Worcester daily spy., 1861-11-14
LATEST NEWS.
THE NAVAL EXPEDITION.
Official Reports of Commodore Dupont.
FLAG SHIP WABASH,
or Hilton Head, Port Royai HmJor,
Nov. s. 1861.

or Hilton Hedd, Port ROydt HdT6Or :
Nov. s, 1861. }
Hon. Gideon WeHes, Secretary Of tie Nayy:
Sir,--I have the honor to inform you that
yesterday l attacked the batteries of the enc
my on Bay Point and Hilton Head, and Forts
Walker and Boaaregard and succeeded in
silencing them after an engagement of four
hours duration, and in driving away the
squadron of rebel steamers under Commander
Tatnall. The reconnaissance OF yesterday
made us satisfied with the superiority OF Eor
Walker, and to that l directed my especial
efforts, engaging it at a distance of eight hun
dred yards, and afterwards at six hundred
yards. But the plan of attack brought the
squadron sufficiently near Fort Beauregard to
receive its fire, and the ships were frequently
fighting the batteries on both sides at the same
time. The action was begun on my part at
twenty six minutes after nine, and at ha past
two the American ensign was hoisted on the
flag staff of Foit Walker, and this morning
at sunrise ON that OF Fort Beauregard.
The defeat of the enemy terminated in ut
ter rout and confusion. Their quarters ard
encampments were abandoned without an at
tempt to carry away either public or private
property. The ground over which they fled
was strewn with the arms OF private soldiers
and the officers retired in too much haste to
submit to the encumbrance of their swords,
Landing my marines and company of sea-
mon, l took possession OF the deserted ground,
and held the forts on Hilton Head till the ar
rival of Gen. Sherman, to whom l had the
honor to transfer their command. We have
captured turty-three pieces of cannon, most OF
them OF the heaviest caliber and OF The most
improved design. The bearer of these dis.
patches will have the honor TO carry with him
the captured flags and two small brass field
pieces lately belonging to the state of South
Carolina W rp :
phies Of the success of the day. | enclose
herewith copy OF tue general order which is
TO be read in the fleet, tomorrow morning, at
muster. A detailed account OF this battle will
be submitted hereafter | have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant
S. L. DUPONT Flag Officer.
P. S.-Fhe bearer OF dispatches will also
carry with him the first American ensign
raised upon the soil of South Carolina since
the rebellion broke out sF.D.
GENERAL ORDER No. .
FLAG SHIP WABASH,
HILTON HEAD, Port Royal Bay,
Nov. 8, 1861.
Ii is the grateful duty of the commander in
chief to make a public acknowledgement of
his entire cOmmendatiOn of the cO0lness, dis.
cpline, skill, and gaantry, displayed by the
officers and men under his. command, in the
capture of the batteries at Hilton's Head and
Bay Point, after an action OF four hours dura-
ti9n. The flag officer fully sympalhizes with
the officers and men of his squadron, in the
satisfaction they must feel in seeing the ensign
of the United States flying once more in the
state of South Carolina, which has been the
chief promoter OF the wicked and unprovoked
rebellion they have been called upon to sup
press. 5. +. DUPONT, Flag Officer.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD,
PORT ROYAL, Nov. s, 1861.
Hon Gideon WeiieS: Sir-I have the honor
to report the following casualties in the action
of yesterday On board the Wabash killed,
one-Thomas jackson, coXswain, captain Of a
gun; slightly wounded, two-Alfrei Hernsby,
seaman, and VIM. Wall, seaman. On the
Susquehanna killed, two-John P. Clark,
orderly sergeant, and VIM, Prise, second coal
HEAVIER; wounded seriouly, One-Samuel f.
Smart, first class boy +; wounded slightly,
two-Patrick Devicer and Samuel HGlbrook,
second grade. On the Pawnee killed, two
John Kelly, orderly sergeant, and VIM. II.
Fitzhugh, first class boy wounded slightly,
three = Alfred Washburne, masters mate,
Jacob House, ordinary seaman, and Patrick
Quinn, ordinary seaman. On the MOhican
killed, one--John A Whittemore, third as
sstant engineer wounded seriously, three
w. Thompson, Isaac Sey burn, acting master,
and Sherman Bascom, ordinary seaman /;
wounded slightly, four-Mayland Cuthbert,
third assistant engineer, John o. Plttman
masters mate, John w Townsend, ordinary
seaman, and Charles Browne, ordinary sea.
man. On the Bienville killed, two Patrick
McGuigan and Alexander Chambers: wound
ed slightly, three--PeteI Murphy, Alexander
Fjrav md Vm. Ciilehri,t. On me Seminole ::
few sIightlv wounded-the number not re.
nortcd }Tofal killed cioht wounded severe.
iv siy. wounded slightly. seventeen; killed
and wuuu1nl thirty one.
have the hn,0r to be.
Rasnnr,fullv vour ob't sery't.
8 + DUpoxr Flau officer.
c. w., ~ nm, u,,1
La" oi'iT +, W. W Ai51A9 Da M ~. iae1
~ r. o., JIt ~ noy"'' NV . i00i'
o >, Ah"n: u'deon - eSes. oe,;o, ,snotobos
o-olnce wrlti9 .ly oinci"i ~
lort anu 70 p[oIeee ale d ad and p"i ,h ten
il abandoned to the negroes, who are reported
10 me as in a lawless condition. The light
vessels at Beaufort; which hope to seize and
make use of, were DESTROYED on the desertion
.f tLa torts h, ,ba rabaIs The most of4ires