Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-11-22

are known 10 be lost, and il il probable all
are. 1t is gratifying, however, 10 say that
none Of the troop transports conEaeted with
the land forces were lost, though the Wfafetd
Scott had to sacrifice her whole cargo, and
the Roaaoke portion Of her cargo. 10 save
the lives of the regiments on board. The
former will be unable 10 again put to sea-
The vessels connected with the naval portion
oil the haes have also sufssed mach, and some
have bean lost.
A'tar e4rctul reconnaissance Of Port Roy
al Bay il was aseartainad that the robels had
three field works, Of remarkable strength,
strongly g4rrsoned, aud covered By feet of
three gaa-boats, unler Capt. Tantnall, late Of
the u. :. Navy, besides strong land forces,
which were concentrating from Charleston aud
Savannah. The troe ps Of the Rebels were
afterwards aseertaiae1 % have been command
cd by Gen. Dfayton. 0ne of the forts, and
probably the strongest, was situated on Hill
ton Head, and the other Two on Phillips Is
land. l. was deemed proper to FIRST reduce
the fort on Hilton Head, though TO do ibis a
greater or less fire might have tj be met from
the batteries at Bag Poins at the same Time.
Oar original iesiga q a co operation Of the
land forces in this attack, had to be ser aside
in consequence of the loss daring the voyage
Of great portion of our means Of disembark
ment, together With the fact that The only
point where the troops should have been land.
ed, was from five t. six miles measuring
around the Intervening shoal) from the an~
ehoring liacc Of our transports, altogether
TOO great a distance for successful debarkation
with our limited means
| was therefore agreed that the place should
be reduced by the Naval force alone. La con-
sequence OF the shattered condition of the
feet, aud the delay in the arrival OF vessels
that were indispensable Tor she attack, it had
TO be postponed until The 7th lest.
1t was a IaeEe spectator of the combat, and
it is cot my province TO render any report Of
this actiop, tut deem il an Imperative duty
to say that the firing and mahevering of our
h4et against that of the Rebels aud their for
,nidable lanl batteries was masterpiece of ac-
ti1ity and professional skill that must have
elected the applause of the Rebels themselves
as a tactical operation.
Thick that TOO much praise cannot be
awarded 10 the science and skill exhibited by
tie Flag Officer of the Naval Squadron aud
,be officers connected with bis ships. I deem
the perform lnce masterly one, and ought to
nave Geen seen 10 oe lNitJ HpPttclattu'
After tho works we're reduced, took pos
session Of them wiih the land forces. The
beautifully constructed work on Hilton Head
was severely crippled and many of the guns
dismounted. Much slaughter had evidently
been made there, many bodies having been
buried in the Fort, and some twenty or thirty
we're found, some half mlle distant. The
island for many miles was found 10 be streRed
with arms and aecoutTemenls, and the bag
gage OF the Rebels, which they threw away 10
their hasty retreat. We have also come into
possession of about 40 pieces of cannon, most
Of which are of the heaviest calibre and the
most approved models, aud large quantity of
camp eqnipage.
lis my duty to report the valuable services
OF slr. Bouielle, assistant in the Coast Survey,
assisting ne with his accurate and extensive
knowledge of this eoonry.
His services are invaluable to the army as
well as to the navy, ard earnestly recon-
mend that important notice be taken of this
very abls and scientific officer by the War
Department.
! am, very respectfully your obdt. servant,
T. w. SHERMAN,