Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-01-10
From Port Royal and Beaufort.

By the arrival at New York yesterday of the
Catawba and Roanoke, we learn that Commo-
dore Dupont was evidently preparing for new
strike at the rebels. Arrangements were MAX
ing at Hilton Head in the last week of Decem-
Der, fol a naval demonstration, the details of
which cannot be published in full the frigate
Wabash and large number Of armed launches
having been put in order and the latter tested,
in the work of assisting and covering the land
ing of troops. The practice in the boats had
been quite extensive, and it was fully under
stood that new descent was about to be made
on the enemy coast The gun-boats were con-
centrating and so far as the naval part Of the
expedition was concerned the preparations for
an offensive movement were nearly, If not quite,
complete
Ia this connection the facts concerning the
ability of General Sherman s forces TO follow up
any attack of the armed vessels are interesting
The General has kept his men busily at work
upon
THE FoRTIFICATioNs AT HILTON HEAD,
These defences are now nearly perfected
The entrenchment back OF Fort Walker is des
scribed as a splendid work, capable of protect
ing the fort and the quarters of the federal
forces against very great odds. One thousand
men in the fort aud along the line of the works
together with such assistance as could be rem
dered by few gun boats, could defend our po-
sition against any force the rebels are able to
bring against it. As the force at Hilton Head
independent of that at Beaufort and Iybee
Island, is about twelve thousand men, at least
ten thousand men could be spared from Hilton
Head force which, with General Stevens
brigade at Beaufort, would be sufficiently for
midable to accomplish the reduction OF either
Savannah or Charl, stor, or (what is more like
ly to he done) defeat the considerable force of
rebels assembled at Coosawhatchie, place fa-
miliarly known as the junction" situated on
the Charleston and Savannah Railroad.
THE OCCUPATION OF BEAUFORT.
Although large quantities OF provisions have
been landed at Beaufort from the transports,
much more, indeed, than Gen raj Stevens bri-
gade Of four thousand men, would be likely to
need for long time to Come-no Notifications
have been erected near the town The soldiers
are regularly encamped, occupying only their
tents. The officers are quartered in the houses
of the town. There is no evidence that Beau
fort is to be defended by our forces as a perma-
nent position. The indications are that some
point nearer Charleston will be chosen.
On the 9th uItimO, al order was issued BY
General Stevens directing that the town and
all the property within its limits be protected
by military toTce and fOrbidding the passage
of any person through the lines unless provided
with pass from the General or the officer of
the day. The destruction Of property in the
town has entirely ceased.
Reconnaissance are making by our forces,
many of which are extended to the main land
In one of these the Eighth Maine regiment
early last week captured six rebel pickets, from
whom, however, little Information in regard to
the rebel force between that point and Ch aries
ton could be obtained. The mea We're taken
to Beaufort aud plac under confinement.