Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-11-22

The Snsquehannah had three men wounded
The list of casualties. ss before stated, giyos
only eight killed and some twenty wounded,
only small portion Of whom were considered
seriously or dangerously hurt All the wound
ed were doing we'll, and a great part would be
sent home il few days.
The town of Beaufort was entirely deserted
except By the negroes. The troops had not
occupied it when the steamer left, being bet
ter engaged in strengthening their position.
ANOTHER REPORT.
New YoBK, Nov I3.-The 7fibuue's spe-
tiEl report from Fortress Monroe says that or
Thursday morning the entire feet formed iato
two grand lines for the fight. The steamer
! 6Ienvl!e fanked the movement, which was in
circle, first delivering broadsides into Fort
Beauregard on the northwest. and az the aees
came round, raking Fort Walker on the south
vest. Both forts responded vigorously.
! The Pawnee and Mohican, having for the
tine being got sground, were considerably
damaged.
| The bombardment lasted between four and
! i've honrs, when the rebel flag on Fort Walker
eauee down. The rebel loss IS supposed to be
200. Gen. tDrayton commanded at Fort
Walker, and Col. Elliott at Fort Bsaure,
gard.
The rebels retired across Scull Greek to a
Vilages tweuty five miles n the interior, where
1t IS supposed they intend TO make stand.
| The negroes had already begun 10 Billage
and destroy Beaufort, the white population
having fed to Charleston, By small steamers,
through he inlsnd route
/ Ii Is understood that General Sherman will
improve the defences Of his position before
making any forward movement.
| In the forts was large supply Of ammuni.
tion and stores Of the best description.
| Commodore Dupont will Immediately survey
the harbor, place buoys and erect lights; aud
the position viii be made permanent base of
operations.
Every one entered into the fight with the
| determination that the forts should be senced,
though II should cost the entire feet
The feet stood between 500 and 600 feet
of the forts, aud used five second fuses, and
poured shells toto them at the rate OF z coo
per hour. Not single she'll sent by the reb-
els burst 10 a ship.
Tbs Wabash was struck several tunes, as
was most Of tie feet, but every ship was in
fighting position when the rebels took TO
their heels. The surgeon of Fort Walker was
killed.
At Charleston tie next day thirteen minute
guns we're fred, indicative Of the burial cf
Briaadier.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES TO THE NAVY
DEPARTMENT.
THE FLEET IN A STORM.
The following are the official desp atches to the
Navy Department:--
FLAGSHIP WABASH Orr HI1ToS,
PoRT ROYAL HARBoR, Nov. 8, 1851.
SIR the Government having determined to
seize and occupy one or more important points
upon the Southern coast, where our squadrOns
mig bit find shelter. possess depot, and afford
protection to loyal cize MS, committed to my dis.
cretion the selection from among those places
which we're thought most available and desirable
for these purposes.
After mature deliberation, aided by the profess
sional knowledge and great intelligence of the AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy, Mr.. Fox, and upon
taking into consideration the magnitude to which
the joint naval and military expedition had been
extended, to which you have called my attention,
came to the conclusion that the original nten-
tions of the Department, if first carried out, would
fall short Of the expectations of the count ry and
Of the capabilities OF the expedition. Port Royal,
I thought, would meet both in high degree. |
therefore submitted to Brigudier-Geaera SHER- {
MAN, commanding the military part of the oxpedi-
ton, this modification OF earlier matured plans
and had the satisfaction TO receive his full concur
renee, though he and tie commanders Of the bri-
gades very justly laid great stress on tle necess,
ty if possible, of getting this frigate into tho har
Dor Of Port Royal ,
On Tuesday the 2qth of October. the feet ua-
der my command left Hampton Roads, and, with
the army transports, numbered fifty vessels. On !
the day previous bad despatched the coal vessels,
twenty five in ALL under the convoy of the Van- ,
daEia Commander HAGGERTY, to rendezvous of
Savannah not wishing TO give the true point /
Tho weather had been unsettled in Hampton Roads,
though it promised we'll when we sailed; but off Z
Hatteras it blew hard. Some of the ships got :
into the breakers, and tive struck, but without in
jury.
On Friday, the Ist of November, the rough | t
weather soon increased to gale, and we had to a
encounter one of great violance from the south !
east, portion of which approached to a hurricane
The feet was utterly dispersed, and on Saturday
morning sail only was in sight from the deck 6
of the Wabash.
On the following day the weather moderated, and i
the steamers and ships began to re,appear. :
Sealed orders, not to be opened, except in case
of separation, were furnished TO all the men-of-
war BY myself, and to the transports by General 5
AS the vessels rejoined, reports came
in OF disasters. ! expected to hear of many, but .
when the severity of the gale and the character Of
the vessels are considered, we have only cause for
great thankfnIness.
In reference to the men -of-war, the Isaac Smith
most efficient and we.l-armed vessel for the class
but not intended to encounter such
sea and wind had to throw her formidable battery
overheard to keep from laundering, but being thus
relieved, Lieutenant Commanding NICHOLSON was
enabled to 90 to the assistance Of The chartered
steamer Gopcrror, then in a very dangerous condi-
tion and on board of which one fine batta-
ion of marines, under Major REYNOLDS. They
we're finally rescued by Captain RINGGoLD, in the
Sabine, undor difficult circumstances; after
which, the Governor went dawn. / behave seven
1f the marines were drowned By their own impru-
ience. Lieutenant-C Commanding NICHOLSON s con-
luct in the Isaae Smith has met with my warm :
,ommendztion. o
The Peerless, transport, in sinking coalition, d
vas met by the Mohican, Commander GoRDRN.-
All the people on board, twenty-six in number,
we're saved under very peculiar circumstances, in