New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-03
THE TYgEE ISLAND RECONNAISSANCE.

THE TYBEE ISLAND RECONNAISSANCE.
On the day before the Mcclellan sailed she con-
veyed Gen. Sherman and ,talF TO Tybee Island,
which is situated sixteen miles from Hilton Head,
lust south of the entrance ~ he Savannah River,
and within easy range of Fort Pulaski which guards
the entrance to the river and is therefore, the key
to Savannah. The object of the reconnaissance was
10 fix upon plan of terrifying the island, 80 as to
make it base of operations against Fort Pulaski
md Savannah. Il is understood TO be tue intention
of our forces 70 erect mortar batteries at very early
dav. with view to the reduction of Pulaski. The
t project is thought to be entirely feasible.
In the course Of the reconnaissance the party, con-
sistng of Gen. Sherman, bis sal, Capt. Gray, and a
guard of about twenty marines, was fired ON by Fort
Pulaski. Four shells were discharged. The first
fell short about fifty yarls but was an excellent line
shot The next one exploded in the air. Had II
fallen before exploding it is believed that coDSld-
cradle oss Of life would have ensued. The flight Of
the shell was noticed and the order given to lie upon
the ground. Gen. Sherman afterward stated that II
would undoubtedly have fallen in the midst of bis
arty. The third shell fell short and the fourth ex-
! ploded on the beach, too far 10 do any damage
| An abandoned intrenchment, which bad mounted
a battery, was found at the south end OF Iybee
Island The cannon had, moreover, been removed
| When Gen. Sherman and party returned the gun
boat Florida with Com. Dupont on board, was pro-
ceeding 10 Iybee Island. TINS was also for the pur
pose OF recoDnoitering with the same general object
as that of the former one. Com. Dupont returned
the same evening.
The following vessels were blockading the en-
trance TO Savannah: Seneca, Pocahontas Savannah,
Augusta, and Flag.
TATNAIL's ATTACK.
The attack of Com Tatnall on the 26th which
has been referred to, not worthy Of the name OF
a battle. Tatnall came with his three or four YES
sels enough 10 fire few shots, which did no
, damage and Immediately retired.
Tvbee Island IL not vet occupied by our troops
, hint each night part il sent from vessels TO
light Gre. The national colors are flying from the
hght house pear
THE NEW EXPEDITION.
i Preparations are going on a. Port Royal for the
expedition south; but ts destination is not stated
Fernandina for several reasons, is supposed 10 be
the place where the blow viii fail. A numher OF
SHIPS are preparing, end accommodations Tor o,OuO
troops have been provided. The following vessef,
among Others VIII compose it: Cshawba. Daniel
Webster, Oriental, Matanzas, Belvidere, PhilGdel-
phia TO carry horses, Empire City, Roanoke, and
y Star Of the South.
d Among the war vessels which were at Port ROYAL
and which it was supposed would take part in the
;. expedition, are the following: Steam irigate Wa
~ bash sloop-of-war Dale, the Pawnee, Mohcan, Sem
Is mole, Issac Z. Smith, Mercury Petit, Pembina, OF
n tawa, Unadilla and Ellen.
near Hilton Head, ard Was laying down buoys She
can be used in case Of necessity.
Is HILTON HEAD.
Contrary TO the generally -reoeived opinion no
new Notifications have been made by our troops in
the vicinity of Fort Walker or at Bay Point but
the defenses which were already built have been
, strengthened. II is understood that on the side Of
the island toward the main land defenses are erecting
TIE entire force Of Gen. Sherman's expedition,
with the exception Of lees than 600 men, Is on Hill
tons Head, and il in good condition. The large
amount Of provisions Of various kinds found there
not yet exhausted. Cattle, sheep, turkeys chickens
are very plenty; Of them obtained by foraging
parties which proceed 10 the islands in the vicinity
and in cases, it is said the mainland. There
is and viii be- for long time, no scarcity Of fresh
meat from the sources near the present encampmen
q o. our troops.
BEAUFORT TO BE OCCUPIED.
There ia no longer any constant guard of vessels
at Beaufort and il is left almost exclusively in the
possession OF the negroes, OF whom there many.
b There is however, one white man-not the original
inebriated Individual Secessionist, who remains
IN the town nights, and on those days when the
United States forces not seen but the appear
of danger he instantly retires He is supposed
g to be spy.
1t was understood, when the Mcclellan sailed.
that Beaufort would be occupied, probably the rext
day, by force of about 1000 men, which could be
easily spared, even in addition to the 5000 which
/, would accompany the expedition. The purposes Of
the occupancy was TO prevent the SecessiOnlss from
taking possession, aud also TO retain the considerable
amount of property which yet remains there. The
Secessiomsts have come there in the night in a few
cases. and taken away property; but il is undersood
that large bodies OF their troops in the imme-
date vicinity.
THE CONTRABANDs.
/, The "contrabands' occupy Beaufort, Hilton Head
Island, aud the contiguous islands in considerable
numbers. Those who have already separated from
their masters, and only under their own control
are estimated at 500 to 900. These are within easy
reach of our forces. Those at and around Beaufort
are by some estimated at nearly the fguress gwen.
few Of the latter are supposed to be looking after
the property Of their masters. But Of the great
ioity II is known that they would be very glad TO
enter lines for the purpose generally OF obtaining
omploymeat The men of the steamer Mcclellan,
when they were at Beaufort, could have brought
away tul load Of them had they been authorized
to do 10. The "contIabands' crowded around them
! begging TO be allowed the privilege Of getting on
{ board. Quite number assited in loading the luGn
Der, for which they asked and received pay, and
worked, the men say, like good fellows." Thir-
teen Of them were finally taken to Hilton Head
The story which has been extensively Published
that The negroes refuse to work is emphacaly con-
tradlcted. About 30 and around Hilton Head
and labor when they have an opportunity. They
even take boats going around to the shipping. carry
ing men, bags ana blndles-nfa fact any freight which
il given them.
The negroes at Beaufort and elsewhere generally
report 10 our forces any yements Of the rebels
which may come within their knowledge-but OF
course they have little TO Communicates The fact
That Secessoniss have been near Beaufort came from
1 the negroes. There were come mounted men cayal-
| ry) among the number. few Struggling parties
have been there in the night according TO tdese state.
m4nis.
Is Is now well understood that the reported whole
sale destruction of property in Beaufort by the
gTdes has been greatly exaggerated BY far the most
part " what they bave taken away was what e,Vld