The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-12-14

! opposite SHORE, 6ring occasionally, and, turnin
I round higher up, came down close to the fort
and under the range Of any guns which nigh
be there. The reason that her firing had Gale,
forth no Demonstration from the rebel fort, VA
now found to be because IL hAd been deserted
No one vas on the island. The steamers Poca
hontas, Flag and Augusta now followed the Sc
neca, with the view Of going on shore to max,
observations, while the Florida proceeded :,
Port Royal 10 communicate TO the Gag office
the intelligence that Tybee Island was occupied
BY our naval force, and that We had gained I
foothold on the sacred soil Of naughty Georgia
s9 rAtNALL's REPRESENTATION
Early on the; morning of Tuesday, 2fth inst
several volumes Of dark smoke were seen up tile
Savannah river, which was supposed to come
from the bitumiuous coal used on tho rebsj
steamers. The frigate Savannah, commanded
by J. s. Misroon; steamers Florida, j. r. Coles
borough commander; Flag, j. Rodgers com
mander; Pocahontas, P. Drayton commander;
Augusta, E.G. Parrot commander; and Seneca,
Daniel Ammen commander, were laying at an
chor OF Tybee lighthouse, looking up the river.
l The smoke approached nearer and nearer, and
our glasses soon made out first three and then
four rebel steamers, aud we ut once recognized
the mosquito feet. s.
As they came abreast OF Fort Pulaski wo
made ont one with broad pennant on the fore,
apparently the Everglade, with the rebel Com
'modore Tatnsll ON board. The pentagonal brick
Fort Pulaski, on Cockspur Island, could be
plainly seen at distance of some three miles,
with the rebel flag floating defsntly from its
walls. A great many people were on its walls
watching the approach Of the rebel steamers
mounted only in two directions, guarding the
two river approaches up and down. The rear
did not appear defended. ,5 a,g
There is shoal in the Savannah river opp0.
site Fort Pulaski, and extending we'll into Turtle
Island, SOEth Carolina coast; and between this
and tho fort is the channel, which at this point
is obs,ructed by two large hulks, evidently with
the intention Of OBTAINING any vessel going up
the river long enough to give the guns at the
fort good opportunity Of sinking them. ~
The three steamers frat seen slowly passed
the hulks, and then continued their course
abreast, with this floating battery in tow. When
they came within about three miles of US, one Of
the steamers turned her broadside to the feet,
and the big gusp belched forth its angry thun-
der; but the missile fell harmlessly half mile
short They continusd slowly on, and then
fred q second shot, which pierced the water
within Two hundred yards of the Pocahontas.
The Seneca was soon under way and rounded
into position, SO as to make use of her Inch
gun, the shell from which ricochetted along to.
ward the.rebels, but fell short =
Meanwhile the Pocahontas, Augusta and Flor.
ida got up their anchors and steamed slowly in
to position marked out in the accompanying
chart, and heading respectively as they are rep.
resented. 1t@
The fourth rebel steamer now stopped under
tho guns;of Fort Pulaski, while the others slow
ly continued their course, firing occasionally.
The Seneca sent shell after shell toward them,
and soon got in excellent range. The shot
skipped along the water, making over thirty ri
ochets, and came very closely. Some of the
shell burst right over the feet, The Seneca al.
30 fired several rifle shots, some eighteen or
nineteen in all, as did the Pocahontas, Augusta
and Florida. These all came very near the yes.
sells, and We were getting at distance which
would coon give our shots chance to tell,
when two or three rapidly succeeding warnings
Of tho Seneca's big eleven-inch gun gave them .
hint they could not have it all their own way,
and they ceased firing, turned tail ignominious-
ly, and beat precipitate retreat, under full
head of steam. The rebels fred in all some
nine or ten shots, only three or four of which
were from the big gun. They all fell short, their
best shot having been the second, which came
within 600 feet Of the Pocahontas. We fol.
lowed little way, the Seneca and other vessels
firing one or two shots after them; but we were
not des:rous of coming within range of the guns
of Fl. Pulaski, and so returned to our Inoorings.
We have as yet no means Of knowing whether
any damage was done by our shot. 'f sI
TYBEE AND IT'S PORT. re-
Next day an expedition went ashore on Tybec.
The fort is thus described:
It is q round tower, about thirty feet in hight
and ten feet in thickness, and in diameter about
thirty five feet, built of concrete oyster shells,
stone, &C., cemented with lime. It was arranged
for several guns, en- baroetse. and pierced for
musketry. Close by are two or three sheds, re.
Gently erected for stabling or cattle houses. q
The usual shrubbery Of the district grows all
over in profusion, but the ground oil the way to
the lighthouse is billy and sandy. At the ap.
proach to the lighthouse is a recently construct
ed closed shed, evidently intended for barracks,
but never occupied. 1t contained some bundles
of straw, fifty or hundred barrels of lime, and
several planks of lumber, while the floor was
strewn with shavings. There were two brick
houses, one story in hight, and enclosed in g
patch of ground which had been cultivated fol
garden purposes. There we're several othel
sheds a. fre {s5.-,s4, f,..... ....g
The lighthouse bore evidence of recent occu.
patton. The rooms at the various landings con
tanned rude cots and sets of drawers, while theiI
floors was strewn with empty bottles and bro
ken glass. Here and there were stray pairs o.
unmentionables, some only ragged, some only
partially complete We mounted the steps, l5(
in number, with occasional landings to the top.
The lens had been taken away, and most of tht
windows broken, some of the remaining panes
of glass bearing evidence of having been pierced
with musket balls. sea
The iron work supporting the lens bears the
inscription, 81. Saulter, & Gle, constructors,
Paris" but no date.
From the lighthouse we had splendid view
Of the surrounding country. The island ap
peared almost round, except to the southward
where it appeared TO elongate, and this part
it is covered with marshes ...z.z
Fort Pulaski, on Cockspur Island, could b,
readily seen. 1t is pentagonal fort, built o
brick, and apparently two miles distant. !
think battery at this point would be necessar,
to attack it, and have no doubt but that
Union gun mounted on the beach at Fortres
Monroe, or the dismounted Floyd gun at its sid
ii brought here could be made to do good exc
king of which will be necessary before Sayan
| nah can be captured. Anaval force would hav
a great difficulty in reducing Fort Pulaski, bu
| q reliable land battery at this point of Tybe
Island would aid such an undertaking considers
| ably.
should think gun as. big as the Union o
Floyd could be mounted on the martello tower
which is strong enough to bear the weight, an
is only about thirty feet high. 5s.l..8.,
| After making observations, and trying to di.
tinguish the city, from whence this lighthous
is distinctly visable, on clear, day, the part
descended, and the marines and sailors passs
In review before the Commodore.
| There was not much of interest on the islanG
. few rotten carcresses Of bullocks, and one liy
lame goat, which was shot, and an old wheelbal
row, we're oil that We saw besides the building
I should think this island would be an eligibl
point for occupation BY troops, and have n
doubt that Gen. Sherman will soon send reg
ment to encamp here.
The intention of the Government is to ere,
batteries upon, and otherwise fortify Tybee
land, for the purpose Of making it base Of o.
erations against Fort Pulaski and Savannah, ar
the reconnaissance was conducted with til
view. - 70 = eaaeA =
CERTAINLY !-Col Charles ]. Biddle (a son
the late Nicholas Biddls Of u. s. Bank memor
was chosen to Congress from Philadelphia, Viii
Colonel Of regiment Of volunteers In the N
tional service. He being . democrat, several
the leading democrats Of his city united In
letter urging, him to resign his Colonelcy II
take bis seat in tho House. In his lettcr Of q
qu,escence In this request, he says: W.
a = -tanhnW n -