The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-11-26


of water, but if any obstructions had been
sunk in The channels.
Not half the fleet anchored on Monday be
fore the lighter gunbosts we're already EN-
ployed in this duty, and engaged in verifying.
by actual soundings, the information were
already in possession of Of, as TO the depth Of
water in the harbor end through the different
channels. 'n A.'. .i'7r'' i -ss '7trH
While 10 the performances Of these duties,
our boats were engaged by five rebel gun
boats, which suddenly appeared from be-
hind headl I'd which had hitherto con
cealel them. They boldly ran down. and,
without hesitation, engaged our gun bosts.--
The skrmish was a sharp one, lasting about
three quarters of an hour, and terminating in
the retirement Of the rebel steamers
THE RECONNAISSANCE.
On Tuesday morning Gen Sherman. in the
steam tug Mercury, started TO rake par'ic
ular examination at Hhon Head and Bay
Point, with the idea of approaching the shore
close enough to tempt the enemy To fire, and
thus betray his position. A large number Of
our trans ports were then at anchor within the
bar about -four miles from the land, and most
Of the gunboats had taken position hrt
distance in advance of them, in order that none
should fall rs prizes into the hands Of the reb.
ell steamers.
Before the Mercury had gone mile in the
direction of the land il WAS discovered that
TatnaIs boats--river steamers, painted black,
supposed to he the Eve,glade, the Cecil and
the Excel-were coming outside the Inlet,
with their rebel flags waving an impudent de
fance to our feet. The Pawnee, Ottawa,
Seminole. Curew, and Isaac NJ. Smith at
once hea1e towards the saucy vessels when
Ta,nall opened fra, although he was fully a
mile beyond the point at which he could in
fict damage with the guns.. Not willing to
throw their shots away, our boats reserved
their a e. making all speed towards tho Con-
fcderates, who took care, however, not to be
caught within range, and steamed off, as they
dih last evening, to the friendly cover OF Bay
Poiut. . .r.
The maneuver had its significance. II
was an attcmt to decov our vessels within
range Of two powerful batteries, three miles
apart, nearly opposite each other on either
side Of Port Royal Bav, the entrance to
which they commanded. The object OF the
movement was suspected, but as it was our
purpose to ascertain the enemys strength,
the boats were not deferred from follow.
ing. They had approached within short
mile of Bay Point, on the north rn side Of
the inlet, when the guns mounted there
bclched fiery announcement of their pres
ence. Presently battery on the other side,
ut Hilton head, revealed itself by throwing
volIey of lO.inch shell, followed with rapid
shots from large rihe1 cannon. Tho gun,
boats gaantly exposed themselves to this
cross fire, which was kept up on both sides
with great spirit for about halt an hour. As,
however, it was no part Of our plan to
bring about a general engagement at that
time, and the object oftbe reconnaissance hav
ing been accomplished, signal recalling the
gun boats was given, and they rcjoined the
fleet.
THE RoNB,RDMENT.
On " ednesda afi or q consultation Of the
Generals on board the Wabash, it was deter.
mined to yield tho guidance OF the affair to
the navy. Gen. Sherman told Commodore
Dupont -and Gems. Wright, Stephens and
Viele concurred in the ststement-that the
soldiers could not land unless the sailors first
siienced the rebel batteries. Blue jackets
have reputation for being equal 10 emergen.
cies. and in this instance there was no shrink
ing from the responsibility. 1t was intended
that the attack should have commenced i'm
medatey, and in anticipation active prepara
tons were made. Gen. Sherman resumed his
former quar- ers on the Atlantic, and the Wa
bash and other frigates were cleared for &C.
tion.
The lateness of the hour to which these
-.
ed the opening Of the work until morning.
On Thursday morning at 0 o'clock the flag
ship Wabash signaed to form in the order of
battle. The flag ship led the main column,
having her postion on the Susquchanna's star
board quarter and maintained il during the en-
tire action. They were drawn up in the fol
lowing order:
Main Col' mn.-Wabash, Susquehanua,
Mohican, Seminole, Pawnoe, Uuadills, Penn
bina
.Storboard Co'umn.-Bienville, Seneca,
Curlew, Penc uin, Ottawa, Vandalia.
The ships m' de the entrance Of the Port
Royal channel At the point between the
forts it is twenty-five hundred yards wide
As the feet moved up the rebel batteries on
10th sides of the river opened fire on the
heou VI tuo IoIu'ouJ Win uehNy Buus u louy
range.
1t was the plan Of battle to engage the bat.
teries alternately, and the vessels, preserving
their relative positions were to move in cir
cles before the foe. This mode Of procedure
was decided upon, because the current sets
swiftly in the straits b tween the Notifications,
which are about two miles and three quarters
apart, and it is impossible, even had it been
desirable, for the vessels to remain stationary
long enough to silence one battery before at.
tackirg the other.
The Wabash was brought as near Hilton
Head battery the depth Of water p' rmit.
ted; while souudngs were given and signals
made during the whole time the ship was in
action, as regularly as upon ordinary occas
ions. Within distance of nine huudrai
yards from the robel guns the Wabash threw
in her fiery messengers, while the other FIJI.
gates, no further away, participated in the
deadly strife; and the gunboats, from their
she tered mock, raked tho ramparts frightfully.
Thus the fire Of about fifty guns was concen-
trated every moment upon The enemy, who
worked heroically, never wavering in bis re.
plv except when the Wabash wa. usino, bpr