Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-20

sion TOOK pace In the mouse just vacated Dy
the rebel officers, but doing little damage and
injuriDg no one. 1t was found on examina-
tion that the rebels had before evacuating the
place arranged what they thought would prove
a deadly trap to the yictors. Mines had been
laid and matches SO arranged that the halyards
OF the flag should be drawn down the mines
would be sprung, firing the magazines and
blow up the whole work and involve the vic
tors in common ruin but it did not go off
and soon the brave old flag, the stars and
stripes waved in triumph from the rebel flag
staff. The magazines were found to contain
large quantities of powder and a vast quantity
of ammunition shot and shell, and various de-
scrtptons of projectles-the latter chiefly of
English manufacture. The Susqnehanna had
thfee men wounded. The list of cansulties
gives only eight killed and some twenty woun-
ded, only small portion of whom were con-
sidered seriously or dangerously hurt. All
the wounded were doing well, and great part
would be sent home in a few days. The town
of Beaufort is entirely deserted except by the
negroes. The troops had not occupied it
when the steamer left, being better engaged
in strengthening their position.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, OF Hilton Head
~ Port Royal Hdrbor, Nou. 8, 1861. {
SIR I'll have the honor to inform you that
yesterday | attacked the enemy's batteries on
Bay Point and Hilton Head-Forts Beauregard
and Walker-and succeeded in silencing them
after an engagement of four hours duration,
and driving away the squadron of the rebel
steamers under Com. Tattnal. The reeonnos-
sance of yesterday made US acquainted with
the superiority of Fort Walker, and to that
directed my special efforts, engaging it at first
at q distance of 500 and afterwards GOO yards.
But the plan of attack brought the squadron
sufficiently near Fort Beauregard to receive
its fire, and the ships were frequently fighting
he hat ria hOt at
The action was began on my part at twenty
six minutes after O'Clock and at half past
two the American ensign was hoisted on the
flag staff of Fort Walker, and this morning at
sunrise on Fort Beauregard. The defeat of
the enemy terminated in their utter route and
confusion. Their quarters and encampmentS
were abandoned without any attempt on their
part to carry away either public or private
property. The ground over which they fed
strewn with forms of prvates, and the
officers retired in too much haste to submit to
the encumbrance of their swords. Landing
my marines and a company of seamen l took
possession of the deserted ground and held the
forts on Hilton Head untilthe arrival of General
Sherman, to whom had the honor to transfer
its occupation. We have captured forty three
pieces OF cannon, most of them of heaviest
calibre and of the most improved description.
The bearer of these dispatches will have
the honor to carry with him the captured flags
ing to the State of South Carolina, which we
send home as suitable trophies of the success
of the navy. A detailed account of this battle
will be submitted hereafter.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, S. f. DUPONT,
Flag Officer Com 'dg U. S. a. Squadron.
P. S.-The bearer of dispatches will also
carry with him the first American ensign raised
upon the soil of South Carolina since the rebel
lion broke out.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec. OF Navy
FLAG SHIr WABASH, off Hilton Head,
Port Regal Harbor, Nor. q. 1861.
SIR 81 have to report the following casual
ties in the action of yesterday in the capture
of the batteries at Hilton Head and Bay Point.
to wit Killed 8, seriously wounded 6, slight
ly wounded 17-total-3l.
l have the honor to be very respectfully your
obedient servant. >. f. DUPONT,
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec. of Navy.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, off Hilton Head, !
Port Royal Harbor. Nor. 9. 1861. {
SIR Since writing my official dispatch
have sent the gun boats to take possession of
Beaufort to protect the inhabitants, but re-
gret to say they have fled and the town is aban-
doned to the negroes, who are reported to me
as being in a lawless condition. The light
vessels which hoped to save were destroyed
in the destruction of the forts by the rebels.
Post offices were visited and number OF docu-
ments, letters, &C., obtained. | have covered
Skull creek at the mouth of Broad River and
have cut off the communication between
Charleston and Savannah.
Resp'y, your ob't serv't, s.. F. DUPONT,
Flag Officer Com. U. S. A. Squadron.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec. of Navy.
The following is portion of a private letter
from flag officer Dupont to the Assistant Secre.
tary of the Navy:
On BOARD OF FRIGATE WABASH, Port +
Royal, S. c., Nor. 8. 1861.
My Dear Mr.. Fo1 :--During the disheartening
events of our passage my faith never gave way,
but at some moments it seemed appalling.
On the other hand permit no elation at our
success, yet cannot refrain from telling you
that it has been more comp mplete and m ore brilli-
ant than l ever could have believed.
l have been too much fatgued to send de-
tailed official account of the battle. MY report
is full up to the eve Of it and think will in
terest you, but have contented myself with
succinct account which think will be liked as
we'll as a more detailed narrative. This will
however, forward in time for the Secretary s
report.
l kept under way and made three turns
though passed five times between the forts.
| had fianking division of five ships to
watch Old Tatnall, who had eight small and
swift steamers ready to pounce upon any of
ours should they be disabled.
could get none of nv big frigates up.
thought the Sabine would have gotten clear to
the st. Lawrence. l sent no word and the Sa-
vannah was blown off.
1 do not regret it now except on their ac-
count. / believe my plan was clever. l stood
against the tide and had the management the
better in consequence. Their confidence was
extreme that they could drive us away.
They fought bravely and the riHed guns
never missed. An eight FOUNDER rifle shot
went through our main mast in the very centre,
making an avful hole s.e.-...