The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-09


The naval expedition has evidently made the
first bold stroke in its career We learn from
Fortress Monroe the intelligence, which arrived
there under flag of truce from Norfolk
the rebel batteries at Beaufort; that one of our
gunboats had been disabled, and two of the
transports had gone ashore. It is said that
the crews of these vessels. numbering 70, had
been taken prisoners and conveyed to Raleigh, N.
c. 1t is remarkable that the news of this trans
action and the story of Hollins' famous battle at
New Orleans come to us from precisely the same
source-by flag Of truce from Norfolk-and thus
we find the accidental loss of two transports by
running ashore, long before the bombardment
at Port Royal commenced, magnifed into some
thing which Is intended to bear the appear
ance of success on the part of the rebels
But it is pretty evident that the action
OF our grand expedition at Port Royal like tn.
naval engagement at New Orleans, is q great sue.
reception and had hard fight at Beaufort is not
more than we had right to expect. Beaufort is
an important point for the enemy, and our feet
went there prepared for Il fight The
probability is that they have made land.
'ng on some of the many islands below,
ard are now safely intrenched therein for it must
be remembered that they took supplies of brick.
sandbags tools, and laborers for just this purpose
That they can accomplish much without meeting
resistance is not to be expected and that a trans
port or two have been put hors de combat.
is not matter of surprise nor a subject
OF Encouragement. 1t is manifest tlat the
rebels are not going to leave their seaboard
unprotected, least of all this important post, from
the fact that the forces around Aqua creek and
that vicinity have been falling back towards South
Carolina for some days past and that General
Beauregard is said, on good authority, to have
been Withdrawn from the Potomac and sent to
look after the coast defences at Beaufort and Port
Royal. The Navy Department received inteli.
gence yesterday morning from Commodore era.
at and below Shipping Point were apparently NOV
ing southwark, and that the George Page had
managed to get out Of Quantico creek, and creep
along shore down stream in consequence of the
flood. General Mcclellan it is said, received SINH.
lar information. 1t was also stated in Washington
confidently yesterday evening that the rebels on
the Lower Potomac departing in force for
the South, to the points which they supposed to be
threatened by the naval expedition.
Nothing of Importance occurred along our lines
of the Potomac yesterday. A reconnaissance by
General Smiths division to Vienna, on Thursday.
elected the fact that the rebels had strong pickets
FOR two miles beyond that place, and that num-
Der Of regiments were in reserve.
There has been some sharp work in Missouri
An expedition of the Union forces under Generals
Grant and McClernand, left Cairo on Wednesday
night on four steamers, accompanied by two gun.
boats, for Belmont town directly onposite Co,
tfnbus. Kentucky. They made landing at Bel
monk-three thousand strong-at eight o'clock
yesterday morning, and there encountered n
force of seven thousand rebels, under Gene.
raj Cheatham' encamped. They fought their wav
l''antly to the enemys camp, planted the flag Of
the Union there, captured battery of twelve
pieces, destroyed the camp, taking possession of
the horses, wagons, mules and baggage put q
enforcement Of The rebels having crossed tho
river from Columbus, the retreat to the boats was
ordered, and the Union troops withdrew, engaging
the reinforcements in their passage and it is said
suffering pretty heavily. Further details'of the
tpSagepsat hsye not reached W.