Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-19

The subioining letter is a private document
addressed by Capt Rodgers, who was the first
man 10 run up the Stars and Stripes on South
Carolna's iebelious soil, to II friend, and by
him published for General information.
STEAMER BTEEviLLE Pour ROYAL IARBop,
Orr Fort WALKER, Nov ., 1861,
DEAR -: We took this fort, mounting 81
guns, after four hour fight. 1t was uObly DONE
The Wabash, which led. was carried along the
shore by the sounding us close as possible. The
soundings were given regularly, ms on au ordi-
nary occasion. Signals were made continually,
without single mistake while the rain of fire
from This ship. the Wabash fell upon the fort
with all the cold precision of target practice -
| During the action looked carefully at the fort
with powerful spy glass Shell fell in it (noi
3S in n minute, as ut llateras) but as fast as a
horses feet beat the ground on u gallup
The resistance was severe; but what can flesh
and blood do against such fire l watched
TWO men particularly in red shirts; | saw them
seated at the mu21le OF gun apparently wait
ing, exhausted for more ammunition. They
were so still that doubted whether they were
men. This terrible fire fell around them,
saw them move, and knew they were men -
They loaded the gun-a shell burst near them,
und they Disappeared doubtless blown to atoms
The Wabash was n destroying angel-huggng
the shore-ealng the sOundngs with cold in
| MISUNDERSTANDING the eng ne 10 us only to givs
steeFage way-signaling the vessels their var
ious evolutions and at the same time raining
shells, as in target practice, too fast to count
Commodore Dupont hal kindly made me hi
aid. stood by him, and l did little things
which, suppose, gained me credit-so when
boat was sent on shore TO ask whether they ha'
surrendered wls sent. carried the Star
and Stripes. | found tue ramparts utterl.
desolate, and l planted the american flu
upon the iamparis with my own hands
ir,t to take possession, in the majesty Of til
United States, of the rebel soil Of South Caro-
lima
The Confederate forces were in utter panic
They deserted evorything--nrms, tents, persons
property were abandoned as by men intent on
upon safety, and spurrcd by overwhelming fear
| was for an hour, with only boats crew, i
the camp. a foolish, maiden diiiidence stood i
my way, and | did not take much pluuder
did take sword mounted in solid silver, hill
and scabbarl, which proved to be blade wit
two golden lines Of Arabic writng-donblless
Damascus blade, and an heir.loom which pfC
scnted to Commodore Dupon', fo' h. iai nk,' /
In the same tent. l found new ,n".ri d. q a.
still in its box Of paseboqrd
Gep. Sherman said he had no idea Of suc
magnificent fighting, for the guns were |, II
., aud inch guns. The Wabash was awful
sublime in her .le-tyey'ng energy, and yet so Cot
and precise, md so masniicently fearless
The panic was wid--ahject terror on the pal
of the Southrous' Not soldier had bee
landed, because il had not been possible Tor thci
to get on shore, except ut the batteries and
course rot until the batteries were taken; y,
men thronged tho road for miles with blanket
muskets knnpsRcks; one company of about 4
horstmnn abandoned their horses and fed /,
life, while no one pursued-so say the contri
e bands.
? y