Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-11-23
The War News


ment, in the presence of Secretary
Cameron and other distinguished per-
sonages. The main point in his argu-
meht was the treatmentof slaves during
the present contest. He said we need
to use every means in our power to
Isubdua the rebellion. We should take
their cotton, and sell and burn as was
best; confscate their property, and
when necessary take their lives; and
as their slaves are used as an element
Of strength against US, we shouldn't
hesitate to take them-if necessary to
place arms in their hands, that they
might assist in establishing the rights
OF common humanity.
This sentiment was received with
unbounded enthusiasm.
Washington, Nov. 1--we have
captured SIS cannon, 5000 muskets and
any quantity Of ammunition.
The road by which the rebels escap-
ell is covered with rihed muskets,
knapsacks, sc. We have taken at
least $4,000 blankets and tents for g.
900 men.
Fort Monroe, Nov. l2.-The steam
er Bie,aviUe has just arrived at Old
Point from the Great Expedition. She
left Port Royal on Sunday morning,
and brings cheering intelligence. Capt.
Steedman, however, left her at this
place, and proceeds direct to Washing
ton with dispatches and trophies-tw o
brass cannon and secession flags
The fleet arrived at Port Royal on
Monday the 4th. Tuesday, the small
er gun boats rounded into the channel,
under fire from the forts, which did
no damage.
On W ednesday the weather prevent
ed active operations, but on Thursday
morning, the eth inst, the men of war
and the gunboats advanced to the at
tack. The action commenced at 10 a.
m, and was hotly carried on on both
sides, and lasted about four hours, at
the end of which time the rebels were
compelled, by the shower OF shells, to
abandon their works and beat hasty
retreat. Our loss was eight men and
one officer-the Chief Engineer of the
N0hica1a-killed, and about twenty
wounded. The rebel loss unknown.
Fitty-two bodies were found by our men
and buried
All their wounded, except two, were
carried off
Two forts were captured. Fort W al
ker on Hilton Head mounting % guns,
and Fort Beauregard on Bay Point,
mounting l9 guns. all Of heavy calibre
The forts wore both new, and there were
splendid earthworll> of great strength,
constructed in the highest style of mil
itary science, and pronounced by our
engineers as impregnable against any
assault by land forces.
The final retreat of the rebels was a
perfect rout. They left everything,
! arms and equipment of all kinds, even
to the officers swords and commits
sions. All the letters and papers, both
public and private, order books and
documents of all kinds, were left in
flight, and fell in our hands, afording
: our officers much valuable information.
Among the papers was a telegram
from Jeff. Davis to the commander of
the post, informing him Of the sailing
of the fleet, ard that he knew their
destination to be Port Royal. The
whole surrounding country was seized
with perfect panic.
The day after the fight, the Seneca
and two other gunboats proceeded to
Beaufort and found but one white man
in the town, and he drunk.
All the plantations up the river seem
: ed to be deserted, by the negroes, who
were seen in great numbers, and who,
as the boats passed, came down to the
shore with bundles in their hands, as il
they expected to be taken off
They seized all the letters in the
Post Office. After the capture Of the
forts, the whole army, about 5000
men, were safely landed and estab,
lished on shore.
The forts were but little injured, but
the rebels could not stat the exp los-
J ion Of our big shells.
The force of the enemy, as ascer-
, tanned from their papers, was 1000
men, under General Drayton, of South
Carolina.
Our victory is complete, the rebels
leaving everything but their lives.
which they saved by running.
But four persons were found, and
two of them were wounded.
All hands Of the fleet are represent
ed as acting in the most gallant man
ner.
SECOND DESPATCH
The steamer Empire City has Just ar
! rived from Guyandotte. The secession
portion of the inha bitants it appears
were looking for the attack, and had a
supper prepared for the rebel cavalry,
who we're headed by thenotorious Jen-
kins and numbered 500. eipht of our