundred yards When they once broke, tho stampede was i'm tense, and not gun was spiked In truth, never conceived of such fire that of this ship on her second turn, and am told that its effect upon the spectators outside of her was intense. | learn that when they saw our flag on shore the troops were powerless to cheer, but wept. den sherman was deeply affected, and the sol- 1 diers are loud and unstinting in their expres- sions of admiration and gratitude. The works are most scientifically constructed, and there is nothing like Fort Walker on the Potomac. did not allow tho victory to check our ardor, bus dispatched some vessels under Capt Gillis over | the other side. To. day have an expedition to Beaufort to save the light vessels, but they were fired instantly after the surrender. Beaufort is fdsserted.
 The negroes are wild with joy and revenge. They have been shot down, they say, like dogs, because they would not go off with their masters. 1 have already boat at Sewell Creek, and the ! communication between Savannah and Charlss- l ton is cut off.
 rLAG-oFFIcER DUPoNr's REPORT. Flag Ship Watash, cf Hilten Head, PoRr ROYAL HARBoR, Nov. 8, 1861. | 1He Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary cf tne Navy, ! Washington.
 | SIR: have the honor to inform you that yes- terday attacked the batteries of the enemy on Bay Point and Hilton Head and Forts Walker and Beauregard, and succeeded in silencing them after an engagement of four hours duration and driving away the squadron of Rebel steam CTS under Commander Tatnall.
 The reconnaissance of yesterday made all sat- is6ed with tho superiority of Fort Walker, and to that directei my especial efforts, engaging
 it at Q distance of 800, and afterward at 600 yards. But the plan of attack brought tho squadron sufficiently near Fort Beauregard to- receive its fire, and the ships were frequently | fighting the batteries on both sides at tho same time.
 l The action was begun my part at twenty six minutes after nine, and at half past two the American ensign was hoisted on the flag staff of Fort Walker, and this morning at sunrise on that of Fort Eeauregard. The defeat of the enemy | terminal ed in utter rout and confusion. Their quarters and epc0mpments were abandoned V. out an attempt to carry away either public or private property
 They ground over which they fed was strewn with the arm of private soldiers and the officers | retired in too much haste to submit to the in-. cumbrance of their swords. Landing my ma, rines, and a company of seamen, took posses. sion of the deserted grnaaa-sasf6 he'd the forts> | on Hilton Head till the arrival of Gen. Sherman | to whom had the honor to transfer their com mand.
 We have captured 43 pieces of cannon, most of them of the heaviest caliber and of the most improved design. The bearer ofthese dispatch es will have tho honor to carry with him the, captured flags and two small brass field pieces, lately belonging to the State of South Carolina, which are sent home as suitable trophies of the, success of the day.
 A detailed account of this battle will be sub-. mitted hereafter.
 1 have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servantJ, s. r. DUPONT, Flag Officer | Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squsda-
 
 r. -The bearer of dispatches will also 'car- ry with him the first American ensign raised. | upon the soil ef South Carolina, since the re- bel!ion broke out. s.rs.D. l II -s- la