Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-11-28
Tge yntelligenter.
" Westward the course Of empire takes its way'
A. h. r. HILDRETH, Editor.
Charles City, Iowa, November 81, 1861
" Clever. F"

4
Port Royal entrance, they saw before
them an arm Of the sea three miles
wide between the headlands on either
side. On the left was Fort Walker on
Hilton Head, mounting twcnty-thrce
guns to the right, and mile and a
half further inland, was Fort Beaure.
gard, on Bay Point, mounting nine
teen heavy guns. In the channel be-
tween the two forts, but farther up the
entrance, was Tatnall's mosquito fleet.
But it is no matter about that-it did
not even annoy. With this view of
the points of attack before him, Capt
DUPONT arranged his plan, which, as
he says in his private note, was "clcv-
er." We think no one will dispute
that both the plan and the execution
were "clever" sort of cleverness
that brings joy to the hearts of all
loyal citizens. Instead of locating his
ships in stationary positions, he set
the principal part of them revolving in
large circle, of which the centre was
nearly off against Fort Beaurcgard.
BY this arrangement, the train of ships,
led by the Wabash, as they swept
southwark on the land side of the cir
Gle, delivered full broadsides into Fort
Bcaurcgard, and then passing on, threw
raking fire into Fort Walker. Capt.
DUPONT says the fleet thus made three
complete turns, and passed between
the forts twice besides. The advan-
tage Of this plan is obvious--thc con-
tinual movement of the ships baf1led
the aim of the rebel artilerists, while
their range was soon detected by our
seamen and evaded. Thus, when it
appeared that the rebel sights were
graduated at six hundred yards, the
ships were carried in within one thou
sand feet of the forts. Another advam-
tagc of the plan was that it kept any
particular ship from being singled out
by the rebels and disabled, but gave
all equal risks and opportunities for
rest and preparations. By this means
a continuous fire was kept up at the
rate of 1000 shells an hour. No won
der the rebels quailcd and ran before
the storm.
The tough old tars that man the
guns of our navy are bred to the work.
For years and years they have been
drilled at their Dahlgrcns and long
toms, till every part of the service is
performed with the regularity of clock
work and the rapidity of lightning
press. Very, very few of the flying
artillery corps, of which we have
heard so much, can probably vie with
the gunncrs of our navy. And here
let US say and never forget, that this
victory at Port Royal was wholly a
naval victory. 1t would appear from
Capt. DuPont's letter that the selection
of the destination of the fleet was also
due to his good judgment But how
ever that may be, the battle was his
and his gallant tars'. 1t is a feat
which rcvives the ancient glorics Of
the American navy, and is worthy of
the best days of Hull and Decatur. 1t
has opened our eyes anew to the vast
advantages which we have over the
rebels in this respect, and the mighty
resources upon which we have only
begun to draw. 1t will add hundred
fold to the energies of the nation in
crushing out this nefarious rebellion.
1t will send pang of terror and dis
may into every heart, however hard
cned, which has suffered itself to be-
come alicnated against the best gov
ernmcnt on earth.
Capt. DUPONT achieved his late bril-.
liant success, by reason, first, of his
admirable preparation of the fleet for
the expedition, and, second, because
his heart is thoroughly in his work.
When he was about to set sail, he told
his friend, Henry Winter Davis of Bal
timorc, that though unaware Of the
destination of the fleet, he knew that
he was ordered to dangerous and inn
portant service, and said he, :" will
succeed, or never return !" That's the
spirit that enabled him to win, and
that will, if the war continues, confirm
the reputation which he has won Of be-
ing the successor of Decatur.