New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-30

were discharged at her, within pont-blank range
Only tie 6-poupd shot struck Der, and that did no
damage; while considerable number Of the rebels
are known to have been wounded by the musse'ry
fire Of the troops on board. Escaping this danger,
she ran aground on a shotl distance beyond The
Ferry, and remained two or three bouN While
thus DELAYED party sent out by Gen. Stevens came
down on a fa', and were attacked from the other
side by considerable force, whose fire was so bot
that our men would have been forced TO retreat, if
unaided. The May flower however, being in easy
range, opened from Ter C-poupder, and put the
rebels to fight. Not long after SIZE got of, finished
her soundngs and survey and returned without oss.
SIX rebels were taken prisoners last week. They
were portion of a company which had crossed
over probably In search Of normstion, and lad ad'
vapeed about mile beyond their main force Intel
gence Of their presence was brought into the camp
Of the 9Th Michigan, by the negroes who discovered
them, and party of twelve were sent out for their
capture. Probably if the strength of tie rebels hsd
been known our troops would lot have ventursd TO
,uch an encounter with less than tLirty-a nuuber
that would bsve made it equal CONTEXT 10 Caroi'
eyes Nevertheless, fortune smiled on their rasbness,
ard after an exchange Of shots, by which two OF tie
rebels were wounded six surrendered. The rest Of
the company succeeded III getting oil the island un'
seen.
The number Of rebels at the Ferry cannot be ex.
actly stated. part Of the force which moved down
in expectation of attempt 10 cross. reiuined when
they found that no effort made by the Union
troops to establish thea selves on the maipland.
Pickets and scouting parties have been thrown out in
severl directions to "a considerable distance. Boats
have pas ssd around Hall and Barnwell I-lsnds aud
small detaebnieuu have gone mp on Prince William
Island, aud even ON the mainland far beyon tbs
enemy's lines The rebels have been permitted TO
continue their estrepchmenis on which the umber
Of gums mounted is vaIious,y stated from three TO
seven. Brigudier- General Pemberion is in command
of The forces in that vicinity General Drayton having
the district to the south extending toward POrt Roya
as fur as Blnffion aud General Ripley being over the
forces which stretch along tue rebel line of defense TO
the porth for az Charleston. General Lee Is in
charge of tie whole department, with headquarters
at Cbarleston. An advance byebe Union troops Is
evidently anticipated by the rebels. Some Of these
particulars are obtained from an article in Tie
Charleston Mercury OF the 18th, reprinted in TIE
Savannah Doly Morning he'es of the 18th, which
send herewith Iis statements concerning the
Union troors and affairs a. Port Royal aud Beaufort
need poi be accepted in all respects accurate. IL
viii be observed that the amount OF Sea Island cotton
in our possession is estimate at fifteen hundred bales,
and that about three Il OH and pegroes on the
islands in the neigbborhood, whom the provision
crops are considered sufficient TO sustain for long
period. Both are under stated. The story OF the
aunch has no foundation whatever.
Brig Gen. Pemberton, who is in command at Port
Royal, was born in Philadelphia, was Captain and
Brevet-Maior in the eth Artillery, U. S. A., sta
toned last Winter st Fort Ridgely, Minn. His
Secretion opinions were well known at that fort,
where be declared that be would never fight sganst
South Carolina. When ordered to Washington last
Spring with Lis company, be obeyed, left his CON-
mapd in the streets Of that city, and resigned bis
commssion-.the highest service to the National
cause that was in his power toperorm. LIS wife
WAS YrginisB.
There are no, less than eight regiments in Savan-
nab. The Ners has an sct ouDt Of u review Of Gen.
IIausons brigade Of four regiments battalion, and
more or less cavalry, which aie duly complimented
Ill like every other force which tie South has sent
il TO the field are declared 10 be composed Of the
flower of our yeonsnry, ofcered by patriotic, slir.
tied, and accomplished officers, who, ike The men
whom they command, have left professions pur.uiis
and the enjoymtpts Of home, 10 defend the coil Of
Georgia from vanda Invasion aod pollution" Then
follows the usual contrast between these pinks Of
cbivalry and the "base birelings whom they are TO
meet" With o,her nonsense arsome TO rereat
"a to ha dc nd hat
more than half her troops have been recalled from
Virginia. Not less thsn fourteen regiments are III
petition from Charleston TO the Southern border.
A recent naval reconnaissance Of North Edisto
Inlet by Captain Drayton III the Pawnee, with the
Seneca and other zunboSs, resulted in some discov-
cries of interest. An abandoned fort found on
Botany Bay Islard, to the left Of the inlet, which
had mounted fourteen guns. Tie work was Of con.
siderable strength, having two basions, with long
natural curtain Of ssnd-hls, the real fort being paii
saded aud supplied with magazines. The guns and
else were removed. A camp just de-
serted was discovered at Rockville. Five hundred
men composed it, and they. hearing the Doise OF the
shells which the Pawnee threw into the fort before
Il was known be empty, fled instantly taking with
them their srms but leaving behind tents, pro-
visions, ard stores Of all sorts Great numbers OF
Ne groes csme down TO meet the crew who landed,
some Of whom were brought away. Rockville was
a town Of moderate pre;srsions, known as water
ing-paee, and possessing several shops from which
considerable quanttiee Of rice, sugar, ard other
stores were obtained One party OF neg'oes had
suddenly emancipsted themselves from the owner
ship of a Mr.. Seabrook, who occupied plantation
about ten miles from the fort. This gentleman was
at dinuer when the repor, Of the cannonade invaded
lis peaceful abode. /: appears Lot his diitas for