Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-11-22
BATTLE OF PORT ROYAL.

The telegrspbic reports, together with
the extract from Capt. Dupont's letter to
the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. give
US tolerably clear idea of the way in
which this glorious battle was fought and
won AS our gallant naval forces lay off
Fort 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 twenty-three guns to
The right, and mile and a half further
inland, was Fort Beauregard, on Bav
To'nt, mounting nineteen heavy guns.
In the channel between the two forts. bnt
farther up the entrance, was Tatnall's
mosquito fleet. But it is no matter about
'hat-'t did not even annoy. With this
view OF the points of attack before him.
Captain Dupont arranged his plan which,
us he says in his private note, was "cley-
er"--strikingly so.
Instead OF locating his sbips in station.
AIRY positions, he set the principal part of
them revolving in a large circle, the GEN.
ter OF which was nearly off Fort Beau
regard. BY this arrangt ment, the train
OF ships, led by the Wabash, as thew
swept southwark on the land side of the
circle, delivered full broadsides into Fort
Beaurrgard, and then, passing on, threw
raklng fire into Fort Walker. Cant.
Dupont says tie feet thus made three
complete turns, and passed between the
io'ts twice besides. The advantage of
this plan is obvious--the continual move
ment Of the ships baffied the aim of the
rebel arlillerists, while their aim was
soon detected by our auillersts and
evaded. Thus, when it appeared that
the rebel sights were graduated TO six
hundred yards, the ships we're carried in
within one thousand feet of the forts.
Another advantage of the plan was that
1t Kept any particular ship from being
singled out by the rebels and disabled.
but gave all equal risks and opportuni-
ties for rest and preparations. BY this
means continuous fire was kept up at
the rate of 2000 shells an hour. No
wonder the rebels quailed, and ran be-
fore the storm.
lhelr own accounts represent the fir
ing as terribly unsrring and effective.
We can well believe it. The tough old
tars that man the guns of our navy are
bred to the work. For ears and years,
they have been drilled at their Dahlgrens
and long toms, till every part of the SER
vice is performed with the regularity of
lock work, and the rapidity OF light
ling press. Very, very few of the fly
ng artillery corps of which we have
leard so much, can probably vie with
he gunners of our navy. And here let
is say, and never forget, that this victory
At Port Royal was wholly naval victo-
y. 1t would appear from Captain Du-
lonts letter that the selection of the des-
inaton Of the fleet was also due to his
good judgment. But however that may
'c, the battle was his and his gallant tars'.
Il is feat which revives The ancient glo-
les of the American navy, and is wor-
hy Of the hest days Of Hull and Drca-
ur. 1t has opened our eyes anew 10 the
'ast advantages which we have over the
ebels in this respect, and upon the NIGH
y resources upon which we have only
egun to draw. 1t will add hundred
Did to the energies Of the nation in crush
* out this neiarious rebellion. 1t will
end pang Of terror and dismsy into.
very heart, however hardened, which
as suffered itself TO become aliruated
gainSt the best government on earth.
Iut for the full development of its results,
re must wait with serene patience and
,ith. The present is sufficiently salis-
wing. Boston Journal