Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-16
Grlegrapbit Wetus.
THE GREAT FLEET HEARD
FROM.
GALLANT ENGAGEMENT AT PORT
ROYAL.
REBEL BATTERIES ON SHORE DEMO
assuED.
Total Route of the Rebel Navy.
an Action Of .Seuen Hours Our Fessels
attacking Beaufort.
TIE REDEI. FORTS.


In anticipation of the arrival Of the Great
Expedition, the Rebels for some time past
have been engaged n erecting batteries upon
the point at Hil;oD's Head, and upon the op.
posite neck of land. The entrance TO Port
Royal lies between the two batteries. The
principal fortifcatinn on llilton's Head was
denouinuted Fort Walker. 1t was stuuted
on low land, and nt the time of the arrival of
the Fleet was partially concealed by trees and
underbrush Adjoining it we're other batteries
of smaller size, bnt so constructed as TO prove
q formidable bar to the entrance Of the Onion
war vessels. Fort Beaurrgard was of consid
cradle importance, having been mounted with
heavy guns.
THE REBEL GARRIsONs.
The garrsous are believed to have been
South Carolina regiments, assisted by several
additional regiments which were sent from
Richmond. The manner in which these forts
were constructed and gnrrsonpd may confirm
the statemsD. that tho enemy was apprised Of
the destination of The feet, perhaps even be-
fore it left Hampton Roads. The batteries
at Bsy Point, opposite llilion's Head, were
equally formidable. Inside Of Port Royal
entrance, and behind the batteries, Law the
feet of Commodore Tatnal. Of the Rebel
Navy. This feet consisted only Of small ves.
ly light ones. Tugs constituted great por.
tion of the feet. Many of these remained
outside the mouth of the entrance until the
arrival of our feet of the coast, when they
E rmed in miniature line Of battle il the posi-
ton already stated, behind the gus of their
own fOrts aud across the entraGce.
APPROACH oY TIE UNION FLEET.
On the morning of Thursday OF last week,
he Init oA ota # fnr rtu
vessels, headed by the flagship, approached
the mouth of Port Royal entrance. This was
at half past nine o'clock. Several Of the
transports remained of the coast outside
The approach Of the 6eet caused a great
stir in the batteries. The war steamers were
under full headway, being perfectly confident
OF their soundings being in their course.
THE ENGAGEMENT.
Upon arriving at q suitable position the
gus of the fleet opened a continuous aud
ll.drected fire. upon forts Walker and
Beauregard. as well rs those upon Bay Point
Under cover of this fire an effort was made 10
run the gauntlet Of the batteries. The result
was eminently satisfactory. A number of the
vessels passed through the shot and shell from
the shore batteries with very triling injuries,
at least fifteen OF them, according to the Re.
bells own statement, succeeding in passing up
the entrance and attaining position whore
they we're beyond the reach Of any missiles
from the land batteries. Al the Union fleet
sailed up, the mosquito feet of Com Tatnall
opened FIRE, but seeing the impossibllity of
making any resistance. soon dispersed, aud
some were forced to run on shore, while others
were driven up the inlets until almost out of
sight.
SEVEN HOURS CONTEST.
Com. Tstnall deserted his vessel and went
on shore with his men to assist in working the
batteries, and use them against other vessels
Of the Union feet which were endpavoriug to
follow NJ the advance force. 1t must not be
imogined, however, that the passage of the
| feet through the channel was the work o: a
moment; it was not accomplished until firing
had been continued from half past niue in the
morning to nearly five o'clock ia the after.
noon. The contest was hottest about half
J past four o'clock, p. M.
UNION VESSEL BURNED.
During the fight, one of the Union gun.
boats is believed to have been burned, and
three steamers disabled The manner in
which these disasters occurred is not detailed
by the Rebels, nor is there any allusion to the
loss OF life on the Federal side
LOSS OF TIE ENEMY.
1t is acknowledged by the enemy that they
had twenty men killed in For. Walker alone,
but it is impossible to state what their loss
was at the other batteries. although doubtless
great, Hs our IRE is mentioned as having been
very effective the guns being well aimed and
ssvy calibre.
THE FLEET ENTERS BROAD PIVER.
o sooner did our vessels 20 past the bat
es at Port Royal entrance and glide into
at is termed Broad river, than they nude
the mouths of the inlets leading to Beau
and Savannah, and towards Charleston
lese they Immediately blockaded, although
ot ln time TO prevent the escape of some OF
be small Rebel vessels already alluded to.
Not one of the Federal vessels was sunk,
and the only one believed to have been
destroyed by fire was the gun boat referred to
above.
BURNING OF THE GUN BOAT.
The bnrning of this is described as being a
grand spectacle-tbe guns going OIL as the
flames reached them, aud throwing the shells
far into the woods on shore. The crew are
said to have passed through the murderous
hire to another vessel, and to have escaped
with very little il ATTY loss. The Union yes.
sells acted under special instructions in at
once blockading the inlets which led to the
most Important points, and afford loop-holes
OF escape to the enemy. While a portion of
the heet entered upon this duty, however,
four shps made at once for Beaufort, and at
3o'clock on Thursday. these vessels were in
sight of the town.
! REBEL DISPATCHES.
The following dispatches were sent FROM
Beaufort and vicinity to the Charleston
Mercury
HENDERsoNvILLE. Nov. 7, 9P. M.-The
practice of our Artilerists at II ilton's Head
has been very bad, hence the successful
paRslQQ of aeXan of Tho anax,a.,L, e.