The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-27
TIE SANTA ROSA BATTLE.
union Omcial Report Of the Action.
HEADQUARTKRs Dxp lrrMxsr oY FLORIDA, /

OAhCAHA REPORT OF the ACtNOns
HEADQUARTERS Department or FLORIDA
FoRr PioxENs, Oct, IL 1851
COLONEL briefly reported to you ON tho 9th inst.
'ha' INC rebels had landed this island partially de
Soyed thc Camp OF the Sixth regiment Of New York
volunteers, and had been driven or by our troops
now report more in detail the results Of the attack.
For the better understanding Of the several movements
may be we to state that the enemy landed about four
miles from this fort The place may recognized on the
map by three ponds and mound; tina, the
island there is about three fourths Of mile
wide; that short distance below II mar
rows TO SOME two hundred yards then wdens again,
and At camp the distance about fve-eghths Of
mile That succession Of three four sand ridges
Old mo sea Side parallel to the along the island and
low swampy groand, intcrspersed with sand hiiocks.
oome bushes and few trees extend along the harbor.
sue both shores being sandy beach.
WILSON'S camp is near the seacoast, and less than
mlo from the fort The two batteries spoken Of in bis
report and 10 which he Observation-Disclosures Lincoln and
Totenare the 1rst the barbor aud the Other one on
the gulf side about four hundred yards from Fort Pckens
About two O'Clock the morning OF the OH inst was
awakened by the officer Of tho day who reported that
picket driven in had reported the landing OF sixty men
on the point Having little confidence Ia the correctness
OF this report directed that alarm should be made
and shortly after he reported that the alarm was false
About half three he again reported that voleys Of
mnskotry were heard at the camp or the Sixth ,egimon
New York Volunteers. Immediately ordered tho roll 10
be beaten Major vogdes to take companies and pro-
coed 10 the SPOT and Major Arnold man the guns on the
ramparts on the space.
About half an hour after this time the firing was
heavy, and tho light Of the burning camp sceu ana
sent staff officer to communicate with Major yordes
who returned very soon and said he had fallen in with
large body Of the enemy on the inside Shore and he
could not find the Major. Immediately ordered Major
Arnold to proceed to support Major yogdes with two
companies and at the time IN order TO Colonel
Wilson TO advance and attack the enemy.
also despatched stan oilcer board the steamer
Mcclellan with orders for him take position opposte
the landing place. and open the enemy unfortunately
at the same time directing him TO 50 to the Potomac
lying near and ask for me men TO assist him in case
landing was necessary Capt Powell directed him TO tow
his ship to the scene Of action, which so
delayed him that he did not arrive until after the enemy
had vacated. Captain Powell acted from the best OF ma.
tves and under ordinary circumstances from correct
principles; but tho result unfortunate as the Nc
Clean could have driven the rebel steamers away and
must have made prisoners OF most Of the invaders
Al the request Of MAJOR Arnold, late the morning
sent forward light fold gun which, however, did not
reach him until after the affair was over
AS propose only briefly to alndc to the volunteers
respectfully refer You to the official report (markcd of
tho Colonel of the regiment The picket this regiment
and the guards, sustained its principal If not entire loss
and behaved well. Captain Days company on duty
with the regulars did good service ans the Captain i
spoken Of by Major Arnold in terms Of high approbato
He had two men killed. Captain Halley's company was
at battery and hot called out he performing his
appropriate duty during the fight
MAJOR Vodges with Companies A, First artillery and f.
Third infantry, proceeded behind the Spanish fort about
mile from this fort, when, from the obscury of the
night, he found himself and command completely
mingled with tho enemy. He Immediately
recognized and made prisoner, the command
devoiving Captain Eidt, Of the Third lniun-
try who discngaged his command from their erious po
sitoa and opened heavy fire the enemy an, finally
with great gHantry, forced them 10 retreat he being
ably supported by Lieutenant Zeecv, my Assistant Adu
tant General, who volunteered for the OCCASION with
loss OF ten killed.
Major Arnold, at this moment, up, and the enony
rctrcating followed on.
During this time Major Power, and Lieutenant Jack s.n
who had successfully sent on to push forward Che
Zouavcs succeeded in getting collected and one!
Wilson also advanced the enemy precpliateiy reeating
Major Arnold, Captain Robertson ana faeutanant Ship
,ey's companies promptly followed and attacked ana as
they embkng, the other COMPANIES nrrvng upon
the ground succcssiycly, Captain Echertson aponei
heavy fire at short musket range the crovds masses
and Lieutenant Shipcy, some fifteen minutes asr joined
him and their fire mst have been very effective This
continued so long US they within range when
they got beyond IT, the MAJOR ordered tho case
iring and to give them three Cheers to which there
During the time OF this occurrence Major Power came
with his two SINAI. companies Of Xouaves, and subse
quenty, Colonel Wilson, With portion Of his regiment
When IL is considered that loss than two hundred c.u
lars with hrty volunteers pursued Ave times their
number four miles and expelled them Under heavy fse
from the island they had dosecrated IL will trust be
considered evidence Of their having calamity per-
formed their duty. The plan Of attack Ct the enemy
was judcious, and ii executed with ordinary ability,
might have been attended with serious loss
but he failed IN all save tho burning Of
one hale Of tho tents Ct the Sixth rcgi
ment, which, being covered with bushes, were very
conbusiibc and in riding the trunks OF The ofcers Hc
did not reach within $50 yards of either oil the batteries
the guns Of which he was to spike, nor within mile Of
the fort he /, enter pe nell the ugtyes retrearg
before his victorious arms have in my possession
nine spikes taken from the bodies Of the dead designed
for our guns.
Our loss is--of regulars four killed, twenty wounded
very slightly, and eight missing, among whom is
MAJOR vodges of the Sixth regiment New York voun-
teers--tea killed nine wounded ana sixteen missing.
The enemy lost, known to US, fourteen killed,
including one captain; seven wounded, including
lcers aud twenty two enlisted men prisoners;
and he known to have carried or
Of his dead and probably most Ct his wonded those in
hands being severely and unable to be removed,
and tho heaTest loss is supposed To have been in The
boats at the cmbarsaton was probably three times
as great in killed AID wounded as have named
| close with the agreeable duty Of naming you the
officers engaged who faithfully performed their duty
meation Major Vodges first, who unfortunately was
taken prisoner before gun part was fred,
to say that as second ~ c1riniitd and my
executive officer, he has efficiently aad indus
time Of my command and his have been very
yalrab,e Nler Arnold who succeeded 10 the command
after the capgrc Of his superior conducted the affair with
great gaaatty prudence and ability. flc speaks l., the
highest terms of Captains Robertson asd eiid and Lieu
tenants Shlsy and Seeie,, AID indeed Of all the others
whose Names give:N,ao. Power and lieutenant Reese
Of the Engineers Iieusnants DGryca Iargdon Jackson
and Ia, ior, of The United States Army, and CAPTAIN
nole, Of tho New York Volunteers; and il
gives mo great pleasure TO append the names OF
comms sioncd officers and privates named by
their company commanders For Distinguished good
conduct and recommend them 10 the favorable notice
of the government The following the companies OF
Majors vodges and Arnold who participated in tho battle,
and {wh very few exceptions Of Individually whom
the greatest praise is ducCdmpany A, First artillery
Company n Second artillery, and Companies and +,
Third infantry.
estimated the forces OF the enemy at 200 800,
having closely observed them through fine telescope
they caiad. The two kedge steamers and large
barge Of equal size, and five six launches all
crowded with troops md the almost unanimous estimate
OF the officers is 15o0, from personal observation am,
Colonel, very respectfully, yours,
HARVEY BROWN Colonel Commanding.
colonel +. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjntan General,
Washington, d. G.