The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-11-14
THE NAVAL EXPEDITION,
THE FIRST DAYS OPERATIONS
At PORT ROYAL.
DE STRUGGLE
AT BEAUFORT.
PHILADELPHIA. Noy. u

The Inquirer has the following from
Fort Monroe, derived mainly from a rebel
source:
Fort Beaufort was of considerable i'm
portance, having been mounted with heavy
guns. The garrisons are supposed TO have
been South Carolina regiments. assisted
by additional regiments sent from Rich
monj. The batteries at Bay Point. oppo-
site Hilton Head were equally as formida
tie. Inside of Port Royal entrance. and
behind the batteries lay the fleet of Com
modore Tatnail which consisted only of
small vessels carrying only few heavy
guns. but principally light ones. Tugs
constituted great portion of the fleet.
Many of these remained outside the mouth
of the entrance till the arrival of our fleet
when they formed in miniature line of bat
tie in the position already stated behind
the guns of their own forts and across lie
entrance.
On the morning of Thursday las, the
I. S. fleet, numbering fortytwo vessels.
beaded by the flag ship, approached the
mouth OF Port Royal entrance. This was
at Q o'clock in the morning. Several of
the transports remained off the coast.
Upon arriving at a suitable position the
guns Of the fleet opened continuous fire
upon Forts Walker and Beauregard. as
well as upon those Of Bay Point. Uoder
cover Of this fire. an effort was made to
RIM the gauntlet OF the batteries, which
they did. A number of the vessels passed
through the fire from the shore batteries
with very trifling injuries. At least fifteen
Of them succeeded in passing up beyond
the reach Of the lard batteries
As he ULon fleet sailed up. the Mos
quito feet of Talnall opened fire, but,
seeing the imposslbility Of making any
resistance. soon dispersed. Some were
forced to run on shore. Others were driv-
en- up the Inleis, out OF sight Com.
Tatnall went on shore with his men to as
sist in working the batteries and use them
against our vessels, which were endeavor-
ing to follow the advance of the others.
The passage of the fleet through the
channel was not accomplished until the
firing had continued from half-past IN
the morning until nearly 5 in the evening.
One of he Union gun boats is believed
to have been sunk: the crew were all say.
ed
Ii Is acknowledged by the enemy that
they had twenty men killed in Fort Walk.
er. but 1t is impossible to state what their
loss was at the other Notwithstanding
very great. as our fire is said TO have been
effective, and the guns well managed and
of heavy calibre.
No sooner did our vessels 90 past the
batteries at Port Royal entrance and slide
into what is termed Broad River. than they
made 70: the mouths of the lnets leading
to Beaufort, Savannah and Charleston.
These they Immediately blockaded. though
not in time to prevent the escape Of small
rebel vessels.
The Union vessels acted under special
instructions in blocksding the inlets
which led to the most important points,
and which afforded loopholes of escape to
the enemy.
While portion of the fleet entered upon
this duty. four ships made at once for
Beaufort. and. at 3 o'clock on Thursday,
three vessels were in sight of the town.
A dispatch dated Beaufort, Nov. 7th,
TO the Charleston Mercury, says that at
the time the Onion forces were preparing
to land, evidently with the intention of
throwing up Entertainments and attacking
the town.
When Com. Tatnall went 10 assist the
men in the forts, he found that many Of
their cannon were dismounted by their
own rebound. To this fault the rebel Jour
mails attribute their defeat. and loudly call
upon ,he Confederate government TO find
out where tia blame rests.
The Charleston Mercury. Of the 9th
inst. after summing up the repulse, says:
1.-The Yankees seem to have driven
Com. Tatnall's mosquito fleet up the creek
leading to Savannah. and out off all water
communication with Charleston by SEALING
up Skull Greek. Although The Yankees
have affected as yet 20 landing. it is certain
they have made some progress. aud il be-
hooves us TO Immediately send such rein.